"If you like." "You say you don't know what Dino Vasari suggested. That subtle young man made a very bold proposition. He said he would give up his claim to the property if I would relinquish my claim to Miss Murray's hand. The property and the hand thus set at liberty were both to be bestowed upon you, Mr. Brian Luttrell. Dino Vasari was then to retire to his monastery, and I to mine--that is, to my bachelor's diggings and my club--after annihilating time and space 'to make two lovers happy.'" "Don't jest on that subject," said Brian in a low, pained tone. "What a wild idea! Poor Dino!" "Poor me, I think, since I was to be in every sense the loser. I am sorry to say I didn't treat your friend with civility, Luttrell. After your departure, however, he went himself to Netherglen, and there, it seems, he put the finishing stroke to any claim that he might have on the property." And then Percival proceeded to relate, as far as he knew it, the story of Dino's visit to Mrs. Luttrell, its effect on Mrs. Luttrell's health, and the urgent necessity that there was for Brian to return and arrange matters with Elizabeth. Brian tried to evade the last point, but Percival insisted on it so strongly that he was obliged to give him a decisive answer. "No," he said, at last. "I'm sorry to make it seem as if your voyage had been in vain; but, if we ever get off the Rocas Reef, I shall go on to the Brazils. There is not the least reason for me to go home. I could not possibly touch a penny of the Luttrells' money after what has happened. Miss Murray must keep it." "But, you see, there will be legal forms to go through, even if she does keep it, for which your presence will be required." "You don't mean that, Heron; you know I can do all that in writing." "You won't get Miss Murray to touch a farthing of it either." "You must persuade her," said Brian, calmly. "I think you will understand my feeling, when I say that I would rather she had it--she and you--than anybody in the world." "You must come back. I promised to bring you back," returned Percival, with some agitation of manner. "I said that I would not go back without you." "I will write to Mr. Colquhoun and explain." "Confound it! What Colquhoun thinks does not signify. It is Elizabeth whom I promised." "Well," said Brian slowly, and with some difficulty, "I think I can explain it to her, too, if you will let me write to her." Percival suppressed a groan. "Why should I go back?" asked Luttrell. "I see no reason."