'But, my dear Mr Holland, what do you want with an inheritance when you are going to marry a rich wife--the only child of her father, and he a widower. I'm told that old Broad's a millionaire.' 'I'm not marrying her for her father's money; nor for her own. Nor do I intend to go to her empty-handed.' 'How chivalrous you are! So changed!' 'Am I to have the ring?' 'Really, Mr Holland, you speak to me as if it were a case of stand and deliver. You can hardly know how your uncle behaved or I do not think you would broach the subject to me at all. In any case it is not one which I can discuss with you. Talk it over with Mr Dumville. Whatever he wishes I will do. I always act on his advice; he is so very wise. Good-night, Mr Holland. So glad to have seen you. Come soon again. Goodnight, Bryan, dear.' 'But you haven't had any supper.' 'Mr Holland has taken my appetite away; he has caused my mind to travel back to events which I am always endeavouring to forget. But it doesn't matter. Hear what he has to say, and decide for me. King will let you both out when your discussion's finished.' Mr Holland stood up. 'Miss Bewicke, I am very sorry if I have said anything which has given you pain or offence. Nothing could have been further from my intention.' 'Thank you.' 'But this matter which you treat so lightly--' 'Lightly!' 'Is to me almost one of life and death. I believe that my uncle has left something like a quarter of a million.' 'What a sum, Bryan! Doesn't it sound nice?' 'If I can hand this ring to Mr Collyer--' 'To whom?' 'To Mr Collyer, my uncle's solicitor, the money is mine. I have only four days left to do it in.' 'Four days! Just now you said three months.' 'The time appointed is three months after my uncle's death. He died on the 23rd of February. I have only just become acquainted with the terms of his will. So in four days it will be decided if I am to be a rich man or a pauper. You see, Miss Bewicke, that my fate is in your hands.' 'I really cannot discuss the matter with you now. It would make me ill. The strain would be too much for me. I refer you to Mr Dumville. Bryan, dear, I leave the matter entirely in your hands.' 'Miss Bewicke--' Mr Dumville rose. 'Mr Holland, you have heard what Miss Bewicke has said. So far as she is concerned the discussion is closed. My dear, let me open the door for you.' He opened the door for her. She passed out, with her handkerchief to her eyes. A fact on which Mr Dumville commented. 'You see what you have done, sir--affected her to tears.' 'To what?' 'To tears!' 'Oh!' 'Well, sir, what have you to say to me?' 'To you?' 'Yes, sir, to me. You have said more than enough to Miss Bewicke. Now, perhaps there is something which you would like to say to me, as her affianced husband.'