wealth possessed by my
daughters, and that--excuse me, but I must allude to it--this may in a
measure have influenced your selecting them from the many young girls
here--"

"Oh, madam!" both men exclaimed simultaneously.

"If I tell you they have nothing but their pure hearts and loving
natures, will you not be disappointed?"

"No, madam. How can you judge me so?" exclaimed both.

"I am glad it is so. I would not have you marry my daughters under
false impressions."

"When May is mine, I shall think I have secured the most valuable
fortune any man can have," said the doctor, with a really honest look
in his eyes.

"When Maud is mine, I shall _know_ I have secured _all_ I would wish,"
added Harry Bennett, with rather a sly twinkle in his eyes.

And so it was agreed that they should be united there, and after a
very private wedding leave for an extensive bridal tour.

"The old fox! Is she not a sly one? She thought to throw us off, I do
believe. But _I_ am as bright as she," said Harry Bennett, after the
interview.

"Really, Bennett, that is not a very respectful way of speaking of the
mother of your promised wife," replied Doctor Wadsworth.

"Well, no; you are right. But just to think of her talking so to us!"
answered Harry, with an air of injured pride.

The ceremony was over. After an acquaintance of less than six weeks,
Doctor Wadsworth and Harry Bennett had won their wives.

And while the brides had retired to change their dress for the
travelling-suit, the happy young husbands requested to speak a moment
with their mother-in-law.

"Indeed _you_ must speak; I will not," said Doctor Wadsworth, in a low
tone, as he closed the door, and with Bennett approached Mrs.
Brownson.

After a moment's hesitation, Harry Bennett said:

"Now, Mrs. Brownson, that we have proved our sincerity and real love
for your daughters, there is no reason for any longer concealment."

"About what, sir?" asked his mother-in-law.

"Come, my dear madam; this is entirely useless. You have tried and
proved us. Now to business."

"Really, Mr. Bennett, I am at a loss to understand you! Will you
please to be explicit?"

"Well, madam, then I must tell you that I am perfectly well aware that
my wife is entitled to the one-third of two hundred thousand dollars
left by her father. Now, my dear madam, we are going on a very long
and expensive trip, and may need more than I have in ready money.
Now, that is just the whole truth,"