“The difference between you and me is this,” Cecil was saying. “You exhaust yourself by making money among men who are all bent on making money, in a place specially set apart for the purpose. I amuse myself by making money among men who, having made or inherited money, are bent on spending it, in places specially set apart for the purpose. I take people off their guard. They don’t precisely see me coming. I don’t rent an office and put up a sign which is equivalent to announcing that the rest of the world had better look out for itself. Our codes are the same, but is not my way more original and more diverting? Look at this place. Half the wealth of Europe is collected here; the other half is at Trouville. The entire coast reeks of money; the sands are golden with it. You’ve only to put out your hand--so!” “So?” ejaculated Rainshore, quizzical. “How? Show me?” “Ah! That would be telling.” “I guess you wouldn’t get much out of Simeon--not as much as your father did.” “Do you imagine I should try?” said Cecil gravely. “My amusements are always discreet.” “But you confess you are often bored. Now, on Wall Street we are never bored.” “Yes,” Cecil admitted. “I embarked on these--these enterprises mainly to escape boredom.” “You ought to marry,” said Rainshore pointedly. “You ought to marry, my friend.” “I have my yacht.” “No doubt. And she’s a beauty, and feminine too; but not feminine enough. You ought to marry. Now, I’ll----” Mr. Rainshore paused. His daughter had suddenly ceased to eat chocolates and was leaning over the balustrade in order to converse with a tall, young man whose fair, tanned face and white hat overtopped the carved masonry and were thus visible to the millionaires. The latter glanced at one another and then glanced away, each slightly self-conscious. “I thought Mr. Vaux-Lowry had left?” said Cecil. “He came back last night,” Rainshore replied curtly. “And he leaves again to-night.” “Then--then it’s a match after all!” Cecil ventured. “Who says that?” was Simeon’s sharp inquiry. “The birds of the air whisper it. One heard it at every corner three days ago.” Rainshore turned his chair a little towards Cecil’s. “You’ll allow I ought to know something about it,” he said. “Well, I tell you it’s a lie.” “I’m sorry I mentioned it,” Cecil apologised.