"The Peggs are Americans," said I, "from California. And their hearts are as big as their--er--oranges."
"From which I gather they are millionaires and vulgar," said Abby shrewdly--"but that you like them."
"I do indeed!" said I, though how she deduced so much from my remark I cannot imagine.
"And it is equally evident," Abby went on, "that I, your titled cousin, am to be induced by hook or crook to introduce them to an assortment of foreign titles. That's so, isn't it? And you are in an agony of embarrassed bewilderment about how to broach the subject?"
"My dear, I have to!" she cut in, laughing again, though not so pleasantly this time. "My wits are about all I have with which to make good my bridge losses! I suppose you know Constantine left me nothing but the villa?"
"What!" I exclaimed, really aghast. "I was not even aware of your husband's demise!"
"Polo accident," she said briefly. "Five years ago."
"Well," said Abby, "never mind that! So you see you need have no reticence about offering me money. I can earn it, I assure you."
Of course this was astonishing, but at the same time it really was an immense relief. For I knew dear Mr. Pegg never hesitated to pay a proper price for the genuine article, as he himself was wont to put it. And I had in truth been most anxious as to how I should approach my distinguished relative upon so delicate a matter as remuneration for the peculiar services which we required. And so, though in a sense I was shocked by her frankness, it made my path far easier, particularly since her own lack of delicacy in the matter warranted a larger degree of out-spokenness upon my part. And I had something important to say. Her opening gave me an opportunity not likely of renewal, and so I at once rushed into the breach.
"My dear, I grieve for your loss," said I; "and for the unfortunate condition of your widowhood. And it is a most happy circumstance that we can be of benefit to each other at this time. Mr. Pegg intends to offer you a thousand dollars each for introductions to titles. And a bonus, I think he called it, of ten thousand dollars for--er--I believe he termed it 'working capital.'"
"Splendid!" exclaimed Abby. "Now go ahead and tell me the buts."