"Don't mention it, my dear young people, don't mention it. It comes out of Andrew's share, so it's all right." "But I couldn't dream of robbing Andrew!" cried Jean warmly. "He spends his days in robbing our clients," chuckled the senior partner, "so you needn't worry about him. Besides, he doesn't know how to spend money even when he has got it." He lowered his voice confidentially. "Andrew hasn't a spark of the sportsman in him; he's all very well as a partner--one wants 'em tough; but as a son--good Lord!" And then the good gentleman tactfully retired to the billiard-room, leaving behind him the two happiest people in London. CHAPTER XII Naturally, Lucas stayed to dinner, and naturally also he and Jean were left in uninterrupted occupation of the private sitting-room, while her father and Frank smoked and talked together in a quiet corner of the hall. Mr. Walkingshaw was radiant with the reflection of the happiness he had brought about. He could do nothing but make little plans for introducing Lucas to his picture-buying acquaintances, select eligible districts of London for their residence, and jot down various articles of furniture or ornament that he could spare them from his own mansion. Frank seemed equally delighted, though his good spirits were occasionally interrupted by fits of reverie. "Somehow or other," said Mr. Walkingshaw, "I feel more and more like a friend of Jean and you, and less and less like your father. Odd thing, isn't it, Frank?" "A jolly fine thing," said Frank warmly. "By Jove, sir, I can't tell you how much I prefer it!" "Do you really? Well, then, I won't worry about the feeling any more." Mr. Walkingshaw had not given the impression that he was worrying about that or any other feeling, but one was bound to take his word for it. "I enjoy the sensation far more myself," he went on. "It produces a kind of mutual confidence and that sort of thing. I hardly feel inclined to explain the cause of this improvement yet, Frank; but you may take my word that there is nothing in the least discreditable about it. In fact, when one comes to think of it, there's nothing so very extraordinary either. It's a perfectly sound scientific idea, perfectly sound; so you can make your mind at ease too, Frank." As a matter of fact, Frank's mind had already wandered far afield from these interesting but slightly obscure speculations. "Oh, that's all right, I assure you," he answered vaguely. "It's a grand thing to know that Jean's love affair has turned out so happily," his father continued. "I can't tell you what a satisfaction it is to me." "Yes, isn't it?" Frank murmured from the clouds. "I only wish I could feel as sure of Andrew falling on his feet." Frank's wits were wide awake now. "Andrew!" he exclaimed. "Good heavens, do you mean to say you don't think he has fallen on his feet?" His father shook his head dubiously.