ct. We both know by this time, Lady
Randolph, that when you have made up your mind--and you have the most
perfect right to do so--though we may not like it, nor think it anything
but a squandering of money, still we are aware we have no right to
oppose----"

"It is not that," said Lucy faintly. "It is that the circumstances have
changed since yesterday. I want to--I should like to----"

"Give up your intention? I am delighted to hear it. For you must allow
me to say, as a man of business----"

"It is not that," Lucy repeated. "I want to increase the sum. I find the
young lady has a claim--and I want it to be done immediately, without
the loss of a day. Oh, I am more, much more in earnest about it than I
was yesterday. I want it settled at once. If it is not settled at once
difficulties might arise. I want to double the amount. Could you not
telegraph to Mr. Rushton instead of writing? I have heard that people
telegraph about business."

"Double the amount! Have you thought over this? Have you had Sir
Thomas's advice? It is a very important matter to decide so suddenly.
Pardon me, Lady Randolph, but you must know that if you bestow at this
rate you will soon not have very much left to you."

"Ah, that would be a comfort!" cried Lucy; and then there came over her
the miserable thought that all the circumstances were changed, and to
have a subject of disagreement between her husband and herself removed
would not matter now. Once it had been the only subject, now---- The
suddenness of this realisation of the change filled her eyes with tears.
But she restrained herself with a great effort. "Yes," she said, "I
should be glad, very glad, to have done all my father wished--for many
things might happen. I might die--and then who would do it?"

"We need not discuss that very unlikely contingency," said Mr. Chervil.
(He said to himself: Sir Tom wouldn't, that is certain.) "But even under
Mr. Trevor's will," he added, "this will be a very large sum to
give--larger, don't you think, than he intended; unless there is some
very special claim?"

"It is a special claim," cried Lucy, "and papa made no conditions. I was
to be free in doing it. He left me quite free."

"Without doubt," the lawyer said. "I need not repeat my opinion on the
subject, but you are certainly quite free. And you have brought me the
young lady's name, no doubt, Lady Randolph? Yesterday, you recollect you
were uncertain about her name. It is important to