alled inconstant!

It was not until Henderson had time to take in the warmth of this
domestic picture that Carmen rose.

"It is so good of you to come, with all your engagements. Mamma is
excused with a headache, but she has left me power of attorney to ask
questions about our little venture."

"I hope the attorney will not put me through a cross-examination."

"That depends upon how you have been behaving, Mr. Henderson. I'm not
very cross yet. Now, sit there so that I can look at you and see how
honest you are."

"Do you want me to put on my business or my evening expression?"

"Oh, the first, if you mean business."

"Well, your stocks are going up."

"That's nice. You are so lucky! Everything goes up with you. Do you know
what they say of you.

"Nothing bad, I hope."

"That everything you touch turns to gold. That you will be one of the
nabobs of New York in ten years."

"That's a startling destiny."

"Isn't it? I don't like it." The girl seemed very serious. "I'd like
you to be distinguished. To be in the Cabinet. To be minister--go to
England. But one needs a great deal of money for that, to go as one
ought to go. What a career is open to a man in this country if he has
money!"

"But I don't care for politics."

"Who does? But position. You can afford that if you have money enough.
Do you know, Mr. Henderson, I think you are dull."

"Thank you. I reckoned you'd find it out."

"The other night at the Nestor ball a lady--no, I won't tell you who she
is--asked me if I knew who that man was across the room; such an air
of distinction; might be the new British Minister. You know, I almost
blushed when I said I did know him."

"Well?"

"You see what people expect of you. When a man looks distinguished and
is clever, and knows how to please if he likes, he cannot help having a
career, unless he is afraid to take the chances."

Henderson was not conscious of ever being wanting in this direction.
The picture conjured up by the ingenious girl was not unfamiliar to his
mind, and he understood quite well the relation to it that Carmen had in
her mind; but he did not take the lead offered. Instead, he took refuge
in the usual commonplace, and asked, "Wouldn't you like to have been a
man?"

"Heaven forbid! I should be too wicked. It is responsibility enough to
be a woman. I did not expect such a banality from you. Do you think, Mr.
Henderson, we had better sell?"

"Sell what?"

"Our stocks. You are