Randolph spoke like a man who was talking to himself. "It's so unreal--I may have dreamed it," he went on slowly. "I tell you, Steve"--this with a sudden turn--"I don't dare to hope, but if----" There was no perceptible tremor in his voice, but the sentence broke sharply. "I know, old man, I know," said Steve in his gentlest voice. And he poked the fire softly between the ribs of the grate. It seemed that Randolph's hope was not without foundation, for after he had been the toy of fate somewhat longer he came to Steve one night with great news, and yet no news to Steve, who had long discerned the signs of the times and had been dreading what he saw must come. Now, although he felt sharp pangs of grief on seeing his boon and sole companion snatched from him and about to be offered up upon the altar matrimonial, yet he rejoiced thereat with the full force of his unselfish nature. On this especial night the two men sat beside the fire, and also beside some of the last oysters that would ever be served up with the spicy sauce of this same good comradeship. As befitted so memorable an occasion, the oysters were big fellows and were frying gloriously. Randolph, who was in great good spirits, leaned over and lifted them carefully with a fork he held in hand. "Here we are!" he exclaimed. "Things are done brown now!" Then the two men looked up at each other and burst out laughing. There was one important ceremony which Randolph felt must precede the marriage service, and that was the introduction of his bosom friend to his _fiancee_. "I've been puzzling my brains to think how I can bring this about," he said to Constance one day. "I've already hinted at it to Steve, but he don't take. I know he wants to meet you, but he's such a retiring fellow--not really bashful, but like a clam in his shell." "Don't distress yourself, I beg of you," said Constance with a mischievous smile. "Mr. Loveland and I have already met and are now the best of friends." Randolph stared at her in open-mouthed amazement. "Where?" he managed to ask. "Right here in this parlor. I must tell you about it--it was most beautiful. His card took me by surprise, but I supposed you had brought him. When I came downstairs there he was, looking altogether different from your descriptions." "Well, I like that!" said Randolph. "Do you mean to impeach my statements?" "Altogether better," persisted Constance. "Yes, he is taller and has a most interesting face. He came forward to greet me without a particle of embarrassment, and there was something so manly and simple, and withal so high-bred in his every movement, that I was charmed. I know he must come of a fine family." "Oh, he does. He had a line of ancestors a mile long aboard the _Mayflower_. A cousin of his was telling me. He never said a word. He never talks."