"In this game, you never pay attention to your friends--you've got to entertain those who dislike you, to make sure they'll have to invite you to some function or other where everybody must be seen. Well, I know what I'll do, I'll get hold of the youngest sister, who is a trump, and play around with her." Bojo looked at him uneasily; even this casual interest in Patsie affected him disagreeably. DeLancy had deserted them to rush over to the assistance of the Stones, who were just arriving. "I hope he gets her," said Marsh, studying the blond profile of Miss Gladys Stone. "I believe there's some sort of an understanding." "The sooner the better--for Freddie," said Marsh, with a shake of his head. "The trouble with Fred is he thinks he's a cold thinking machine, and he's putty in the hands of any woman who comes along." "I'm worried about a certain person myself," said Bojo. But at this moment Thornton, one of Mr. Drake's secretaries, touched him on the arm. "Will you please come to the library, Mr. Crocker? Mr. Drake has been asking for you to witness some papers." In the library off in a quiet wing he found a party of five gathered about the table desk, lawyers verifying the securities for the marriage settlement, Maitre Vondin, a stubby, black-bearded Frenchman imported for the occasion, coldly incredulous and suavely insistent, the storm center of an excited group who had been arguing since dinner. Drake, by the fireplace, was pacing up and down, swearing audibly. "Is the _gentleman_ now quite satisfied?" he said angrily. Maitre Vondrin smiled in the affirmative. Drake sat down at the table with the gesture of brushing away a swarm of flies and signed his name to a document that was placed before him, nodding to Bojo to add his signature as a witness. "Pity some of our corporations couldn't employ Vondrin," said Drake, rising angrily. "There wouldn't be enough money left to keep a savings bank." Other signatures were attached and the party broke up, Maitre Vondrin, punctilious and unruffled, bowing to the master of the house and departing with the rest. Drake's anger immediately burst forth. "Cussed little sharper! He was keen enough to save this until now. By heavens, if he'd sprung these tactics on me a week ago, his little Duke could have gone home on a borrowed ticket." Bojo learned afterward that the lawyer for the noble family had refused to take Drake's word on a single item of the transfer of property, insisting on having every security placed before his eyes, personally examining them all, wrangling over values, compelling certain substitutes, even demanding a personal guarantee in one debated issue of bonds.