"Didn't your mother go in search of one for you?" asked Hench, nodding.
Zara's lip curled and she looked more disdainful than ever. "My mother said that she went, but she never did."
Hench started. "She was absent for a few days, I remember."
"Yes. On business, she told me. But what her business was I never knew. It had nothing to do with an engagement, however, or I should have known."
Of course Owain knew very well on what business Madame Alpenny had been engaged, but he was wise enough to make no remark. Also at the moment his attention was distracted by Bracken, who had been thinking in his heavy way.
"If you will allow Zara and me to pay you back the money with interest at five per cent," he observed, reflectively, "we don't mind--eh, Zara?"
"No," she rejoined promptly. "I shall take the money with pleasure then, as it will certainly help us to get married in spite of my mother's opposition. I am very grateful for your kind help, Mr. Hench."
"I am only doing what I ought to do," said Owain frankly. "You have done me a good turn, so it is only right that I should do you and Bracken one. I shall see my lawyers next week and arrange for the money to be paid to you by cheque, or in notes, or gold, whichever you prefer."
"Say a cheque, Hench," remarked Bracken, with a sigh of relief. "I have a banking account. It's a very small one--still, it is a banking account."
"Good. I will call at The Home of the Muses some day next week with the cheque, and meantime you can see about getting married."