They had only lately arrived in Italy--from New York, I suppose--but already she was said to be engaged to a needy Italian nobleman named Hercule Ferruci." "Then I suppose the Clynes were rich," said Lucian, "for I know those Italian nobles too well to suspect that this Count Ferruci would pay attention to any one but an heiress." "She was supposed to be rich, Mr.Denzil.All Americans, for some reason, are supposed to be millionaires; but after she married my father I learned that Mr.Clyne had a very moderate fortune indeed, and his daughter nothing.

It was for that reason that Lydia threw over the count, to whom she was almost engaged, and began to pay attention to my father.

She heard talk of his estates in the gossip of the Pension, and believing him to be rich, she decided to marry him instead of throwing herself away in a romantic fit on Ferruci." "Did she love this Italian ?" "Yes, I am sure she did; and, what is more, she loves him still!" "What! Is Count Ferruci still acquainted with Mrs.Vrain ?" "He is, as you shall hear.

Miss Clyne, as I said, determined to make a rich marriage by becoming the second Mrs.Vrain.I never liked her, knowing that she was false and frivolous; but though I did my best to stop the marriage, my father would not be controlled.

You know that this woman is pretty and fascinating." "She is certainly the first, but not the last," interposed Lucian.
"At all events," resumed Diana disconsolately, "she was sufficiently fascinating to snare my poor foolish old father.