As to subscribing to the schemes of a pack of meddling fools
who proposed to intern the dear lady--Keith would see them all damned
first. This is how Mr. van Koppen, a profound student of human nature,
would have argued, had he lacked the opportunity of discussing the
question with his good friend. As a matter of fact he had enjoyed that
opportunity only a few days ago. He had warned Keith of what was
coming, and had found him equally alert to the plans of the Committee
and more desirous than himself, if possible, of frustrating them. They
had chuckled vastly over a bottle of dry sparkling Nepenthe in
anticipation of the event.
"Trust me," said Keith. "I'll talk their heads off."
"I'm glad I shan't be there!" thought the American.
He knew his good friend. Keith could be decidedly fatiguing, especially
when dead sober. He had all the Scotchman's passion for dissecting the
obvious, discovering new facets in the commonplace, and squeezing the
last drop out of a foregone conclusion.
It was a thousand pities that the Duchess, in the exuberance of her
triumph, spread abroad the news of the millionaire's promise.
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