"Yes?"
"Well, I was wondering if you wouldn't mind putting in a good word for me."
"I would be glad to, but unfortunately I don't know Mr. Arlington."
"But you know Mr. Marbridge, and everybody says he's Arlington's silent partner."
Matthias looked as uncomfortable as he felt.
"I am not sure that is true," he said slowly, "and—well, to tell the truth, Marbridge and I aren't on the best of terms. I'm afraid I couldn't influence him in any way—except, perhaps, to prejudice him."
"Oh!" Joan said blankly....
It came to her, in a flash, that the two men might have quarrelled about her, thanks to the obvious fascination she had exerted over Marbridge, that age-old day at Tanglewood.
"I suppose," she ventured pensively, "I might go to see him—Mr. Marbridge—myself—?"
"I'm afraid I can't advise you."