“I'm deeply obliged,” said I. “My daughter's peculiar nervous condition has preyed upon me more than I've admitted. The physician tells me that her best hope of health lies in the drawing-rooms.” “Let us trust so!” said Morton. “But, realty, old chap, you ought to be deucedly proud of the distinction which the De Mudds confer upon you. Americans are quite out of their line, don't y' know! And who can blame them? Americans are such common beggars; there's so many of them, they're vulgar. Mamma DeMudd's daughters--three of them--all married earls. Mamma DeMudd made the deal herself; and taking them by the lot, she had those noblemen at a bargain; she did, really! Five millions was the figure. Just think of it! five millions for three earls! Why, it was like finding them in the street! “'But what is he?' asked Mamma DeMudd, when I proposed you for her notice. “'He's a despot,' said I, 'and rules New York. Every man in town is his serf.' “When Mamma DeMudd got this magnificent idea into her head, she was eager to see you; she was, really. “However,” concluded Morton, “let us change the subject, if only to restore my wits. The moment I speak of society, I become quite idiotic, don't y' know!” “Speaking of new topics, then,” said I, “let me ask of your father. How does he fare these days?” “Busy, exceeding busy!” returned Morton. “He's buying a home in New Jersey. Oh, no, he won't live there; but he requires it as a basis for declaring that he's changed his residence, don't y' know! You'd wonder, gad! to see how frugal the old gentleman has grown in his old age. It's the personal property tax that bothers him; two per cent, on twenty millions come to quite a sum; it does, really! The old gentleman doesn't like it; so he's going to change his residence to New Jersey. To be sure, while he'll reside in New Jersey, he'll live here. “'It's a fribble, father,' said I, when he set forth his little game. 'Why don't you go down to the tax office, and commit perjury like a man? All your friends do.' “But, really! he couldn't; and he said so. The old gentleman lacks in those rugged characteristics, required when one swears to a point-blank lie.” When Morton was gone, I gave myself to pleasant dreams concerning Blossom. I was sure that the near company and conversation of those men and women of the better world, whom she was so soon to find about her, would accomplish all for which I prayed. Her nerves would be cooled; she would be drawn from out that hypochondria into which, throughout her life, she had been sinking as in a quicksand.