bout everybody that _I_ like. He's smart and bright and well
dressed and polite. He's a gentleman! and a different kind from any that
we've ever met. That makes YOU suspicious, of course."

"Now you know it isn't that; but--but--"

"But what?"

There was more hesitation on the captain's part. He had intended to tell
of the meeting at the Rathskeller; then he remembered the young man's
explanation and apology and thought better of it. He and "Cousin Percy"
might have another interview on the morrow. Meanwhile, he would keep
still, particularly as his wife seemed to have forgotten their caller's
reference to the meeting. He finished his sentence in another way.

"But I don't see what he came here for," he said.

"He came here to see us. And, I think, considering how he was treated in
Aunt Lavinia's will, it was awfully nice of him to come at all. And,
as for helping me out on that reception, he's been a perfect godsend
already. I should THINK you would appreciate it."

Before the next day was over, and long before the first of the evening's
guests arrived, the services of the new-found friend of the family were
appreciated even by the reluctant Daniel. Mr. Hungerford came early and
proceeded immediately to make himself useful. He had seen the violinist,
and the latter and his sister had promised to be on hand. He took
Hapgood in charge and superintended the arranging of the drawing-room
and the library for the reception and the dancing. When the messenger
from the florist came with the flowers which Serena, acting upon the
suggestion of Mrs. Lake and Mrs. Black, had ordered, he saw that they
were placed in exactly the right positions for effect. Being urged to
stay for lunch, he stayed. And his conversation during the meal was
so fluent, so aristocratic in flavor, and yet so friendly, that Serena
became more and more taken with him. With the captain he was not quite
as much at his ease. But he did his best to be agreeable, and Daniel,
still vaguely suspicious, found nothing tangible upon which to base
distrust. There was so much to be done in the afternoon that, acting
upon a hint so delicate that it could scarcely be called a hint, Mrs.
Dott urged him to send to the hotel for his bag and stay at their home
overnight. He accepted and was even busier than he had been during the
forenoon session. He was never so busy as to perform manual labor with
his own hands--he never stooped to that extent--but he managed to conve