Gorman cast about for the best way of saying that King Konrad Karl would not be a desirable friend for Miss Daisy. Donovan saved him the trouble of finding a suitable phrase.
“He could be approached,” he said, “by a plain American citizen, if that citizen came with a business proposition in his hand.”
Gorman saw what he believed to be an opportunity. Donovan apparently wanted to do business with the King. Such business must necessarily be connected with Megalia. A company for the development of that country could be founded without difficulty if a man of Donovan’s enormous wealth took up a substantial block of shares. Gorman poured out all the information he had collected about Megalia. Donovan listened to him in silence. It was Miss Daisy who spoke at last.
“What you say about the enterprising nature of those inhabitants interests me,” she said, “but I am not much taken with the notion of copper mining. It seems to me that copper mines would be liable to spoil the natural beauty of the landscape.”
Gorman was, for the moment, too much surprised to speak. He had been in America several times and knew a good many American women. He realized their independence of character and mental vigour. But he did not expect that a young girl, fresh from college, enjoying the first taste of London, would take a leading part in discussing a matter of business. Before he had made up his mind what line to take with Miss Daisy, Donovan shot a question at him.
“What size is that monarchy?” he said.
“The actual boundaries are a little uncertain,” said Gorman, “but I think we may say a hundred miles by about thirty.”
“Inhabitants? Is it considerably settled?”
“I should guess the population at about 10,000.”
Gorman glanced at his daughter. Miss Daisy’s eyes gleamed with pleasurable excitement.