sense of regret at being obliged to sever business relations owing
to the fact that I was about to contract family ties with him. I
hoped that he would command me in any way he saw fit and was sorry
we couldn't come to an agreement in the present instance."

"I don't believe you're a bit sorry. Don't you realize what an
expensive luxury you're getting in me and how serious a thing it
is to cast off heaven knows how many millions?"

"Oh, I realize it!"

"But you expect him to come round when he has had time to think it
over?"

"It's hard for me to conceive of anybody not wanting me for a
son-in-law," he admitted cheerfully.

Valencia nodded. "He'll like you all the better for standing up to
him. He's fond of Alice because she's impudent to him."

"I didn't mean to be impudent, but I couldn't lie down and let him
prove me what he called me."

"If you're that kind of a man I'm almost glad you're going to make
me marry you," she confided.

He leaned over her chair, his eyes shining. "I'll make you more
than almost glad, Valencia. You're going to learn what it is to--
oh, damn it!"