"Did you read that book I sent you, Mrs. Darche?" he asked. "Yes," answered the latter, "I began to read it to my father-in-law but he did not care for it, so I am going on with it alone." "What book was that, my dear?" inquired the old gentleman. Mrs. Darche named a recent foreign novel which had been translated. "Oh, that thing!" exclaimed her father-in-law. "Why, it is all about Frenchmen and tea parties! Very dull. Very dull. But then a busy man like myself has very little time for such nonsense. Mr. Trehearne, I suppose I could not give you any idea of the amount of work I have to do." He looked at Vanbrugh as he spoke. "Trehearne?" Brett repeated the name in a low voice, looking at Mrs. Darche. "I know you are one of the busiest men alive," said Vanbrugh quietly and without betraying the slightest astonishment. "I should think so," said Simon Darche, "and I am very glad I am. Nothing keeps a man busy like being successful. And I may fairly say that I have been very successful--thanks to John, well--I suppose I may take a little credit to myself." "Indeed you may," said Mrs. Darche readily. Every one thought it wise and proper to join in a little murmur of approval, but Dolly was curious to see what the old gentleman would say next. She wondered whether his taking Vanbrugh for old Mr. Trehearne, who had been a friend of his youth and who had been dead some years, was the first sign of mental decay. From Mrs. Darche's calm manner she inferred that this was not the first time he had done something of the kind, and her mind went back quickly to her conversation with Vanbrugh that morning in Gramercy Park. Simon Darche was still talking. "The interests of the Company are becoming positively gigantic, and there seems to be no end to the fresh issues that are possible, though none of them have been brought to me to sign yet." Brett looked quickly at Vanbrugh, but the latter was imperturbable. At that moment the door opened and John Darche entered the dining-room. His face was a little paler than usual and he seemed tired. Mrs. Darche looked at him in surprise and her father-in-law smiled as he always did when he saw his son. Every one present said something more or less incomprehensible by way of greeting. The new-comer shook hands with Dolly Maylands, nodded to the rest and sat down in the place which was always reserved for him opposite his wife. "I had nothing particular to do, so I came home to luncheon," he said, by way of explaining his unexpected appearance. "I am so glad." "Nothing particular to do!" exclaimed the old gentleman momentarily surprised into his senses. "Nothing requiring my presence," answered John Darche gravely. "I was down town early this morning and cleared off everything. I shall ride this afternoon."