Paul started to his feet. "And never said a word about it, Ned? That's not like the old friend you used to be. The fact was I had engaged to attend her there before I knew of your coming; and I was ashamed—that is, it—would have been awkward to tell my wife I was going to a place of amusement with another lady." "Decidedly; especially when that lady was one with whom you once fancied yourself desperately in love." "Pshaw! Well, Wallingford, it's no use denying she's a splendid girl. Did you know she's become very rich? I suppose I might have married her if I'd known what a fortune she would have. It will be the making of Johnson." "What Johnson?" "R. D., Firm of Johnson, Morgan & Co., Wall Street, New York. They're engaged, though few in Chicago are aware of it beside myself, whom she honored with her confidence." "If you had not been in such a hurry to marry a child only just commencing her education, you might have won the heiress for yourself," remarked Edward coolly. "Just so. Not that I don't love Gerty, and all that," was the somewhat confused rejoinder; "but now that the excitement has past, I don't deny it was a mistake. We ought to have waited as you urged us to do." "Will you give me back my sister, Paul?" Wallingford had turned and was looking his companion full in the eye. "What do you mean?" "To take her home with me and provide teachers for her; to let Hannah fit her for a housekeeper; and allow the poor child some of the freedom from care, other children of her age enjoy." "She wouldn't consent." And this was true. When her brother proposed it, offering to persuade Paul to allow her to go back with him for a year or more; she answered seriously: "He is my husband; and I have no right to leave him. I know he has not had much comfort in his home; but Marion is going to teach me to be a better wife; and I want to try at least to do right." Our part of Gertrude's new régime was to walk out for, at least, an hour before dinner. She usually accompanied Marion to market; and together they made their purchases for the next day, the articles being sent home in the evening. In the course of a month she could select a suitable piece for roasting or boiling, could judge which was tough or tender, and was every day growing more skilful in the purchase of household supplies. "If I only knew when Paul would dine at home," she said one day to her young teacher, "I could surprise him with a nice dinner; but I suppose it is dull for him to leave all those gentlemen just for poor, stupid me."