ur decision--is it ready?"

"No, I don't think it is," she admitted. "To tell you the truth, I
shall not decide until he is actually here--until I have heard just how
he speaks of it."

He got up and stood for a moment looking out of the window. Then he
turned suddenly towards her with outstretched hand.

"I am going--Miss Scott. Good-afternoon." She rose and held out her
hand.

"Aren't you--a little abrupt?" she asked.

"Perhaps I am. I think that it is better that I should go away now.
There are reasons why I do not want to talk about Lord Arranmore, or
discuss this matter with you, and if I stayed I might do both. Will you
dine with me somewhere on Friday night? I will come and fetch you."

"Of course I will. Do be careful how you walk. About 7:30."

"I will be here by then," he answered.

On the last flight of stone steps he came face to face with Lord
Arranmore, who nodded and pointed upwards with his walking-stick.

"How much of this sort of thing?" he asked, dryly.

"Ten storeys," Brooks answered, and passed out into the street.

Lord Arranmore looked after him--watched him until he was out of sight.
Then he stood irresolute for several moments, tapping his boots.

"Damned young fool!" he muttered at last; and began the ascent.

CHAPTER IV

A MARQUIS ON MATRIMONY

"My dear Miss Scott," Lord Arranmore said, settling himself in the most
comfortable of her fragile easy-chairs, and declining tea. "I cannot
fail to perceive that my cause is hopeless. The united efforts of
myself and your worthy relatives appear to be powerless to unearth a
single grain of common-sense in your--er--pardon me--singularly
obstinate disposition."

A subdued smile played at the corners of her mouth.

"I am delighted that you are convinced, Lord Arranmore," she said. "It
will save us both a good deal of time and breath."

"Well--as to that I am not so sure," he answered, deliberately. "You
forget that there is still an important matter to be decided."

She looked at him questioningly.

"The disposal of the money, of course," he said.

"The disposal of it? But that has nothing to do with me!" she declared.
"I refuse to touch it--to have anything to do with it."

He shook his head.

"You see," he explained, "I have placed it, or rather my solicitors
have, in trust. Actually you may decline, as you are doing, to have
anything to do with it--legally you cannot avoid your responsibilities.
That money cannot be to