eir days in an effort to catch a train.

For the moment, therefore, there was no one to whom Tristrem could
confide his earliest impressions, and in a month's time the force of
these impressions waned; the difference between New York and Paris lost
much of its accent, and in its place came a growing admiration for the
pluck and power of the nation, an expanding enthusiasm for the stretch
and splendor of the land.

During the month that followed, an incident occurred which riveted his
patriotism forever. First among the friends and acquaintances whom
Tristrem sought on his return was Royal Weldon. Outwardly the handsome,
turbulent boy had developed into an admirable specimen of manhood, he
had become one on whom the feminine eye likes to linger, and in whose
companionship men feel themselves refreshed. His face was beardless and
unmustached, and into it had come that strength which the old prints
give to Karl Martel. In the ample jaw and straight lips was a message
which a physiognomist would interpret as a promise of successful
enterprise, whether of good or evil. It was a face which a Crusader
might have possessed, or a pirate of the Spanish main. In a word, he
looked like a man who might be a hero to his valet.

Yet, despite this adventurous type of countenance, Weldon's mode of life
was seemingly conventional. Shortly after the removal from Harvard, his
father was mangled in a railway accident and left the planet and little
behind him save debts and dislike. Promptly thereupon Royal Weldon set
out to conquer the Stock Exchange. For three years he grit his teeth,
and earned fifteen dollars a week. At the end of that period he had
succeeded in two things. He had captured the confidence of a prominent
financier, and the affection of the financier's daughter. In another
twelvemonth he was partner of the one, husband of the other, and the
taxpayer of a house in Gramercy Park.

Of these vicissitudes Tristrem had been necessarily informed. During the
penury of his friend he had aided him to a not inconsiderable extent;
though afar, he had followed his career with affectionate interest, and
the day before Weldon's wedding he had caused Tiffany to send the bride
a service of silver which was mentioned by the reporters as "elegant"
and "chaste." On returning to New York, Tristrem naturally found the
door of the house in Gramercy Park wide open, and it came about that it
was in that house that his wavering patriotism was riv