took him a few minutes to perceive that Diane had chosen the
latter course, and had done it with a fine disdain of anything he might
choose to think. She was not of the order of women who hesitate for
petty considerations, or who stoop to small manoeuvrings.

"I'm afraid I must go now," she said, when he had stood some time
without speaking.

"Don't go yet. Sit down."

His tone was still one of command, but not of the same quality of
command as that which he had used on her entry. He brought her a chair,
and she seated herself again.

"You said just now," he began, resuming his former attitude, with his
arm on the mantelpiece, "that you didn't expect me to be so definite.
Suppose I had been indefinite; then what would you have done?"

"I should have been indefinite, too."

"That's all very well; but, you see, I have to look at things from the
point of view of business."

"And is there never anything indefinite in business?"

"Not if we can help it."

"And what happens when you can't help it?"

"Then we have to look for some one to whose discretion we can trust."

"Exactly; and, if you'll allow me to say it, Miss Pruyn is at an age and
in a position where she needs a friend armed with discretion rather than
authority."

"Well, suppose we were agreed about everything--the discretion and
all--what would you begin by doing?"

"I shouldn't begin by doing anything. I should try to win your
daughter's confidence; and if I couldn't do that I should go away."

"So that in the end it might happen that nothing would be accomplished."

"It might happen so. I shouldn't expect it. Good hearts are generally
sensitive to good influences; and beneath her shell of manner Miss Pruyn
strikes me as neither more nor less than a dear little girl."

Again he was suspicious of a bid for favor; but again Diane's air of
almost haughty honesty negatived the thought.

"I'm glad you see that," was the only comment he made. "But," he added,
once more taking a step or two toward her, "when you had won her
confidence, then you would do things that I suggested, wouldn't you?"

"I shouldn't have to. She would probably do them herself, and a great
deal better than you or I."

"I don't see how you can be sure of that. If you don't make her--"

"When you've watered your plant and kept it in the sunshine you don't
have to make it bloom. It will do that of itself."

"But all these young men?--and this young Wappinger--?"

"I should