"Yes, yes, thank you, I am well," she said. "And if you believe me," continued Mr. Hankins, addressing a select assemblage of his mates, "she walked straight out of that office and across the court like a man blind, it is true, but still straight with a sort of run, and shut the door after her, and locked it; and that a woman, who looked like a corpse, and was as near being one as she'll ever be, till she's laid in her coffin. I wish I had pitched it heavier into Forde. I would if I had 'ave known she was going to turn up in that way." Meantime, Mr. Forde was back in the drawing-room pishing and pshawing at the furniture and effects, and Mr. Kleinwort was walking about the lawn feeling, spite of his anxiety, almost a childish pleasure in treading the velvet turf, in looking at the flowers which were still blooming luxuriantly. To him came Mrs. Mortomley. "Ah! dear madame," he said, "this thing must not be; such a place, such a plant, such a business. You think and see what can be done to prevent so great misfortune. You have but to tell Bertram Kleinwort what to do, and he will strive his best to fulfil." It might have had its effect once, but Dolly, like her husband, was now too ill to temporize. "This must end," she said, "for good or for evil; I say we can strive no more. We are tired--so tired of pouring water into a sieve." "You will not like bankruptcy," he answered. "We must take our chance," she said, and then they re-entered the house. "Had not we better see those men," asked Mr. Forde of his friend. "Well, yes," agreed Mr. Kleinwort. "Shall I tell them to come to you," asked Mrs. Mortomley, but Mr. Forde put her aside. "I will go and find them myself," he answered, evidently under the impression they were apocryphal creatures conjured up for the occasion. Mrs. Mortomley sat down again. For five minutes--five blessed minutes she imagined Messrs. Forde and Kleinwort were going to pay out the men, and rid Homewood of their presence. Then romance gave way to reality, and she heard Mr. Kleinwort ask, "Well, what is your say now?" "Stop," answered Mr. Forde, drawing on his gloves. "You say that?" "Yes, but," turning to Mrs. Mortomley, "your lawyer must not take the order out; ours shall. There is no objection, I suppose?" "I suppose not," she answered. "If you leave the matter with us, we will not oppose," he observed. "That will be a great relief to my husband," she said. "He did not think any one else would." "Well, well, we shall not, I am sure," was the unlooked-for reply. "You shall hear from me to-morrow." "Thank you," was Dolly's humble answer. "Good day. I hope we shall all have better times hereafter," and he held out his hand.