"I might if I associate with you long enough. Saintly company might
change my expression."

"You won't have time to try. You've got to have your clerical look in
good working order by Friday. Incidently you are to marry me to the
prettiest girl in Massachusetts and keep your mouth closed."

As if to end the discussion, Sanderson strode over to his desk and
wrote out a check for a thousand dollars. He came back, waving it in
the air to dry the ink.

"Perhaps you will condescend to explain," Langdon said, as he pocketed
the check.

"Explanations are always bores, my dear boy. There is a little girl
who feels obliged to insist on formalities, not too many. She'll think
your acting as the parson the best joke in the world, but it would not
do to chaff her about it."

"Oh, I see," and Langdon's laugh was not pleasant.

"Exactly. You will have everything ready--white choker, black coat and
all the rest of it, and now, my dear boy, you've got to excuse me as
I've got a lot of work on hand."

They shook hands and Langdon's footsteps were soon echoing down the
corridor.

The foul insinuation that Sanderson had just made about Anna rankled in
his mind. He went to the sideboard and poured himself out a good stiff