few moments when her mother alluded to the subject of the letter.

"Dear Mary is so conscientious," she murmured. "She positively
couldn't rest until she had had it out with you."

Jacob stammered some sort of answer, which was none the more coherent
because of the kick under the table with which Lady Mary favoured him.
Afterwards she continued to carry out the parental behest and again
completely absorbed his attention. She wound up by lingering behind,
as he held open the door at the conclusion of dinner, and whispering
audaciously in his ear.

"We're getting on too well, you know. You'd better be careful, or I
shall be Lady Mary Pratt, after all!"

The Marquis moved his chair down to the side of Jacob's, on the
latter's return to the table.

"I am glad to see you on such excellent terms with my daughter, Mr.
Pratt," he observed with a smile.

"Lady Mary is most gracious," Jacob murmured uneasily.

"My son, too," the Marquis continued, "has always spoken to me highly
of your sagacity in business affairs. I understand that you are one of
those fortunate people who have amassed a large fortune in a very
short space of time."

"I cannot take any of the credit to myself," Jacob replied. "I
invested a little money with my brother, who was prospecting for oil
in the western States of America, and he met with the most amazing
success."

The Marquis himself filled Jacob's glass.

"I hope you like my port," he said. "It was laid down by my father
when he was a young man. My cellar is one of the last of the family
treasures remaining to us."

"I have never tasted anything like it," Jacob admitted truthfully.

"Returning to the subject of commercial life," his host went on, "I
have always hoped that I might have introduced my son, Felixstowe,
into some remunerative post. Automobiles, they tell me, may be made a
profitable source of income. Do you happen to have any investments in
that direction, Mr. Pratt?"

"Not at present," Jacob answered. "The industry is, I believe, a sound
one."

"Ah!" the Marquis regretted. "At some future time, perhaps. I myself
am much interested in City affairs. Our friend, Mr. Dane Montague,
has kindly placed me upon the board of one of his companies, and if
another company in which he is interested is floated, I am also to
join that. The fees so far have not been munificent, but it is
encouraging to have made a start."

Jacob muttered something noncommittal. Mr. Dane Montague leane