And he embraced her very fondly after he had said this, wondering in his heart what she would think of him when she knew the truth, as she likely would that very day. Then he went to meet his fate. His fate proved to be better and worse than he had expected. The solicitor had scarcely arrived at 176, New Square, Lincoln's Inn, when Bennet made his appearance. "Well, Harry," said Eversleigh, timidly, on seeing him. "I have thought this business over," Bennet declared, "and I have come to a determination. I shall not prosecute you. I shall take no action in the matter, but there's a condition." Francis Eversleigh could hardly believe his ears when he heard Bennet's words, "I shall not prosecute you." Involuntarily he gave a great sigh of relief. But then there was a condition, Bennet had said. What was it? He was thunderstruck when he heard what it was. "I am willing not to prosecute you," continued Bennet, coolly, "on one condition, and on one condition alone. You have acknowledged your guilt, but there is one way in which you may make good your--debt, let us call it--to me." "Yes?" asked Eversleigh, as Harry stopped for an instant. "It is the case," said Harry, speaking sharply, "is it not, that your son Gilbert is engaged to Miss Thornton?" "Certainly," replied Eversleigh, in a puzzled tone. "You have a great deal of influence with your son?" "Naturally." "You and he are on the best of terms--many fathers and sons are not--but you and Gilbert are very good friends." "Undoubtedly." "If I prosecute you, you will be convicted and sentenced?" Eversleigh did not answer. "Your conviction," Bennet went on remorselessly, "will infallibly cover Gilbert with disgrace, to say nothing of the other members of your family; his career at the Bar will be blighted. Is that not the case?" Dry-lipped Eversleigh heard, but he could not trust himself to answer. "Gilbert will be ruined--you know that is so. Now, do you think, with this hanging over him, he is a proper person to marry Miss Thornton? Of course, he is not." Eversleigh groaned. "Harry, spare me!" he cried. But Bennet had no idea of sparing him. "Your son Gilbert must not marry Miss Thornton; you must prevent him from doing so. Do you understand?" "But this is monstrous, Harry," protested Eversleigh; "my influence over Gilbert is not great enough for this." "If that is so, then so much the worse for you. But not only must you use your influence with Gilbert, you must also bring it to bear on Miss Thornton. You must tell her that she must not marry Gilbert. Now, do you understand?" "I understand," returned Eversleigh, speaking for the first time during the conversation with some firmness; "but what you wish is impossible. Gilbert and Miss Thornton love each other. Gilbert is a man, he is not a child, and Miss Thornton is a woman and not a child either. Is it likely that anything I said to them would make them break off their engagement?"