"Naturally you fancy you're inscrutable," said Jimmy, with a laugh.
"We all do. Come now, suppose you tell me what it is!"

"What would be the use--if there were anything?"

"You might enable me to do you a good turn! If I couldn't cure your
woe I could possibly make you forget it. Besides, people do tell me
things. You would be astonished to hear what confidences are poured
into my ears."

"Is that because you're sympathetic, or simply because you're rich?"
suggested Carrissima.

"What's that you're carrying?" he asked, with a shrug.

"A card-case," she replied.

"May I look?" he said, holding out his hand. After a momentary
hesitation she let him take it, whereupon he had no scruple about
opening the box. "Hullo! who is B. R.?" he demanded.

"Nobody you know, Jimmy!"

"Bridget Rosser!" he exclaimed. "You see what a memory I have. Is
to-day any special occasion?"

"Her birthday," said Carrissima.

"How old is she?"