obliged to listen. But that's rather the end of the story--"

"And I want the beginning, Grimston, if you don't mind. I want to know
why this Diane should be after me."

"She's after money," Mr. Grimston declared, bluntly. "She's after money,
and you'd better let me manage her. It would save you the trouble of the
refusal you'll be obliged to make."

"Well, tell me about her and I'll see."

Mr. Grimston stiffened himself in his chair and cleared his throat.

"Diane Eveleth," he stated, with slow, significant emphasis, "is an
extremely fascinating woman. She has probably turned more men round her
little finger than any other woman in Paris."

"Is that to her credit or her discredit?"

"I don't want to say anything against Mrs. Eveleth," Mr. Grimston
protested. "I wish she hadn't come near us at all. As it is, you must be
forewarned."

"I'm not particular about that, if you'll give me the facts."

"That's not so easy. Where facts are so deucedly disagreeable, a fellow
finds it hard to trot out any poor little woman in her weaknesses. I
must make it clear beforehand that I don't want to say anything against
her."