he orris on it. And you made me
promise not to take any steps in the matter till you got well. I knew
you would. So I had already sent that second will--sent it before I
promised you--to Hunston Wyke--he's my lawyer now, you know--and I've
heard from him, and he has probated it."

Billy was making various irrelevant sounds.

"And I brought that other will to you, and if you didn't choose to
examine it more carefully I'm sure it wasn't my fault. I kept my word
like a perfect gentleman and took no step _whatever_ in the matter.
I didn't say a word when before my eyes you stripped me of my entire
worldly possessions--you know I didn't. You burned it up yourself,
Billy Woods--of your own free will and accord--and now Selwoode and
all that detestable money belongs to _you_, and I'm sure I'd like to
know what you are going to do about it. So _there_!"

Margaret faced him defiantly. Billy was in a state of considerable
perturbation.

"Why have you done this?" he asked, slowly. But a lucent
something--half fear, half gladness--was wakening in Billy's eyes.

And her eyes answered him. But her tongue was far less veracious.

"Because you thought I was a _pig_! Because you couldn't make
allowances for a girl who for four years has seen nothing but money
and money-worshippers and the power of money! Because I wanted
your--your respect, Billy. And you thought I couldn't give it up! Very
well!" Miss Hugonin waved her hand airily toward the hearth. "Now I
hope you know better. _Don't you dare get up, Billy Woods!_"

But I think nothing short of brute force could have kept Mr. Woods
from her.

"Peggy," he babbled--"ah, forgive me if I'm a presumptuous ass--but
was it because you knew I couldn't ask you to marry me so long as you
had the money?"

She dallied with her bliss. Margaret was on the other side of the
table.

"Why--why, of course it wasn't!" she panted. "What nonsense!"

"Look at me, Peggy!"

"I don't want to! You look like a fright with your head all tied up."

"Peggy ... this exercise is bad for an invalid."

"I--oh, please sit down! _Please_, Billy! It is bad for you."

"Not until you tell me----"

"But I _don't!_... Oh, you make me _awfully_ tired."

"Peggy, don't you dare stamp your foot at me!... Peggy!"

"_Please_ sit down! Now ... well, there's my hand, stupid, if you
_will_ be silly. Now sit down here--so, with your head leaned back on
this nice little cushion because it's good for your poor hea