"It was not to tell so that _I_ wanted to see you," I replied; "for it seemed to me that such a communication would rest wholly with herself. If however she did speak to you of our conversation she probably told you that I was discouraging." "Discouraging?" "On the subject of a present application of the Coxon Fund." "To the case of Mr. Saltram? My dear fellow, I don't know what you call discouraging!" Gravener exclaimed. "Well, I thought I was, and I thought she thought I was." "I believe she did, but such a thing is measured by the effect. She's not discouraged." "That's her own affair. The reason I asked you to see me was that it appeared to me I ought to tell you frankly that decidedly I can't undertake to produce that effect. In fact I don't want to!" "It's very good of you, damn you!" my visitor laughed, red and really grave. Then he said: "You would like to see that fellow publicly glorified--perched on the pedestal of a great complimentary fortune?" "Taking one form of public recognition with another, it seems to me on the whole I could bear it. When I see the compliments that are paid right and left, I ask myself why this one shouldn't take its course. This therefore is what you're entitled to have looked to me to mention to you. I have some evidence that perhaps would be really dissuasive, but I propose to invite Miss Anvoy to remain in ignorance of it." "And to invite me to do the same?" "Oh, you don't require it--you've evidence enough. I speak of a sealed letter which I've been requested to deliver to her." "And you don't mean to?" "There's only one consideration that would make me." Gravener's clear, handsome eyes plunged into mine a minute; but evidently without fishing up a clue to this motive--a failure by which I was almost wounded. "What does the letter contain?" "It's sealed, as I tell you, and I don't know what it contains." "Why is it sent through you?" "Rather than you?" I hesitated a moment. "The only explanation I can think of is that the person sending it may have imagined your relations with Miss Anvoy to be at an end--may have been told they were by Mrs. Saltram." "My relations with Miss Anvoy are not at an end," poor Gravener stammered. Again, for an instant, I deliberated. "The offer I propose to make you gives me the right to put you a question remarkably direct. Are you still engaged to Miss Anvoy?" "No, I'm not," he slowly brought out. "But we're perfectly good friends." "Such good friends that you will again become prospective husband and wife if the obstacle in your path be removed?" "Removed?" Gravener vaguely repeated. "If I give Miss Anvoy the letter I speak of she may drop her project." "Then for God's sake give it!" "I'll do so if you're ready to assure me that her dropping it would now presumably bring about your marriage." "I'd marry her the next day!" my visitor cried.