Maude continued: “Then everything was plain sailing. He gave me money for an outfit, bought my ticket and return, found me a chaperone, a brother lawyer and his wife were coming over, and gave me five hundred dollars to spend. I consider that is my dowry, for I don't expect any more. Florence gets fifteen thousand a year and I get five hundred all in a lump. But I am not envious of Florence. She needs the money, and I don't.” “Then your father does not know that you are married?” said Alice. “Certainly not. Harry was on the same boat, but we never spoke to each other all the way over. We suspected that father had spoken to Mr. Harding or his wife about Harry, and so we were very circumspect and gave no cause for suspicion.” “Well,” said Aunt Ella, “I will go with you to see Florence, but Mr. Merry--” “Please call him Harry, Aunt Ella. Isn't he your nephew--in-law?” “Then,” Aunt Ella continued, “Harry must stay here. Alice and I will think out some way of breaking the news to your father. I'm glad you told me the whole story, for I think I see a way to overcome his objections.” The visit to Mrs. Captain Hornaby was paid, and Maude Sawyer was obliged to kiss and be kissed by her brother-in-law. “You didn't win the canoe race,” said Maude, “but you were determined to have that kiss and so you married Florence;” but her sister was not present when she made the remark. “Where is your friend, Colonel Spencer?” “In India. I have never seen him since I gave him that check.” “That paying teller got twenty years in prison for his penmanship,” said Maude. “Father thought you were the bad man until Aunt Ella sent the message that led father to investigate and find out who deposited the check. I was awful glad that you got out of it so nicely.” “So was I,” said Reginald. “I hope some day I can help somebody else out of a bad box just to show my gratitude.” Maude thought of her “bad box,” but Reginald could not help her or Harry. “Are you going to India?” she asked. “How is it that you are not with the army?” “I have sold my captaincy. Florence did not wish me to leave her, and my eldest brother decided the matter. He hates farming and accounts. I love both, so I am in charge of the estate. My brother Paul has been given a living as they call it in the church, and Geoffrey has entered the navy. My brother Wilfred will inherit the title, so we are all provided for.” Aunt Ella and Alice had many long confabs about the young couple, and how to reinstate Maude in her father's good graces when the truth became known to him. “I have an idea,” said Alice one morning to Aunt Ella. “Yesterday I had a letter from Dr. Paul Culver, one of the executors of Quincy's will. He says his practice is so great that he cannot do justice to my interests, and asks me to suggest some one to be appointed in his stead.” “What's your idea? Though perhaps I can guess,” said Aunt Ella.