his head.

'Your father is not the man for that, Marian. I don't say it
disrespectfully; I mean that he doesn't seem to me to have that kind of
aptitude. It would be a disastrous speculation.'

'I felt that. Of course I can't think of it now.'

She smiled, raising her face to his.

'Don't trouble,' said Jasper. 'Wait a little, till I have made myself
independent of Fadge and a few other men, and your father shall see
how heartily I wish to be of use to him. He will miss your help, I'm
afraid?'

'Yes. I shall feel it a cruelty when I have to leave him. He has only
just told me that his sight is beginning to fail. Oh, why didn't his
brother leave him a little money? It was such unkindness! Surely he had
a much better right than Amy, or than myself either. But literature has
been a curse to father all his life. My uncle hated it, and I suppose
that was why he left father nothing.'

'But how am I to see you often? That's the first question. I know what I
shall do. I must take new lodgings, for the girls and myself, all in
the same house. We must have two sitting-rooms; then you will come to my
room without any difficulty. These astonishing proprieties are so easily
satisfied after all.'

'You will really do that?'

'Yes. I shall go and look for rooms to-morrow. Then when you come you
can always ask for Maud or Dora, you know. They will be very glad of a
change to more respectable quarters.'

'I won't stay to see them now, Jasper,' said Marian, her thoughts
turning to the girls.

'Very well. You are safe for another hour, but to make certain you shall
go at a quarter to five. Your mother won't be against us?'

'Poor mother--no. But she won't dare to justify me before father.'

'I feel as if I should play a mean part in leaving it to you to tell
your father. Marian, I will brave it out and go and see him.'

'Oh, it would be better not to.'

'Then I will write to him--such a letter as he can't possibly take in
ill part.'

Marian pondered this proposal.

'You shall do that, Jasper, if you are willing. But not yet; presently.'

'You don't wish him to know at once?'

'We had better wait a little. You know,' she added laughing, 'that my
legacy is only in name mine as yet. The will hasn't been proved. And
then the money will have to be realised.'

She informed him of the details; Jasper listened with his eyes on the
ground.

They were now sitting on chairs drawn close to each other. It was with
a sense o