'Well, it won't do. Of course, I can't forbid the girl to marry you. She is of age. I can't forbid you--but I can make it impossible--impossible for you, Master Austin--impossible.' He rapped the table. The words were stern, but the voice was kindly, and he smiled again as he spoke. 'You thought you would do without me, did you? Well--you shall see--you shall see.' George received this threat without words, but with a red face, and with rising indignation. Still, when one is a servant, one must endure the reproofs of the master. He said nothing therefore, but waited. 'I have considered for some time,' Mr. Dering continued, 'how to meet this case in a satisfactory manner. At last, I made up my mind. And if you will read this document, young gentleman, you will find that I have made your foolish proposal to marry on love and nothing else quite impossible--quite impossible, sir.' He slapped the table with the paper, and tossed it over to George. George took the paper, and began to read it. Suddenly he jumped out of his chair. He sprang to his feet. '_What?_' he cried. 'Go on--go on,' said Mr. Dering benevolently. 'Partnership? Partnership?' George gasped. 'What does it mean?' 'It is, as you say, a Deed of Partnership between myself and yourself. The conditions of the Partnership are duly set forth--I hope you will see your way to accepting them.--A Deed of Partnership. I do not know within a few hundreds what your share may be, but I believe you may reckon on at least two thousand for the first year, and more--much more--before long.' 'More than a thousand?' 'You have not read the deed through. Call yourself a lawyer? Sit down, and read it word for word.' George obeyed, reading it as if it was a paper submitted to him for consideration, a paper belonging to some one else. 'Well? You have read it?' 'Yes; I have read it through.' 'Observe that the Partnership may be dissolved by Death, Bankruptcy, or Mutual Consent. I receive two-thirds of the proceeds for life. That--alas!--will not be for long.--Well, young man, do you accept this offer?' 'Accept? Oh! Accept? What can I do? What can I say--but accept?' He walked to the window, and looked out; I suppose he was admiring the trees in the square, which were certainly very beautiful in early July. Then he returned, his eyes humid. 'Aha!' Mr. Dering chuckled. 'I told you that I would make it impossible for you to marry on two hundred pounds a year. I waited till Elsie's birthday. Well? You will now be able to revise that little estimate of living on two hundred a year. Eh?' 'Mr. Dering,' said George, with breaking voice, 'I cannot believe it; I cannot understand it. I have not deserved it.' 'Shake hands, my Partner.' The two men shook hands.