think that by laying down three conditions we shall meet the case.'

He stared at the ceiling, till Totty asked:

'Well, and what are they, sir?'

'Pray do not interrupt me; I was about to tell you. First, then, this
man's age must be at least three-and-twenty. You understand?'

'I think I do.'

'Secondly, he must have a recognised profession, business, trade, or
handicraft, and must satisfy me and Mr. Higgins that he is able to
support a wife.'

'And then?'

'And then, as you say, Miss Nancarrow, he must be able to prove to me
and Mr. Higgins that he has lived in one and the same house for a year
previous to his marriage with you.'

Mr. Barlow delivered this with slow emphasis, as if such a test of
respectability were the finest fruit of administrative wisdom.

Totty laughed. She had expected something quite different.

'You smile, Miss Nancarrow?' remarked Mr. Barlow, with a slightly
offended air.

'No, I was laughing.'

'And at what, pray?'

'Nothing.'

'H'm. Well, I hope I have made everything clear to you.'

'All the same, sir, I shall marry whoever I like.'

'I've no doubt whatever you will. I shall leave you my address, Miss
Nancarrow, so that you can communicate with me at any moment.'

'Thank you, sir.' She took the offered card and thrust it into her
pocket. 'And if I don't want to marry at all, I shan't.'

'It is at your option, Miss Nancarrow. Now I'll say good-morning to
you. Perhaps you'll allow me to shake hands with you and congratulate
you upon this--this little fortune.'

'Oh, yes.'

Totty gave Mr. Barlow's fat hand a jerk. He drew himself up, cleared
his throat, and stalked to the door, regarding with lofty patronage the
signs of poverty about him. At the door he took off his hat, bowed,
departed.

Totty returned to her room. She resumed her former seat, and began to
hum a slow air. Then she tilted her chair back against the wall, and
turned her face upwards musing.

It was not easy for her to realise the meaning of two hundred and fifty
pounds. Reckon it up, for instance, in marmalade and pickles; it became
confusing very soon. Reckon it up in tables and chairs; ah, that was
more to the point. But even then, what a stupendous margin! For twenty
pounds you could furnish a couple of rooms in a way to make all your
neighbours envious. It was like attempting to comprehend infinity by
making clear to one's mind the distance to the moon.

The three conditions; Luke Ackroyd c