James had procured an invitation, and he made unusual personal preparations for it.

He was conscious that he was going to do a very mean action, but he would look as well as possible in the act.

He had even his apology for it ready; he would say that "as long as it was a private wrong he had borne the loss patiently for twenty years, but that the public welfare demanded honest men, men above reproach, and he could no longer feel it his duty," etc., etc.
After he was dressed he bid Christine "Good-by." "He would only stay an hour," he said, "and he must needs go, as Donald was her kin." Then he went to the desk, and with hands trembling in their eagerness sought the bill.

It was not there.

_Impossible!_ He looked again--again more carefully--could not believe his eyes, and looked again and again.