"To me? But I regret to say, Miss Harlan, that I know of no banking-house at present that would employ the services of this embryo merchant-prince."
"Oh, but you don't or you won't understand me. What I propose is to found a banking-house, and furnish the capital myself."
"What!" Mr. Chelm leaned back in his chair and laughed heartily. "This is romance with a vengeance. Would I were twenty-five, and in search of occupation! And what, pray, is to be the name of the new concern?—Harlan and Prime; or Virginia Harlan and Company? I am confident it will be a partnership for life."
"Francis Prime and Company, of course. I will not submit to be laughed at, Mr. Chelm. This is a serious business matter."
"Oh, most certainly! Thoroughly business-like in every sense! My dear young lady, if you expect me to preserve my legal gravity you must not be so humorous; it is beyond the self-control of even a fusty conveyancer. And what part in this financial idyl am I expected to play!"
"You are to arrange it all. I am to furnish the money, and remain strictly incognito. That is the first and essential condition I impose."
"What! Mr. Prime is not to know the name of his benefactress?"
"On no account whatever!"
"He will be sure to search the earth until he finds her."
"Not if he be made to believe she is ancient and homely. Besides, how is he to know it is a woman?"