“Oh, certainly.  Such high-minded people as we are should not be misjudged,” was the bitter reply.

“One has to take the world as it is, and one soon learns that all are looking after their own interests,” was the cynical reply.

“A beautiful sentiment for one so young!  Well, I must return to the city to-night, and I cannot take your acceptance of Mr. Arnault’s offer?”

“No.  I will give my answer in person to-morrow night.  I can either accede in a way that will please him, or decline in a manner that will keep his friendship.  I suppose you believe what you say about Mr. Muir, but I am sure you are mistaken, and I have set my heart on marrying Graydon.”

“Your heart?” satirically.

She made no answer.

“You are taking no slight risk,” he resumed, after a moment.

“Either Arnault is misleading you, or Graydon is deceiving me, and I would believe him in preference to Arnault any day.  I won’t be duped.”

“But I tell you, Stella, that under the circumstances Graydon’s ignorance is not at all strange.  He has been absent; he is not in the firm; and what is swamping Muir is an investment outside of his regular business.”

“You yourself said within a month that if Henry Muir went through this business crisis he would represent one of the strongest and wealthiest houses in the country.  If he is in the danger you assert, the fact will soon be manifested.  Mr. Arnault has requested my answer to-morrow night.  I have not promised to give it; I have only promised him not to accept Graydon in the meantime.”

“The fact that Mr. Arnault is helping me so greatly counts for nothing, I suppose.”

“Oh, yes; I appreciate it very much, but not enough to marry him unless I must.  I am literally following your advice—­to choose between these two men.  I shall convey to Mr. Arnault the impression that I am deeply moved by the generosity of his offer.  I am.  Girls don’t get such offers every day.  You can show him that the very fact of my hesitation proves that I am not mercenary; or I can, when I see him.  At the same time I am not at all satisfied that Graydon Muir’s offer is not a better one, and it is certainly more to my mind—­if you don’t like the word heart.  This fact, however, may as well not be mentioned.”

After some moments’ hesitation he said, slowly:  “Very well, then.  You are my daughter, although a strange one, and I shall do as well for you as I can.”

“Yes, please.  I parted with sentiment long ago, but I can do well by those who do well by me.  I shall soon be off your hands, and then you won’t have me to worry about.”