York--dressmakers, milliners, dealers in fine and
fashionable clothing of every kind--and gave them orders to execute
whatever commands Miss Gower or her mother--for HER--might give them.
When he told her of this munificence and magnificence and paused for
the outburst of gratitude, he listened in vain. Mildred colored to the
roots of her hair and was silent, was seeking the courage to refuse.

"I know that you and your people can't afford to do the thing as things
related to me must be done," he went on to say. "So I decided to just
start in a little early at what I've got to do anyhow. Not that I
blame you for your not having money, my dear. On the contrary, that's
one of your merits with me. I wouldn't marry a woman with money. It
puts the family life on a wrong basis."

"I had planned a quiet wedding," said Mildred. "I'd much prefer it."

"Now you can be frank with me, my dear," said the general. "I know you
ladies--how cheated you feel if you aren't married with all the frills
and fixings. So that's the way it shall be done."

"Really," protested Mildred, "I'm absolutely frank. I wish it to be
quite quiet--in our drawing-room, with no guests."

Siddall smiled, genial and tolerant. "Don't argue with me, my dear. I
know what you want, and I'll see that you get it. Go ahead with these
shop-people I've put at your disposal--and go as far as you like. There
isn't anything--ANYTHING--in the way of clothes that you can't
have--that you mustn't have. Mrs. General Siddall is going to be the
best-dressed woman in the world--as she is the prettiest. I haven't
opened an account for you with Tiffany's or any of those people. I'll
look out for that part of the business, myself."

"I don't care for jewelry," said Mildred.

"Naturally not for the kind that's been within your means heretofore,"
replied he; "but you'll open your eyes when you see MY jewelry for MY
wife. All in good time, my dear. You and your mother must start right
in with the shopping; and, a week or so before the wedding, I'll send
my people down to transform the house. I may be wrong, but I rather
think that the Siddall wedding will cause some talk."

He was not wrong. Through his confidential secretary, Harding the
thorough, the newspaper press was induced to take an interest in the
incredible extravagance Siddall was perpetrating in arranging for a
fitting wedding for General William Siddall. For many days before the
ceremony there were