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 "Well, that will do for a start. You don't dislike me; that's something. Give me a week and let me see if I can't make as good a showing as Smith. Will you?"

"You're absolutely absurd!" she laughed. "I haven't said that I intended marrying Mr. Smith."

"You shan't if I can prevent it," he answered grimly. "Will you give me my chance?"

"A whole week?" she asked mockingly. "I don't think you do yourself justice. I'm sure you don't really believe you need all that time."

He flushed.

"That means that you think me conceited. Well, perhaps I am. At least, I think I'm as good a man as Kingdon Smith." He turned with a new expression on his face. The frowns were gone and he smiled confidently. "He can't love you more than I do; no man could; certainly no man by the name of Smith. He may have more money than I have at present, but in ten years