“And what d’you suppose?” Mrs. Burrell went on. “Rufus James didn’t want Carrie Cora to have any trousseau. He said he didn’t propose to have people say he was marryin’ her because her father had money. Did you ever hear anything like that? Father was so mad! But I must say I kind of liked him for it. But I up and told him I’d attend to all those things myself, an’ it was none of his business, anyway. That’s what we’re here in New York for,” she added, lowering her voice as if afraid of being overheard by the men in the other room. “Father didn’t let on, but he cares ever so much more about Carrie Cora than for that old law case he’s always talkin’ about. It’s goin’ to be white satin--the weddin’ dress--with real Valenceens lace, an’ she’s goin’ to come out in pearl-colored silk.” Mrs. Burrell stopped at the sound of steps in the hall. “Oh, here they are back again! It must be almost time for us to be goin’! We’ve got lots of shoppin’ to do.” Douglas Briggs walked over to Carrie Cora. “Well, young lady, I’ve heard the news,” he said. He placed both hands on the big girl’s head. “Now, I’m a good deal older than you, and you won’t mind,” he went on, kissing her between the eyes. “I hope he’s worthy of you, my dear.” “I hope I’m worthy of him, Mr. Briggs,” Carrie Cora stammered, through her embarrassment. At that moment she looked pretty. Briggs patted her hand. “My dear child, no man is worth half as much as a nice girl like you.” “Now, don’t you go to spoilin’ my children, Mr. Briggs,” Mrs. Burrell exclaimed, rising. “Come on, father.” Helen rose at the same moment. “But we’ll see you again, of course. Come to dinner to-night, won’t you?” The girls looked delighted. “Oh!” they exclaimed. Mrs. Burrell assumed an expression of severity. “No, we won’t. You’ve got enough on your hands, with all these political people pilin’ in on you. I guess I know what it is. We’ll come to say good-bye, if we can, to-morrow some time. Father says he’s got to get back Thursday.” “But we’d like to have you, really,” said Helen, smiling. Mrs. Burrell remained firm. “No. You’re too good. That’s the only trouble with you. Well, good-bye.” “You’ll come to the wedding, won’t you, Mr. Briggs?” said Carrie Cora. Briggs waved his hand toward Helen. “Ask the lady,” he said. “She said she’d come if she could,” Carrie Cora declared. “Well, I’ll come if I can. Good-bye.”