the girl protested, blushing daintily.

"I said you could never tell, Mr. Grant,--while handsome young men like
yourself are at large." Mrs. LeCord laughed heartily, as much as to say
that her remark must be regarded only as a little pleasantry. "But you
will think I am a gossipy old body," she continued briskly. "I really
came to discuss certain financial matters. Since Mr. LeCord's death
I have taken charge of all the family business affairs with, if I
may confess it, some success. We have lived, and my girls have been
educated, and our little reserve against a rainy day has been almost
doubled, in addition to giving Gretta a hundred thousand in her own
right on the occasion of her marriage. Caroline is to have the same, and
when I am done with it there will be a third of the estate for each. In
the meantime I am directing my investments as wisely as I can. I want my
daughters to be provided for, quite apart from any income marriage may
bring them. I should be greatly humiliated to think that any daughter of
mine would be dependent upon her husband for support. On the contrary,
I mean that they shall bring to their husbands a sum which will be an
appreciable contribution toward the family fortune."

"If I can help you in any way in your financial matters--" Grant
suggested.

"Oh, yes, we must get back to that. How I wander! I'm afraid, Mr. Grant,
I must be growing old."

Grant protested gallantly against such conclusion, and Mrs. LeCord,
after asking his opinion on certain issues shortly to be floated, arose
to leave.

"You must find life in this city somewhat lonely, Mr. Grant," she
murmured as she drew on her gloves. "If ever you find a longing for a
quiet hour away from business stress--a little domesticity, if I may say
it--our house--"

"You are very kind. Business allows me very few intermissions. Still--"

She extended her hand with her sweetest smile. Caroline shook hands,
too, and Grant bowed them out.

On other occasions Mrs. LeCord and her daughter were fortunate enough
to find Grant alone, and at such times the mother's conversation became
even more pointed than in their first interview. Grant hesitated to
offend her, mainly on account of Caroline, for whom he admitted to
himself it would not be at all difficult to muster up an attachment.
There were, however, three barriers to such a development. One was the
obvious purpose of Mrs. LeCord to arrange a match; a purpose which, as
a mere matter of