than one hint the night before of such a nature that they
had some reason for supposing relationship imminent. It is true Eva was
a little disappointed that the actual words were not yet said, and when
he made an airy reference to paying a farewell call that morning upon
their neighbors at Lincoln Lodge, she exhibited so much disapproval in
her air that he said at once--

"Ach, vell, I shall jost go after lonch and be back in an hour and a
half. I jost vish to say good-bye, zat is all."

Little guessing how much was to hang upon this postponement, he drove
over after luncheon with a mind entirely reassured. With only an
afternoon to be safely passed, no mishap, he was sure, could possibly
happen now. If indeed the Maddisons chose to be offended with him, why,
then, his call would merely be the briefer and he would recommend Eva
for the post of Lady Tulliwuddle without qualification. It was his
critics who had reason to fear, not he.

Miss Maddison was at home, the staff of footmen assured him, and,
holding his head as high as a chieftain should, he strode into her
sanctuary.

"Do I disturb you?"

He asked this with a quicker beating heart. Not Eleanor alone, but
her father and Ri confronted him, and it was very plain to see that
a tempest was in the brewing. Her eyes were bright with tears and
indignation; their brows heavy with formidable frowns. At the first
moment of his entering, extreme astonishment at seeing him was clearly
their dominant emotion, and as evidently it rapidly developed into a
sentiment even less hospitable.

"Why, this beats the devil!" ejaculated Mr. Maddison; and for a moment
this was the sole response to his inquiry.

The next to speak was Ri--

"Show it him, Poppa! Confront him with the evidence!"

With ominous deliberation the millionaire picked up a newspaper from the
floor, where apparently it had been crumpled and flung, smoothed out
the creases, and approached the Baron till their noses were in danger of
collision. While executing this manoeuvre the silence was only broken by
the suppressed sobbing of his daughter. Then at last he spoke.

"Our mails, sir, have just arrived. This, sir, is 'The Times' newspaper,
published in the city of London yesterday morning."

He shook it in the Baron's face with a sudden vehemence that caused that
nobleman to execute an abrupt movement backward.

"Take it," continued the millionaire--"take it, sir, and explain this if
you can!"

So conf