onversation, "I want my son's wife to share my honours. A sweet young
woman, far younger than I, is almost a--a--"

"A charming necessity," added Mr. Cruger, who made it a habit to finish
his wife's sentences.

"Yes, a charming necessity," echoed his wife, and, then she continued:

"The fact that Octavie is engaged suggests a double wedding. They will
marry in June, if the weather is good."

"What has the weather to do with Octavie's wedding?" inquired Mr.
Cruger.

"Simply that it's an automobile wedding, Andrew," replied his wife.

Mr. Cruger looked almost pained. "Permit me to remark, Mary, that no
Cruger was ever married in an automobile and I trust that no Cruger
will so far forget himself or herself as to establish so ridiculous a
precedent."

"The motor business comes in after the wedding, father; at least so
Octavie said," whispered Beverly.

"Your niece is very frivolous," remarked Mr. Cruger to his wife. "I
shall take pains to remind her that we Crugers marry quietly in
Trinity!"

Helene laughed aloud. The idea of Octavie doing anything quietly
appealed to her sense of humour.

"She does not take us very seriously," thought Mr. Cruger. Mrs. Cruger
glanced at her husband and noticed a rather injured expression appear
upon his face. Evidently he was not highly pleased at Helene's levity.

"You have written to your father?" Mr. Cruger asked her presently.

"No, Mr. Cruger," replied Helene after a pause.

"No, my dear?" echoed Mr. Cruger in surprise.

"I will tell him when he returns," said Helene.

Mr. Cruger was almost dismayed. "You have not written to your father?"
he repeated. "My dear Helene, these formalities must be complied with!
Your father's consent is of the utmost importance. Not that I
anticipate any--er--opposition from that quarter, but it's merely the
idea of the thing! Of course, I am somewhat old-fashioned, I admit."

"In France, for instance, it is against the law," interrupted Beverly
in a satirical tone.

Helene smiled. Her prospective father-in-law appeared to her somewhat
punctilious, but she determined to humour him.

"Your father is quite right, Beverly," she said. "I should have cabled
at once."

At this moment Joles entered, apparently somewhat nervous. "Mr. Von
Barwig is here, miss," he explained. "I told him you were engaged,
but----"

"Ask him to come up, Joles." Joles was surprised, but being a
well-trained servant, his face gave no outward i