it." he whispered, "if you wish it."

"I do wish it. Take no notice of what I say or do. Promise me that."

"Promise me you will not make me jealous, and I'll wait."

"But maybe I shall make you jealous," she said. "Still, you know me.
Wait."

"I'm sorry for one thing, Mr Girtle," said Paul Capel, while this was
going on.

"May I ask what that is?"

"Oh, yes. Your simple bequest of a ring. Will you--you will not be
offended, Mr Girtle--out of this immense wealth allow me to make you
some suitable--"

"Stop," said the old gentleman, laying his hand upon the speaker's arm.
"My old friend wished to leave me a large sum, but I chose that ring in
preference. Thank you all the same, my dear young friend, and I beg you
will count upon me for help."

"Well, then, there is something I should like to do at once. Look here,
Mr Girtle--a million and a half--"

"With its strange burden."

"Oh, I don't mind that. I want to do something over this money. Miss
Lawrence is well provided for, but Miss D'Enghien--"

"Well, you had better marry her."

"Do--do you mean that?"

"No," said the old man, sternly; "I do not."

"There is Mr Artis, too. I should like--"

"To find him in funds to carry on a legal war against you for what he
would call his rights. My dear Mr Capel, may I, as lawyer, give you a
bit of advice?"

"Certainly; I ask it of you."

"Then wait."

Capel drew back as the old gentleman proceeded to fold the will and lay
it with other papers in the tin box, while Ramo, standing alone in the
gloom, with folded arms and apparently seeing nothing, but observing
every motion, hearing almost every word, noticed that Gerard Artis was
watching the deposition of the will, his hungry looks seeming to devour
it as he felt that he would like to destroy it on the spot.

Ramo noted, too, that Paul Capel took a step or two towards where
Katrine was talking eagerly to Artis. Then he hesitated and turned off
to where Lydia sat alone.

She, too, had been watching Paul Capel's actions, and now that he turned
to her she seemed to shrink back in her seat, as if his coming troubled
her.

"Let me congratulate you, Mr Capel," she said, rather coldly.

"Thank you," he said with a sigh; and she saw him glance in the
direction of Katrine.

"I think," said Mr Girtle, loudly, "that we will now proceed to fulfil
the next part of my instructions."

There was a sharp click heard here, as he locked a little padlock o