them unexpectedly to New York. Harley had come by subway from Wall
Street to the Grand Central and taken a taxicab. It was twelve
o'clock before he arrived. Nevertheless he wore a smile of placid
ease of mind. His little wife had only to walk from the Plaza, it
was true, but he knew, although a newly married man, that to be half
an hour late was to be ten minutes early.

At exactly five minutes past twelve he saw her turn off the Avenue,
and as he strolled along to meet her, charmed and delighted by her
daintiness, proud and happy at his possession of her, he did a thing
that all wise and tactful husbands do--he forced back an
irresistible desire to be humorous at her expense and so won an
entry of approval from the Recording Angel.

If they had both been punctual they would have seen Martin go off in
his car to drive the girl who had had no luck to the trees and the
wild flowers and the good green earth.

Joan's mother, all agog to see the young couple who had taken life
into their own hands with the sublime faith of youth, had made it
her first duty to call, however awkward and unusual the hour. Her
choice of hats in which to do so had been a matter of the utmost
importance.

They were told that Mr. Gray had gone out of town, that Mrs. Gray
was not yet awake and followed the butler upstairs to the drawing-
room with a distinct sense of disappointment. The room still
quivered under the emotion of Gilbert Palgrave.

Rather awkwardly they waited to be alone. Butlers always appear to