t included it. At least a lack of curiosity now
was valueless, so George said:

"Who's the man?"

"I don't suggest a name," Wandel drawled. "I merely call attention to a
possibility. Perhaps discussing the charming lady at all we're a trifle
out of bounds; but we've known the Planters many years; years enough to
wonder why Sylvia hasn't been caught before, why Blodgett failed at the
last minute."

George stirred impatiently.

"It was inevitable he should. I once disliked Josiah, but that was
because I was too young to see quite straight. Just the same, he wasn't
up to her. Most of all, he was too old."

"I daresay. I daresay," Wandel said. "So much for jolly Josiah. But the
others? It isn't exaggeration to suggest that she might have had about
any man in this country or England. She hasn't had. She's still the
loveliest thing about, and how many years since she was
introduced--many, many, isn't it, George?"

"What odds?" George muttered. "She's still young."

He felt self-conscious and warm. Was Wandel trying to make him say too
much?

"Why do you ask me?"

Wandel yawned.

"Gossiping, George. Poking about in the dark. Thought you might have
some light."

"How should I have?" George demanded.

"Because," Wandel drawled, "you're the greatest and most penetrating of
men."

George's discomfort grew. He tried to turn Wandel's attack.

"How does it happen you've never entered the ring?"

Wandel laughed quietly.

"I did, during my school days. She was quite splendid about it. I mean,
she said very splendidly that she couldn't abide little men; but any
time since I'd have fallen cheerfully at her feet if I'd ever become a
big man, a great man, like you."

Before he had weighed those words, unquestionably pointed and
significant, George had let slip an impulsive question.

"Can you picture her fancying a figure like Dalrymple?"

He was sorry as soon as it was out. Anxiously he watched Wandel through
the dusk of the room. The little man spoke with a troubled hesitation,
as if for once he wasn't quite sure what he ought to reply.

"You acknowledged a moment ago that you had failed to see Josiah
straight. Hasn't your view of Dolly always been from a prejudiced
angle?"

"I've always disliked him," George said, frankly. "He's given me reasons
enough. You know some of them."

"I know," Wandel drawled, "that he isn't what even Sylvia would call a
little man, and he has the faculty of making himself except