An hour later Douglas Briggs entered the dining-room, followed by his wife. Fanny Wallace was already there, talking with Guy Fullerton. “How do I look?” Fanny cried to her aunt, catching up her long gown. “Isn’t it perfectly beautiful? Don’t you just love those fleecy things? Won’t dad be proud of his daughter?” “You look very well, dear,” said Helen, conservatively. “Well, you’re kind of nice yourself,” Fanny remarked. “And doesn’t the gentleman look grand?” she added, to her uncle. “Only,” she went on, giving him a little push, “you mustn’t let yourself get so fat.” Then she glanced at Guy. “Do you suppose he’ll be like that when he’s forty?” “I’ve had a list of guests prepared for the newspaper people,” said Guy to Douglas Briggs. He liked to ignore Fanny’s jokes when they reflected on his personal appearance. “It’ll save a lot of time. And I’ve arranged to have them take supper in a room by themselves. They’ll like that better.” Briggs, however, had turned to the servant, who had just come into the room. “Take the men up to the big room over the front door, Michael. That’ll be the best place,” he went on, to his wife. “And have you arranged about their hats and coats?” “I’ve attended to all that, sir,” Guy said, eagerly. Briggs looked relieved. “Well, I guess we needn’t worry.” Helen glanced up into his face. “I’m not going to worry,” she said, with a smile. “Is the Secretary of State really coming?” Fanny asked. “I believe so,” her aunt replied. “If he speaks to me I shall faint away. Ugh!” The girl walked over to Guy Fullerton. “You’ll have to do all the talking if you sit near me. I shall be too scared to say a word. This is my first dinner, you know.” “You poor thing!” Guy began; but Fanny cut him short. “Don’t make stupid jokes, sir!” Helen Briggs turned to the girl. “I’m only afraid you’ll talk too much, Fanny.” “If she does, we’ll send her from the table,” said Briggs. Fanny wrinkled her nose at her uncle. “That funny little Frenchman’s to sit on my left,” she said, turning to Guy. “Oh, I won’t do a thing to him!” “I want you to be particularly nice to young Clinton, of the British Embassy,” Briggs replied. “He’s a first-rate fellow, but very shy. I think perhaps you’ll amuse him.” Guy at once looked uncomfortable. Fanny observed him, and laughed. “I expect to have a lovely time,” she said, casting down her eyes demurely. “Who’s going to take you out?” Briggs asked, glancing first at Fanny and then at Guy. “Mr. West,” Guy promptly replied. Briggs looked puzzled. “What did you put her with him for?” Fanny smiled knowingly. “Perhaps because he thought I’d be out of danger,” she said demurely. Briggs turned away impatiently. “Well, don’t you dare to flirt with him, Fanny. He’s really dangerous.” Guy’s face looked anxious. “It isn’t too late to change the arrangement,” he said, wistfully, and they all laughed.