"Your father had an offer for your hand this morning; but, of course, you will refuse it." "Of course I shall if the offer came from Antony Van Hoosen, as I suspect it does." "The man really thought that his enormous wealth would count with you; for he must have known it could not affect your father." "His enormous wealth! Pray, when did Antony become enormously wealthy?" "He must have been rich for some time. Your father says he brought him the evidences of millions--fancy it, Rose, _of millions!_ And he offered to settle a large yearly income on you, just to do as you please with." "He did?" "Yes." "Hum--m--m!" "Your father was quite firm with him. He said the decision was yours entirely, and that he would have to take your 'yes' or 'no' in the matter." "I should think so! The idea of going to father at all!" "As for that, it was right to show your father his position. Money is such a wonderful thing! I am sure I wish I had some of his millions! For, do you know, Rose, Harry's rapid life lately has been a dreadful thing for us. I relied upon Harry doing as much as he always has done, but my hopes have all been vain. He talks about the depression of business; but, my dear, it is the expansion in his own life. Club after club, and all of them cost a living. And then he has other expenses, which I do not care to name to you. I think Harry has been cruelly forgetful of us. Just look at that pile of bills on my table. They make me sick." "Why do you not carry them to papa?" "They are bills for costumes and such things. Your father would take a fit over them. Harry has always helped me out of such dilemmas before. But he has been running an awful rig this winter." "It would have been better if he had married Yanna." "Do not name the girl. I wish I had never seen her. And now, her brother wanting to marry you! It is too absurd!" "I--do--not--know--about--that. You say _millions_!" "Millions! That is what your father told me, and he saw the vouchers for them. People like the Van Hoosens, with all that money! and _we_ on the verge of bankruptcy!" "Most of the Van Hoosens are rich. Look at Miss Alida. Father says no one can keep an acre of land for her. Where is Antony's property?" "It is in San Francisco, chiefly. My dear, he owns half an hotel, and has nothing to do but sit still in New York, or Paris, or anywhere, and get the results sent to him. And he has property in mines, and cattle, and land, and lots of real estate, all down the Pacific coast. The man is vulgarly rich." "Antony is not vulgar, mamma. One ought to give even the devil his due. I have often noticed him in a room, and he wears a dress suit as well as any one. Besides, you know, he really does belong to a very good old family."