"You are unjust towards Mr. Smith," said Margaretta, half indignantly. "Not half so unjust as he is towards you. But surely, my niece, you will reconsider this whole matter, and take full time to reflect." "I cannot reconsider, aunt. My word is passed, and I would suffer any thing rather than break my word." "You will suffer your heart to be broken, if you do not." "Time will prove that!" and Margaretta tossed her head with a kind of mock defiance. "Have you fixed your wedding day?" the aunt asked after a few moments' silence. "Not yet. But Mr. Smith wants to be married in three weeks." "In three weeks!" "Yes; but I told him that I could not get ready within a month." "A month! Surely you are not going to act so precipitately?" "I cannot see the use of waiting, aunt, when we are engaged and all ready. And I can easily get ready in a month." To this the aunt did not reply. She felt that it would be useless. After this, Mr. Smith was a regular daily and evening visitor. He perceived, of course, the unfavourable light in which the aunt viewed him, and in consequence set himself to work to break down her prejudices. He was kind and attentive to her on all occasions, and studied her peculiar views and feelings, so as to adapt himself to her. But the old lady had seen too much of the world, and was too close an observer to be deceived. Still she found silent acquiescence her only course of action. At the end of the month from the day of their engagement Margaretta Riston was a happy young bride. One week after their marriage, Mr. Smith entered the room of his friend Mr. Perkins, with a pale, agitated countenance. "What in the world has happened, Smith?" the friend asked, in alarm. "Haven't you heard the news?" "No. What news?" "The United States Bank has failed!" "Oh, no!" "It is true. And every dollar of Margaretta's money is locked up there!" "Really that is dreadful! I would sell the stock immediately for what it will bring, if I were you." "So I wish to. But neither my wife nor her aunt are willing. And so soon after our marriage I do not like to use positive measures." "But the case is urgent. Delay may sweep from you every dollar." "So I fear. What shall I do then? To have the prize in hand, and find it thus suddenly escaping, is enough to drive me mad!" "Sell in spite of them. That's my advice." "I will!" And the half crazy young fortune-hunter hurried away. In a few minutes after, he entered the room where sat his wife and her aunt in gloomy and oppressed silence. "The best thing we can do, Margaretta, I am satisfied, is to sell," he said, taking a chair beside his wife. "The stock is falling every hour, and it is the opinion of competent judges that it will not be worth five dollars in a week."