"As usual," replied Vernet indifferently, and looking Stanhope steadily in the face. "And you? somehow you look too sober for a man who holds all the winning-cards." "I don't hold all the winning-cards, Van. Indeed, I'm inclined to think that I've lost more than I've won." Vernet continued to regard him steadily and after a moment of silence, he said quietly: "Look here, Dick, I'm not prepared to say that I quite forgive you for outwitting me--I don't forgive myself for being beaten--but one good turn deserves another, and you did me a very good turn at the end. You've won a great game, but I'm afraid you are going to close it with a blunder." "A blunder, Van?" "Yes, a blunder. You have devoted yourself, heart and soul, to a pretty woman, and you are just the man to fall in love with her." "Take care, Van." "Oh, I know what I am saying. On the day of our meeting at Warburton Place--the last meeting, I mean, when you figured as Franz Francoise--I saw what you missed. You may think that I was hardly in a state of mind for taking observations, but, in truth, my senses were never more intensely alert than while I stood there dumbly realizing the overthrow of all my plans. And I saw love, unmistakable love, shining upon you from a woman's eyes." "Van, you are mad!" "Not at all. It's a natural termination to such an affair. Why, man, you are deservedly a hero in her eyes. Don't be overmodest, Dick. If you care for this woman, you can win her." He turned with these words, passed his amazed listener, and walked on. And Stanhope resumed his saunter, looking like a man in a dream. That evening he made his first voluntary call at Warburton place. * * * * * Alan and Winnie, two months later, were married, and Stanhope was among the wedding-guests. "Warburton Place will have a new mistress, Mr. Stanhope," Leslie said to him. "I am going to abdicate in Winnie's favor." "Entirely, Mrs. Warburton?" "Entirely; I have fought it out, and I have conquered, after a hard struggle. Alan and Winnie, when they return, will reign here. Papa and I are already preparing our new home. We shall not be far away, and we will divide Daisy between us." Later in the evening, Mrs. Follingsbee captured him and inquired: "Have you heard Leslie's last bit of Quixotism?" "No, madam." "She has made this house over to Winnie as a bridal gift. And every dollar of her husband's legacy she has set aside for Daisy Warburton." "I'm glad of it," blurted out Stanhope; and then he colored hotly and bit his lips. When Alan and his fair little bride were installed as master and mistress of Warburton Place, Leslie and her father received their friends in a new home. It was not so large as the mansion Leslie had "abdicated;" not so grand and stately; but it was elegant, dainty, homelike.