His heart beat more rapidly than usual as they turned back towards the house, but he was perfectly composed when, some little time later, he sat down beside Chisholm, who was lounging away the morning on the lawn. "I've been across to the village for a telegram I expected," he announced. "The news is encouraging." He read it to Chisholm, who had determined on the line he meant to follow. "You're a fortunate man," he said. "There's probably no reasonable wish that you can't gratify." "There are things one can't buy with dollars," Vane replied. "That is very true. They're often the most valuable. On the other hand, some of them may now and then be had for the asking. Besides, when one has a sanguine temperament, it's difficult to believe that anything one sets one's heart upon is quite unattainable." Vane wondered if he had been given a hint. Chisholm's manner was suggestive and Carroll's remarks had had an effect on him. He sat silent, and Chisholm spoke again: "If I were in your place, I should feel I had all I could desire within my reach." Vane was becoming sure that his comrade had been right. Chisholm would not have harped upon the same idea unless he had intended to convey some particular meaning, but the man's methods roused Vane's dislike. He could face opposition, and he would sooner have been discouraged than judiciously prompted. "Then if I offered myself as a suitor for Evelyn, you would not think me presumptuous?" he said. Chisholm was somewhat surprised at his abruptness, but he smiled reassuringly. "No," he said; "I can't see why I should do so. You are in a position to maintain a wife in comfort, and I don't think anybody could take exception to your character." He paused a moment. "I suppose you have some idea of how Evelyn regards you?" "I haven't the faintest notion," Vane confessed. "That's the trouble." "Would you like me to mention the matter?" "No," said Vane decidedly. "In fact, I must ask you not to do anything of the kind. I only wished to make sure of your good will, and now I'm satisfied on that point, I'd sooner wait, and speak--when it seems judicious." Chisholm nodded. "Yes," he said indulgently, "I dare say that would be wisest." Vane, who thanked him, waited. He fancied that the transaction, which seemed the best name for it, was not complete yet; but he meant to leave what should follow to his companion. He would not help the man. "There's a matter which had better be mentioned now, distasteful as it is," Chisholm said at length. "I can settle nothing upon Evelyn. As you must have guessed, my affairs are in a far from promising state. Indeed, I'm afraid I may have to ask your indulgence when the loan falls due, and I don't mind confessing that the prospect of Evelyn's making what I think is a suitable marriage is a relief to me."