sensible young man, Prince."
"Thank you. And I suppose you regard your daughter as a sensible young woman?"
"Certainly!" exploded Mr. Blithers.
"Well, it seems to me, she will be capable of taking care of her fortune a great deal more successfully than you imagine, Mr. Blithers. She will doubtless marry an excellent chap who has the capacity to increase her fortune, rather than to let it stand at a figure that some day may be surpassed by the possessions of an ambitious king."
There was fine irony in the Prince's tone but no trace of offensiveness. Nevertheless, Mr. Blithers turned a shade more purple than before, and not from the violence of exercise. He was having some difficulty in controlling his temper. What manner of fool was this fellow who could sneer at five hundred million dollars? He managed to choke back something that rose to his lips and very politely remarked:
"I am sure you will like her, Prince. If I do say it myself, she is as handsome as they grow."
"So I have been told."
"You will see her to-night."
"Really, Mr. Blithers, I cannot—"
"I'll fix it with Mrs. King. Don't you worry."
"May I be pardoned for observing that Mrs. King, greatly as I love her, is not invested with the power to govern my actions?" said Robin haughtily.
"And may I be pardoned for suggesting that it is your duty to your people to completely understand this loan of mine before you agree to accept it?" said Mr. Blithers, compressing his lips.
"Forgive me, Mr. Blithers, but it is not altogether improbable that Graustark may secure the money elsewhere."
"It is not only improbable but impossible," said Mr. Blithers flatly.
"Impossible?"
"Absolutely," said the millionaire so significantly that Robin would have been a dolt not to grasp the situation. Nothing could have been clearer than the fact that Mr. Blithers believed it to be in his power to block
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