"Remember."

"Yes, I'll remember," was the reply, as her hand was caught and held for a few moments before she could withdraw it.

Saul Harrington's teeth gritted together as he drew in his breath hard.

"The jade!" he said to himself. "Womanlike. It means diamonds and carriages, does it, my cunning little schemer? Well, we shall see."

He watched her furtively as she went off slowly; but he could not see the tears welling up to her eyes and br.i.m.m.i.n.g over, as with bended head she returned to the house, and in place of going upstairs directly, went into the dining-room, to stand for a few minutes with hands clasped gazing up at the searching eyes of the picture; and her lips moved as she whispered softly:

"It is so--so hard, dear; but for your sake I will, and bring him back to what you wish him to be."

"Bless her little heart!" said the master of The Mynns, with a sneering laugh, which made Saul start. "Nice little la.s.sie, isn't she? Do you know, old fellow, I believe you wish you were in my shoes."

"Bah!"

"There, you look it again. But it's no good, Saul, my son. It was the old man's wish, and that's sacred to her, and, besides, she has taken to me wonderfully. I'm sorry for you, but it's fate, my boy, fate."

"Your fate?"

"Yes. But never mind, old boy. I'll stand by you, and it's something to make up for your disappointment."

"Disappointment, man! What disappointment?"

"Yours," said the other mockingly. "That settles it. You're a clever fellow, Saul Harrington, but a wretched failure at hiding your feelings."

"Or else you are a little too clever at divining," retorted Saul.

"Perhaps so, old fellow. But never mind that. I've made up my mind about that investment."

"And you decline."

"No; I shall sell out or raise, or do something; and you may tell your friends to do what is necessary."

"You mean it, George?"

"Of course, I mean it. You have not known me long, but you ought to have seen by now that I never play over money matters. By the way, shall you bring some one here to settle the business?"

"No, I shall take you to the city."

"When?"

"Oh, not for a week or so. There will be papers to prepare--a sort of transfer."

"Well, hadn't I better do it all through old Hampton?"

"If you do, the business will never come off."

"Because it is too risky."

"Hampton will say it is."

"Ah, well, we shall see about that."

They stayed talking for long enough in the garden, and then went into the house to play billiards till dinner time, when Saul proposed leaving, but was overruled, and he stayed to keep up the princ.i.p.al part of the conversation, and in spite of all that his friend had said, he masked his own feelings so admirably as to throw whoever suspected him off guard.

"I'm going to persuade George to come up soon," he said; "and I'm going to beg for a little music, Gertie."

He said this as he held the door open for the ladies to pa.s.s out. But he did not keep his word, for the gentlemen sat long over their coffee, and then adjourned to the study.

"Don't fidget, my dear," said Mrs Hampton, over their tea. "Mr Hampton is going to stay down to the last, and he'll speak out if George attempts to take too much."

Gertrude felt pleased, and yet hurt for her betrothed's sake, but she said nothing, only felt that all was going on as she could wish, while down in the study the two young men exchanged glances which seemed in each case to say:

"Old Hampton's down here on guard over the whiskey-bottle."

"I may smoke," said the young host, aloud.

"Of course, my dear sir," said the old lawyer placidly, "of course; but you must not indulge in what Mr Saul Harrington here is taking with impunity."

"Never mind. I shall be quite right soon, and then I can set you all at defiance. Oh, by the way, Mr Hampton, my funds at the bank are low. I want you to place two thousand pounds more to my credit."

The old lawyer knit his brows a little, but received his orders calmly enough.

"Am I to dispose of those A Shares, Mr Harrington?"

"Yes, that will do; they bring in no interest worth having."

"It shall be done, sir. But it will be nearly a fortnight before the transfer can be made."

"That will do. There is no hurry. Shall we join the ladies now?"

"By all means."

About an hour later Saul Harrington took his leave, looking friendliness personified, as he promised to be down again soon.

"And disabuse your mind of those fancies, George," he said, as they walked down to the gate.

"What fancies?"

"About Gertie. Had it been as you say, I had a couple of years for my siege. To show you that you are wrong, I want you to make me a promise."

"What is it?"

"Let me be best man at your wedding."

"I was going to ask you."

"Then that's settled. Good-night. I'll put matters in train for the investment."