Naturally, there is an opposing side, there always must be. There are
buyers and sellers. If one succeeds, the other must fail, so you can
understand that one has enemies always."
"It sounds," she murmured, "almost romantic, like diplomacy or
politics."
He smiled.
"The secret history of the lives and operations of some of us, who have
made names in this country during the last few years," he said, "would
make the modern romance seem stale. Even odd scraps of news or surmises
are fought for by the Press. The journalists know well enough where to
come for their sensation. Our guests at last, I believe. Don't forget
what I have been saying to you, Virginia."
CHAPTER IV
A MEETING OF GIANTS
Phineas Duge, if his manners preserved still that sense of restraint
which seemed part of the man himself, still made an excellent host. He
sat at the head of his table, a distinguished, almost handsome
personality, his grey hair accurately parted, every detail of his
toilette in exact accordance with the fashions of the moment, his eyes
everywhere, his tongue seldom silent.
Virginia watched him more than once from her seat, in half-unwilling
admiration.
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