"Look at what a brilliant match it would be fur you. Why, you'd be Lady Casselthorpe, with dukes and counts takin' off their crowns to you. And that other one--that Milbrey--from all I hear he's lighter'n cork--cut his galluses and he'd float right up into the sky. He ain't got anything but his good family and a thirst." "I see. This Mauburn isn't good enough for your family, but you reckon he's good enough for me? Is that it, now?" "Come, Mrs. Wybert, let's be broad. That's the game you like, and I don't criticise you fur it. It's a good game if that's the kind of a game you're huntin' fur. And you can play it better'n my granddaughter. She wa'n't meant fur it--and I'd rather have her marry an American, anyhow. Now you like it, and you got beauty--only you need more money. I'll put you in the way of it, and you can cut out my granddaughter." "I must think about it. Suppose I plunge in copper, and your tip isn't straight. I've seen hard times, Mr. Bines, in my life. I haven't always wore sealskin and diamonds." "Mrs. Wybert, you was in Montana long enough to know how I stand there?" "I know you're A1, and your word's as good as another man's money. I don't question your good intentions." "It's my judgment, hey? Now, look here, I won't tell you what I know and how I know it, but you can take my word that I know I do know. You plunge in copper right off, without saying a word to anybody or makin' any splurge, and here--" From the little table at his elbow he picked up the card that had announced him and drew out his pencil. "You said my word was as good as another man's money. Now I'm going to write on this card just what you have to do, and you're to follow directions, no matter what you hear about other people doing. There'll be all sorts of reports about that stock, but you follow my directions." He wrote on the back of the card with his pencil. "Consolidated Copper, remember--and now I'm a-goin' to write something else under them directions. "'Do this up to the limit of your capital and I will make good anything you lose.' There, Mrs. Wybert, I've signed that 'Peter Bines.' That card wouldn't be worth a red apple in a court of law, but you know me, and you know it's good fur every penny you lose." "Really, Mr. Bines, you half-way persuade me. I'll certainly try the copper play--and about the other--well,--we'll see; I don't promise, mind you!" "You think over it. I'm sure you'll like the idea--think of bein' in that great nobility, and bein' around them palaces with their dukes and counts. Think how these same New York women will meach to you then!" The old man rose. "And mind, follow them directions and no other--makes no difference what you hear, or I won't be responsible. And I'll rely on you, ma'am, never to let anyone know about my visit, and to send me back that little document after you've cashed in." He left her studying the card with a curious little flash of surprise. CHAPTER XXXII.