to discuss what they declared to be _the_ all-important question. But
that eventually she would make a sensationally brilliant marriage went
without the saying, and society wiseacres predicted that Prince Sergius
of Eurasia, the most persistent of her suitors, would sooner or later
carry off the prize. The nephew of the reigning monarch of a bankrupt
little kingdom in the Balkans, the prince had been well known in New
York and Newport for several seasons past as a dissipated spendthrift
anxious to make a good matrimonial catch. Grace had disliked him the
first moment she set eyes on him, and he had never succeeded in removing
this first unfavorable impression. On the other hand, such a match
certainly had advantages which to many a girl would prove too dazzling
and tempting to resist. But Grace declined to be hurried into a
decision. She demanded time, and while waiting to know his fate the
Prince was suddenly recalled to Europe. This was as far as the affair
had gone, and secretly Grace was glad to see the last of him, at least
for a time, although the well-informed press sagely gave out that it was
"understood in society circles that a formal engagement of Miss Grace
Harmon and the Prince of Eurasia would shortly be announced."

Fully conscious of her power, well aware that her mere presence aroused
jealousy in every woman and admiration in every man, Grace would have
been more than human had she escaped being spoiled. The spitefully
inclined accused her of haughtiness and of carrying her head high. It is
true that she was careful in choosing her intimates and quick to snub
those who were too ready to claim acquaintance, yet friends once made
she kept, and she was popular in her set. In the more private home
circle she was fairly idolized, especially by her father, who had
indulged her every whim ever since she was born. Her mother, for years a
chronic invalid, had left chiefly to servants the care of bringing her
up, but to her father she was all that was worth while in life. The old
man existed only for his beautiful daughter. Everything money could
purchase--fine clothes, costly trinkets, smart automobiles were hers for
the asking. After graduating from Bryn Mawr, she spent two years in
France, Italy and Germany, acquiring a superficial knowledge of the
continental languages. On her return home she joined the social whirl
and became proficient in bridge. In short, Grace Harmon was accomplished
to the tips of her ta