"Oh," cried young Erroll, delighted, "that is fine! Neergard would be
glad enough. Why, we've got that Valleydale tract in shape now, and
there are scores of schemes in the air--scores of them--important moves
which may mean--anything!" he ended, excitedly.

"Then you think it would be all right--in case Neergard likes the idea?"

Gerald was enthusiastic. After a while they shook hands, it being time
to separate. And for a long time Selwyn sat there alone in the visitors'
room, absent-eyed, facing the blazing fire of cannel coal.

How to be friends with this boy without openly playing the mentor; how
to gain his confidence without appearing to seek it; how to influence
him without alarming him! No; there was no great harm in him yet; only
the impulse of inconsiderate youth; only an enthusiastic capacity for
pleasure.

One thing was imperative--the boy must cut out his card-playing for
stakes at once; and there was a way to accomplish that by impressing
Gerald with the idea that to do anything behind Neergard's back which he
would not care to tell him about was a sort of treachery.

Who were these people, anyway, who would permit a boy of that age, and
in a responsible position, to play for such stakes? Who were they to
encourage such--?

Selwyn's tightening grasp on his chair suddenly relaxed; he sank back,
staring at the brilliant coals. He, too, had forgotten.