"All women adore heroes of that type," he remarked without mockery or bitterness, "and when Nicholson appears I have a fair idea that Stafford and I will have to be content with the back seats in Lois' affections. You see, they were great friends, and moreover the Carmichaels have their matrimonial eye on him. So it's now or never as far as I am concerned." "And Stafford--?" He looked down at her with a jolly laugh. "He must find consolation elsewhere. I thought he would do for you, Miss Cary." "Thanks!" "Don't be ungrateful. Rich, good position, good family, worthy character, a trifle slow, not to say stupid--what more do you want?" "You talk as though--" "--As though he were being given away with a pound of tea? Well, so he is to all intents and purposes. One can do anything with an honest, pig-headed man like that if only one takes him the right way. He would suit you clear down to the ground, and if you will help me I will help you. Is that a bargain?" They were now in sight of their destination, and he pulled his horse into a walk. "Well, what do you say, Miss Cary?" He tried to look into her face, but it was turned resolutely away, and all he could see was a grave profile which might have belonged to a much older woman. "Well?" he repeated. They were entering the drive which led up to the brightly lighted bungalow before she answered. "It's a bargain then," she said. "I promise." He pressed her hand with his left. "That's all right," he said cheerily. "You won't find yourself overburdened. The case is just this: we're partners, you and I, with some good cards between us. Just at present it's my call, and your hand goes down. Do you understand?" "Pretty well," she answered. They pulled up at the open doorway, and flinging the reins to the waiting syce, Travers sprang to the ground. "By the way, I believe you go in to dinner with Stafford," he remarked casually as he helped her to alight. "I hope you will get on well together." CHAPTER VI BREAKING THE BARRIER