"I had thought of that," she said, "but, isn't it met by this very plan? Your broker purchases the bonds for your account, but he, naturally, declines to reveal the identity of his customer. You can, truthfully, tell Geoffrey that _you_ are not buying them--for you're not. And _I_--if he will only give me the chance--will assure him that I am _not_ buying them from him--and you might confirm it, if he asked." "Hum! It's juggling with the facts--though true on the face," said Macloud, "but it's pretty thin ice we're skating on." "You are assuming he suspects or questions. He may take the two hundred thousand and ask no question." "You don't for a moment believe that!" he laughed. "It _is_ doubtful," she admitted. "And you wouldn't think the same of him, if he did." "I admit it!" she said. "So, we are back to the thin ice. I'll do what I can; but, you forgot, I am not at liberty to give his address to my brokers. I shall have to take their written offer to buy, and forward it to him, which, in itself will oblige me, at the same time, to tell him that _I_ am not the purchaser." "I leave it entirely to you--manage it any way you see fit. All I ask, is that you get him to sell. It's horrible to think of Geoffrey being reduced to the bare necessities of life--for that's what it means, when he goes 'where his income is sufficient for his needs.'" "It's unfortunate, certainly: it would be vastly worse for a woman--to go from luxury to frugality, from everything to relatively nothing is positively pathetic. However, Croyden is not suffering--he has an attractive house filled with old things, good victuals, a more than competent cook, and plenty of society. He has cut out all the non-essentials, and does the essentials economically." "You have been there?" she demanded. "You speak of your own knowledge, not from his inferences?" "I have been there!" he answered. "And the society--what of it?" she asked quickly. "Better than our own!" he said, instantly. "Indeed!" she replied with lifted eye-brows. "Our own in the aggregate or differentiated?" "In the aggregate!" he laughed; "but quite the equal of our own differentiated. If Croyden were a marrying man--with sufficient income for two--I should give him about six months, at the outside." "And how much would you give one with sufficient for two--_yourself_, for instance?" "Just long enough to choose the girl--and convince her of the propriety of the choice." "And do you expect to join Geoffrey, soon?" meaningly. "As soon as I can get through here,--probably in a day or two." "Then, we may look for the new Mrs. Macloud in time for the holidays, I presume.--Sort of a Christmas gift?" "About then--if I can pick among so many, and she ratifies the pick." "You haven't, yet, chosen?" "No!--there are so many I didn't have time to more than look them over. When I go back, I'll round them up, cut out the most likely, and try to tie and brand her."