“And how are you, dear Walter?  But I need not ask; you look so well and happy,” said Ishmael, as soon as he could get in a word.

“Me?  Oh, I’m well enough.  Nought’s never in danger.  I’ve just graduated, you know; with the highest honors, they say.  My thesis won the great prize; that was because you were not in the same class, you know.  I have my diploma in my pocket; I’m an M.D.; I can write myself doctor, and poison people, without danger of being tried for murder! isn’t that a privilege?  Now let my enemies take care of themselves!  Why don’t you congratulate me, you—­”

“I do, with all my heart and soul, Walter!”

“That’s right! only I had to drag it from you.  Well, so I’m to be ’best man’ to this noble bridegroom.  Too much honor.  I am not prepared for it.  One cannot get ready for graduating and marrying at the same time.  I don’t think I have got a thing fit to wear.  I wrote to Bee to buy me some fine shirts, and some studs, and gloves, and handkerchiefs, and hair oil, and things proper for the occasion.  I wonder if she did?”

“I don’t know.  I know that she has been overwhelmed with care for the last month, too much care for a girl, so it is just possible that she has had no opportunity.  Indeed, she has a great deal to think of and to do.”

“Oh, it won’t hurt her; especially if it consists of preparations for the wedding.”

A bell rang.

“There now, Ishmael, there is that diabolical dinner-bell!  You may look, but it is true:  a dinner-bell that peals out at seven o’clock in the evening is a diabolical dinner-bell.  At college we dine at twelve meridian, sharp, and sup at six.  It is dreadful to sit at table a whole hour, and be bored by seeing other people eat, and pretending to eat yourself, when you are not hungry.  Well, there’s no help for it.  Come down and be bored, Ishmael.”

They went down into the drawing room, where quite a large circle of near family connections were assembled.

Walter Middleton was presented to the Viscount Vincent, who was the only stranger, to him, present.

Claudia was there, looking as calm, as self-possessed and queenly, as if she had not passed through a storm of passion two hours before.

Ishmael glanced at her and saw the change with amazement, but he dared not trust himself to look again.

The dinner party, with all this trouble under the surface, passed off in superficial gayety.  The guests separated early, because the following morning would usher in the wedding day.

CHAPTER LXVI.

THE MARRIAGE MORNING.

  I trust that never more in this world’s shade
    Thine eyes will be upon me:  never more
  Thy face come back to me.  For thou hast made
        My whole life sore. 
  Fare hence, and be forgotten....  Sing thy song,
        And braid thy brow,
  And be beloved and beautiful—­and be
    In beauty baleful still ... a Serpent Queen
  To others not yet curst in loving thee
        As I have been!