ked: "Have you read any of the new books,
Miss Blaine?"

"I'm afraid not," she smiled.

"Virgie hasn't had much time to read lately," interrupted Fanny.

"Busy?" demanded their host.

"Well, it's this way," explained the elder sister, "we've had a lot of
sewing to do, and three times in the last two weeks she's taken me to
the art galleries to look at the pictures."

"Really!" exclaimed Stafford.

"Yes," broke in Jimmie, with a grin, "one time they took me. Some of
the pictures were great, but I couldn't stand for those milk chocolate
Dutch women with the Mellen's Food babies. I like pictures with
something doing in them for mine--such as battles and sea pictures."

The millionaire pointed towards the room beyond the salon. He said:

"If you are fond of paintings of battle scenes, I have two
Meissoniers, which I think rather good. They are in the library
there--"

"Can I see them?" demanded the clerk, anxious to pass for a
connoisseur.

"Certainly," replied his host. Turning to Fanny, he added: "There's
also a collection of fans. I think it would interest you, too."

"I am sure they will," she smiled. "Will you excuse us?"

"Certainly--"

She went towards the library and at the threshold turned and called to
her fiance, who was lingering behind.

"Coming, Jimmie?"

"Surest thing you know," he grinned, rising to go and join her.
Stafford accompanied them as far as the library door. Pointing all
around, he said:

"The books and the engravings will interest you. You needn't hurry.
Oku will let you know when dinner is served."

"Very well," smiled Fanny. "You and Virginia please excuse us. Jimmie
and I will just browse in here for a while."

CHAPTER IX

Glad of the opportunity which allowed him a few minutes alone with
the girl whose personality had taken so strong a hold upon him,
Stafford gently closed the door, and, returning quickly, took a seat
near Virginia.

"Well--Miss Blaine?" he smiled.

"Well--Mr. Stafford?"

"Here we are all alone," he said, looking at her admiringly.

There was a strange look in his eyes, a longing, appealing look, as if
he had something on his mind to which he did not dare give expression.
For a moment the girl regretted that she had not followed her sister.
It was embarrassing under the peculiar circumstances to be alone there
with him. There was a long pause, during which neither spoke. At last
Virginia said:

"Why didn't you let me see the pictures