"You hurt me when you speak that way. It will surely be one of the most pleasant episodes of my life. I am smiling to think that after most positively declining one yacht voyage last night I have so readily accepted another."
"Some one else asked you to go to Porto Rico?"
"Well, no, I rather imagine the intention was for me to bring up in a hotter country than the Antilles. The trip contemplated a voyage to Havre and then across country to the later Monaco, the gambling palace of Monte Carlo."
"Oh! I am glad you refused to go."
"So am I. But the invitation was very pressing. However, rather than disappoint the gentleman I sent my representative to receive the honors."
"It was a gentleman who asked you then?"
His eyes opened with surprise.
"Certainly—that is he did not really ask me, you see, but arranged a neat little affair whereby I was to be a guest of honor."
"How stupid of me, to be sure, I begin to see now that you are speaking of a business engagement, not a social matter. And will your substitute serve as well as if you had gone?"
"Just as well, until they learn that it is not Roderic Owen they are entertaining with so lavish a hand, but plain Joel Darby. Then I imagine there will be an explosion of some sort and her ladyship will show temper."