daughter of Martin Scott, with the offer of a certain sum of
money, which is only a fair and reasonable item, which I won from her
father at a time when we were not playing on equal terms. It was
through that she found me out."

"Yes, I knew as much as that."

"So I imagined. But the hot-headed young woman has up to now steadily
refused to accept anything whatever from me. Quite ridiculous of her.
There's no doubt that I broke up the happy home, and all that sort of
thing, and I really can't see why she shouldn't permit me the
opportunity of making some restitution."

"You want her to afford you the luxury of salving your conscience,"
Brooks remarked, dryly.

Lord Arranmore laughed hardly.

"Conscience," he repeated. "You ought to know me better, Brooks, than
to suppose me possessed of such a thing. No; I have a sense of justice,
that is all--a sort of weakness for seeing the scales held fairly. Now,
don't you think it is reasonable that she should accept this money from
me?"

"It depends entirely upon how she feels," Brooks answered. "You have no
right to press it upon her if she has scruples. Nor have you any right
to try and enlist her family on your side, as you seem to be doing."

Will you discuss it with her?

"I should not attempt to influence her," Brooks answered.

"Be reasonable, Brooks. The money can make no earthly difference to
me, and it secures for her independence. The obligation, if only a
moral one, is real enough. There is no question of charity. Use your
influence with her."

Brooks shook his head.

"I have great confidence in Miss Scott's own judgment," he said. "I
prefer not to interfere."

Arranmore sat quite still for a moment. Then he rose slowly to his
feet.

"I am sorry to have troubled you," he said. "The world seems to have
grown more quixotic since I knew it better. I am almost afraid to ask
you whether my last letter has yet received the favour of your
consideration."

Brooks flushed a little at the biting sarcasm in Arranmore's tone, but
he restrained himself.

"I have considered--the matter fully," he said; "and I have talked it
over with Mr. Ascough. There seems to be no reason why I should refuse
the income to which I seem to be entitled."

Lord Arranmore nodded and lit a cigarette.

"I am thankful," he said, dryly, "for so much common-sense. Mr.
Ascough will put you in possession of a banking account at any moment.
Should you consider it--well--intrusive on my