laughed in his sleeve. He thought of the soft place in the
hard head of the Iron King, a weak part in the strong character of old
Aaron Rockharrt--personal vanity.

"With all possible respect and submission, my dear father, I would
suggest that if you never thought of marrying again, you should do so
now."

"Fabian, I am seventy-seven years old."

"In years, yes; but that is nothing to you. You are not half that age in
health, strength, vigor, and activity of mind and body. What man of
forty do you know who has anything approaching your energy?"

"None that I know of, indeed, Fabian," said the Iron King, softening
into complacency.

"No, none," assented Mr. Fabian. "Men die of old age at almost any time
in their lives--at forty, fifty, sixty, seventy--but you in your
strength of manhood are likely to reach your hundredth year and to be a
hale old man then. Now, and for many years to come, you will not be old
at all."

"Yes; I think I have twenty-five or thirty years longer to live."

"And will you live those years in loneliness? Cora will be sure to
marry. A young woman like Cora will not wear the willow long, believe
me. And when Cora leaves you, what then will you do? You have no other
daughter or granddaughter. As for my promised wife, you yourself made it
a condition of our marriage that we should have an establishment of our
own."

"For the dignity of the house of Rockharrt. Yes, Fabian."

"And when Cora shall have left you, you will be alone--you who require
the gentle ministrations of woman more than any man I ever knew."

"Fabian!" exclaimed old Aaron Rockharrt, suddenly and suspiciously,
bringing his strong black eyes to bear pointedly upon the face of his
son. "What is your motive in wishing me to marry?"

"Heaven bear me witness, sir, that my motive, my only motive, is your
own comfort and happiness," said Fabian, and this time he spoke the
truth.

"I believe you, Fabian. But this lady with whom the world associates my
name is too young for me. She cannot be more than twenty-five," said Old
Aaron Rockharrt reflectively.

"Well, sir! What did the sages and prophets recommend to David? A young
woman to comfort the king. I am not very well posted in Bible history,
but I think that is the story," said Mr. Fabian.

CHAPTER X.

ANOTHER FINE WEDDING.

The marriage of Mr. Fabian Rockharrt and Miss Violet Wood was to be the
great event of the winter.

When the approaching wedding was an