bout my 'tub' and steamer-chair."

The next moment the Englishman and his green thatch were swallowed up in
the crush of new arrivals.

"Did you ever see such a coarse, selfish creature!" exclaimed Mrs.
Stuart indignantly. "The impudence of his comparing me to his miserable
dog!"

"Who are the flowers for?" laughed Grace.

"Mrs. Phelps, of course. He's head over heels in debt. He needs her
money. I wouldn't be surprised if he didn't catch on. She's very
ambitious--the title attracts her. There she comes now."

A stylish, handsome woman, richly dressed all in black, with large
Gainsborough hat to match, came leisurely up the gangplank, followed by
a smart footman weighed down with packages. She nodded cordially to
Grace and Mrs. Stuart as she caught sight of them, and disappeared in
the direction of the staterooms.

"She's literally bursting with money," whispered Mrs. Stuart, who knew
everybody's business. "Her husband left her ten millions. He was a
simple soul--a plain, matter-of-fact business man. All he thought of was
making money. She never cared for him. It's just as well he died. She
can marry again now and live the life she likes best. All the men are
after her. Some think Count von Hatzfeld has the best chance. Of course
you know he's on the ship. You see, it's all cut and dried."

"I don't blame her," said Grace cynically, as she returned the bow of
another arrival. "It must be dreadful to be a mere 'Mrs. Green' or 'Mrs.
Brown.' I couldn't live with any ordinary man--a mere business man whose
one thought was figures and profits. My ideal is an English peer or an
Italian count--preferably the latter. They are less expensive. English
dukes, they say, drink hard and beat their wives. It would be nice to be
addressed as 'Duchess,' or 'Comtesse.'"

Mrs. Stuart looked approvingly at her _protegee_.

"I'm glad to see you're so practical, my dear."

"Why not? This is a practical age," laughed Grace.

"Well, there's Prince Sergius. He's only waiting the word. Why don't you
marry him and be a princess--only two lives removed from a throne? Every
woman in America would envy you."

Grace frowned.

"And I--would despise myself?" she answered. "Every one knows his
reputation. It's my money he wants, that's all. I haven't yet sunk so
low as to purchase a titled husband at the price of my self-respect.
Besides, I could not endure a tie that would be entirely loveless,
wholly mercenary. I hope I have some ideal