Portia said 'Papa, he has said you haven't a position in your gift that he'd take; and I feel just as hurt as -'.

'My darling, is that your papa?'

'Yes; he's my step-papa, and the dearest one that ever was. You understand now, don't you, why I was able to laugh when you told me at the ambassador's, not knowing we were related, what trouble and worry papa's and Uncle Abel's scheme was giving you?'

Of course, I spoke right up now, without any fooling, and went straight to the point.

'Oh, my dearest dear sir, I want to take back what I said. You have got a position open that I want. Son-in-law.'

'Well, well, well! But you know, if you haven't ever served in that capacity, you can't of course furnish recommendations of a sort to satisfy the conditions of the contract, and so - '