Can't you see the fun of the thing yourself ?" "It seems quite natural to me.

You have every social advantage to offer a woman, and a presentable person; and my niece has youth, and some looks, and a large fortune.

But we will say no more about it.

I shall be glad to be of any service I can to you, anyway, in regard to your Canadian scheme.

Come and dine to-night; I happen to have asked a couple of railway magnates with interests out there, and you can get some information from them." And so it was arranged, and Lord Tancred got up to go; but just at the door he paused and said with a laugh: "And shall I see the niece ?" The financier had his back turned, and so he permitted the flicker of a smile to come over his mouth as he answered: "It might be; but we have dismissed the subject of the niece." And so they parted.
At the sound of the closing of the door Mr.Markrute pressed the button of a wonderful trifle of Russian enamel and emeralds, which lay on his writing table, and a quiet servant entered the room.
"Tell the Countess Shulski I wish to speak to her here immediately, please," he said.