"Oh yes; she was prattling artlessly about you for long enough--about your kindness, your generosity, the richness of the jewels you had given her. You sadly extravagant man! I can't tell you half what she said; but I really must take you to task for spoiling her so." Elbraham coughed and cleared his throat. "Didn't--er--er--she didn't say anything about--about my dress--my personal appearance, did she?" "Now, wasn't I right when I called you a conceited man? Really, Elbraham, it is shocking! I declare you are one of the most anxious lovers I ever met, and I won't tell you a word she said." "Oh yes; come now, do." "It would be a breach of confidence, and I really cannot give way--no, not on any consideration." "You are hard upon me," said Elbraham. "Oh, by the way, I haven't forgotten you, Lady Littletown. Would you wear this to oblige me?" "Oh no, I could not think of taking it, Mr Elbraham really. It looks so like a bribe, too." "No, no, that it don't," said the financier. "I wouldn't give it to you at first, for fear your ladyship should think I meant it in that way; but now it is all settled, and you have been so kind to me, I thought perhaps you would not mind accepting that little marquise ring just as a remembrance of, etcetera, etcetera--you know." "Well, if you put it like that," said Lady Littletown, "I suppose I must take it, and wear it as you say. But it is too good, Elbraham--it is, really. What a lovely opal!" "Yes, 'tis a good one, isn't it?" "Charming! And what regular diamonds!" "I thought you'd like it," chuckled Elbraham; and then, to himself, "They're all alike." "Do you know, Elbraham," said her ladyship, holding the ring up to the light for him to see, as she fitted it upon her finger over her glove--"lovely, isn't it?--do you know, Elbraham, that I was going to ask you to do me a kindness?" "Were you, though? What is it?" "Well, you see, Elbraham, living, as I do, a woman's life, I am so ignorant of business matters." "Of course you are," he responded. "Want to make your will?" "No, no, no, no! horrid man! How can you?" she cried, whipping him playfully with her sunshade. "I want you to tell me what it means when a gentleman is short of money and he goes to somebody to get a bill discounted." "Simplest thing in the world. If the paper's good," said Elbraham, "discount accordingly. I never touch bills now." "No?" she said sweetly; "but then you are so rich. But that is it, Elbraham--if the paper's good, discount accordingly? What do you call it--the bill? Well, it is easy to have it on the very best note-paper." "Haw, haw, haw! bless your ladyship's innocence!" cried Elbraham, with a hoarse laugh. "By paper being good I mean that the man who signs his name is substantial--can pay up when it comes to maturity." "Oh!" said Lady Littletown, drawing out the interjection in a singularly long way, "I see now. And that is how a gentleman raises money, is it?"