at to think about it," Ray answered. "We do not even
know yet whether the cross belongs to us; but Mr. Rider is confident
that Mrs. Bently, of the Chicago affair, and Mrs. Vanderbeck, or
'heck'--whatever her name may be--are one and the same person."

"Well, it is certain that Mrs. Vanderheck, of New York, who figures so
conspicuously in society, has an enormous store of diamonds, however she
came by them," Louis Hamblin remarked.

Then, having reached the house, Ray bade him a brief good-night, and went
immediately up to his room.

He found his father there before him and walking up and down the floor in
an unusually thoughtful mood.

"Ah, Ray!" he said, as his son entered, "I have been waiting for you. I
want to have a little talk with you before we go to bed."

"About the examination of to-morrow?" Ray inquired, with a keen glance.

"No--about--Ray, how would you like it if I should--well, to out with it
at once--if I should marry again?" and the embarrassed old gentleman grew
crimson even to the bald spot upon his head, as he then blundered through
his question.

Ray sat down before he allowed himself to reply.

Now that the crisis had really come, he found he had less strength to
meet it than he had anticipated.

"Well, father," he gravely said, after a moment of thought, "if you think
that a second marriage is essential to your comfort and happiness, I
should not presume to oppose it."

Mr. Palmer bent an anxious look upon his son.

"And yet you do not exactly approve of the plan?" he observed.

Ray looked up and frankly met his father's eye.

He believed it would be better to speak his mind freely than to dissemble
in any way.

"I cannot fail to understand your meaning, for, of course, I have not
been blind of late," he remarked. "I have seen how agreeable the society
of Mrs. Montague is to you, and, judging from appearances, yours is no
less so to her. I am bound to confess that she is a very handsome woman
and very charming also in company. Still it is plain to be seen that she
is a thorough society woman, and the question in my mind is, would you,
with your more quiet tastes and disposition, enjoy sharing the kind of
life that she leads?"

"But--I think--I hope that she would enjoy quiet home life and--my
companionship, more than society, after our marriage," Mr. Palmer
remarked, with some confusion.

Ray smiled slightly, for he saw that his father was very far gone, and he
doubted if any a