Cairns' energetic pace soon brought him to the Olympian Club, where he was accustomed to lunch, it being convenient to his office, which was on Forty-sixth Street.
Desboro, who, at Jacqueline's request, had gone back to business, appeared presently and joined Cairns at a small table.
"Anything doing at the office?" inquired the latter. "I suppose you were too nervous and upset to notice the market though."
"Well, ask yourself how much you'd feel like business after marrying the most glorious and wonderful——"
"Ring off! I concede everything. It is going to make some splash in the papers. Yes? Lord! I wish you could have had a ripping big wedding though! Wouldn't she have looked the part? Oh, no!"
"It couldn't be helped," said Desboro in a low, chagrined voice. "I'd have given the head off my shoulders to have had the sort of a wedding to which she was entitled. But—I couldn't."
Cairns nodded, not, however, understanding; and as Desboro offered no explanation, he remained unenlightened.
"Rather odd," he remarked, "that she didn't wish to have Aunt Hannah with her at the fatal moment. They're such desperate chums these days."
"She did want her. I wouldn't have her."