“No––aw––no, of course––that is––aw––she has excellent prospects––financial, I mean, eh? Mines, and all that, ye know––eh?”
“Why, she owns the grandest gold mine in all South America! Think of it!”
“Bah Jove! I––aw––I never was so attracted to a girl in all me blooming life! You will––a––speak to her, eh? Help me out, ye know. Just a few words, eh? You know what I mean?”
“Never fear, Reginald” she’s yours. “There will be no opposition.”
“Opposition! Certainly not––not when she knows about our family. And––aw––mother will talk with you––that is, about the details. She’ll arrange them, ye know. I never was good at business.”
And the haughty mother of the young Duke did call shortly thereafter to consult in regard to her son’s matrimonial desires. The nerve-racking round of balls, receptions, and other society functions was quite forgotten by the elated Mrs. Hawley-Crowles, whose ears tingled deliciously under the pompous boastings of the Dowager Lady Altern. The house of Altern? Why, Mrs. Hawley-Crowles was convinced, after a half hour’s conversation with this proud mother, that the royal house of Brunswick was but an impudent counterfeit! What was La Libertad worth? She knew not. But her sister’s brother, Mr. Reed, who had hastily appraised it, had said that there was a mountain of gold there, only awaiting Yankee enterprise. And Carmen? There was proof positive that she was an Inca princess. Yes, Mrs. Hawley-Crowles was so honored by the deep interest which the young Duke manifested in the wonderful girl! And she would undertake negotiations with 168 her at once. But it must be done wisely. Carmen was not like other girls. No, indeed!
And now Mrs. Hawley-Crowles had to plan very carefully. She was terribly in debt; yet she had resources. The Beaubien was inexhaustible. Ames, too, might be depended upon. And La Libertad––well, there was Mr. Philip O. Ketchim to reckon with. So she forthwith summoned him to a consultation.
But, ere her talk with that prince of finance, another bit of good fortune fell into the lady’s spacious lap. Reed had written that he was doing poorly with his western mining ventures, and would have to raise money at once. He therefore offered to sell his interest in the Simití Company. Moreover, he wanted his wife to come to him and make her home in California, where he doubtless would spend some years. Mrs. Hawley-Crowles offered him twenty-five thousand dollars for his Simití interest; of which offer Reed wired his immediate acceptance. Then the lady packed her rueful sister Westward Ho! and laid her newly acquired stock before the Beaubien for a large loan. That was but a day before Ketchim called.
“Madam,” said that suave gentleman, smiling piously, “you are a genius. Our ability to announce the Duke of Altern as our largest stockholder will result in a boom in the sales of Simití stock. The Lord has greatly prospered our humble endeavors. Er––might I ask, Madam, if you would condescend to meet my wife some afternoon? We are rapidly acquiring some standing in a financial way, and Mrs. Ketchim would like to know you and some of the more desirable members of your set, if it might be arranged.”
Mrs. Hawley-Crowles beamed her joy. She drew herself up with a regnant air. The people were coming to her, their social queen, for recognition!