"Time brooks no delay. We are, my dear, in a pretty devilish position. Thank God Angela realizes that. Rich husbands are not to be picked up every day, and it is essential that Angela marries a wealthy man, and that immediately." "But to marry a--a cowboy!" "He may make the best of husbands. Titles are to be bought. I think I could arrange that. No, on the whole I think it is a perfectly happy arrangement for us--and for him. As Angela's husband he will have access to certain houses and clubs that otherwise would be closed to him." Lady Featherstone lapsed into gloomy silence. "Claude was coming back to-night, too," said Featherstone. "I don't like the idea of that boy spending nights in Town. He's getting blase, and at times very out of hand. What business could he have in Town----?" Voices drifted in through the open window. A few minutes later Jim came into the library. Lady Featherstone immediately departed. "I'd like a word with you, Lord Featherstone." "Certainly. Take a seat." Jim sat heavily in the armchair which Featherstone offered. "To come to the point right now--I'm in love with Angela, and we want to get hitched up--er--married." Featherstone looked surprised. "I guess it's a bit of a blow. But you needn't fly off the handle. I love her all right, and I ain't 'xactly penniless." Featherstone stroked his chin. "There are certain conditions to my approval. You will realize that Angela occupies a prominent position in the social world, and I should naturally like to be assured that you are in a position to provide for her in a way commensurate with her needs. There would be, of course, some marriage settlement. But I do not wish to deal with that side. My lawyer, Mr. Ayscough, is a very old family friend. He has Angela's interest at heart no less than I. His assurance on the--er--financial side would be sufficient guarantee. In such circumstances I should see no reason to withhold my consent." "Thanks. Put it there!" said Jim. "Now, where does he hang out?" "I beg your pardon?" "Where does he live?" "Oh, Ayscough? Lincoln's Inn Fields." "Good. I'm off. I'll be along there first thing in the morning and get that settlement fixed up. I ain't a man that wastes time." The meeting between Ayscough and Jim was very brief. Ayscough explained the position in choice language, and hit up for L50,000 marriage settlement. Jim, who didn't quite see why he couldn't be trusted to look after his own wife, agreed without demur and went out like a whirlwind. "Gee, it's all over bar shouting," he muttered. "Jim, you husky, you're sure a lucky feller!" CHAPTER VI THE GREAT AWAKENING The marriage of Colorado Jim with the Honorable Angela created no great stir, for the simple reason that it took place in a registry office and received but two lines' notice in the "social" column of the press.