ecret _per esser felice_,
during his two hours' nap. He confessed to a consuming desire for
Congress-water, and made use of improper words upon finding only empty
bottles, aggravating in reminiscence of it, in the carved ebony
sideboard.

Finally he sat down, with his head in his hands, and told his story
dismally enough.

Miss Rose Wood's carriage had been dismissed, as per programme. Andy
had led the German with her, and a bottle of champagne at his side. He
had walked home with her; had told her--in what wild words he knew
not--that he loved her; and had been, as Van had surmised, "accepted
out of hand."

"And, Van, I'm bound, as a man of honor, to marry her!" finished the
now thoroughly dejected _fiance_. "Yes, I know what you'd say; it _is_
a pretty rum thing to do; but then she mustn't suffer for my cursed
folly!"

"Suffer? Rose Wood _suffer_ for missing fire one time more?"

Surprise struggled with contempt in the exclamation Morris shot out by
impulse.

"But, if she loves me well enough to engage--" Andy began, rather
faintly; but his mentor cut him short.

"Love the d--_deuce!_" he retorted. "Why, she's a beggar and a
husband-trap!"

"But her family? What will _they_ think?" pleaded Andy, but with very
little soul in the plea.

"Poor little Blanche!" muttered Morris, half to himself. "Bah! the
girl _has_ no heart!"

"Blanche?" echoed Van, in a dazed sort of way. "Why, you don't suppose
Blanche will know it! I never thought of _her!_" and he rose feebly,
and stood shivering in his ghostly attire.

"Why, of course, Rose Wood couldn't keep such great news. Why, man,
you're the capital prize in the matrimonial lottery; but hang me if
Miss Wood shan't draw another blank this time!"

There was a compound of deadly nausea and effortful dignity in the
elbows Mr. Andrew Browne leaned upon the mantel, which hinted volumes
for what his face might have said, had it been visible through the
fingers latticed over it.

"I am a gentleman," he half gasped. "It _may_ be a trap; but I'll keep
my word, and--_marry_ her, unless--unless, Van, you get me out of
it!"

"Go to bed, you spoon!" laughed his friend. "I have the whole plan cut
and dried. I'll teach you your lesson as soon as you sleep yourself
sober."

Morris stood many minutes by the bedside of his quickly-sleeping
friend; but, when he turned into the parlor again, his face was pale
and stern.

"The way of the world, always," he said aloud. "One in