my judgment is it's always just as well for a girl to have a little
money of her own. Feels independent. You'll have more when I'm gone, of
course. That'll give you a little better'n three thousand a year.
Non-taxable, too."

She reported her new wealth to Hugo, quite proudly, within two hours.
For he had proved willing this evening to purloin night hours from his
grave duties as attorney-at-law, and by telephone had easily cajoled
Carlisle into breaking an engagement she had made for other society. In
the nicest sort of way, Canning agreed that her father had made her a
handsome dowry. He added, holding her hand tight, that she was to let
him do something for her, too, on their wedding day. Of course she must
have her own money; all she could spend.

"I can spend lots, my dear. You'll find me a frightfully expensive young
person.... There are cigarettes in the drawer, Hugo. I bought the kind
you like, this time...."

She got one for him, struck the match herself. He watched her, loafing
lordly; very handsome and dear he looked in his beautiful
evening clothes.

And thence, in the lamplit privacy of the little study,--Mr. Heth having
fared forth to a Convention "banquet,"--the talk ranged wide. Late in
the evening, it returned again to Carlisle, as the possessor of large
independent funds, a topic of pleasurable possibilities from her
standpoint.

She said idly: "Do you believe it makes you happy to give away money,
Hugo? That's a rule I heard somewhere."