monthly remittances from her father. In November I was struck with the
fact that New York agreed with her; yet even then I did not miss the
family nose--a compromise of pug and Roman. But ten days ago, when I saw
her last, I recognised her with difficulty. For more precise information
you must ask my daughters."

"Then it was only ten days ago that you saw anything wrong--?"

"Wrong! My dear young friend, if Nelly's case obtained publicity, would
not the world, which loves beauty, be divided between a howling New York
and a wilderness?"

The Judge glanced up at me, slipping his paper knife end over end through
his fingers.

"I have spoken of myself as nonplussed," he said more seriously, "and I
am. I was never more so; but I see no occasion for anxiety. Since when has
it been thought necessary to call priest or physician because of a young
lady's growing charm? Confronted by an ugly duckling, we must congratulate
the swan."

"Judge, how much money does one need to marry on in New York?"

"All that a man has; all that he can get; often more. But--ah--is the
question imminent? Nelly is in school; you have come out of the West, as I
understand it, to attack New York. Conquer it, Sir; conquer New York
before you speak of marriage to a New York woman."

"Helen is not a New York woman."