Perhaps Elwell had his own ideas of what to expect after marriage; but if he had, he managed to conceal them for the present. So, leaving the fair Fanny to robe herself in her finest costume, he went to buy the tickets that were already reposing in his pocket. Fanny was delighted with everything, and therefore good-natured. “You are a dear, good boy,” she said upon bidding him good night. “And I will not trouble you any more than I can help. But I have got an awful lot of things to buy, and I must have some lady with me. Some of your lady friends will assist me, I know.” Poor Elwell was not at all sure of that, and he wandered down into the office in a very discontented frame of mind. There he found Mr. Peter Coleman, who had just dropped around, he said, to see if he could be of any use. Elwell explained matters at length. “I think I will turn up sick to-morrow,” he said dolefully. “I don’t see any other way out of it.” “Why not try Lettie?” inquired Coleman. “She will fix matters for you. I will have her call, if you say so, and she will keep Miss Fanny too busy with her shopping to allow her to think of anything else.” “But suppose any one should see them, and know Miss Lettie?” inquired Elwell. “Might not that prove embarrassing?” “Not a bit,” replied Coleman confidently. “There are not a dozen people in Chicago that know her; and none of them know anything wrong about her.” “It is a nasty thing to do,” grumbled Elwell. “But if I can rely upon you, I suppose it is my best way out.” “You have relied on me before,” returned Coleman meaningly. “Yes, I know it,” admitted Elwell quickly. “And, by the way, there is no danger of that getting out, is there?” “Not unless either you or I let it out,” replied Peter, with a grin. “And it would not pay either of us to do it.” “You are right,” said Elwell, speaking slowly and with great meaning. “It wouldn’t pay either of us.” Fanny was delighted to receive a call from Miss Allan the next day, and more delighted when that lady volunteered to assist her in any way possible. The result justified the predictions of the astute Coleman, for Fanny was buried up to her eyes during the day with her shopping. This was very pleasant for Elwell; but the evenings were far from agreeable. There was always the theatre or opera to attend, and as they were invariably accompanied by Miss Allan, it was not at all pleasant. For, although Lettie was always stylishly and modestly dressed, and her behavior the pink of good breeding, Elwell had many reasons for believing her to be a very undesirable acquaintance for his future wife. It would soon be over, however, and he would see that the acquaintanceship should never be renewed. The worst of it was that he was obliged to treat her with the most ceremonious respect, and never dared to hint at any dissatisfaction on his part. Old Pat was delighted with the young lady friend of his daughter, and Fanny herself was completely infatuated.