"Show me how to play, then," he asked me, and I laughed. "Good Lord man, you aren't a child, to be shown what to do. Make a fuss with Mabel, and show her--as she deserves to be shown--that she is the one woman in the world for you." "So she is, so she is. I love her no end. Upon my soul I do." "You have not shown that by your actions," I replied dryly; "if your love was so ardent you certainly would not be daunted by a single refusal." Weston sighed. "I don't understand girls," he confessed. "You certainly don't, my friend. However, if you are willing to make another attempt, ask Mabel down to see your airship." "She won't come: she can't come." "Why not? It isn't a long journey." "From Italy it is," he said dolefully. "Lady Denham and her niece have been in Florence for some weeks. Lady Denham wrote and told me they were going." "Oh, she wrote you, did she? That shows that, now Marr is off the scene, Lady Denham will favor your suit. Cannington's at Florence also. I got a letter from him a few days ago. The whole party are coming back to England for Christmas, as Lady Denham virtuously intends to spend the festive season at her country house in the good old English fashion." "It's a fortnight to Christmas," ruminated Weston anxiously. "I wonder if Lady Denham would ask me down." "I am quite sure she would. Men with thirty thousand a year are not easily picked up. Marr, the millionaire," I laughed when I said this, "having sheered off, Lady Denham will be delighted if her niece will marry you." "But Mabel doesn't love me for my money, I hope." "No. She's too decent a girl. You will be a lucky man if you win her. Lord knows what she can see in you, Weston. You're not handsome, not entertaining, and your mind generally floats in the clouds with your blessed airship." Weston laughed, in no wise offended. "I'll tell you what," he said after a pause, "I'll wire Cannington asking him to bring his sister down here when they return to England." "Won't a letter do? Why are you in such a hurry?" "I haven't time to write a letter," confessed Weston candidly, "a wire is just as good, if more expensive. But if they come down I can then show Mabel the airship and ask her to use it with me for the honeymoon. She can't mistake that offer." "It's an odd one, but she certainly can't," I answered laughing.