This greeting put Strahan entirely at his ease, and a glimpse of Marian’s mirth had its influence also.  She had turned instantly away, and gone to the farther side of the apartment.

“Come now, Mr. Lanniere,” he said, with an assumption of much dignity; “there is scant courtesy in your greeting, and without reason.  I have the honor of Miss Vosburgh’s acquaintance as truly as yourself.  This is her parlor, and she alone has the right to indicate that I am unwelcome.  I shall demand no apologies here and now, but I shall demand them.  I may appear very young—­”

“Yes, you do; very young.  I should think that ears like yours might have—­” And then the older man paused, conscious that the violence of his anger was carrying him too far.

Strahan struck a nonchalant attitude, as he coolly remarked:  “My venerable friend, your passion is unbecoming to your years.  Miss Vosburgh, I humbly ask your pardon that my ears were not long enough to catch the purport of this interview.  I am not in the habit of listening at a lady’s door before I enter.  My arrival at a moment so awkward for me was my misfortune.  I discovered nothing to your discredit, Mr. Lanniere.  Indeed, your appreciation of Miss Vosburgh is the most creditable thing I know about you,—­far more so than your insults because I merely entered the door to which I was shown by the maid who admitted me.  Miss Vosburgh, with your permission I will now depart, in the hope that you will forgive the annoyance—­”

“I cannot give you my permission under the circumstances, Mr. Strahan.  You have committed no offence against me, or Mr. Lanniere, either, as he will admit after a little thought.  Let us regard the whole matter as one of those awkward little affairs over which good breeding can speedily triumph.  Sit down, and I will call mamma.”

“Pardon me, Miss Vosburgh,” said Mr. Lanniere, in a choking voice, for he could not fail to note the merriment which the mercurial Strahan strove in vain to suppress; “I will leave you to more congenial society.  I have paid you the highest compliment in my power, and have been ill-requited.”

As if stung, the young girl took a step towards him, and said, indignantly:  “What was the nature of your compliment?  What have you asked but that I should sell myself for money?  I may have appeared to you a mere society girl, but I was never capable of that.  Good-evening, sir.”

Mr. Lanniere departed with tingling ears, and a dawning consciousness that he had over-rated his million, and that he had made a fool of himself generally.

All trace of mirth passed from Strahan’s expression, as he looked at the young girl’s stern, flushed face and the angry sheen of her eyes.

“By Jove!” he exclaimed, “that’s magnificent.  I’ve seen a girl now to whom I can take off my hat, not as a mere form.  Half the girls in our set would have given their eyes for the chance of capturing such a man.  Think what a vista of new bonnets he suggests!”