As for Esther, I never saw a woman look more beautiful. she took on a aura of genuine beauty. Of course she would have been lest then human and far from feminine to have failed to responed to this magneficent exhibition of husbandly devotion.

But finally the ceremony was finished and the guests went to the dining room for the rich supper which had benn prepared by special cooks employed for this occasion . George and I were left alone and he sang exhousted into a chair. I placed my hand on his shoulder and congratulated him on the success of his party .

“You really think it was a success?“

“Wonderful! And,“ jockingly,“ you certainly should feel completely married . “

“Yes, I do.“ He became silent for a moment or two, and when he spoke again it was in a deeply serious tone.“ There is something I have got to explain to you as my friend and my lawyer” He stopped for a second, then asked suddenly:''You remember my first wife?''

‘'Althea?“ I was surprised by the question.“ Certainly.“

“ Did you know , “ he went on in a strange voice , “ that she died only last year ? “

“Good Lord! I thought she died twenty-seven years ago. “

“So did I,“ he said quitely. “ And when I married Esther , I thought I was a widower. But I wasn't – and in case anything ever comes up – well, I want you to understand that affair tonight was a real wedding for Esther and me.“