“But, Olivia, I can’t take these from you without knowing how you got them,” said her father, trying to assume a rather severe paternal air.
“It’s very simple; I went into Matherham, followed a rich-looking old gentleman into a quiet street, knocked him down, and robbed him,” she answered, laughing. “But you needn’t have any qualms of conscience about the proceeds of the deed, for I’m going to hand them over to Fred Williams myself, with a message from you—which I shall make up.”
“But, Olivia, I really cannot permit—”
“It’s too late now; the power of permission is denied you. But, remember, when you next meet that miserable little goose, you can hold up your head and snap your fingers at him, for there will be no obligation between you any longer.”
She nodded good-bye to him very brightly, checked his expostulations with a kiss, and ran off over the fields in the direction of the Towers.
For Olivia was feverishly anxious to pay off the debt, and she had little doubt that she would find Fred lounging on his father’s lawn, softening what brains he had by the help of some fluid or other, and a strong cigar. She met him, however, before she reached the gate of the Towers. He had just come from Matherham in a hansom, and was quarrelling with the cabman about his fare; but when he caught sight of Olivia he changed his tone, and threw the man a handful of silver with an ostentatious air. Then he came up to her with a manner full of exaggerated respect, and an expression of face in which the girl instantly detected a good deal of malice.
“Delighted to see you, Miss Denison; it isn’t often you do us the honor of a visit up here. You wish to see my sister, I suppose.”
“No, I came to see you, and I won’t detain you long. I am commissioned by my father to bring you the money you so kindly lent him, and to say how deeply obliged he is for the graceful generosity you have shown him in this matter.”
Fred Williams was annoyed, but he did not seem surprised.
“Oh, all right,” he said, gruffly. “You needn’t sneer. Your guv’nor was precious glad to take it at the time: that’s all I know. And you haven’t got me on toast as you think, for I saw you pass here this morning, and I followed you into Matherham, and I know what you did there,” he added, triumphantly.