‘Ah!’ he said, ‘I knew there was a liking on both sides. That makes it smooth. Propose to her to-morrow morning, instead of to-night. You will have her to yourself, for I shall be in town.’ They shook hands, but Wellfield’s eyes did not meet those of Mr. Bolton as he went through the ceremony. He went away. Then it was upon that proud head of Sara Ford that the stroke was to fall, and he was the miserable wretch whose hand was to deal it. [Illustration] CHAPTER III. CONSEQUENCES. Wellfield, at last left alone to ponder upon his position, felt himself in thoroughly evil case. Once or twice a wonder crossed his mind as to whether there were yet time to turn back, retrace his steps along this dire and darksome path; fight his way back to the light, and to Sara Ford; confess everything, and put himself and his fate in her hands. He had a longing to do it, but when he reflected what that course involved, he had not the courage. It was to lose every assured present advantage for a problematical one; for he could not–at least he said so to himself–be sure that Sara would forgive; and if she did not—— He followed Mr. Bolton’s advice, and it struck him once or twice that it was an unusual thing for a man in Mr. Bolton’s position to have deliberately invited a ruined man like himself, without friends and without references, to marry his only daughter, and enter his family. Perhaps, had he heard Mr. Bolton’s confidential conversation of the night before with John Leyburn, he might have felt the distinction less flattering. John and Mr. Bolton had agreed that a great change had come over Nita, and both of them, though they did not openly speak it out, and confess it, owned tacitly that they considered that change had been brought about by her feelings for Jerome Wellfield. And Mr. Bolton had said: ‘He’ll never be any great shakes as a man of business, but it seems to me that it is safe enough to put the management of his own–what used to be his own–place into his hands. He will have every inducement to care for it. And if it will make Nita happy, why should I refuse her that happiness simply because the man has no money? He is steady and honest, that seems certain. I’ve taken the trouble and the precaution to find out all about his college career, and his habits there. It’s all quite satisfactory–less backbone than I could have wished in my girl’s husband, but no vice; music and painting and æsthetics–Nita likes that sort of thing. Do you think I am a great fool?’ ‘I think you are behaving in a very natural and very sensible manner,’ said John. ‘He seems to me to be all you say; and if he only makes Nita happy, what more is needed?’ ‘Exactly what I think,’ said Mr. Bolton. ‘Now, leave your books and come and have supper with us. We haven’t seen as much of you as we ought to have done.’