"How much money did Uncle Foxhall leave me?" she asked, after the buzz of greetings and questions had somewhat subsided.
"Why, don't you know, my dear?" Lady Agatha exclaimed. "I thought the solicitors would have told you before this. It is not a large sum; but it will serve to alter your future materially. It is a trifle short of twelve thousand pounds, I believe; but with that at your back I shall be able to arrange a very suitable marriage for you, I am sure. In fact, I have already mentioned quite an eligible parti to your uncle, a Mr. Gildersleeve. He is a widower of excellent family, my dear Jane, and quite suitable in every respect."
"He's an old frump," put in Gwendolen, with a hateful little laugh, "but I dare say he'll do for Jane."
"My dear Gwendolen!" protested Lady Agatha. "Of course, now that you can afford to dress in a manner becoming to your station, Jane, I shall not mind taking you out with Gwendolen—at least, occasionally. By the way, that is a very pretty frock you are wearing. Where did you get it, my dear?"
"This is an American gown," said Jane, drawing up her little figure with a proud smile, "and this," she added tremulously, "is an American—ring."
"What!—a wedding ring! You are not married already?"
"Yes," said Jane, with a blush that made her look handsomer than ever. "My husband is waiting for me downstairs. I should like you to meet him, Aunt Agatha, and you"—including the others with her smiling glance. "He is an American," she finished, with a touch of hauteur which was not lost on Lady Agatha, "and we sail for—home a week from to-day."
Being doubly assured of this desirable dénouement, Lady Agatha actually went to the length of giving a family dinner party in honor of her niece by marriage, and to this dubious merry-making the Hon. Wippingler Towle was bidden by the express commands of the master of the house.
"You've clean thrown away a good lump of money, Towle," grumbled Mr. Aubrey-Blythe; "but perhaps it will afford you some satisfaction to look at the hole."
"I shall certainly be glad of the opportunity to meet—er—Mrs. Everett once more," Mr. Towle said politely. "But I—er—don't quite follow you in your remark about the money." His stern eyes actually threatened his friend. "I am told that your niece has lately inherited a small legacy by the bequest of—er—a deceased relative, which will, I trust, make her quite comfortable and happy in her new home."