But, as it turned out, Dorcas hadn’t “done it” at all. Bates on reaching his aunt’s apartment found no one at home. But very soon Sir Herbert Binney appeared. “Look here, Richard,” he began, “I’ve taken a fancy to that little girl of yours——” “She isn’t mine.” “You’d like her to be?” “Very much; in conditions that would please us both.” “Meaning Bunless conditions. I can’t offer you those, but I do say now, and, for the last time, if you will take hold of my Bun proposition, I’ll give you any salary you want, any interest in the business you ask, and make you my sole heir. I’ve already done the last, but unless you fall in with my plans now, I’m going to make another will and your name will be among the missing.” “But, Uncle Herbert——” “I’ve no time for discussion, my boy; I’ve to dress for dinner,—I’m going out,—but this thing must be settled now, as far as you’re concerned. You’ve had time enough to think it over, you’ve had time to discuss it with that pretty little girl of yours,—my, but her eyes flashed as she called me Uncle Bunny! It was a slip,—I saw that, and I pretended to be annoyed, but I liked her all the better for her sauciness. Well, Richard,—yes or no?” “Can’t you give me another twenty-four hours?” “Not twenty-four minutes! You’ve hemmed and hawed over this thing as long as I’ll stand it! No. You know all the details, all the advantages that I offer you. You know I mean what I say and I’ll stand by every word. I’m going to meet the head of a big American concern to-night, and if you turn me down, I shall probably make a deal with him. I’d rather keep my business and my fortune in the family, but if you say no, out you go! So, as a countryman of yours expressed it to-day, you can put up or shut up!” “All right, sir,—I’ll shut up!” and Richard Bates turned on his heel, while Sir Herbert Binney went out of the apartment and slammed the door behind him. Almost immediately Miss Gurney came in. “My stars, Ricky!” she exclaimed, “I met Sir Binney Bun in the hall and he looked as if somebody had broken his heart! Has his pet chorus girl given him the mitten?” “No; I gave it to him. He wants me to sell his precious pies over a counter,—and I can’t see myself doing it.” “I should say not! It’s a mystery to me how the aristocracy of England go into trade, and if it’s a big enough deal, they think it’s all right. If it’s tea or bread or soap, it doesn’t matter, so they sell enough of it. Well, young man, what about your escapade in the Park? Shall I tell your aunt?” “You said you intended to,—do as you like.” “I won’t tell her, if——” “Oh, you’d better tell me—what is it?” The cool, incisive tones of Miss Prall interrupted the speakers and Richard’s aunt calmly gazed at him and then at Miss Gurney, as she came into the room, seated herself, and began drawing off her gloves.