"Of course," he answered, "of course. And, that being so, you won't
mind my confessing that I'm going largely on account of--a woman."

"I won't mind anything that gives me your companionship."

"So, it's settled," he said. "Let us have some dinner, and then cut in
for a farewell turn in the game of hearts upstairs."

"It will be another sort of game over the water," I observed.

"Yes--with a different sort of hearts," he said thoughtfully.

"Is it possible, Courtney, you are growing sentimental?" I demanded.

He shrugged his shoulders. "There's no fool like an old fool, you
know," he answered.

"Unless it be one that is just old enough to be neither old nor young,"
said I.

Then we went in to dinner.

Courtney is a good fellow; one of the best friends a man can have; well
born, rich, with powerful political connections in both Parties, and
having no profession nor necessary occupation to tie him down. His
tastes ran to diplomacy, and Secretaries of State--knowing this fact,
and being further advised of it at various times by certain prominent
Senators--had given him numerous secret missions to both Europe and
South America. Legations had been offered to him but these he had