"What is your income?" he asked quite bluntly, raising his keen eyes
to mine.

I told him, giving him a few details concerning my parentage and my
possessions.

"And what would you be prepared to settle on my daughter, providing I
gave my consent? Have you thought of that matter?"

I confessed that I had not, but that I would be ready, if she so
desired, to settle upon her twenty thousand pounds.

"And that wouldn't cripple you--eh?"

"No, I'm pleased to say it would not. I have kept my inheritance
practically intact," I added.

"Well, I must first hear what Sylvia has to say," he said; then he
added airily, "I suppose you would make over the greater part of your
estate to her, in case of your death? And there are life assurances,
of course? One never knows what may happen, you know. Pardon me for
speaking thus frankly. As a father, however, it is my duty to see that
my daughter's future is safeguarded."

"I quite understand all that," I replied, with a smile. "Of course,
Sylvia would inherit all I could legally bequeath to her, and as for
life assurances, I would insure myself for what sum you suggest."

"You are young," he said. "Insure for ten thousand. The premiums would
be not so very heavy."

"As you wish," I replied. "If I carry out your desires, I understand
that I have your consent to pay my attentions to Sylvia?"

"If what you tell me proves, on inquiry, to be the truth, Mr.
Biddulph, I shall have the greatest pleasure in welcoming you as my
son-in-law. I can't say more," he replied. "Here's my hand," and as I
took his, he gripped me heartily. "I confess I like you now," he
added, "and I feel sure I shall like you more when I know more
concerning you."

Then he added, with a laugh--

"Oh, by the way, I'm not known here as Pennington, but as Du Cane. The
fact is, I had some unfortunate litigation some time ago, which led to
bankruptcy, and so, for business reasons, I'm Arnold Du Cane. You'll
understand, won't you?" he laughed.

"Entirely," I replied, overjoyed at receiving Pennington's consent.
"When shall we meet in London?"

"I'll be back on the 10th--that's sixteen days from now," he replied.
"I have to go to Brussels, and on to Riga. Tell Sylvia and dear old
Shuttleworth you've seen me. Give them both my love. We shall meet
down at Middleton, most certainly."

And so for a long time we chatted on, finishing our cigars, I
replying to many questions he put to me relative to my financial