d begged him a favor to accept a little trifle of four and a
half millions profit in exchange for saving my house and reputation."

"Harry!" Marian cried. "I've been blind to your troubles too!"

"This was his chance. He remarked coolly that he had been making plans
to take advantage of his opportunity when it came, handed me drafts
which enabled me to weather the storm, and refused to accept one penny
of the blood-money which I was only too ready to give him. That is the
way our friend Cosden collects his pound of flesh."

"Connie did that?" Huntington demanded, gratified beyond measure but
speaking lightly to cover Cosden's embarrassment. "Why, Connie,--I
thought you were a business man!"

Edith made no comment but her gaze never left Cosden's face. His
confusion was genuine, for to be made a hero in the midst of one's
friends is more than any man can stand. Marian hastened to his rescue.

"I shall tell Mr. Cosden what I think of him when we are alone," she
said gratefully. "Now let us turn from the worship of Midas to that of a
coy little divinity who may yet teach Edith to speak in words of one
syllable. Harry says that I am to have the last word. It shall be brief:
Mr. and Mrs. Henry Thatcher announce the engagement of their only
daughter to--Mr. William Montgomery Huntington."

The effect of this announcement was even more dramatic than the first.

"You sly old dog!" Cosden cried, reaching over and pummeling Huntington
on the back.

"Great work!" was Philip's congratulation, but he subsided when he saw
the expression on Billy's face.

It was epoch-making, as Thatcher had promised. The relief over the happy
solution of the business crisis, and the surprise and joy of the
announced engagement made the dinner pass from an episode into an event.
Billy's lack of enthusiasm might be easily understood and as easily
forgiven, but Edith's subdued attitude was less comprehensible. It was
only as they left the table to go out upon the piazza that she broke her
silence. She held back after Marian and Merry passed through the door
and turned to Cosden.

"Did you really do that?" she demanded.

He nodded his head sheepishly. "You see, as Monty says, I'm no kind of
business man after all."

"I think you're the greatest business genius in the world!"

"You do!" he cried. "Then why don't you follow Merry's example?"

"I might," she said smiling.

* * * * *

XXXIX

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