"I'm glad I went," said Ora, as Ashley handed her into her victoria. She laughed as she lay back on the cushions.
"It was so funny at my wedding," she said. "Jack lost the ring." She waved her hand merrily as she was driven away.
"Come soon," she cried over her shoulder.
He waved his hand in response and turned to go back into the house. In his path stood Bertie Jewett. For an instant Ashley stood still.
"I suppose it's about over," he said carelessly.
"Just about. I must get back to the shop," said Bertie, looking at his watch. But he did not move. Ashley, glancing beyond him, saw Alice Muddock coming towards the door.
"So must I," he said, clapping on his hat and hailing a hansom. He jumped in and was carried away.
One of Bowdon's servants brought his walking-stick to his rooms the next day. He had forgotten it in a passing recollection of old days, when Alice and he used to laugh together over the manœuvres by which they got rid of Bertie Jewett.