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Von Taer was away from home that Sunday afternoon, and would not return until a late hour. Diana went to the telephone again and after several unsuccessful attempts located her cousin, Mr. Charles Connoldy Mershone, at a club. "It's Diana," she said, when at last communication was established. "I want you to come over and see me; at once." "You'll have to excuse me, Di," was the answer.
Why, go down and make yourself agreeable, of course. It's your chance, my dear, your great chance in life! Go go! Don't, for heaven's sake, keep her waiting." Louise went down. In her most affable and gracious way she approached the visitor and said: "It is very nice of you to call upon me. I am so glad to meet Miss Von Taer."
She was annoyed to think how completely she had surrendered to the will of Miss Von Taer, for whom she had conceived the same aversion she had for a snake. She estimated Diana, society belle though she was, to be sly, calculating and deceitful. Worse than all, she was decidedly clever, and therefore dangerous.
Will you return my call?" "Indeed I will," promised the girl, readily. "I'm flattered that you called on me at all, Miss Von Taer, for you might easily have amused yourself better. You must be very busy, with all the demands society makes on one. When shall I come? Make it some off time, when we won't be disturbed." Diana smiled at her eagerness. How nescient the poor little thing was!
It occurred to him he had a difficult proposition to make to this man. To avoid the cold, enquiring eyes now fixed upon him he pulled out a cigar and deliberately cut the end. Von Taer furnished him a match. He smoked a while in silence. "This loan, sir," he finally began, "is freely made. There are no strings tied to it. I don't want you to feel I'm demanding any sort of return.
They are already independent, financially, and they're educated, well-bred and amiable young women. Take my word for it." "I am sure your statements are justified, Mr. Merrick." Yet Hedrik Von Taer's face, usually unexpressive, denoted blank mystification. What connection could these girls have with the favor to be demanded? "Got any girls yourself, Von Taer?" "A daughter, sir. My only child.
I hold that such a man has no moral right to continue in business. He should retire and give the other fellow a chance." "Why do you call him an aristocrat?" Mr. Merrick had enquired. "Because his family is so ancient that it shames the ark itself. I imagine his ancestors might have furnished Noah the lumber to build his ship. In New York the '400' all kowtow to Von Taer."
They need to stand high an' shine bright to make 'em really happy, and if any special lot is particularly ex-clusive an' high-falutin', that's the crowd they long to swarm with. It's human nature female human nature, anyhow. You catch my idea, Von Taer, don't you?" "I think so, Mr. Merrick. Yet I fail to see how I can be of service to you in gratifying the ambition of your charming nieces."
Life and energy radiated from her small person, which Miss Von Taer grudgingly conceded to possess unusual fascination. Here was a creature quite imperfect in detail, yet destined to allure and enchant whomsoever she might meet. All this was quite the reverse of Diana's own frigid personality. Patsy would make an excellent foil for her.
"Are you trying to annoy me?" demanded Diana, her eyes glaring under their curling lashes. "Dear me dear me!" cried Patsy, distressed, "see how saucy and impudent I've been and I didn't mean a bit of it! Won't you forgive me, please, Miss Von Taer? There! we'll begin all over again, and I'll be on my good behavior. I'm so very ignorant, you know!"
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