“_Dieu!_ how handsome that woman is. But they are all gone away now save the old judge, who comes every day, going back at night, and the Kelly woman, who goes home Saturday night. The other girl went away at night with the two Conyers. Watch the Kelly. She may come down to your office to spy. I fear that Madame has already missed the paper. Remember, we must stand and fall together, you and I. If I ever find that dark-eyed beauty near you, some dark night, look out for a dash of vitriol in her pretty face. That’s all. You would not dare to punish me! I will have no rivals! _You belong to me now!_” Vreeland groaned in his helpless rage. Harold Vreeland’s heart beat wildly as Senator Garston, after locking the door, drew two chairs into the middle of the room. He studied the young man’s face and said slowly: “Vreeland, I am now in a position to make a fortune for you. I can easily see that you depend on Mrs. Willoughby in some way. I want you to take a few moments to consider whether you will not put yourself unreservedly into my hands, and so, in helping me, help yourself. You know what the favor of rich women finally amounts to. The day that the wind blows cold you are left out in the street. But I can put you ‘on velvet.’ Now, don’t speak too quickly. It is a very serious matter. You and I can work like men together, with no change of heart.” “What do you wish of me?” guardedly demanded Vreeland. “It must be nothing inimical to Mrs. Willoughby’s stock interests. I am no babbler, and no traitor.” “Your character is perfectly safe in my hands,” half sneered Garston. “I merely want you to help me, and make your own future, while not injuring your lovely employer. “I know already, through Alynton, that you’re only a figurehead in the firm, and, by the way, he is pushing that nephew of his right in as fast as he can, between you and Mrs. Willoughby. He does not like you. A touch of jealousy.” The chance shot told, and it cut Vreeland to the quick. Garston smiled sardonically. Harold Vreeland’s face was livid with rage as the strong man calmly gazed into his eyes and said: “If you have ever nourished the idea of managing Elaine Willoughby, you can dismiss it. The lady is some years your senior, and moreover, there may be prior claims. A man like you, with your present standing and possible future, should only mate with someone like Katharine Norreys. The maternal tinge to a marriage with an elder woman is not the thing for a man of your marked gifts, your position, and your career. You can do better. The afternoon sun of life has little real warmth in it. Be warned in time.” Vreeland sprang to his feet. “It seems that you are taking an unwarrantable liberty,” he hotly protested. He had now dropped the waiting game—but he had fallen into able hands.