y appetizers which preceded the more substantial
dishes.

The little butler, quick as lightning, filled the glasses with
foaming, hissing champagne. The host, his eyes fixed on Virginia, rose
to his feet, glass in hand, while Jimmie, unaccustomed to such fine
surroundings, and feeling rather out of place, looked up and stared.
Slowly Stafford raised his glass. Impressively he said:

"Before we begin dinner, I have a toast to propose--"

Fanny and Jimmie looked up.

"A toast!" they cried in surprise.

Stafford, his eyes still on Virginia, went on:

"I have the honor of proposing the happiness of Virginia--my future
bride!"

Virginia started and turned pale and red in turn.

[Illustration: RAISING HIS GLASS HE SAID: "TO VIRGINIA--MY FUTURE
BRIDE!" PAGE 144]

Jimmie, with an audible exclamation of satisfaction, nearly choked
over his champagne. Fanny, overjoyed, took her sister's hand,
exclaiming:

"Really, Virgie! This is a surprise, and you didn't tell me?"

"It--isn't--definite," stammered Virginia helplessly. "I--haven't--
promised."

Stafford laughed--the low, triumphant laugh of a man who knew he held
the winning card. Again raising his glass, he said significantly:

"No, dear, but you will. To the future Mrs. Stafford!"

CHAPTER X

For some time after the merry dinner in Robert Stafford's beautiful
apartment Virginia saw but little of her wealthy suitor. In fact, she
rather avoided him, preferring not to give the appearance of
encouraging him, firstly because she had not yet made up her mind
regarding the honor he had done her, secondly because it was not
always easy to invent excuses for further delay in arriving at a
decision. Yet, situated as she was, it was not possible to hide from
him altogether. There were daily duties to be performed; the business
routine of every day must go on. When in the hotel or its neighborhood
Stafford never neglected an opportunity to see her, or when he was not
able to come himself he sent her flowers, books and candy, paying her
every delicate attention in the nicest and most considerate way
possible.

As soon as was practicable, she resigned her position at the hotel,
taking this step not so much to avoid the railroad promoter, but
because she did not wish to furnish anyone with the slightest pretext
for criticism. The world is quick to censure. People could not help
noticing that the millionaire spent a great deal more time at Miss
Blaine's desk tha