"Yes, I saw her the other evening as you were coming out of the theatre."
Paul started to his feet. "And never said a word about it, Ned? That's not like the old friend you used to be. The fact was I had engaged to attend her there before I knew of your coming; and I was ashamed—that is, it—would have been awkward to tell my wife I was going to a place of amusement with another lady."
"Decidedly; especially when that lady was one with whom you once fancied yourself desperately in love."
"Pshaw! Well, Wallingford, it's no use denying she's a splendid girl. Did you know she's become very rich? I suppose I might have married her if I'd known what a fortune she would have. It will be the making of Johnson."
"What Johnson?"
"R. D., Firm of Johnson, Morgan & Co., Wall Street, New York. They're engaged, though few in Chicago are aware of it beside myself, whom she honored with her confidence."
"If you had not been in such a hurry to marry a child only just commencing her education, you might have won the heiress for yourself," remarked Edward coolly.
"Just so. Not that I don't love Gerty, and all that," was the somewhat confused rejoinder; "but now that the excitement has past, I don't deny it was a mistake. We ought to have waited as you urged us to do."
"Will you give me back my sister, Paul?"
Wallingford had turned and was looking his companion full in the eye.