"How could he be on nothing? Poor Seaton! I always believed in him," repeated Mrs. Hamilton, "but I don't think Maud can go to Germany just now."
They discussed this some time when suddenly Lewis exclaimed,
"Why there is Toney cantering across the park! You must tell her of your good fortune." Lewis went to the front door to warn her. She ran up the steps leaving Jim to hold the horses, and Lewis thought he had never seen her looking so happy.
"Will you forgive me coming so early?"
"Forgive you? Why, it's a great pleasure to see you, Toney."
"Is it? Well, that is nice of you. I never know if people care——"
What an opportunity! Lewis nearly said, "I care more for you than for anybody in the world," but the fifty thousand a year popped up before his mental vision like a number on a music hall platform.
"Everybody does," he altered it to, "but I came to tell you that Maud and Jeanie are in the seventh heaven of delight over poor Seaton Hamilton's gift of two hundred pounds each. You are too generous, Toney."
"You are glad, aren't you? You won't scold me? I know you like Maud to have advantages. Keep the secret, won't you?"
"Of course, but what brings you? Has Lady Dove given you notice to quit?"