May.
"So you've met that handsome big boy before?" she began.
"Hilliard?" said Falconer. "Oh, yes, I've met him at Mrs. Gaylor's."
"Who's Mrs. Gaylor?" Theo had the curiosity to ask.
Falconer told her, and described Mrs. Gaylor as being a beautiful as well
as immensely rich young woman.
"It must be over a year since her husband died," he added. "'Old Grizzly
Gaylor' he was called; a brute, I'm afraid. His taking off must have been
a relief to her. She's left with a splendid property. I've heard it said
there may be a match between her and Hilliard. He used to be foreman of
her husband's ranch; but now he's a landowner on his own account; struck
oil, and made a pile of money selling a gusher--the biggest and
longest-lived we've had yet."
"Are they engaged?" inquired Theo.
"I don't know. It isn't announced, anyhow. But it wouldn't be a bad match,
even for a rich woman. Hilliard's a fine fellow, all the finer because
he's a self-made man. By the way, the Gaylor place is one of the show
ranches of California. I think we ought to take you to see it."
"Do!" cried Miss Dene. "I could write about it, couldn't I? I'd like to
see Mrs. Gaylor. Another California type for my book!"
And again she asked herself, "I wonder if _dear_ Angela knows about the
Prince?"
XIII
FOR THE SAKE OF DRAMATIC EFFECT
Somehow, Miss Dene got herself invited to spend the afternoon in seeing
with Mrs.
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