"Thank you, Lady Lawless, I'm glad you have asked me. But--" He glanced
to where Mr. Pride was being introduced to the young lady on Sir Duke's
arm, and paused.

"We are hoping," she added, interpreting his thought, and speaking a
little dryly, "that your friend, Mr. Stephen Pride"--the name sounded so
ludicrous--"will join us."

"He'll be proud enough, you may be sure. It's a singular combination,
Pride and myself, isn't it? But, you see, he has a fortune which, as yet,
he has never been able to handle for himself; and I do it for him. We are
partners, and, though you mightn't think it, he has got more money now
than when he put his dollars at my disposal to help me make a few
millions at a critical time."

Lady Lawless let her fan touch Mr. Vandewaters's arm. "I am going to do
you a great favour. You see that young lady coming to us with my husband?
Well, I am going to introduce you to her. It is such as she--such
women--who will convince you--"

"Yes?"

"--that you have yet to make your--what shall I call it?--Ah, I have it:
your 'biggest deal,'--and, in truth, your best."

"Is that so?" rejoined Vandewaters musingly. "Is that so? I always
thought I'd make my biggest deal in the States. Who is she? She is
handsome."

"She is more than handsome, and she is the Honourable Gracia Raglan."