Her aunt forced an issue.

The marriage of her niece was to be brilliant to the verge of confusion and the ante-nuptial season was to be one which the city should not forget while its promoter lived to enjoy the emoluments.

She knew she was making her niece unhappy, but she argued that her niece was too deeply in love to appreciate the value of opportunity.

Besides, on her wedding day, Grace Vernon would be twenty-three years of age, mistress of herself, her fortune, and her husband's home.

That day would end the reign of Elizabeth Torrence.