"Well, I'm sorry, old chap, but I've been more lucky."
"Oh," said the Secretary. "Lady Isabelle, I suppose."
Kingland nodded.
"Does mamma approve?" inquired Stanley.
The young officer shrugged his shoulders.
"I'm going to postpone entering into that matter," he said, "till after the ceremony."
"Oh," said the Secretary shortly. "An elopement. Well, I don't know that I can conscientiously offer my congratulations—to Lady Isabelle, at least, but I dare say you'll find it worth while."
"You needn't be so nasty, just because you've been disappointed."
"Oh, it isn't that; but, as you say, I've no reason to express an opinion. It isn't the first time a young man's eloped with a lady of means."
"Well," snapped the Lieutenant in reply, "it's a shade above eloping with somebody else's wife who happens to have a large bank account."