one's debts paid, for the rest! It is a
tall order."

"A most common occurrence. Think of the number of your peers who have
gone to America for their wives, for no other reason."

"And think of the rotters they are--most of them! I mayn't be much
catch, financially; but I have one of the oldest names and titles in
England--and up to now we have not had any cads nor cowards in the
family, and I think a man who marries a woman for money is both. By
Jove! Francis, what are you driving at? Confound it, man! I am not
starving and can work, if it should ever come to that."

Mr. Markrute smoothed his hands. He was a peculiarly still person
generally.

"Yes, it was a blunder, I admit, to put it this way. So I will be frank
with you. My family is also, my friend, as old as yours. My niece is all
I have left in the world. I would like to see her married to an
Englishman. I would like to see her married to you of all Englishmen
because I like you and you have qualities about you which count in life.
Oh, believe me!"--and he raised a protesting finger to quell an
interruption--"I have studied you these years; there is nothing you can
say of yourself or your affairs that I do not know."

Lord Tancred laughed.

"My dear old boy," he said, "we have been friends for a long time; and,
now we are coming to hometruths, I must say I like your deuced
cold-blooded point of view on every subject. I like your knowledge of
wines and cigars and pictures, and you are a most entertaining
companion. But, 'pon my soul I would not like to have your niece for a
wife if she took after you!"

"You think she would be cold-blooded, too?"

"Undoubtedly; but it is all perfectly preposterous. I don't believe you
mean a word you are saying--it is some kind of a joke."

"Have you ever known me to make such jokes, Tancred?" Mr. Markrute asked
calmly.

"No, I haven't, and that is the odd part of it. What the devil do you
mean, really, Francis?"

"I mean what I say: I will pay every debt you have, and give you a
charming wife with a fortune."

Lord Tancred got up and walked about the room. He was a perfectly
natural creature, stolid and calm as those of his race, disciplined and
deliberate in moments of danger or difficulty; yet he never lived under
self-conscious control as the financier did. He was rather moved now,
and so he walked about. He was with a friend, and it was not the moment
to have to bother over disguising his feelings.

"Oh, it