ieve me when I tell you
that Lord Polperro has long since executed a will by which not only are
his wife and his daughter amply--most amply--provided for, but even
more distant relatives on his wife's side?"

He gazed impressively at Miss Sparkes, whose eyes twinkled as she
turned with a jerk to Gammon.

"Look here, Greenacre," exclaimed the man of commerce, "let's be
business-like. I may trust you, or I may not. What I want to know is,
how long are we to wait before he comes to the shop down yonder and
behaves like an honest man? Just fix a date, and I'll make a note of
it."

"My dear Gammon--"

"Go ahead!"

"I cannot fix a date on my own responsibility. It depends so greatly on
his lordship's health. I can only assure you that at the earliest
possible moment Lady Polperro will be summoned to an interview with her
husband. By the by, I trust her ladyship is quite well?"

"Oh, she's all right," replied Gammon impatiently.

"And the Honourable Minnie Trefoyle--she, too, enjoys good health, I
trust?"

Polly and Gammon exchanged a stare, followed by laughter, which was a
little forced on the man's part.

"That's Miss Clover," he remarked. "Sounds queer, doesn't it?"

"That's her _reel_ name?" cried Polly.

"Indeed it is, Miss Sparkes," replied Greenacre. "But let me remind
you--if it is not impertinent--that beauty and grace can very well
afford to dispense with titles. I think, Gammon, you and I know a case
in point."

Polly tossed her head and shuffled her feet, well pleased with the
men's laughter.

"And if it comes to that," Greenacre pursued, "I don't mind saying,
Gammon, that I suspect you to be a confoundedly lucky and enviable dog.
May I congratulate him, Miss Sparkes?"

"Oh, you can if you like, Mr.--I forget your name."

"I do so then, Gammon. I congratulate you, and I envy you. Heigh-ho!
I'm a lonely bachelor myself, Miss Sparkes--no, hang it, Miss Polly.
You may well look pityingly at me."

"I'm sure I don't, Mr.--I can't remember your name," answered Polly
with a delighted giggle.

"See here, Greenacre," Gammon interposed genially, "Miss Sparkes and I
will have to talk this over. Mind you, I give no promise. I found out
for myself who Mr. Clover was, and I hold myself free to do what I
think fit. You quite understand?"

Greenacre nodded absently. Then he cleared his throat.

"I quite understand, my dear boy. I should like just to remind you that
there's really nothing to be gained, o