"I do not mind taking chances, I admit," said Windsor; "but in the stock-market I am in the position of the banker at the gaming-table. The odds are in my favor. While at piquet this noble lord can get the better of me. Who else have you, Jawkins?" "I forgot my greatest prize, sir," said Jawkins, handing Mr. Windsor a photograph. "What do you think of her?" Mr. Windsor looked at the picture with a peculiar smile. "She is a fine woman, Jawkins. We have as fine, however, in the States. Who is she?" "Mrs. Oswald Carey, to be sure. Have you never seen her face before, Mr. Windsor? She is considered to be the most beautiful woman in London. Her husband, of course, is left there; he cares only for brandy and soda and baccarat, and would be very much in the way. I believe that he used to have a place under government, but was ousted last year, probably for cause, wonderful as that seems now. But she is a charming woman, and I find that she is the most sought after of any one on my list--that is to say, with the hosts; though the hostesses sometimes object to her, simply from envy of her good looks, for her good name cannot be questioned while her husband is satisfied with her." Mr. Windsor hummed a little; he was too new to the world of society not to have old-fashioned views on the subject of a woman's fame. "Go on with the list, please, Jawkins; time flies, and your presence must be required to arrange the drawing-rooms." "Very well, Mr. Windsor. Then Sir John Dacre, one of the biggest men in England; I never have understood, sir, how I got him on my list. He is so proud that I should have fancied that he would have--saving your presence, sir--have broken stones in the street rather than bread as a hired guest. For he is a noble fellow." "Some woman at the bottom of it?" asked Mr. Windsor, carelessly. "Something mysterious, certainly, for he absolutely refused to take any fee," replied Mr. Jawkins. "Next comes Colonel Charles Featherstone, a wild, scatter-brained soldier, who lost all his fortune in speculation in your American cotton and grain futures. He is a great friend of John Dacre, and they joined me at the same time. I am really giving you the gems of my whole collection."