THE CHARM OF THE OLD WORLD ROMANCES – Premium 10 Book Collection. Robert Barr

evening party, but, you see, I have no other chance to speak with you. I understand you have had a meeting of shareholders, and yet you never sent me an invitation. I told you that I wished to help you in forming a company; but that is the way you business men always treat a woman.'

      'Really, Miss Longworth,' began Kenyon; but she speedily interrupted him.

      'I am not going to let you make any explanation. I have come over here to enjoy scolding you, and I am not to be cheated out of my pleasure.'

      'I think,' said John, 'if you knew how much I have suffered during this last day or two, you would be very lenient with me. Did you read that article upon me in the Financial Field?'

      'No, I did not, but I read your reply to it this morning, and I think it was excellent.'

      'Ah, that was hardly fair. A person should read both sides of the question before passing judgment.'

      'It is a woman's idea of fairness,' said Edith, 'to read what pertains to her friend, and to form her judgment without hearing the other side. But you must not think I am going to forego scolding you because of my sympathy with you. Don't you remember you promised to let me know how your company was progressing from time to time, and here I have never had a word from you; now tell me how you have been getting on.'

      'I hardly know, but I think we are doing very well indeed. You know, of course, that your cousin is going to America to report upon the mine. As I have stated nothing but what is perfectly true about the property, there can be no question as to what that report will be, so it seems to me everything is going on nicely.'

      'Why do not you go to America?'

      'Ah, well, I am an interested party, and those who are thinking of going in with us have my report already. It is necessary to corroborate that. When it is corroborated, I expect we shall have no trouble in forming the company.'

      'And was William chosen by those men to go to Canada?'

      'He was not exactly chosen; he volunteered. Mr. Melville here was the one who was chosen.'

      'And why Mr. Melville more than you, for instance?'

      'Well, as I said, I am out of the question because I am an interested party. Melville is a man connected with china works, and as such, in a measure, an expert.'

      'Is Mr. Melville a friend of yours?'

      'No, he is not. I never saw him until he came to the meeting.'

      'Do you know,' she said, lowering her voice and bending towards him, 'that I do not like Mr. Melville's face?' Kenyon glanced at Melville, who was at the other side of the room, and Edith went on: 'You must not look at people when I mention them in that way, or they will know we are talking about them. I do not like his face. He is too handsome a man, and I don't like handsome men.'

      'Don't you, really,' said John; 'then, you ought to——'

      Edith laughed softly, a low, musical laugh that was not heard above the piano din, and was intended for John alone, and to his ears it was the sweetest music he had ever heard.

      'I know what you were going to say,' she said; 'you were going to say that in that case I ought to like you. Well, I do; that is why I am taking such an interest in your mine, and in your friend Mr. Wentworth. And so my cousin volunteered to go to Canada. Now, I think you ought to go yourself.'

      'Why?' said Kenyon, startled that she should have touched the point that had been discussed between Wentworth and himself.

      'I can only give you a woman's reason—"because I do." It seems to me you ought to be there to know what they report at the time they do report. Perhaps they won't understand the mine without your explanation, and then you see an adverse report might come back in perfect good faith. I think you ought to go to America, Mr. Kenyon.'

      'That is just what George Wentworth says.'

      'Does he? I always thought he was a very sensible young man, and now I am sure of it. Well, I must not stay here gossiping with you on business. I see the professor is going to finish, and so I shall have to look after my other guests. If I don't see you again this evening, or have no opportunity of speaking with you, think over what I have said.'

      And then, with the most charming hypocrisy, the young woman thanked the professor for the music to which she had not listened in the least.

      'Well, how did you enjoy yourself?' said Wentworth when they had got outside again.

      It was a clear, starlight night, and they had resolved to walk home together.

      'I enjoyed myself very well indeed,' answered Kenyon; 'much better than I expected. It was a little awkward at first, but I got over that.'

      'I noticed you did—with help.'

      'Yes, "with help."'

      'If you are inclined to rave, John, now that we are under the stars, remember I am a close confidant, and a sympathetic listener. I should like to hear you rave, just to learn how an exasperatingly sensible man acts under the circumstances.'

      'I shall not rave about anything, George, but I will tell you something. I am going to Canada.'

      'Ah, did she speak about that?'

      'She did.'

      'And of course her advice at once decides the matter, after my most cogent arguments have failed?'

      'Don't be offended, George, but—it does.'