he has a fortune which, as
yet, he has never been able to handle for himself; and I do it for him.
We are partners, and, though you mightn't think it, he has got more
money now than when he put his dollars at my disposal to help me make a
few millions at a critical time."

Lady Lawless let her fan touch Mr. Vandewaters's arm. "I am going to
do you a great favour. You see that young lady coming to us with
my husband? Well, I am going to introduce you to her. It is such as
she--such women--who will convince you--"

"Yes?"

"--that you have yet to make your--what shall I call it?--Ah, I have it:
your 'biggest deal,'--and, in truth, your best."

"Is that so?" rejoined Vandewaters musingly. "Is that so? I always
thought I'd make my biggest deal in the States. Who is she? She is
handsome."

"She is more than handsome, and she is the Honourable Gracia Raglan."

"I don't understand about 'The Honourable.'"

"I will explain that another time."

A moment later Miss Raglan, in a gentle bewilderment, walked down the
ballroom on the arm of the millionaire, half afraid that something
gauche would happen; but by the time she had got to the other end was
reassured, and became interested.

Sir Duke said to his wife in an aside, before he left her with Mr.
Vandewaters's financial partner: "What is your pretty conspiracy,
Molly?"

"Do talk English, Duke, and do not interfere."

A few hours later, on the way home, Sir Duke said: "You asked Mr. Pride
too?"

"Yes; I grieve to say."

"Why grieve?"

"Because his experiences with us seem to make him dizzy. He will be
terribly in earnest with every woman in the house, if--"

"If you do not keep him in line yourself?"

"Quite so. And the creature is not even interesting."

"Cast your eye about. He has millions; you have cousins."

"You do not mean that, Duke? I would see them in their graves first. He
says 'My lady' every other sentence, and wants to send me flowers, and a
box for the opera, and to drive me in the Park."

Her husband laughed. "I'll stake my life he can't ride. You will have
him about the place like a tame cat." Then, seeing that his wife was
annoyed: "Never mind, Molly, I will help you all I can. I want to be
kind to them."

"I know you do. But what is your 'pretty conspiracy,' Duke?"

"A well-stocked ranche in Colorado." He did not mean it. And she knew
it.

"How can you be so mercenary?" she replied.

Then they both laughed, and said that they we