Baron. As to me, I did not
want it, and certainly should not have got it. You need not for a
moment think that you are robbing us."

"That is so good of you!" said Jack, whose thoughts, however, were too
full of Guss Mildmay to allow of any thorough enjoyment of his
unexpected prosperity.

"Stokes says that after the widow is paid and the legacy duty there
will be eight--and twenty--thousand pounds!" whispered Mr. De Baron to
his relative. "By heavens! you are a lucky fellow."

"I am rather lucky."

"It will be fourteen hundred a year, if you only look out for a good
investment. A man with ready money at his own disposal can always get
five per cent, at least. I never heard of such a fluke in my life."

"It was a fluke, certainly."

"You'll marry now and settle down, I suppose?"

"I suppose I shall," said Jack. "One has to come to that kind of thing
at last. I knew when I was going to Rudham that some d---- thing would
come of it. Oh,--of course I'm awfully glad. It's sure to come sooner
or later, and I suppose I've had my run. I've just seen Stokes, and he
says I'm to go to him in about a month's time. I thought I should have
got some of it to-morrow?"

"My dear fellow, I can let you have a couple of hundreds, if you want
them," said Mr. De Baron, who had never hitherto been induced to
advance a shilling when his young cousin had been needy.

Mr. Stokes, Mr. Knox, Mr. De Baron and the heir went away, leaving the
family to adjust their own affairs in their new position. Then Mary
received a third lecture as she sat leaning upon her husband's
shoulder.

"At any rate, you won't have to go away any more," she had said to him.
"You have been always away, for ever so long."

"It was you who would go to the deanery when you left London."

"I know that. Of course I wanted to see papa then. I don't want to talk
about that any more. Only, you won't go away again?"

"When I do you shall go with me."

"That won't be going away. Going away is taking yourself off,--by
yourself."

"Could I help it?"

"I don't know. I could have gone with you. But it's over now, isn't
it?"

"I hope so."

"It shall be over. And when this other trouble is done,--you'll go to
London then?"

"It will depend on your health, dear."

"I am very well. Why shouldn't I be well? When a month is over,--then
you'll go."

"In two months, perhaps."

"That'll be the middle of June. I'm sure I shall be well in three
weeks. And where sh