Booth Tarkington and Harry Leon Wilson

“ And so they were married; and Nancy, fresh, unspoiled, full of roseate visions of the future, returned with her husband to take up her residence in France, and to rehabilitate the fallen fortunes of the great family. This latter was done even to the satisfaction of the critical and exacting prince, for the dowry presented to Ira J. Baxter's only child had been almost royal in its magnificence. The château was restored to its former glory, and the impoverished acres made to blossom luxuriantly. ”

“ Then the estate, château and all, had been mortgaged to the last cent, and there was barely enough to provide a meager living for the elderly Prince De Savergne, his sister, the Duchesse De St. Maur, and her son, Comte Victor De Savergne, who were the only surviving members of the family. Then, as at the wave of a fairy's wand, the transformation took place. Comte Victor went to America, on the usual errand of penniless European aristocrats, and Dame Fortune was propitious. He met there a Miss Nancy Baxter, the youthful and charming daughter of Ira J. Baxter, a multimillionaire. ”

“ The prince, who had gone to America for his nephew's wedding, knew them at once. They were the parents of the young countess, Mr. and Mrs. Ira J. Baxter. More annoyance! For the prince was not quite sure what their attitude would be toward their daughter's senseless and fancied grievance. Moreover, they had not been expected until to-morrow. Another American idiosyncrasy to arrive ahead of time! Well, he must make the best of it; and, with a shrug of his shoulders, he turned and entered the château. There need be no hurry in welcoming these intruders. ”