"Listen! I told you I burned the other will. I started to burn it. But I was afraid to, because I didn't know what they could do to me if I did. So I put it away in my little handkerchief-box--and if you'd had a _grain_ of sense you'd have noticed the orris on it. And you made me promise not to take any steps in the matter till you got well. I knew you would. So I had already sent that second will--sent it before I promised you--to Hunston Wyke--he's my lawyer now, you know--and I've heard from him, and he has probated it." Billy was making various irrelevant sounds. "And I brought that other will to you, and if you didn't choose to examine it more carefully I'm sure it wasn't my fault. I kept my word like a perfect gentleman and took no step _whatever_ in the matter. I didn't say a word when before my eyes you stripped me of my entire worldly possessions--you know I didn't. You burned it up yourself, Billy Woods--of your own free will and accord--and now Selwoode and all that detestable money belongs to _you_, and I'm sure I'd like to know what you are going to do about it. So _there_!" Margaret faced him defiantly. Billy was in a state of considerable perturbation. "Why have you done this?" he asked, slowly. But a lucent something--half fear, half gladness--was wakening in Billy's eyes. And her eyes answered him. But her tongue was far less veracious. "Because you thought I was a _pig_! Because you couldn't make allowances for a girl who for four years has seen nothing but money and money-worshippers and the power of money! Because I wanted your--your respect, Billy. And you thought I couldn't give it up! Very well!" Miss Hugonin waved her hand airily toward the hearth. "Now I hope you know better. _Don't you dare get up, Billy Woods!_" But I think nothing short of brute force could have kept Mr. Woods from her. "Peggy," he babbled--"ah, forgive me if I'm a presumptuous ass--but was it because you knew I couldn't ask you to marry me so long as you had the money?" She dallied with her bliss. Margaret was on the other side of the table. "Why--why, of course it wasn't!" she panted. "What nonsense!" "Look at me, Peggy!" "I don't want to! You look like a fright with your head all tied up." "Peggy ... this exercise is bad for an invalid." "I--oh, please sit down! _Please_, Billy! It is bad for you." "Not until you tell me----" "But I _don't!_... Oh, you make me _awfully_ tired." "Peggy, don't you dare stamp your foot at me!... Peggy!"