t signing it. I hoped she'd think it came from her son, and that,
in his excitement, he'd forgotten to put his name."

"She'll be furious," said I. "Freule Menela told me--and probably it's
true--that her future mother-in-law had done everything she could to
bring about the match."

"Perhaps. But she's tremendously proud of Robert, so the twins say. Once
she knows that Menela deliberately threw him over, she'd never want him
to have anything to do with the girl again. And Phyllis Rivers isn't
penniless, you know. You've paid a generous half of the expenses of this
trip, for which, it seems, some money she'd had left to her was to be
used. She's kept most of that; and she has about a hundred and fifty
pounds sterling a year besides. She'll have enough for pocket-money,
when she and Robert are married; and she comes of very good people: her
great-great-grandfather was a viscount, or baron, or something. That
will appeal to old lady van Buren, when she finds it out."

"And if Nell should happen to marry a rich man, he would be charmed to
do something for the sweet little stepsister," I added.

The L.C.P. turned on me shrewdly. "You seem to be very sure of that. I
suppose you judge him by _yourself_. You think Nell's husband may be a
rich _American_?"

"I hope so," said I. "And a generous one. But talking of generosity--I
promised to prove to you that I am no less grateful than Tibe, though I
may not have as effective ways of showing it. Strange little stage-aunt
of mine, I _do_ thank you for saving me. I _do_ realize that, if it
weren't for you, Freule van der Windt at all events, would have secured
a rich American husband, no matter what Miss Van Buren's luck may be. I
do realize that, but for your fibs and fancies, I should have been a
lost man, for certainly I should not have been equal to saving myself
from that woman. By this one night's work alone, if by nothing else,
you've more than earned your aunt-salary and extras. That ring you
helped me choose last night----"

"Don't go on," she cut me short. "Didn't I tell you the other day when
you were offering me a bribe, that I didn't want anything, and wouldn't
have it--not a diamond ring, a pearl ring--nor even a ruby ring. I know
you think me a mercenary little wretch, and that you've put up with me
all this time only because you couldn't do without me; while as for
you, of course you're only an _episode_ in my life. Still, I'd like you
to understand that I haven