He tossed back the disheveled hair from his forehead; his eyes blazed with some sudden purpose, his lips were set in a firm, livid line. “_I shall try for it_,” he said, in a low, hoarse whisper. “I have everything to win or lose, and I will not yield without a desperate struggle.” Two hours later his portmanteau was packed, and he was taking leave of his father and mother. They expressed great surprise over his sudden departure, and protested against his leaving home before the holidays, since they had made arrangements for a gay time at Christmas, chiefly on his account. But he was resolute, and would not be turned from his purpose. “There is to be a great wedding in New York on the thirtieth, for which I am booked,” he explained, though he did not say who was to be married; “and I would not miss it for anything.” “Well, but you could easily reach New York in season for this wedding, even if you do not leave until after Christmas,” his mother pleaded, for she was greatly disturbed to have him leave home at this time, while she suspected, from his gloomy face, who was to be married, and felt sure he was only heaping up misery for himself in going to New York. “Perhaps I will come back just for your grand party at Christmas,” he said, to appease her and be allowed to get off without further objections; “but I must run up North for a week or two, anyhow.” He reached the city on the morning of the sixth, and proceeded directly to the club, of which he was a member, and where he soon learned all that was going on among the _bon ton_. During the following day he called upon Gladys’ friend, Miss Addie Loring, from whom he meant to get all the particulars of the approaching wedding. Miss Loring received him with evident pleasure. “Where have you kept yourself all winter, Mr. Mapleson?” she questioned, brightly, as she cordially gave him her hand. “I feared you had deserted us altogether since leaving college.” “I have been in the South most of the time, but something, more powerful than home influence, constrained me to come to New York for a little taste of society and city life,” Everet returned, in a tone and with a look that made the young lady’s bright eyes droop consciously. “Will you remain until the end of the season?” “That depends,” he replied, with a significant smile, which made her heart flutter strangely. “New York is very gay this winter, and there will be plenty to entertain you for as long as you choose to remain,” Miss Loring promised, with a charming smile. “I suppose,” she added, “you have heard of the great wedding that is to come off on the thirtieth?” “The great wedding! Whose?” Everet questioned, feigning ignorance, although the chief object of his call was to learn all he could about it.