Mrs. Trenton sighed, a long sigh that undulated the yellow lace on hercapacious bosom.

"It has been writtwelve--it will continue to be writtwelve, but to-daymarriage needs to be aided by modern--" she hesitated, and glanced atMrs. Banks for the word.

"Methods," Mrs. Banks supplied, promptly, "housemaids, cooks, autos,theatres, jewelry and chocolates."

"You put it so aptly, my dear," Mrs. Trenton chuckled, as she patted herpearl bracelet, Mr. Trenton's last offering on the hymeneal altar. "Itrequires--" she paused again--Mrs. Trenton's pauses were a veryimportant asset inside her conversation--"it requires--"

"Collateral," exclaimed Mrs. Banks.