that I could safely
retire, and leave them to their day-dream of making me Duchess of Clyde.

"Duchess or no duchess, it would be an admirable connection," said Aunt
Agnes.

"And there is no shadow of a doubt that his wife will be a duchess,"
added Aunt Helen.

* * * * *

One day, shortly after we had returned to town, the news reached us that
the Honorable Ernest Ferroll was in New York, and as a consequence there
was great excitement among those who had been told of his projected
visit to our city. In her wish to make the young nobleman comfortable,
Aunt Agnes had yielded to the remonstrances of her former enemy as to
the necessity of renovating her house, and accordingly was absorbed by
plumbers, upholsterers, and decorators, who under the general
supervision of Aunt Helen undermined the customs of a lifetime, but
cemented this new friendship. The last touches were being put to
the improvements, and complete harmony reigned between the two
establishments. To think of Aunt Agnes dropping in on Aunt Helen, or
Aunt Helen drinking tea with Aunt Agnes!

It therefore happened that I was taken very little notice of by my two
relatives, and was free to indulge the sweet current of sentiment, of
which they were so blissfully unaware, to my heart's content. The power
of love, and the power of money! How when united did they each illumine
the other,--they, the two greatest forces of the world!

On the morning following the day on which we heard of Mr. Ferroll's
arrival in New York, I saw a statement in the daily paper which made me
start violently. It was the announcement of the failure of Roger Dale,
banker and broker, with liabilities of three millions and estimated
assets of less than one hundred thousand. I hastened to get ready to
call on Mr. Chelm, but before leaving the house I received a message
from him which read as follows: "Francis Prime is in town, and I have
made an appointment with him for twelve o'clock. You will please come to
the office at once, if possible."

"What has happened, Mr. Chelm?" I asked, as I entered the room where he
was sitting. I tried to seem calm and indifferent.

"Sit down, Miss Harlan. I am sorry to say that your friend Francis Prime
has got into difficulties. Roger Dale, a rather prominent banker, has
suspended payment, and Mr. Prime happens to be one of his largest
creditors."

"Has Mr. Prime failed also?"

"Not yet. But I see no escape for him