"I pay her every little attention that I can," said Van Buren seriously. "Perhaps you're too attentive." "I'd give her anything in the world she wanted, Harry, if she'd let me." "Well, give her a miss for safety." "What's that?" "Why--this evening you're going to meet her at a dance, aren't you--at the Walmers'?" "Yes; I'm looking forward to that." "Well, don't go--don't turn up. Then she'll miss you. Say, to-morrow, you were prevented." Van Buren began to smile. "I see what you mean. It's an idea. You do hand me some good advice! Is it what you would do yourself, Harry?" "It's what I'm always doing." "But then I don't like the idea of being rude. One always wants to give the impression of being well-bred, no matter what the facts maybe." "It won't be rude. She'll be thinking about you much more than if you were there, wondering why you're not." "You mean it will keep her guessing, Harry?" "That's the idea. I shan't say you're not coming. I'll pretend to be expecting you too." "Well, perhaps I'll try that. I know I've only got an outside chance. She counts me as one of the also-rans." "Are you really very devoted, old chap? Would you break your heart if it didn't come off?" Van Buren thought a moment, then said with his scrupulous truthfulness-- "Well, no: I can hardly say that, Harry. I'm not so far gone as all that. But I think she's a very beautiful, charming, well-brought-up young lady--a typical English girl--a June rose, a real peach. She's the ideal of the sort of girl I'd like to marry. But if she's out of my reach--well, I should resign myself." "Would you try for some one else? There are probably about a million girls just like that, you know, who would be only too delighted." Van Buren shook his head. "She's the only girl I should care about marrying. If it doesn't come off I shall go back to New York. And I do wish you'd come with me. A fellow with your talents would do splendidly there. Why, I'd find you a place in the Bank in New York. I'd see you made your fortune pretty quick. But you'd never leave London." "I'm not so sure. Anyway, we'll give it a chance till the autumn." "Yes, I must see it to a finish." "If you don't settle down here, then, would you marry an American girl?" "No. In that case I shan't marry at all. I shall settle down to the life of a lonely bachelor--choose the broad and easy path that leads to single misery, Harry." He laughed. "Instead of the straight and narrow road that leads to married unhappiness," said Harry. "So you _are_ very keen on Daphne?" "Not exactly that, perhaps. But it must be her or no one for a life-partner. She's the only girl who ever made any appeal to me from the point of view of domestic life. When I think of a happy home and a fireside with her, it makes me curl like an autumn leaf." "What a curious chap you are," said Harry, smiling.