By a curious coincidence Edith Stevens’ “morning constitutional” took her in the direction of the “Hamilton,” and by another coincidence, equally curious, she met Thatcher, Cosden, and her brother as they emerged from the hotel after their conference with Duncan. Cosden was still in an elated mental condition as a result of the fact that he had again placed himself within the control of his master passion. Even though Thatcher spoke of the enterprise as “small,” it was an opening wedge, and Cosden knew how to make the most of an opening.

The visit to Bermuda had already taught him that he was engaging in a game of which he did not know even the first rudiments. It had seemed easy enough to him when he first undertook it, but the experience of these few days had undeceived him. When in the past he had wanted anything, he simply played the game until he won out; now he saw that in spite of his claim that marriage firmly rested upon basic business principles, there was a certain hiatus which could not be filled in by the education derived from every-day business routine in a counting-room. He had met no discouragements as yet, but he was making no beginning, and that of course was retrogression.

As he saw Miss Stevens approaching Cosden was seized with one of those inspirations which had made his business career so signal a success. It was stupid of him not to have thought of it before! Whenever he wanted advice upon factory management he employed the best expert he could secure; now that he required specialized service in the matter of approaching Miss Thatcher upon the delicate subject he had in mind, why should he not employ the same method? Every woman was by nature a specialist in affairs of this kind, and from what he had already seen of Miss Stevens he believed he could scarcely have selected one better fitted to act in the capacity suggested.

It was easy enough to manoeuver matters so that he should walk back with her to the “Princess,” especially as she seemed unconsciously to fall in with his plans by addressing her greeting particularly to him. Cosden’s response was so cordial and his pleasure in seeing her so sincere that Edith was thoroughly mystified. Previously he had seemed preoccupied, and appeared to endure her companionship rather than seek it; now he threw aside his indifference and met her as a comrade. An instant understanding flashed across her mind: Huntington had hinted that his friend had suddenly developed interesting tendencies, and had said plainly that the objective was either Merry Thatcher or herself. Could it be that well, perhaps it would not be necessary to use force after all! Then, as a result of that curious feminine paradox, her next thought was contradictory: “If he is really interested in me then I shall lose interest in him.” Still, the game was worth playing out.

They turned in at the little shaded lane which offers a short cut to the hotel, but instead of entering the hallway Cosden stopped and indicated the steps leading down to the tennis-courts.

“Would you mind having a very personal conversation with me down there?” he asked with so much significance in his voice that Edith became almost agitated.

“I’d love to sit down for a moment,” she assented. “I’ve been walking so long that I could take that bench in my arms and hug it.”

“I’m in a quandary,” Cosden began without preliminaries as soon as Edith had adjusted herself where she would appear to best advantage. “I have an idea that you can help me out.”

“First aid to the wounded is right in my line,” Edith assured him helpfully.

Even with the inspiration which expectancy on the part of an audience is always supposed to give a speaker, Cosden’s fluency became somewhat modified when he actually touched upon his main topic.

“I’m a peculiar sort of man, I’ve no doubt ”

“I wouldn’t give a snap of my finger for a man who didn’t possess individuality,” she interrupted emphatically.

“Well, perhaps it is more than individuality. Men seem to understand me all right, but I’ve never had a sister, and I’ve been too tied down by my business to cultivate women. I’m a man’s man I suppose that about expresses it.”

“That’s a good recommendation; look at my brother, he’s a lady’s man. Would you change individualities with Ricky?”

“Perhaps not,” Cosden said guardedly; “still in this matter your brother could probably give me a pointer or two. Hang it all! when I talk to a man I don’t have any difficulty in making myself understood, but here I am, floundering round with you like a school-boy!”

“Just imagine for the moment that I am a man and that you are talking to me about some one else ”

“That’s it exactly; I knew you would understand. I thought Monty would help me out, but he absolutely refuses to take me seriously. The truth of the matter is that I’ve decided to get married.”

Even with the preparation given her by Huntington’s remarks Cosden’s statement came with an abruptness which surprised Edith into a becoming flutter. Her eyes fell for the moment and she could feel a flush come into her face. Knowing how some men admire the combination of blue eyes and rosy cheeks she hastened to look up, but was disappointed to find her companion’s gaze resting upon the distant horizon.

“You have decided?” she asked archly; “where does the girl come in?”

“Oh, she’ll come in all right at the finish, I’ve no doubt,” Cosden replied. “I’m taking you at your word, and I’m talking to you just as I would to a man. I want you to tell me what I ought to do to make sure that nothing goes wrong. I’ve always got what I’ve gone after, and it would break me all up to come a cropper just because I hadn’t handled the matter right.”

