"I wish you had been there to argue with him, father. A girl is at such a disadvantage." "Naturally, with such a man. I don't suppose John Faber ever knew one really human weakness since he was a child. Did he say anything about me, by the way?" "He mentioned you several times. I told him about the call to Yonkers." The minister's eyes sparkled. "That is a subject I would gladly take his advice upon. What did he say about it?" "Very little, I think." "Was it favourable to my going?" "I don't think he expressed an opinion either way." "It would have been a great help to me had he done so. Sometimes I feel that I have a great work to do in America. This Peace Movement is the finest thing in the story of the whole world. Christ Himself has taught us no more beautiful idea--His own, as we must admit. There is a true sentiment in America; but a pretence of it here, I fear." "Are you quite sure of that, father?" "Of what, my dear?" "Of the true sentiment in America. Mr. Faber said on the ship that he hoped to sell five hundred thousand rifles for Mexico before the trouble was over. Is that a true sentiment?" "I believe it very foreign to the real wishes of the American people." "He doesn't; neither do the Germans. They say all this talk of arbitration is so much humbug to prevent us adding to our navy, and to allow President Taft to occupy Mexico." "That is in the yellow press, my dear; you should not listen to it." "Anyway, Sir Jules Achon thinks it true. May I read Eva's letter? I expect she reminds me of my promise to go there to-day." "You know that we have a meeting of the Girls' Friendly Committee to-night?" "Oh, father, can't they do without me for once? I don't often stay away." He helped himself to an apple tart, and made no reply. Gabrielle read her letter, and her cheeks flamed with excitement. "What do you think?" she said. "Sir Jules is going on his yacht to Corfu, and he wishes me to go with them." "To go upon his yacht!" The astonishment was very natural. "That is very kind of him." "Douglas Renshaw is going, and Dr. Burrall. Eva says they will call at Lisbon and Gibraltar, and perhaps at Genoa. What a splendid trip!" Her eyes were very bright with the vision, and her lips parted in excitement. Not only was this a respite from the monotonous days, but a respite which she would consider regal. She was going upon a pilgrimage into the old world as she had gone into the new. And with the promise there flashed upon her mind a memory of John Faber's wager. He would meet her in Paris or Berlin! "It is indeed a very remarkable opportunity," said her father presently. "Sir Jules Achon is a greater man than your American. He has more ballast, and quite as much money." "And he has not come to Europe to marry an English woman."