“Provided these prospective debutantes are not wholly impossible.”

“I realize that,” returned her father.  “John Merrick is a great power in the city.  He has been useful to me, and may be again.  I have this chance to win him.  But the man is very common clay, despite his wealth, and his three nieces are likely to be made of the same material.  Should they prove impossible you cannot well descend to introducing them to our set.”

“I am not certain of that, sir,” said the girl, with a pretty shrug.  “My position is too secure to be jeopardized by any error of this sort.  I believe I may introduce these girls without risk.  I shall not vouch for them too strongly, and after their debut they must stand or fall on their own merits.”

“It is something a Von Taer has never yet done,” remarked the man, gravely.

“To commercialize his social position?  But, father dear, the age is fast commercializing everything.  I think our especial set is as yet comparatively free from contamination by the ‘lately rich’; but even among us money has glossed many offenses that a generation ago would have meant social ostracism.”

He nodded.

“That is true, Diana.”

“Life with me is a bit dull, as well.  Everlasting routine, however admirable, is tiresome.  I scent amusement in this adventure, which I have decided to undertake.  With your permission I will see these girls and quickly decide their fate.  Should they prove not too dreadfully outre you may look to see them my especial proteges.”

“I leave all to your discretion, Diana,” returned Von Taer, with a sigh.  “If, in the end, some of the more particular venture to reproach them.”

“It will not matter,” interrupted the daughter, lightly, as her dark eyes narrowed to a hair’s breadth.  “Any who dares reproach Diana Von Taer will afford her interesting occupation.  And to offset that remote contingency we shall permanently enslave the powerful John Merrick.  I understand he is hard as nails in financial matters; but to us the man has disclosed his one weakness—­ambition to promote his three nieces.  Since we have discovered this vulnerable point, let us take advantage of it.  I am satisfied the loan of three hundred thousand was but a lure—­and how cleverly the man gauged us!”

Von Taer scowled.

“Get your wraps, Diana.  The carriage is waiting, and we are due at Mrs. Doldringham’s crush.”

CHAPTER IV

THE THREE NIECES

The Von Taers did not affect motor cars.  In some circles the carriage and pair is still considered the more aristocratic mode of conveyance.  Established customs do not readily give way to fads and freaks.

Consulting her memoranda as she rode along; in her handsome, tastefully appointed equipage, Diana found that Louise Merrick, one of the three girls she had set out to discover, was the nearest on her route.  Presently she rang the bell at the Merrick residence, an eminently respectable dwelling; in a desirable neighborhood.