e was
visibly affected, and though he returned her greeting, kissing her on
brow and cheek, he was unable to speak. Her color deepened and her eyes
grew luminous as she turned to welcome Darrell, but she only said,--

"I am inexpressibly glad that you came. It will be good to feel there is
one amid all the crowd who knows."

"He knows also, Kathie," Darrell replied, in low tones, indicating Mr.
Britton with a slight motion of his head.

"Does he know all?" she asked, quickly.

"Yes; I thought you could have no objection."

"No," she answered, after a brief pause; "I am glad that it is so."

There was no opportunity for further speech, as Mr. Underwood came
forward to welcome his old friend and Darrell, and they were hurried off
to their rooms to prepare for dinner.

Mr. Underwood was not a man to do things by halves, and the elaborate
but informal dinner to which he and his guests sat down was all that
could be desired as a gastronomic success. He himself, despite his
brusque manners, was a genial host, and Walcott speedily ingratiated
himself into the favor of the guests by his quiet, unobtrusive
attentions, his punctilious courtesy to each and all alike.

Darrell and his friend felt ill at ease and out of place amid the gayety
that filled the house that evening, and at an early hour they retired to
their rooms.

"It is awful!" Darrell exclaimed, as they stood for a moment together at
the door of his room listening to the sounds of merriment from below;
"it is all so hollow, such a mockery; it seems like dancing over a
hidden sepulchre!"

"And we are to stand by to-morrow and witness this farce carried out to
the final culmination!" Mr. Britton commented, in low tones; "it is
worse than a farce,--it is a crime! My boy, how will you be able to
stand it?" he suddenly inquired.

Darrell turned away abruptly. "I could not stand it; I would not attempt
it, except that my presence will comfort and help her," he answered. And
so they parted for the night.

The following morning dawned clear and cloudless, the spotless, unbroken
expanse of snow gleaming in the sunlight as though strewn with myriads
of jewels; it seemed as if Earth herself had donned her bridal array in
honor of the occasion.

"An ideal wedding-day!" was the universal exclamation; and such it was.

The wedding was to take place at noon. A little more than an hour before
the bridal party was to leave the house Darrell was walking up and down
th