"Why not?" asked Ransford, with a faint show of anger. "A woman's
wishes!"

"Because I may consider that I see signs of a changed mind in her," said
Bryce. "That's why."

"You'll never see any change of mind," declared Ransford. "That's
certain. Is that your fixed determination?"

"It is," answered Bryce. "I'm not the sort of man who is easily
repelled."

"Then, in that case," said Ransford, "we had better part company." He
rose from his desk, and going over to a safe which stood in a corner,
unlocked it and took some papers from an inside drawer. He consulted
one of these and turned to Bryce. "You remember our agreement?" he
continued. "Your engagement was to be determined by a three months'
notice on either side, or, at my will, at any time by payment of three
months' salary?"

"Quite right," agreed Bryce. "I remember, of course."

"Then I'll give you a cheque for three months' salary--now," said
Ransford, and sat down again at his desk. "That will settle matters
definitely--and, I hope, agreeably."

Bryce made no reply. He remained leaning against the table, watching
Ransford write the cheque. And when Ransford laid the cheque down at the
edge of the desk he made no movement towards it.

"You must see," remarked Ransford, half apologetically, "that it's the
only thing I can do. I can't have any man who's not--not welcome to
her, to put it plainly--causing any annoyance to my ward. I repeat,
Bryce--you must see it!"

"I have nothing to do with what you see," answered Bryce. "Your opinions
are not mine, and mine aren't yours. You're really turning me away--as
if I were a dishonest foreman!--because in my opinion it would be a very
excellent thing for her and for myself if Miss Bewery would consent to
marry me. That's the plain truth."

Ransford allowed himself to take a long and steady look at Bryce. The
thing was done now, and his dismissed assistant seemed to be taking it
quietly--and Ransford's curiosity was aroused.

"I can't make you out!" he exclaimed. "I don't know whether you're the
most cynical young man I ever met, or whether you're the most obtuse--"

"Not the last, anyway," interrupted Bryce. "I assure you of that!"

"Can't you see for yourself, then, man, that the girl doesn't want you!"
said Ransford. "Hang it!--for anything you know to the contrary, she may
have--might have--other ideas!"

Bryce, who had been staring out of a side window for the last minute or
two, suddenly laughed, and