"Then ask uncle when he wakes," cried the girl, flushing up angrily, as she snatched her hand away. "No, thanks; don't want a bottle or jug thrown at my head. But I don't believe you, you artful little jade. It's all your cunning way to lead me on. He has left you all his money, darling, and you've played your cards splendidly; but it would not make any difference to me if you hadn't a penny. You are going to be my little wife." "Never!" cried Gertrude, with a hurried glance at the sunken features on the pillow. They both spoke in a low, quick, subdued whisper, and as if under the influence of the same dread lest the old man should awake. "Don't talk stuff, my darling. Think of your position." "I tell you I am penniless," cried Gertrude excitedly, as she felt that Saul's advances were mainly due to his belief in her future wealth. "All the more need for you to listen to me, darling," whispered Saul, as he threw his arm round the girl's waist, and held her in spite of her struggles. "When the old man dies, if you are as you say, what's to become of you?" "I shall not tell you," cried Gertrude, striving to escape. "Then I'll tell you. There's that nice little idea in your head that my beloved cousin--that Yankee vagabond--is coming back to marry you, so that all is to be happy ever after. But suppose he does not come?" "He will come; your uncle has sent for him." "Ah, he may have sent, but the fellow may not come. He may be drowned if he did; and even if he does come, that's no reason why he should marry you." Gertrude, finding her efforts vain, ceased struggling, but stood there, panting heavily, and waiting her opportunity to free herself from the intruder's grasp. "Better come to an understanding, Gertie, and let's begin to be friends at once. George Harrington must be a Wild West ruffian, not fit to make you a husband, so don't think any more of that. I know, as well as can be, that he will never come back here; and if anything happens to him, as something is sure to happen, seeing what sort of a character he is. I shall be master here." "You?" cried Gertrude, with dilating eyes, as she again tried to get free. "Yes, I; master of the houses, and lands, tenements, messuages, and all the rest of it; above all, my little struggling pet, master of you." "Ha!" They both turned sharply, and Saul Harrington started back, for that hoarsely-sounding ejaculation came from the bed, and there, with the lamp shining full upon his cavernous eyes, sat the old man, glaring wildly at his nephew, and pointing towards the fireplace with outstretched hand. "Uncle, dearest," cried Gertrude, running to his side, and clinging to him; but he did not heed her, only remained pointing towards the fireplace. "Why is he here?" panted the old man. "Only a little visit, uncle. Don't be cross."