"I suppose I might just as well begin," she said resignedly. He started, and was silent for a moment. "The others: are they married?" "No. Edith is twenty-five and Gwendolyn twenty-three. They're at home." "Why don't they travel with you?" She looked positively aggrieved. "They are really very domestic in their tastes," said she. "They were over with me three years ago, but prefer America." "Are they engaged?" "Not to my knowledge." "They'd tell you if they were, wouldn't they?" "If they thought it was any of my business," she said sharply. Corky was in no condition to flush. It was a pallid hour for him. "I suppose they have ample means of their own," he ventured. "They manage pretty well." "Was nothing left to them outright?" "Some real estate." "I see. Everything else went to you?" "Oh, dear, no. He left $10,000 to his only sister. I sued to get it back, but lost. I always hated her." "There was considerably more than $10,000 in the estate, of course," he said quickly. She smiled and closed one eye very slowly. "I should rather think so," she said. He was silent, pondering deeply. "Can you think of anything more to ask?" "I'm trying to think if there is," he replied frankly. She gave him a few minutes. "I can't recall anything more at this moment," he announced. "Oh, just a moment! Was there anything mentioned in the will about your never marrying again?" "Not a word," said she triumphantly. "Good!" said he, and arose somewhat unsteadily from his chair. The Grand Duchess held up her hand to check the words on his lips. "Sit down," she said brusquely. "I've got a few questions I'd like to ask of you, Corky." "Corky! Good Lord, don't call me THAT. Where did you hear that name--" "I saw it in the Herald. It's the only thing I have against you. I can't help thinking of you as a sort of monument to my poor dead husband. Have I never told you that he had a cork leg? Well, he had. He lost a real leg at Gettysburg. My husband was a big, brave man, Courtney. He wasn't a polished society chap and he didn't know much about grammar, but he was as fine and honest and noble as any man who ever lived. But this is no time to discuss the qualifications of a man as big and grand as my husband. It--it seems like sacrilege. What I want to know is this: how old is your father?" "What?" "What is his age?" "My fa--What's that got to do with it?" "To do with what?" sharply. He stammered. "Why,--er--with the qualifications of your husband." "Nothing at all." "Well, he's about sixty." "Vigorous?" "Good Lord! Certainly." "And very rich, as I'm informed." "All this is very distasteful to me." "And your brothers? Are they worthy young men?" "Of course," angrily. "Don't flare up, please. And now, what is your income?" "MY income? Why, this is positively outrageous! I--" "Maybe I should have said 'allowance.'"