“Yes, they say her father is worth half a million.”
“Do you think she could be interested in the poor in this county?”
“Yes, she doesn’t seem to know she’s an heiress. Her father, the General, is a deacon in the Baptist church at Independence, and hates dudes and fops with all his old-fashioned soul. His idea of a man is one of character, and the capacity of achievement, not merely a possessor of money. Still, I imagine he is going to give any man trouble who tries to take his daughter away from him.”
“I’m afraid that money lets me out of the race.”
“Nothing of the sort, when you see her you will never allow a little thing like that to worry you.”
“It’s not her dollars that will worry me. It’s the fact that she’s got them and I haven’t. But, anyhow, Auntie, from your description you can book me for one night at least.”
“I’m going to book you for her lackey, her slave, devoted to her every whim while she’s here. One night—the idea!”
“Auntie, you’re too generous to others. I’ve no notion all this rigmarole about your Miss Sallie Worth is true. But I ’ll do anything to please you.”
“Very well, I ’ll see whom you are trying to please later.”
“I must go,” said Gaston, hastily rising. “I have an engagement to discuss the coming political campaign with the Hon. Allan McLeod, the present Republican boss of the state.”