ion."

"No," replied Jack, with quiet significance.

Sir John gave a forced laugh.

"I see," he said, "that you have outwitted me. If I do not give my
consent to your marriage without further delay, you will go back to
Africa."

Jack bowed his head gravely.

There was a long silence, while the two men sat side by side, gazing
into the fire.

"I cannot afford to do that," said the father at length; "I am getting
too old to indulge in the luxury of pride. I will attend your marriage.
I will smile and say pretty things to the bridesmaids. Before the world
I will consent under the condition that the ceremony does not take place
before two months from this date."

"I agree to that," put in Jack.

Sir John rose and stood on the hearthrug, looking down from his great
height upon his son.

"But," he continued, "between us let it be understood that I move in no
degree from my original position. I object to Millicent Chyne as your
wife. But I bow to the force of circumstances. I admit that you have a
perfect right to marry whom you choose--in two months time."

So Jack took his leave.

"In two months' time," repeated Sir John, when he was alone, with one of
his twisted, cynic smiles, "in two months time--qui vivra verra."

CHAPTER XXXVII. FOUL PLAY

Oh, fairest of creation, last and best
Of all God's works!

For one or two days after the public announcement of her engagement,
Millicent was not quite free from care. She rather dreaded the posts.
It was not that she feared one letter in particular, but the postman's
disquietingly urgent rap caused her a vague uneasiness many times a day.

Sir John's reply to her appealing little letter came short and sharp.
She showed it to no one.

"MY DEAR MISS CHYNE,--I hasten to reply to your kind letter of to-day
announcing your approaching marriage with my son. There are a certain
number of trinkets which have always been handed on from generation to
generation. I will at once have these cleaned by the jeweller, in order
that they may be presented to you immediately after the ceremony.
Allow me to urge upon you the advisability of drawing up and signing a
prenuptial marriage settlement.--Yours sincerely,

"JOHN MEREDITH."

Millicent bit her pretty lip when she perused this note. She made two
comments, at a considerable interval of time.

"Stupid old thing!" was the first; and then, after a pause, "I HOPE they
are