"Will--will any money be wanted for what you're thinking of?" "No; not, at least, from you; of course, money will be wanted, but--it will come from some one else, if it comes at all; that's the idea; plenty of it too." Again that curious smile came on his face; that, this time, it positively frightened her, showed what a state her nerves were in. "Herbert, of what are you thinking?" "I'm thinking--of a real big thing." As she watched him some instinct warned her not to push her curiosity too far; yet there were certain things she must know. "How long--will it take you to make up your mind?" "That's something else I can't tell you; I never may make it up. You see, I'm only mentioning this so that you can understand why I'm not anxious to press old Dawson, just yet awhile. There's nothing to be lost by waiting; I'm in no hurry." "How about our marriage?" "What do you mean--how about our marriage?" She would have liked to have told him just what she did mean--that she had invented her aunt's legacy simply because she wanted to be married at once. But she could not do that; she had to get to the point some other way. "You said if you had enough money to buy a partnership in Mr. Dawson's business we might be married at once; that's why I told you about my aunt's legacy." "That's all right; the legacy'll keep; what's the harm?" "The harm is--it's not nice of you to make me say so, though--you ought to be--you ought to be flattered." "I am flattered." "You're not! I don't believe you care for me one bit, or--or you'd know I want to be married." "So you shall be." "When?" "Oh, when I've had time enough to find out where I'm standing; say in a month or two." "Herbert, you should never have had that two hundred pounds if you hadn't promised me that we should be married at once." "What do you call at once?" "Next week." "Next week! why, that's Easter!" "Well, why shouldn't we be married at Easter?" "Good gracious! Where do you propose to set up housekeeping? in my rooms?" "Not necessarily in your rooms; but in some rooms--nice rooms, for the present; they needn't be just about here. I've money enough to go on with--plenty of money; and you might think over what you've been talking about, and come to a decision, while--while we're on our honeymoon." Again he took the cigar out of his mouth, and again he regarded the ash; it was white, and long, and firm; it seemed it was a good cigar; and while he was still regarding the ash, he observed-- "Young woman, there's more in you than meets the eye. There's something in what you say; I admit there's a good deal in what you say. I'll give it my serious attention." "Your serious attention! Won't you understand? Any day I may have to leave this place." "That's true enough, unless you propose to remain on the premises while the catalogue s being drawn up, and the lots are being ticketed." "Herbert! What do you mean?"