He regarded her with some bewilderment, as well he might, and said, 'My dear Miss Raymond, what am I to understand by this paradox?' 'Understand that I must marry my cousin Allan, or forfeit papa's fortune--it goes to him if I refuse, or to charities.' Her distinctness and vehemence carried conviction with her words. Holcroft was confounded; but, being a practised dissembler, he only smiled, and said, 'A most remarkable arrangement, and a tyrannical one for you. But suppose the Master had died in his boyhood--or were to die now?' 'The will would be worthless in effect, of course, I suppose,' replied Olive, whose cheeks now burned scarlet, for--always a creature of hot impulse--she now thought, '_why_ should I have permitted my self to speak to _him_, one, almost a stranger, or to any man, of papa's will? What must he think of me! Oh, what will Aunt Aberfeldie say?' For half a minute Holcroft was silent. He was thinking, 'this must be all bosh!--a cock and a bull, or a madman's will; she doesn't know what she is talking about--no woman or girl ever knows business. Well--I've a pull on her anyway; a viscount's niece isn't in a fellow's power every day, as she will find herself in mine.' What he referred to we shall show ere long. While Olive was still crimson with reflections on her own imprudence, Holcroft took possession of her passive hands, and said, in a partly assumed voice of agitation, 'You told me, Miss Raymond--let me say Olive--a minute or two ago that you did not care for me. I shall not take that as your final answer; and ere I leave Dundargue, when I again venture to speak to you on the subject nearest my heart, your reply----' 'Will too probably be the same,' replied Olive, wrenching away her hands, as steps were heard near, and she hastily re-entered the house. The footsteps heard were those of Allan, who came leisurely up the flight, a broad and stately one, which led to the terrace. He had, while proceeding down the avenue, observed the pair together, and, as it seemed to him, in rather too close proximity. He also remarked Olive's abrupt departure, at _his_ approach as he supposed, and his soul become ireful within him; but he felt himself, as he gave a hand to Holcroft, compelled to dissemble. So did the latter who met him smilingly. 'Welcome home to Dundargue,' he exclaimed; 'you have come back as unexpectedly as you went; but whither?' 'Only as far as Edinburgh.' 'Ah.' The reply seemed rather to relieve Holcroft. Nothing was known about him there, he thought. 'A lady was on the terrace with you just now?' 'Yes--Miss Raymond.' 'So I thought--sorry she did not stay.' 'Why--particularly?' 'I have some news that may interest her.' 'About whom?' 'Herself.' 'Hope they are pleasant?' 'That will depend upon how she may view them,' said Allan, with a nod, as he entered the house.