and in the
morning had his breakfast brought to him in the same room, so that he
might not even see his son-in-law. His daughter would go to him when
at breakfast, and there, together for some half-hour, they would
endeavour to look forward to their future fate. But hitherto they had
never been able to look forward in accord, as she still persisted in
declaring that if her husband bade her to go with him,--she would
go. On this night Lopez sat up in the dining-room, and as soon as he
heard Mr. Wharton's key in the door, he placed himself in the hall.
"I wish to speak to you to-night, sir," he said. "Would you object to
come in for a few moments?" Then Mr. Wharton followed him into the
room. "As we live now," continued Lopez, "I have not much opportunity
of speaking to you, even on business."

"Well, sir; you can speak now,--if you have anything to say."

"The L5000 you promised me must be paid to-morrow. It is the last
day."

"I promised it only on certain conditions. Had you complied with them
the money would have been paid before this."

"Just so. The conditions are very hard, Mr. Wharton. It surprises me
that such a one as you should think it right to separate a husband
from his wife."

"I think it right, sir, to separate my daughter from such a one as
you are. I thought so before, but I think so doubly now. If I can
secure your absence in Guatemala by the payment of this money, and if
you will give me a document that shall be prepared by Mr. Walker and
signed by yourself, assuring your wife that you will not hereafter
call upon her to live with you, the money shall be paid."

"All that will take time, Mr. Wharton."

"I will not pay a penny without it. I can meet you at the office in
Coleman Street to-morrow, and doubtless they will accept my written
assurance to pay the money as soon as those stipulations shall be
complied with."

"That would disgrace me in the office, Mr. Wharton."

"And are you not disgraced there already? Can you tell me that they
have not heard of your conduct in Coleman Street, or that hearing it
they disregard it?" His son-in-law stood frowning at him, but did not
at the moment say a word. "Nevertheless, I will meet you there if
you please, at any time that you may name, and if they do not object
to employ such a man as their manager, I shall not object on their
behalf."

"To the last you are hard and cruel to me," said Lopez;--"but I will
meet you in Coleman Street at eleven to-