David laughed happily. “I was, but I am very much alive now. I am to be married, Mrs. Towers; our wedding is to be quite comme il faut. It is to be at high noon, and the ceremony performed by a bishop.”

“James!” Betty dropped into a chair and looked helplessly at her husband. “You haven’t your vestments here!”

“I have all I need, dear. You know, Doctor, from Mr. Belew’s telegram we were led to expect — ”

“A death instead of a wedding?” David finished.

Betty turned to him. “Why didn’t you tell us when you were down? You never gave the slightest hint of your state of mind, and there I was with my heart aching for Cassandra, when you — you stood ready to save her. I’m