“I broke an engagement with her at the club,” the other man assured him.  “We will probably meet at the Bellamys’, at dinner this evening.”

“Ah, it was about that I wished to speak.”  Richard paused, and Blondin watched him with polite interest.  “You have held your knowledge of Mrs. Carter as a sort of weapon for some months,” Richard said. presently, “to use it when you saw fit.  I have always been in my wife’s confidence—­”

He paused, but for no reason that Blondin could divine.  As a matter of fact, it gave Richard a sudden and unexpected pleasure to speak of her so, to realize that he really might give the most wonderful title in the world to this beautiful and spirited woman.

“And I have also talked with Nina this morning,” he went on.  “I regret to say that her intentions have not altered.”

“A loyal little heart!” Blondin said, gravely and contentedly.  “I knew I could depend upon her!”

Richard looked at him steadily for a moment, and felt carefully for his next words.

“You know how I feel about her marrying you—­” he began.

Royal nodded, regretfully, broke the ash from his cigarette with a delicately poised little finger, and regarded Richard questioningly.  “That is my misfortune,” he said, resignedly; pleasantly aware that Nina’s father would never be his match in phrases and self-control.

“I needn’t go over all that,” Richard said.  “I love my daughter; I believe she will make a fine woman.  But she isn’t anything but a child now!”

“Perhaps you fail to do her justice in that respect,” Royal Blondin said.  Richard flushed with anger, but felt helpless under the other man’s quiet insolence.

“I said I wanted to see you on business, Mr. Blondin,” Richard continued, trying to keep impatience and contempt out of his voice, “and we’ll keep to business.  I don’t know what your circumstances are, of course—­”

He hesitated, and Blondin looked at him with a faint interest.

“I live simply,” he said.  “Nina’s money will be all her own.”

“Nina will have no money, not one five-cent piece, for exactly three years!” Richard said.

Blondin shrugged.

“She is quite willing to try it!” he reminded her father.

“I know she is!  But how about you?” Richard asked.  “You are not a boy, you have some idea of what marriage means.  For three years you must take care of her, dress her, amuse her, satisfy her that she has not made a mistake.  Then she does come into her money—­ yes.  But three years is a long time in which to keep her certain that the wisest thing she can do is turn it over to you.”

He paused; Blondin smoked imperturbably.

“The marriage must be a notorious one, in any case,” Richard pursued.  “For I intend to make my stand too clear ever to permit of a retraction.  I shall forbid it—­let the world know that I forbid it.  I shall forbid my daughter the house, and her wedding gift will be simply the clothes she happens to have.  From Tuesday--her eighteenth birthday—­she will turn to you for her actual pocket money, for her theatre tickets and cab fares.”