“But, barney,” protested Valancy after a few minutes, “your father — somehow — gave me to understand that you still loved her.”

“He would. Dad holds the championship for making blunders. If there’s a thing that’s better left unsaid you can trust him to say it. But he isn’t a bad old soul, Valancy. You’ll like him.”

“I do, now.”

“And his money isn’t tainted money. He made it honestly. His medicines are quite harmless. Even his Purple Pills do people whole heaps of good when they believe in them.”

“But — I’m not fit for your life,” sighed Valancy. “I’m not — clever — or well-educated —