At this stage, like a glory descending, there was handed in, ex machina, the card of Douglas B.
Longhurst, with congratulations and four dozen Perrier-Jouet.

A bottle was opened; and the minister pledged the bride, and the bridesmaids simpered and tasted, and I made a speech with airy bacchanalianism, glass in hand.

But poor Jim must leave the wine untasted.

"Don't touch it," I had found the opportunity to whisper; "in your state it will make you as drunk as a fiddler." And Jim had wrung my hand with a "God bless you, Loudon!--saved me again!" Hard following upon this, the supper passed off at Frank's with somewhat tremulous gaiety.

And thence, with one half of the Perrier-Jouet--I would accept no more--we voyaged in a hack to the Norah Creina.
"What a dear little ship!" cried Mamie, as our miniature craft was pointed out to her.