“Have you given the prospective bride any suggestion of your intentions?” Edith inquired, her eyes again drooping.

“Not a word. That’s not my way. I always plan things out to the finish, and then it’s plain sailing to the end.”

“Have you reason to think she cares for you?”

“She has no more idea that I think of marrying anybody than you had before I began to tell you; but I don’t see why she should have any special objection to me. The whole point is, I’m somewhat older than she, and I’m not sure that I speak the same language.”

Edith’s mind executed some lightning mathematical calculations, and she wondered if he were older than he looked.

“There is not too much difference, I am sure.”

“Just eighteen years,” Cosden announced with finality.

The color left Edith’s face, and then it returned with greater strength. Her surprise showed only in her snapping eyes, for she held herself well in hand; but her mind was working fast. She was thankful enough that he had been so wrapped up in himself that he was oblivious to her mistake.

“It would serve him right if I did marry him, to pay him back for this,” was what her eyes said, but the words she spoke fitted well enough into Cosden’s understanding.

“Well, of course, eighteen years is a good deal ”

“Just the proper handicap.” Cosden repeated the phrase he had used in his discussion with Huntington. “Women grow old faster than men.”

Edith bit her lip to hold back the caustic reply which was almost spoken. He certainly was intent upon his purpose, but that did not excuse his lack of gallantry. His friend could give him points on that! The responsibility she had told Huntington she would assume became a real one!

“Perhaps,” she seemed to assent; “but of course it makes a difference who the girl is. If I knew her ”

“You know her all right; it’s Merry Thatcher.”

“Oh!” she exclaimed, as if the identity was a complete surprise. “Yes, you would have to plan your campaign pretty carefully with Merry. She is a girl with definite ideas of her own, and she might not be influenced by the fact that you always get what you go after.”

Cosden looked at her suspiciously.

“Yes; I think I could help you,” she added quickly.

“I’d be mighty grateful if you would,” Cosden said with obvious relief.

“Now, let me see ” Edith proceeded carefully, but the way was clearing before her. “I think you will need to take quite a course of training,” she laughed. “Are you prepared to do that?”

“When I place myself in my doctor’s hands I usually take his medicines.”

“All right; then we’ll start in at once. I must ask you a lot of questions. Are you fond of athletics?”

“Next to my business, it’s my longest suit.”

“There is the first point of common interest. You are making a good start. Are you fond of reading?

“I like a good detective story.”

“How about Stevenson and Ibsen and Lafcadio Hearn?”

“Not in mine, except ‘Treasure Island’ and ‘Dr. Jekyll and Mr. Hyde.’”

Edith pursed her lips. “Not so good on the second test, Mr. Cosden. How about opera?”

“My favorites are ‘Lohengrin’ and the ‘Merry Widow.’”

“Horrors! That you must keep sacredly hidden from the dear girl. I’ve known her to go to the opera eight times in one week, and sigh for more. Of course you adore orchestral music?”

“You’ll have to score zeros against me on music, but perhaps I can come back strong in some other branches.”

She held up a finger chidingly. “You from Boston, and don’t rave over your Symphony Orchestra! That is a real blow! I supposed every one in Boston went to the Symphony concerts just for the prestige, even though he couldn’t tell whether the orchestra was playing or only tuning up.”

“You see I’m not trying to sail under false colors.”

“Well, now I come to the supreme test of all: do you dance?”

Cosden threw up his hands in real despair. “You are making me look ridiculous,” he said. “I knew the old dances, but I’ve never put myself up against the new ones. I suppose I could learn.”

“Well, well, well!” ejaculated the fair inquisitor. “All I can say is that you showed real business judgment in coming to me first. Merry would have made short work of you; she’s crazy about dancing. Oh, don’t look so serious; the case may not be so hopeless as it seems.”

“I don’t see how it could be much worse.” Cosden was genuinely chagrined.

“It isn’t every one who finds a fairy godmother waiting for him when he comes out of his chrysalis, Mr. Cosden,” Edith explained. “She will help young Lochinvar to throw aside his antiquity and come down to date. In two weeks’ time you’ll feel so spritely that Mr. Huntington and his friends of equal age will bore you, all provided that you follow your instructor’s precepts.”

Cosden caught the contagion of her optimism. “It’s mighty good of you, Miss Stevens. I have no right to ask so much of a comparative stranger.”

“Don’t worry a bit,” Edith reassured him. “You are to start right in and practise on me. I’ll teach you the new steps, and coach you in all that’s needful. You may lose your breath and a few friends, but I’ll guarantee to show you how to win a wife. Now you may begin your education by leading me in to luncheon.”