Her reply astonished Izard very much, though he tried to conceal his annoyance. Shuffling his papers with a fat hand, upon which a great diamond ring sparkled, he breathed a little heavily and then asked almost under his breath:
"Any one else been round?"
"Do you mean to ask me have I any other offers?"
"That's so."
"As frankly, none—at present."
He looked at her shrewdly.
"Expecting them, I suppose?"
"I have never thought of it," she said, greatly amused at the turn affairs were taking. "Of course, I know that successful people do get offers——"
"But not twice from Charles Izard," he exclaimed very meaningly—then turning round in his chair he looked her straight in the face and said, "Suppose I make it one hundred and fifty dollars?"
"Oh," she rejoined, "it really is not a question of money, Mr. Izard——"