r. I could see that I had made no way with him.
The best that we had hoped for was not coming to pass. There was to be
no triumph of pure romance; even relief from the "nightmare" would not,
by itself, serve the turn.

"Having placed Miss Octon in the position which she now occupies, Miss
Driver naturally charges herself with Miss Octon's future."

"Miss Driver is well known to be generous. I had anticipated, in my
turn, that she would propose to make some provision for Miss Octon who,
as I understand, has only a very small income of her own."

"Miss Driver has recently concluded negotiations for the purchase of
Oxley Lodge, together with the whole of Mr. Bertram Ware's estate. It is
estimated that, freed from encumbrances, that estate will produce a net
rental of three thousand pounds a year. Miss Driver will present the
house and estate to Miss Octon on her marriage."

He raised his brows slightly, but made no other comment than, "I had
heard that she was in treaty for Ware's place. Aspenick told me."

"She will settle on Miss Octon a sum of money sufficient to make up this
income to the sum of ten thousand pounds a year. This income she will
increase to twenty thousand on Lord Lacey's succession to the title. She
will also present Miss Octon, on her marriage, with a lump sum of fifty
thousand pounds. She will execute a settlement of funds sufficient to
raise the income to thirty thousand on her death--this income to be
settled on Miss Octon for life, with remainder among her children as she
and her husband shall jointly appoint. I am also to inform you that,
without undertaking any further legal obligation, it is Miss Driver's
present intention to leave to Miss Octon, or (if Miss Octon predeceases
her) to any son of hers who is heir to your title, the estate of
Breysgate and the greater part of her Catsford property. I need not tell
you that that property is of great and growing value. In short, subject
to public claims and certain comparatively small private ones, Miss
Octon is to be regarded as her natural heir no less absolutely and
completely than if she were her own and her only child."

He heard me all through with an impassive face--even his brows had
returned to their natural level. "Miss Driver is a young woman herself.
She will probably marry."

"It is possible, and therefore she limits her legal obligation to the
amount I have mentioned--approximately one half of her present income. I
am, however, t