the only thing he's
ever read in 'Every Other Week,' and he's proud of your acquaintance.
Well, you know"--and here Fulkerson brought in the figure that
struck him so much in Beaton's phrase and had been on his tongue ever
since--"you're the man on horseback to him; and he'd be more apt to do
what you say than if anybody else said it."

"You are very good, sir," said the colonel, trying to be proof against
the flattery, "but I am afraid you overrate my influence." Fulkerson
let him ponder it silently, and his daughter governed her impatience
by holding her fan against her lips. Whatever the process was in the
colonel's mind, he said at last: "I see no good reason for declining
to act for you, Mr. Fulkerson, and I shall be very happy if I can be
of service to you. But"--he stopped Fulkerson from cutting in with
precipitate thanks--"I think I have a right, sir, to ask what your
course will be in the event of failure?"

"Failure?" Fulkerson repeated, in dismay.

"Yes, sir. I will not conceal from you that this mission is one not
wholly agreeable to my feelings."

"Oh, I understand that, colonel, and I assure you that I appreciate,
I--"

"There is no use trying to blink the fact, sir, that there are certain
aspects of Mr. Dryfoos's character in which he is not a gentleman. We
have alluded to this fact before, and I need not dwell upon it now:
I may say, however, that my misgivings were not wholly removed last
night."

"No," Fulkerson assented; though in his heart he thought the old man had
behaved very well.

"What I wish to say now is that I cannot consent to act for you, in this
matter, merely as an intermediary whose failure would leave the affair
in state quo."

"I see," said Fulkerson.

"And I should like some intimation, some assurance, as to which party
your own feelings are with in the difference."

The colonel bent his eyes sharply on Fulkerson; Miss Woodburn let hers
fall; Fulkerson felt that he was being tested, and he said, to gain
time, "As between Lindau and Dryfoos?" though he knew this was not the
point.

"As between Mr. Dryfoos and Mr. March," said the colonel.

Fulkerson drew a long breath and took his courage in both hands. "There
can't be any choice for me in such a case. I'm for March, every time."

The colonel seized his hand, and Miss Woodburn said, "If there had been
any choice fo' you in such a case, I should never have let papa stir a
step with you."

"Why, in regard to that,"