stately pair--for all that their clothes, past glories like the
furniture, were grown a little shabby, a little threadbare. But with
what a courtly air they wore them! And with what a courtly air now he
led her to a chair, and bent over her, and lifted up her face, and held
it tenderly between both his hands!

"How well you look to-night in your dress," he said, and his blue eyes
shone. "I am very proud of you."

She stroked the hand against her cheek.

"Do you remember the first time I ever wore it?" She was smiling
up at him.

"Oh, yes!" he nodded his head slowly. "It is strange, isn't it? That was
a long time ago when our friends were married back there in the old
State, and to-night again, way up here in New York, they have not
forgotten us on this their anniversary."

Silence fell for a moment between them.

Then he spoke again, a little sadly:

"Would you wish those days back again, if you could?"

She hesitated thoughtfully.

"I do not know," she said at last. "Sometimes I think so. We had
John then."