“Money!” he hissed rather than spoke, “I hate money.  It means nothing to me.  I have so much that I have lost all idea of its value.  I go on accumulating it for only one purpose.  It buys power.  I love power—­that is my passion, my ambition, to rule the world with my gold.  Do you know,” he went on and leaning over the desk in a dramatic attitude, “that if I chose I could start a panic in Wall Street to-morrow that would shake to their foundations every financial institution in the country?  Do you know that I practically control the Congress of the United States and that no legislative measure becomes law unless it has my approval?”

“The public has long suspected as much,” replied Shirley.  “That is why you are looked upon as a menace to the stability and honesty of our political and commercial life.”

An angry answer rose to his lips when the door opened and Mrs. Ryder entered.

“I’ve been looking for you, John,” she said peevishly.  “Mr. Bagley told me you were somewhere in the house.  Senator Roberts is downstairs.”

“He’s come about Jefferson and his daughter, I suppose,” muttered Ryder.  “Well, I’ll see him.  Where is he?”

“In the library.  Kate came with him.  She’s in my room.”

They left Shirley to her writing, and when he had closed the door the financier turned to his wife and said impatiently: 

“Now, what are we going to do about Jefferson and Kate?  The senator insists on the matter of their marriage being settled one way or another.  Where is Jefferson?”

“He came in about half an hour ago.  He was upstairs to see me, and I thought he was looking for you,” answered the wife.

“Well,” replied Ryder determinedly, “he and I have got to understand each other.  This can’t go on.  It shan’t.”

Mrs. Ryder put her hand on his arm, and said pleadingly: 

“Don’t be impatient with the boy, John.  Remember he is all we have.  He is so unhappy.  He wants to please us, but—­”

“But he insists on pleasing himself,” said Ryder completing the sentence.

“I’m afraid, John, that his liking for that Miss Rossmore is more serious than you realize—­”

The financier stamped his foot and replied angrily: 

“Miss Rossmore!  That name seems to confront me at every turn—­for years the father, now the daughter!  I’m sorry, my dear,” he went on more calmly, “that you seem inclined to listen to Jefferson.  It only encourages him in his attitude towards me.  Kate would make him an excellent wife, while what do we know about the other woman?  Are you willing to sacrifice your son’s future to a mere boyish whim?”

Mrs. Ryder sighed.

“It’s very hard,” she said, “for a mother to know what to advise.  Miss Green says—­”

“What!” exclaimed her husband, “you have consulted Miss Green on the subject?”

“Yes,” answered his wife, “I don’t know how I came to tell her, but I did.  I seem to tell her everything.  I find her such a comfort, John.  I haven’t had an attack of nerves since that girl has been in the house.”