"Now, Patsie, you know that isn't true!" She relented with a laugh. "Do you really like me like this? No, don't say anything mushy. I see you do. Oh, dear, I knew this old money would find me," she said, suddenly perceiving a plump youngster with a smirch of a mustache bearing down. "Please, Bojo, come and dance with me--often." He more than shared the evening with her, quite unconscious of the effect she had made on him, constantly following her in the confusion of the dances, pleased when at a distance she saw his look and smiled back at him. * * * * * Meanwhile, in the buffet, Haggerdy and Borneman, in the midst of a group, discussed their host; that is, Borneman discussed and Haggerdy, stolid as a buffalo, with his great emotionless mask, nodded occasionally. "Well, Dan's at the top," said Marcus Stone. "Dukes come high. What do you think it cost him?" "Dukes are no longer a novelty," said Borneman. He was rather out of place in this formal gathering, having about him a curious air of always being in his shirt-sleeves. A long, sliding nose, lips pursed like a catfish, every feature seemed alert and pointed to catch the furthest whisper. Stone nodded and moved off. Borneman drew Haggerdy into a corner. "Jim, I have reason to believe Drake's overloaded," he said. Haggerdy scratched his chin, thoughtfully, as much as to say, "quite possible," and Borneman continued: "He's stocked up with Indiana Smelter, and a lot of other things too. I happen to know. He's long--mighty long of the market. A little short flurry might worry him considerable. Now, do you know how I've figured it?" "How?" "Dan Drake's a plunger, always was. This here duke has cost him considerable--a million." He glanced at Haggerdy. "Two million perhaps--and in securities, Jim; nothing speculative; gilt-edged bonds. That's a million or two out of his reserve--do you get me?--and that's a lot, when you're carrying a dozen deals at once." "Well?" "Well, Dan Drake's a plunger, remember that; he don't see one million going out--without itching to see where another million's coming in--" Haggerdy nudged him quietly. At this moment Drake came through the crowd and perceived them in consultation. A glance at their attitudes made him divine the subject of their conversation. "Hello, boys," he said, coming up; "being properly attended to?" "Dan, that's a pretty fine duke you've got there. Darn sight more intelligent looking than the one Fontaine picked up," said Borneman. "Dukes are expensive articles though, Dan. Take more than a wheat corner to settle up for this, I should say." "Been thinking so myself," said Drake cheerily. "Well, Al, if I made up my mind to try a little flyer--just to pay for the wedding, you understand--what would you recommend?" "What would _I_ recommend?" said Borneman, startled. "Exactly. What do you think about general conditions?"