Gerald, having something to gain from a little timely flattery, kissed the jeweled fingers. He knew that this old-world attention appealed to Mrs. Pelham Odin as nothing else did. "You are looking--like yourself," he said politely, "I can pay you no higher compliment." Mrs. Pelham Odin laughed her celebrated silvery laugh, which critics always mentioned, and took the stage--that is, she walked the length of the drawing-room. "Ever a courtier, Mr. Haskins. Where did you--living in this present generation of hurry--learn such Versailles manners?" "From the queen of the English stage, madam." "From me?" Mrs. Pelham Odin fell into her famous startled fawn attitude--also much noticed by critics. "Oh no, no; I am but a humble survivor of the past." "And you have survived to show us what grace and dignity once existed." The old actress fluttered her fan with a gracious smile, and bowed her head to the compliment. "Neither grace nor dignity are necessary in this age of motor cars," she said, sighing. "However, we must take things as they are and be cheerful. You don't ask after Charity?" "I am too much taken up with you at present, madam." "Ah, you Irishmen, with your blarney. Well, Charity is in the dining-room with Mr. Macandrew. She is showing him some new photographs of herself, so will not be here for a few minutes, which is just as well." "Why?" asked Gerald, taking the seat she indicated. Mrs. Pelham Odin throned herself queenlike on a sofa. "What do you think of Mr. Macandrew?" she asked abruptly. "He is the best fellow in the world," replied Haskins promptly, for he guessed why she asked the question, and was willing to act as Tod's trumpeter, "also he is very clever, and some day will be wealthy." "Charity wants to marry him." "And he wants to marry Charity. My dear lady, I knew that years ago." Mrs. Pelham Odin nodded. "Of course, it is stale news. All the same, I asked you here to chat over the matter. Hitherto, I have set my face against such a marriage, as the match is not a good one for my girl." Gerald dissented. "If Miss Bird marries Macandrew she is a lucky young lady, to my mind. He is of good family; he is clever; he has a good profession; and he is an honest man. Certainly he has no money, but----" "That's just it," interrupted the other, "he has come in lately for a legacy of two thousand pounds. That is something, but not much. Still, Charity is so bent upon this marriage, that--if you can really swear to all you say about Mr. Macandrew--I am willing to consent." "I certainly should do so. Come, Mrs. Pelham Odin, don't part two hearts in this cruel way. Let your daughter marry Macandrew." The actress sighed. "I think I shall have to," she said, after a pause, "circumstances and Charity's will are too strong for me. It shall be as you say." And she held out her hand. Haskins kissed it again. "I am sure that you will have no cause to regret having taken my advice."