to Browne's house. It was Saturday evening,
and there were still a hundred and one things to be settled. Upon his
study table Browne discovered upwards of fifty invitations from all
sorts and conditions of people. He smiled cynically as he opened them,
and, when the last one had been examined, turned to Jimmy.

"Thank Heaven, I can decline these with a clear conscience," he said.
"By the time the dates come round we shall be on the high seas, far
beyond the reach of dinners, dances, and kettledrums. I wonder how
many of these folk," he continued, picking up one from the heap and
flicking it across the table to his friend, "would have me in their
houses again if they knew what I am about to do?"

"Every one of them, my boy," the other replied; "from the Duchess of
Matlock downwards. You might help a thousand Russian convicts to
escape from Saghalien, and they will pardon you; but you are doing one
other thing for which you must never hope to be forgiven."

"And what may that be?" Browne inquired.

"Why, you are marrying Miss Petrovitch," answered Jimmy. "If she were
a famous beauty, a great heiress, or even the daughter of a peer, all
would be well; but you must remember that no one knows her; that,
however much you may love her, and however worthy she may be, she is
nevertheless not chronicled in the _Court Guide_. To marry out of your
own circle is a sin seldom forgiven, particularly when a man is a
millionaire, and has been the desire of every match-making mother for
as long as you have."

"They had better treat my wife as I wish them to, or beware of me,"
said Browne angrily. "If they treat her badly they'll find I've got
claws."

"But, my dear fellow, you are running your head against the wall," said
Jimmy. "I never said they _would_ treat her badly. On the contrary,
they will treat her wonderfully well; for, remember, she is your wife.
They will accept all her invitations for dances in London, will stay
with her in the country; they will yacht, hunt, fish, and shoot with
you; but the mothers, who, after all is said and done, are the leaders
of society, will never forget or forgive you. My dear fellow," he
continued, with the air of a man who knew his world thoroughly, which,
to do him justice, he certainly did, "you surely do not imagine for an
instant that Miss Verney has forgotten that----"

"We'll leave Miss Verney out of the question, Jimmy, if you don't
mind," replied Browne, with rather a