"
"Very true, my dear. The remark does credit to your good judgment and
penetration. But I know how to get over that."
"As how?"
"Be a little more particular about your speech, my dear. Remember, you
are a minister's wife, and must use refined expressions. What is easier
than to say that the ring was given me by a benevolent lady of my
congregation, to dispose of for the benefit of the poor?"
"Well thought of, Tony. You've got a good head-piece."
"You're right, my dear. I don't like to indulge in self-praise, but I
believe I know a thing or two. And now for the masquerade. Where are the
duds?"
"In the black trunk."
"Then we'd better lose no time in putting them on."
Without describing the process of transformation in detail, it will be
sufficient to say that the next twenty minutes wrought a decided change
in the appearance of Mr. and Mrs. Felix Montgomery. The former was
arrayed in a suit of canonical black, not of the latest cut. A white
neckcloth was substituted for the more gaudy article worn by the jeweler
from Syracuse, and a pair of silver-bowed spectacles, composed of plain
glass, lent a scholarly air to his face. His hair was combed behind his
ears, and, so far as appearance went, he quite looked the character of a
clergyman from the rural districts.
"How will I do, my dear?" he asked, complacently.
"Tiptop," answered the lady.
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