portunity were there. She was a pretty girl, and not
disinclined for an innocent flirtation. You would not confound so
trivial an incident with my feeling for you? Ruth Farrell is a charming
girl in her own way; but--"

"But not so charming as she was! She has fallen from favour all round,
poor little Ruth, since Mr Farrell transferred his favour to another!"

Victor leapt from his seat, and strode across the room to her side.

"Margot, what is the matter? Why do you speak to me in that voice?
Leave Ruth Farrell alone--she is nothing to you or to me. I have been
waiting to ask you a question, but I can wait no longer. If the Court
is mine, if Mr Farrell makes me his heir, as we all expect, will you
share my good fortune? Will you be my wife, and make me the happiest
man on earth? I could give you a home which would be worthy even of
you!"

He bent over her as he spoke; but Margot pushed back her chair, and rose
to confront him, her head almost on a level with his own.

"Really, Mr Druce, you are too original in your methods! A conditional
proposal is quite a novelty in my experience. _If_ you inherit? And
what if by chance you are disappointed? It is still possible, you know!
There are some people who believe that the squire is deliberately
misleading us all, and that the property will go to Ruth Farrell,
despite all appearances. I should like to know exactly how I stand
before I commit myself to a reply. Does your offer still hold good if
Ruth inherits in your place?"

Victor's eyelids sank, and a dull red flush showed on his cheeks.

"It is impossible!" he protested. "Why will you conjure up such a
position? Mr Farrell has never mentioned his niece's name since she
left the Court. He treats me like a son; I come and go as I choose. It
is preposterous to believe there can be any doubt on the subject!"

"But suppose there were? Suppose the impossible happened, if you like
to put it in that way?"

"If I were back in my old position--worse than my old position, for
these months of idleness have not helped me on--I--I should be no match
for you, Margot. You would not care to marry a pauper!"

"Nor you an equally impecunious bride! My title would be of service to
you as master of the Court, but a commoner with a substantial fortune to
her back would be a better bargain for a budding barrister. Such a
commoner as--shall we say Ruth Farrell, for example? Mr Druce, you
ought to succeed in you