Marriages were not much in Mr. Lane’s line. He was forty and a confirmed old bachelor--at least that was what his friends said and what he said himself. He had never put his neck under the galling yoke of matrimony. He rather pitied Dr. Anthony’s weak-mindedness in that respect, but he considered that if there was any excuse for him it was Effie Rodney’s grace and beauty. These were certainly tempting enough to an ordinary, susceptible man. But Mr. Lane did not feel sufficient romantic interest in the union of the lovers to make a point of witnessing the marriage. He was about to decline, on the plea of urgent business, when a sudden thought arrested him with the ink yet wet on the pen. Why not make an opportunity for seeing Aline Rodney by accepting Dr. Anthony’s cordial invitation? He changed the contemplated No to Yes, adding a single proviso: he would come if Dr. Anthony would guarantee that Aline should not know that he was a detective, and that he had vainly tried to trace her in her mysterious absence. He fancied that the young lady might conceive an antipathy to him, and vaguely suspect ulterior designs from his presence at Chester. Dr. Anthony replied on the part of himself and the Rodneys, that Aline should be kept in entire ignorance of Mr. Lane’s profession, and look on him merely as the friend of the physician. Receiving this assurance, the detective decided to attend the nuptials of his friend, arriving in Chester on the day previous to the happy event. Dr. Anthony took him that evening to call on the Rodneys. “I have told Aline that I expect a friend from New York,” he said. “She is prepared to meet you and suspects nothing.” Mr. Lane thanked his friend for respecting his scruples. “I have a fancy to study the young lady, with the advantage on my side. Perhaps I may get at the bottom of the mystery yet. It has become more incomprehensible than ever since the story of the little fortune offered and refused.” “It is most romantic,” answered Dr. Anthony, “and the strangest part of it all is that I believe Aline would be glad to confess the whole truth were she not restrained by her vow of silence.” “How does she bear the suspicion and scorn of those who were once her friends?” “She is crushed by it. One can see that she is almost heart-broken. She is pale and sad. She shrinks sensitively from observation. She can scarcely be persuaded to go outside the door.” “Will she be present at the marriage ceremony in the church?” “Yes, by Effie’s earnest wish and prayer. My darling has very solemn ideas connected with marriage. She believes that the sacred rite should always be celebrated in church wherever possible. Aline, by Effie’s earnest wish, will accompany her to the altar.” “I am most curious to meet the young lady,” said the detective. “You will be quite sure to admire her,” said Aline’s prospective brother-in-law. “She is very beautiful.”