that young Gathbroke Lady Victoria brought last night?"

"He's a younger son, and he never looked at any one but Alex. And Isabel
Otis has preempted Mr. Gwynne. And I adore France and don't care about
England."

"Well, that is romantic if you like!" cried Aileen, her green eyes dancing"
"You have my best wishes. Doesn't it make your Geary Street knight look
cheap--he boards somewhere down on Geary Street."

"No, it doesn't! And I'm a good American. French marquis, indeed! Mr.
Dwight comes of the best old American stock from New York. He told mother
so, I'd spit on any old decadent European title."

"I wish your mother could hear you. So--he's been getting round her has
he? Where on earth did he meet her?"

Alexina, with sulky triumph, reported Mr. Dwight's early visit and the
favorable impression he had made.

Aileen groaned. "That's just the one thing she would fall for in a rank
outsider--superlative manners. His being poor is rather in his favor. I'll
put a flea in her ear--"

"You dare!"

Aileen lifted her shoulders. "Well, as a matter of fact I can't. Tattling
just isn't in my line. But if I can queer him with you I will."

"I won't talk about him any more." Alexina drew herself up with immense