The Beginning of the Honeymoon On the morning of his marriage, before he went to the altar, Lopez made one or two resolutions as to his future conduct.

The first was that he would give himself a fortnight from his marriage day in which he would not even think of money.

He had made certain arrangements, in the course of which he had caused Sextus Parker to stare with surprise and to sweat with dismay, but which nevertheless were successfully concluded.

Bills were drawn to run over to February, and ready money to a moderate extent was forthcoming, and fiscal tranquillity was insured for a certain short period.

The confidence which Sextus Parker had once felt in his friend's own resources was somewhat on the decline, but he still believed in his friend's skill and genius, and, after due inquiry, he believed entirely in his friend's father-in-law.