“Nancy dear,” she said. “How nice of you to come, when I know how busy you were teaching Wickham piquet. Sit down. This is the reason I sent for you. As one of my best friends, I want your candid advice about this horrid situation.” “But Laura is one of your best friends, too,” said Mrs. Almar. “You’ll see why I did not send for Laura. She is so ridiculously prejudiced in favor of Mr. Riatt. There’s no question as to what her advice would be. In fact,” said Christine with the frankest laugh, “she’s advised it long ago--even before he asked me.” At these sinister words, Mrs. Almar gave a glance like the jab of a knife at Riatt. “See here, Christine,” she said, “every minute I spend here is a direct pecuniary loss to me. Let’s get to the point.” “Of course. How selfish I am,” answered Miss Fenimer. “The point is this. In view of the gossip and talk, and your own dear little suggestion, darling, that I had frightened the horse on purpose, Mr. Riatt has thought it necessary to ask me to marry him. I say he has thought it necessary, because in spite of all his flattering protestations, I can’t help feeling that he’s done it from a sense of duty. But whatever his sentiments may be, I’ve been quite open about mine. I’m not in love with him. In view of all this, Nancy, do you think it advisable that I accept his offer?” Mrs. Almar had never been considered particularly good-tempered. Now she jumped to her feet with her eyes positively blazing. “Have I been called away from the care of my depleted bank account to take part in a farce like this?” she cried. “You ought to be ashamed of yourself, Christine. You know just as well as I do that that young man never even thought of asking you to marry him.” Christine was quite unruffled. “Oh, Nancy dear,” she said, “how helpful you always are. I see what you mean. You think no one will believe that he ever did propose unless I accept him. I think you’re perfectly right.” “They won’t and I don’t,” said Nancy, and moved rapidly to the door. “One moment, Mrs. Almar,” said Riatt, firmly. “You happen to be mistaken. I did very definitely ask Miss Fenimer to marry me not ten minutes ago.” “And do you renew that request?” said Christine. [Illustration: “Well, heaven itself can’t save a fool,” said Mrs. Almar] “I do.” Christine held out her hand with the gesture of a queen. “And I very gratefully accept your generous offer,” she said. “Well, heaven itself can’t save a fool,” said Mrs. Almar, and she went out of the room, and slammed the door after her. As she went, Riatt actually flung the hand of his newly affianced wife from him. “May I ask,” he said, “what you think you are doing?” Christine had covered her face with her hands, and had sunk into a chair. For an instant Riatt really thought that the strain of the situation had been too much for her; but on closer inspection he found that she was shaking with laughter. “I can’t be sure which was funnier,” she gasped, “your face or Nancy’s.”