“An inventor, eh?” exclaimed Stafford, his business instinct quickly aroused at the mention of railroads.

An idea suddenly occurred to him.  Here, perhaps, was the opportunity he had been seeking, the excuse he had been looking for.  Under pretence of wishing to meet the inventor, he might be able to induce her to bring her prospective brother-in-law to the house, and since Mr. Gillie could hardly accept the invitation alone, she would, of course, be compelled to accompany him.  He said nothing for a moment, and then, turning and looking at his companion intently, said with great earnestness: 

“Miss Blaine, I wonder if you would do me a great favor.”

Surprised at the request, and rather startled, Virginia looked up, wondering what favor she, poor little stenographer, could possibly render the millionaire.  Quickly she replied: 

“Certainly—­anything in my power.”

He bowed and went on: 

“As you know, I am in the railroad business.  As head of an important transcontinental system, it is part of my work to investigate and look into anything that may prove of value in improving our equipment.  If this Mr. Gillie has invented something really valuable, I’d like to know what it is.  If there is anything in it, I might be able to render him a good service in bringing his invention promptly to the attention of the right people.  You can see yourself how important it is that I should meet Mr. Gillie—­”

Virginia flushed with mingled pleasure and embarrassment.  She was delighted at the thought that she might be able to advance Fanny’s interests, but Jimmie was such an impossible person!  How could she introduce him to a man of Mr. Stafford’s polish and distinction?  Yet for Fanny’s sake she ought not to let any opportunity slip by.  Seeing her hesitate, Stafford went on: 

“Why couldn’t you and your sister come and dine with me at Riverside Drive next Saturday evening at seven o’clock?  And bring Mr. Gillie with you.  I shall be delighted to meet your sister and her fiance.  It will also be a good opportunity for you to look over some of my art treasures—­quite an interesting collection, I assure you, picked up here and there, all over the world.  Do come.  Don’t say no.  I’ll have Oku, my Japanese butler, prepare a little dinner.  We’ll be merry as crickets.  Besides I think I can do your future brother-in-law a good turn.  You will come, won’t you?”

He leaned forward, his eyes ardently fixed on hers.  There was something in his look, in his manner, which brought the color to her cheeks, yet it was nothing at which she could take offence.  On the contrary, she had every reason to feel nattered and pleased.  In her heart she knew that this sudden anxiety to meet Jimmie was but a pretext, and that it was she alone whom he really wanted to go and admire the works of art in his beautiful Riverside home.  Something told her that this man loved her, and the very thought of it, with all the possibilities it conjured up, sent through her a thrill of mingled pleasure and alarm.