‘It is strange that you should put such a question to me. I should have supposed your interests were in the hands of—of some competent person.’
‘This will be my private affair, father. I wish to get as high a rate of interest as I safely can.’
‘I really must decline to advise, or interfere in any way. But, as you have introduced this subject, I may as well put a question which is connected with it. Could you give me any idea as to how long you are likely to remain with us?’
‘At least a year,’ was the answer, ‘and very likely much longer.’
‘Am I to understand, then, that your marriage is indefinitely postponed?’
‘Yes, father.’
‘And will you tell me why?’
‘I can only say that it has seemed better—to both of us.’
Yule detected the sorrowful emotion she was endeavouring to suppress. His conception of Milvain’s character made it easy for him to form a just surmise as to the reasons for this postponement; he was gratified to think that Marian might learn how rightly he had judged her wooer, and an involuntary pity for the girl did not prevent his hoping that the detestable alliance was doomed. With difficulty he refrained from smiling.
‘I will make no comment on that,’ he remarked, with a certain emphasis. ‘But do you imply that this investment of which you speak is to be solely for your own advantage?’