e Penfolds to the front door.

Faversham replied with some coldness. He was disgusted that Melrose
should have spoilt the final success of his little _festa_ by the breach
of a promise he had himself volunteered.

But Melrose appeared to be in an unusually good temper, and he took no
notice. He had had considerable success that morning, it appeared, at an
auction of some fine things at a house near Carlisle; having not only
secured what he wanted himself, but having punished two or three of his
most prominent rivals, by bidding high for some inferior thing, exciting
their competition, and then at the critical moment dropping it on the
nose, as he explained it, of one of his opponents. "Wilson of York came
to me nearly in tears, and implored me to take some beastly pot or other
that I had made him buy at a ridiculous price. I told him he might keep
it, as a reminder that I always paid those out who bid against me. Then
I found I could get an earlier train home; and I confess I was curious to
see how young Tatham would look, on my premises. He did not expect that I
should catch him here." The Ogre chuckled.

"You told me, if you remember," said Faversham, not without emphasis,
"that I was to say to him you would not be at home."

"I know. But sometimes there are impulses--of different kinds--that I
can't resist. Of different kinds--" repeated Melrose, his glittering,
absent look fixed on Faversham.

There was silence a little. Then Melrose said slowly, as he rose from his
chair: "I have--a rather important proposition to make to you. That
fellow Undershaw would attack me if I began upon it now. Moreover, it
will want a fresh mind. Will it suit you if I come to see you at eleven
o'clock to-morrow?"

IX

On the following morning, Faversham, for the first time, dressed without
assistance, and walked independently--save for his stick--into his
sitting-room. The July day was rather chill and rainy and he decided to
await Melrose indoors.

As to the "important proposal" his mind was full of conjectures. What he
thought most probable was that Melrose intended, according to various
fresh hints and indications, to make him another and a more serious offer
for his gems--no doubt a big offer. They were worth at least three
thousand pounds, and Melrose of course knew their value to a hair.

"Well, I shall not sell them," thought Faversham, his hands behind his
head, his eyes following the misty course of the river,