“But now it has grown from small beginnings, it leads on from one deception to another. I am almost afraid to open my mouth; I never dare to allude to hunting or yachting, or anything that sounds like money, or even to speak of my uncle or my home, for fear people may think that I am lying.” “You never wanted to make these _confidences_ when you were in Columbo or Calcutta,” sneered Clarence. “You have been exciting some one’s interest, eh? And pray, what is your stipulation?” “That I may tell the whole truth to one person.” “As a dead, dead secret. I don’t mind if you do--as long as it is not a woman.” “But it is a woman,” said Jervis, quickly. “Ah, I need not ask her name--Miss Gordon,” exclaimed Waring, with a peculiar grating emphasis. “Now, there’s a girl I don’t like--nasty, snubby way with her, and the most haughty smile I ever beheld.” “Her ways and her smiles are not likely to concern you much, I fancy; but she is the girl I wish to marry, if I can prevail upon her to accept me.” “_Prevail!_ And you doubt if you would prevail without telling her of the _coin_?” cried Clarence derisively. “She is the last person in the world to care for money; in fact, it is a disadvantage in her eyes, as I happen to know.” “The young woman must be indeed a _rara avis_!” observed Clarence, with an insolent laugh. “But,” pursued the other, “if I ask her to accept me, I should like her to know all about me.” “Pollitt’s pearl barley, and all! You don’t think that will go against the _grain_--see? Eh? Not bad!” “I wish you could be serious for five moments,” exclaimed Jervis, angrily, “and let me finish what I am saying. I am not the least ashamed of Pollitt’s pearl barley--nor would I begin by having a secret from her.” “Whatever you might come to later, eh? And Uncle Dan--have you thought of him? Is he to be let into the news about the young lady, or will you _begin_ by having a secret from him?” “Of course I shall tell him at once.” “Oh! very proper indeed! Well now, I suppose we have talked over everything, and at any rate I have talked myself into first-class thirst! You are to keep five hundred pounds to settle up with in case of accidents, and you are to continue to hold your tongue, and keep up your present _rôle_ with every one but a certain young lady--that’s about it?” “Yes, I suppose that’s about it,” acquiesced Mark, rising and taking his cap. As Captain Waring watched him hurrying towards his waiting pony, mounting and galloping away up the compound, he said to himself as he deliberately struck a fusee-- “Well, Clarence Waring, I think you got considerably the best of _that_ bargain! You have the brains; and if you had money and opportunity, you could do great things!” Nevertheless, he took up the revolver, and looked at it with a sober face ere he returned it to the table-drawer. CHAPTER XXIV. “SWEET PRIMROSE IS COMING!”