"I wonder under what conditions we will meet, for something tells me this is bound to occur. And shall I too be drawn to her because he has given his heart? Will she love him--love my old play fellow Roderic as--as I could do, have done these many years? Perhaps, but I doubt it, doubt whether these hot blooded girls of the tropic isles can love so truly that they will sacrifice even their own happiness in order that _his_ life may be filled with sunshine. Still, God forgive me for judging her harshly. I have other things--his love may be all in all to her. Come what will I shall do what is right and loyal and true as becomes a daughter of Virginia. But oh! it is hard to give him up, my hope, my boy lover, my Roderic. Now I am done!" Having thus grimly dismissed the matter from her mind for the present the young lady proceeded to carry out her designs. Numerous things were on her list to be added to the abundant stores aboard the yacht, and it would probably puzzle the honest steward, she imagined, to know what to do with the last arrivals. "If I remained in Dublin three days more I am sure we would be swamped in the bay made celebrated by song and story, or else be compelled to charter a companion boat to share our cargo--there are so many things I see that could be made useful among the wretched people just escaping from Spanish rule, and these Irish storekeepers one and all, must have had an intimate acquaintance with the Blarney stone, they have such engaging ways and a burning desire to accumulate Uncle Sam's coin. This is an era of good feeling--of hands across the sea--Brother John and Brother Jonathan, and they all want to be in it as deep as possible. However, I think I am actually done. It would be impossible to accept all they offer." So the purchasing agency went reluctantly out of commission. Even the owner of millions must draw the line somewhere. Roderic was not to be seen at luncheon, although Cleo purposely lingered over the meal, hoping he would turn up. Jerome was there, handsome as ever, and apparently much sought after by a designing lady mother from Chicago who possessed two plain girls of a marriageable age. No doubt they believed him a marquis, or at the very least connected with some noble family anxious to make a "connection" with pork. These things happen frequently, and there really seems no remedy--the market is there and the goods offered for sale. Occasionally a genuine love match occurs which redounds to the credit of Old England and Young America; but for the most part they are cut and dried affairs entered into for position on one side and gold on the other. Such unions are beneath contempt. Jerome bowed and smiled in his usual affable manner, and Cleo answered him just as though she had not been informed of his dark schemes. This matter of fact young woman had traveled far and wide--she had rubbed up against all manner of people, and long since ceased to be excessively surprised at anything.