"Well! I don't mind if I do!" Hamar replied. "Let us sit down. It's more comfortable than standing." And he dropped into a seat as he spoke. "Now I've been noticing," he went on, "that your Show in the Kingsway is not getting on very well--that there are fewer and fewer people there every night, and I've no doubt it will soon have to dry up altogether. We, on the other hand, are doing better and better every night, and we shall go on doing better--there is no limit to our possibilities. We are worth half a million now--next year, we shall be worth ten times that amount!" "You are optimistical, at all events," Gladys said. "I can afford to be," Hamar grinned. "Now, do you know what we intend doing before very long?" "I haven't the least idea, and I am not in the slightest degree curious." "Aren't you? Well, you should be, since it concerns you. We mean to buy up the whole of Kingsway!" "And later on, of course, the whole of Regent Street!" "You are satirical. You are not alarmed at the prospect of having me for a landlord!" "I don't understand you! The Hall in Kingsway is my father's own property." "If that is so then you have nothing to fear," Hamar laughed, "but I think it just possible you are mistaken. At any rate, I've been in communication with some one styling himself the landlord." "My father would have an agreement, anyhow!" Gladys said. "Of course," Hamar replied, "and I've a pretty shrewd idea of the terms of it. But enough of this--let me come to the point. I intend buying the property, and I shall refuse to renew your father's lease, unless he agrees to give me what I want!" "Of course a preposterous price?" "No, you--only you!" "Me!" "Yes! I've never seen a girl I like more. I've limitless wealth and I'll give you everything you want--a steam yacht, motors, diamonds, anything, everything, and all I ask in return is that you should consent to be engaged to me on trial--say for fifteen months--just to see how we get on! What pretty hands you have." And before Gladys could draw them away, he had caught hold of them in an iron grasp, and, turning them over, cast admiring glances at the slim, white fingers with the long, almond-shaped and carefully manicured nails. "I reckon," he said, "I shall never find any one prettier all through. What do you say?" "Your proposition is impossible--monstrous! I detest you," Gladys retorted, her cheeks white with anger. "Leave go my hands at once, and never let me see you again!" "I can't promise not to see you again," Hamar said, "but I'll let go your hands now, for I'm no more a lover of scenes than you. I anticipated a little fuss at first--it's the way all you women have--you are so modest, you don't like to appear too eager to snap up a good offer. You'll close with it right enough in the end. I'll call again in a few days. By that time you may have changed your mind." And, before she could prevent him, he had again seized her hand and was kissing it over and over again.