"Now, first of all, my precious Bernardine, we must turn our thoughts in a practical direction long enough to select which hotel we are to go to; and another quite as important matter, your wardrobe, you know." Bernardine looked up at him gravely. "This dress will do for the present," she declared. "The good, kind old nurse dried and pressed it out so nicely for me that it looks almost as good as new. And as for going to a hotel, I am sure it is too expensive. We could go to a boarding-house where the charges would be moderate." Jay Gardiner threw back his handsome head, and laughed so loud and so heartily that Bernardine looked at him anxiously. "Now that I come to think the matter over, I don't think I ever told you much concerning my financial affairs," he said, smiling. "No; but papa guessed about them," replied Bernardine. "Tell me what he guessed?" queried Jay. "He thought I was poor?" "Yes," replied Bernardine, frankly. "He said that all doctors had a very hard time of it when they started in to build up a practice, and that you must be having a very trying experience to make both ends meet." "Was that why he did not want me for a son-in-law?" "Yes, I think so," admitted Bernardine, blushing. "Tell me this, my darling," he said, eagerly catching at the pretty little hands lying folded in her lap; "why is it that _you_ have waived all that, that you have married me, not knowing whether I had enough to pay for a day's lodging?" The most beautiful light that ever was seen flashed into the tender dark eyes, a smile curved the red lips that set all the pretty dimples dancing in the round, flushed cheeks. "I married you because----" and then she hesitated shyly. "Go on, Bernardine," he persisted; "you married me because----" "Because I--I loved you," she whispered, her lovely face fairly covered with blushes. "Now, the first thing to do, sweetheart, is to call a cab, that you may go to the nearest large dry-goods store and make such purchases as you may need for immediate use. I can occupy the time better than standing about looking at you. I will leave you at the store, and have the cabby drive me around to the old nurse and explain what has occurred, and tell her that you won't come back. Then I can attend to another little matter or two, and return for you in an hour's time. And last, but not least, take this pocket-book--I always carry two about me--and use freely its contents. The purse, and what is in it, are yours, sweet!" "Oh, I couldn't think of taking so much money!" declared Bernardine, amazed at the bulky appearance of the pocket-book at the first glance. Jay Gardiner laughed good-naturedly. "You shall have everything your heart desires, my precious one," he declared. "Don't worry about the price of anything you want; buy it, and I shall be only too pleased, believe me."