"I suppose you would call it false pride," he said. "I had no money--you had much--and so I worshiped from a distance. Now that my inheritance has made me well-to-do, I felt that I had a right to ask you to marry me. In Paris I thought you would take me for a fortune hunter." "Which only goes to show what fools men are," exclaimed Eleanor roguishly. "Bend down nearer me"--she placed her mouth close to his ear. "You could have had me for the asking then, dear heart"--his left arm stole about her--"for I know a man when I see one." * * * * * "Not a word, remember." "Madame has my promise." Annette tucked the small roll of bills inside the bosom of her gown, as Mrs. Winthrop replaced her pocketbook in her leather handbag. "Where is Miss Eleanor?" "Joshua tells me that in my absence Mademoiselle left ze house to motor wiz Monsieur Hunter." "If she asks for me on her return tell her that I will be back in time to lunch with her and Miss Cynthia." "_Oui, madame._" Annette assisted Mrs. Winthrop into her coat, then left the bedroom. From a safe distance down the hall she watched Mrs. Winthrop descend the staircase, and waited until she heard Joshua close the front door after her and retreat into his own domain. She then slipped noiselessly down the hall and into Mrs. Winthrop's bedroom. Half an hour passed before she again appeared, wearing a satisfied smile. The hall was empty. "I have seen what I have seen," she muttered under her breath exultingly, as she proceeded downstairs. "And I think I will haf more monie by to-morrow. _Mon Dieu!_" The peal of the front bell had startled her from her reverie. As Joshua did not appear to answer it, she crossed the square hall and opened the door. A tall man, wearing nondescript clothes, confronted her in the vestibule. "Miss Thornton, is she in?" he questioned. The contrast of his deep blue eyes against his tanned skin and black beard held her attention. Receiving no reply, he repeated his question with emphasis. "_Non_, Mademoiselle is out in ze motor," she answered, none too civilly. Without a word he turned on his heel and hastened down the steps. Annette stared up the street after him; then closed the door softly, her pretty forehead puckered in a frown. Where had she seen those eyes before? CHAPTER XV "THORNTON'S NEST" Douglas, suitcase in hand, ran across Seventeenth Street in time to catch a Georgetown car. As he paid the conductor he heard his name called and, glancing down the half empty car, saw Captain Chisholm seated at the farther end and beckoning to him. He made his way down the center aisle and joined the Englishman. "Can you dine with me, Douglas?" asked Chisholm, making room for him on the narrow seat. "Ask me some other time, old man, I am dining with Colonel Thornton to-night." "Then suppose we make it Monday night at the Metropolitan Club?" "Thanks, I will. At what hour?"