o know everything connected with
the estate and the marriage settlement, _except the fact that the latter
had not yet been signed_, although reluctantly "passed" by both the
lady's trustees. Wherefore this special limitation in the father's
knowledge it is impossible to say. He certainly showed no limitation in
his knowledge of the bridegroom's character and disposition, and gave
the most elaborate and detailed instructions as to how his daughter
should behave towards her husband, and where she might, with advantage,
cultivate tact and patience.

My advice to Miss Waverly was to say nothing on the subject to her
sister, but she wisely, as it turned out, determined to take the
responsibility of telling her _everything_. She telegraphed to me next
day, asking if she might come and see Mrs Peters and bring the bride
with her.

This was done, and they arrived, with several photographs, large and
small, of the father, and also of the bridegroom, for identification.
Carrie, in fact, tried--a little unfairly perhaps--to make Mrs Peters
identify the wrong person by forcing into notice a large photograph of
the _bridegroom_ (some years senior to the father), and saying
carelessly: "_There, Mrs Peters--that is the face you saw yesterday of
my father, is it not?_" But Mrs Peters would have none of it. She looked
staggered for a moment, then caught sight of the second picture, and
turned to it with relief: "_This_ is the face I saw, whether it is your
father or not," she answered, with decision.

The bride begged for a private interview with Mrs Peters, which lasted
for a considerable time. Of course, I knew nothing of this interview,
nor should I feel at liberty to speak of it if I did know. I may,
however, be permitted to say that I have the bride's own assurance that
the accurate knowledge then given her of her future husband's
characteristics physical and mental, and the best way of dealing with
them, "made all the difference in her married life."

During that interview Mrs Peters also told her the number of years she
would be married; and the prophecy was accurately fulfilled, which is
the more remarkable, because, as a rule, it seems impossible to
predicate time, even when events can be foreseen.

I am happy to add that the marriage turned out a complete success, and
that a marriage settlement was made more in accordance with the father's
wishes, although neither trustees nor principal in the transaction, had
any idea t