His tone changed as if by magic; and yet it was easy to perceive the surprise of seeing his brother-in-law was not at the moment an agreeable one. "Why, Wallingford, how are you? Welcome to Chicago. Miss Gilbert you look as blooming as a June rose. Gertrude, love, are you ill? You are very pale. Ah, I feared the effect of your last night's dissipation. Fact, I have myself a blinding headache to-day. Makes me as blue as I used to get sometimes in our old college days, Wallingford." "How is business?" inquired Edward, breaking an awkward pause. "Very good! No, I thank you, Miss Gilbert, I have eaten dinner. I came home to see how Gerty was getting on with her clearing away, after our first party. She ate so many dainties last night, feared she would be sick to-day." "Why, Paul, you forget I didn't taste any thing." Both Marion and Mr. Wallingford caught an ugly scowl which for one moment distorted the features of the lawyer, which instantaneously changed to a smile, as he said carelessly: "Ah, was that so? My duties as a host kept me very busy. You are so fond of cake and candies, that I supposed you indulged freely." CHAPTER X. THE NEW PROJECT. WHEN the coffee was served with the dessert, Mr. Dudley, who had taken a cup, said with a bow to Miss Gilbert, "I suppose we are indebted to you for this luxury. Gertrude, I wish you would find out the method. This is really delicious." "You are giving me quite too much praise," Marion answered quietly. "Bridge concocted it; and I agree with you she is deserving of great credit. Indeed I recognize in her the elements of a first rate cook; and as she says she has no place, I shall engage her for mamma." This speech caused Gertrude to open her eyes, while the girl who had great shrewdness understood the plan at once. "I don't see how I can spare her," faltered Mrs. Dudley, glancing shyly at her husband. "Our other servants have been so bad." "I've no doubt, love, she will stay if you insist," urged Paul, beginning to fear that in dismissing a girl who could give him such a cup of coffee, and who was an embryo cook, he had made a mistake. "I will add another dollar a month to her wages if that will please you." "Oh, thank you, Paul! I am so very glad." After dinner the two lawyers went to Mr. Dudley's office; but first the husband managed to see Gertrude alone, when he asked abruptly: "What stories of your husband's unkindness have you been telling Edward? He looks as grave as a judge." "Not one word, Paul! You ought to know me better than that. I suppose he is sorry to see me looking so ill." Upon every indifferent subject Edward conversed with his usual freedom; but the moment his sister's name was mentioned he proved by his reticent manner that this was a subject upon which he did not wish to speak.