ome visible means of support. She pouted at this
and was cruel; but for once the old clerk was inflexible, even to her.
Mercedes would perhaps have married against his will, but Mr. St.
Clair had his reason for submitting.

And that gentleman was particular in his choice of occupation, and
Mercedes yet more particular for him. The class of which St. Clair
came is a peculiar one, hardly known to the respectable world, less
known then than now; and yet it has often money, kindliness,
reputability even, among its members: they marry and have children
among their own class; they are not church-going, but yet they are not
criminal. As actor families maintain themselves for many generations
(not the stars, but the ordinary histrionic families; you will find
most of the names on the playbills to-day that were there in the last
century, neither above nor below their old position), so there are
sporting families who live in a queer, not unprosperous world of their
own, marry and bring up children, and leave money and friends behind
them when they die. And Sinclair came of people such as these. "St.
Clair" was his own invention. Of course Jamie did not know it, nor did
Mercedes; and in fact he was honestly in love with her, to the point
of changing his way of life to one of routine and drudgery.

But no place could be found (save, indeed, a retail grocer's
clerkship), and Mercedes began to grow worried, and occasionally to
cry. St. Clair spent his evenings at the house; and at such times
Jamie would wander helplessly about the streets. St. Clair's one idea
was to be employed about the bank, to become a banker. Had he been
competent to keep the books, I doubt not Jamie would have given them
up to him.

Great is the power of persuasion backed by love, even in a bent old
Scotchman. Will it be believed, Jamie teased and schemed and promoted
until he made a vacancy of the place of messenger, and got it for his
son-in-law. Perhaps old Mr. Bowdoin had ever had a slight feeling of
remorse since he had seen nipped in the bud that affair with young
Harleston. He did not approve of the present match. Yet he fancied the
bridegroom might be a safer spouse with a regular occupation and a
coat more threadbare than he habitually wore.

Nothing now stood in the way of the marriage; and it took place with
some _eclat_,--in King's Chapel, indeed, with all the Bowdoins, even
to Mrs. Abby. Jamie gave the bride away. Hughson (to Mercedes'
relief)