He would have given almost anything to be well out of the scrape, but it
was too late to retreat now.

As they went along, the judge tried in vain to impart some of his own
high spirits to his faint-hearted friend. He was brimming over with
gladness at the thought of his marriage, which now seemed assured. After
so long a separation he was about to see his betrothed, for he felt sore
that she would come with her sister. Mr. Plateas had no such reasons for
rejoicing. He walked on in silence, paying little heed to his friend's
gay sallies; he was trying to think what he should say to the young
lady, but nothing came to him.

"By the way," he broke in suddenly, "what is her name?"

"Whose?"

"I mean my future wife. Yesterday I had to let her father see that I
didn't even know her name. I mustn't make that mistake to-night!"

At this Mr. Liakos broke into a merry laugh; he was in such high good-
humor that he found fun in everything. His companion did not laugh, but
repeated:

"What is her name?"

The judge was about to reply when he heard some one coming toward them
call out in the darkness:

"Liakos, is that you?"