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“I thought surely you would congratulate me,” said Ernest, with a faint, forced smile.

“The ides of March have come, but not gone,” answered Mr. Hillston, shaking his head.

“I do not understand you, Mr. Hillston.”

“How can I congratulate you, my dear boy, when I cannot foresee the end?”

“Can you do that in any case, sir?”

“True enough: but sometimes, and in some cases, we fear the termination.”

“Please do not speak in riddles, Mr. Hillston. Is not the prospect flattering?”

“In one sense, yes. So far as material prosperity is concerned, I can see no possible objection. But money, my dear Ernest, does not always bring happiness.”

“Do you suppose I am base enough to marry for money?” interrupted Ernest with an angry flush.

“No, no,” hastily answered Mr. Hillston. “I have a better opinion of you than that. But the world judges of marriages by outward circumstances. If both parties start out in life with great wealth, people generally think they are happy matches. But there are other things to be considered in a woman besides wealth, beauty and external accomplishments. A good, solid moral character is of far more value than a great fortune. A woman’s character is the first thing to be considered. Sometimes young people hurry into marriage without ever pausing to ascertain whether there may not be incompatibilities and incongruities that will forever exclude happiness from their abode. Now, my dear boy, have you thought of all this?”