p of diamonds on her ring-finger: nothing
would do "old O." but that they should drive there and then to the
finest jeweller's in Sturt Street, where she had the pick of a trayful.
And now Mr. Ocock, all a-smirk with sheepish pride, was fetched in to
receive congratulations, and Polly produced refreshments; and healths
were drunk. Afterwards the happy couple dallied in the passage and
loitered on the doorstep, till evening was far advanced.

It was Polly who, in clearing away, was struck dumb by the thought:
"But now whatever is to become of Miss Amelia?"

She wondered if this consideration troubled the old man. Trouble there
was, of some sort: he called at the house three days running for a word
with Richard. He wore a brand-new pair of shepherd's-plaid trousers, a
choker that his work-stained hands had soiled in tying, a black coat, a
massive gold watch-chain. On the third visit he was lucky enough to
catch Mahony, and the door of the surgery closed behind them.

Here Mr. Ocock sat on the extreme edge of a chair; alternately crushed
his wide-awake flat between his palms and expanded it again, as though
he were playing a concertina; and coughed out a wordy preamble. He
assured Mahony, to begin with, how highly he esteemed him. It was
because of this, because he knew doctor was as straight as a pound of
candles, that he was going to ask his advice on an awkward
matter--devilish awkward!--one nobody had any idea of either--except
Henry. And Henry had kicked up such a deuce of a row at his wanting to
marry again, that he was damned if he'd have anything more to do with
him. Besides, the doctor knew what lawyers were--the whole breed of
'em! Sharp as needles--especially Henry--but with a sort of squint in
their upper storey that made 'em see every mortal thing from the point
of view of law. And that was no good to him. What he needed was a plain
and honest, a ... he hesitated for a word and repeated, "a Honest
opinion;" for he only wanted to do the right thing, what was straight
and above board. And at last out it came: did "doc." think it would be
acting on the square, and not taking a low-down advantage of a female,
if he omitted to mention to "the future Mrs. O" that, up till six
months back, he had been obliged to ... well, he'd spit it out short
and say, obliged to report himself to the authorities at fixed
intervals? Women were such shy cattle, so damned odd! You never knew
how they'd take a thing like this. One mi