"But that would be to publish my failure to the world," remonstrated Lillie. "Nonsense, dear. It'll be published without that. Trust the _Moon_. Isn't it better to take the bull by the horns?" "Well, yes, perhaps you're right," said Lillie hesitating. "But I hope the world will understand that it is only desperation at the collapse of the Old Maids' Club that has driven me to commit matrimony." She went back to the Club to write out the cards. "What do you think of my stepmother?" she inquired pathetically of the ex-Honorary Trier. "What do I think?" said Lord Silverdale seriously. "I think she is the punishment of Providence for your interference with its designs." * * * * * The explanatory poem duly came to hand on Lillie's wedding morn. It was written on vellum in the bridegroom's best hand and ran-- RAINBOW. Ah, why I call you "Rainbow," sweet? The shadows 'fore your eyes retreat, The ground grows light beneath your feet. You smile in your superior way, A Rainbow has no feet, you say? Nay, be not so precise to-day. Created but to soothe and bless, You followed logic to excess, Repressing thoughts of tenderness. My life was chilled and wan and hoary, You came, the Bow of ancient story, To kiss the grayness into glory. And now, as Rainbow fair to see, A promise sweet you are to me Of sorrow never more to be. Besides the friends of the happy pair, nearly all the candidates were present at the inaugural _soirée_ of the Old Maids' Club. Not quite all--because Lillie who was rapidly growing conventional did not care to have Clorinda Bell even accompanied by her mother, or by her brother, the Man in the Ironed Mask. Nor did she invite the twins, nor the osculatory Alice. But she conquered her prejudices in other instances, and Frank Maddox, the art critic, came under the convoy of the composer, Paul Horace, and Miss Mary Friscoe was brought by Bertie Smythe. The Writers' Club also sent Ellaline Rand, and an account of the proceedings appeared in the first number of the _Cherub_. The "Princess" was brought by Miss Primpole, and Captain Athelstan and Lord Arthur came together in unimpaired friendship. Eustasia Pallas and her husband, Percy Swinshell Spatt, both their faces full of the peace that passeth understanding, got a night off for the occasion and came in a hansom paid for out of the week's beer-money. Turple the magnificent, who had seen them at home in the servants' hall, was outraged in his deepest instincts and multiplied occasions for offering them refreshments merely for the pleasure of snorting in their proximity. The great Fladpick (Frank Gray), accompanied by his newly-won bride, Cecilia, made the evening memorable by the presence of the English Shakespeare, Guy Fledgely brought Miss Sybil Hotspur, and his father, the baronet, was under the care of Miss Jack.