"Wouldn't it just!" and the fair Diana laughed--"But I guess _you'll_ want something a little more substantial for your cash Mr Tempest! A fortune in the prime of life is worth having. I suppose you're one of the richest men about just now, aren't you?" She put the question in a perfectly naïve frank manner and seemed to be unconscious of any undue inquisitiveness in it. "I may be one of the richest,"--I replied, and as I spoke the thought flashed suddenly across me how recently I had been one of the poorest!--"But my friend here, the prince, is far richer than I." "Is that so!" and she stared straight at Lucio, who met her gaze with an indulgent, half satirical smile--"Well now! I guess Pa's no better than a sort of pauper after all! Why, you must have the world at your feet!" "Pretty much so,"--replied Lucio composedly--"But then, my dear Miss Chesney, the world is so very easily brought to one's feet. Surely _you_ know that?" And he emphasized the words by an expressive look of his fine eyes. "I guess you mean compliments,"--she replied unconcernedly--"I don't like them as a rule, but I'll forgive you this once!" "Do!" said Lucio, with one of his dazzling smiles that caused her to stop for a moment in her voluble chatter and observe him with mingled fascination and wonderment. "And you too are young, like Mr Tempest,"--she resumed presently. "Pardon me!" interrupted Lucio--"I am many years older." "Really!" exclaimed Lord Elton at this juncture--"You don't look it, does he Charlotte?" Miss Fitzroy thus appealed to, raised her elegant tortoise-shell-framed glasses to her eyes and peered critically at us both. "I should imagine the prince to be slightly the senior of Mr Tempest"--she remarked in precise high-bred accents--"But only very slightly." "Anyhow," resumed Miss Chesney "you're young enough, to enjoy your wealth aren't you?" "Young enough, or old enough;--just as you please;"--said Lucio with a careless shrug--"But as it happens--I do _not_ enjoy it!" Miss Chesney's whole aspect now expressed the most lively astonishment.