"She has not married the man, but his wealth and position!" was the unguarded remark of one of these thoughtless individuals; and by a singular fatality, the sentence reached the ears of Mr.Dexter.

Alas! It was but throwing another fagot on the already kindling fires of unhallowed jealousy.

The countenance of the young husband became clouded; and it was only by an effort that he could arouse himself, and assume a gay exterior.

The prize after which he had sprung with such eager haste, distancing all competitors, was now his own.

Binding vows had been uttered, and the minister had said--"What God hath joined together, let not man put asunder." Yet, even in his hour of triumph, came the troubled conviction that, though he had gained the beautiful person of his bride, he could not say surely that her more beautiful soul was all his own.
And so there was a death's head at his feast; and the costly wine was dashed with bitterness.
Of what was passing in the mind of Dexter his bride had no knowledge; nor did her keen instincts warn her that the demon of jealousy was already in his heart.