“No; to marry a hundred and fifty thousand pounds.”
“No, no, no. You are a fool, a visionary, a madman. It is impossible, and I shall feel it my duty to write to James Wilton to forbid, you the house.”
“Once more; will you help me?”
“Once more, no. Now go, and let me get on with my affairs. Someone must work.”
“Then you will not?”
“No.”
“Then listen to me: I’ve made up my mind to it, and do it. I will, at any cost, at any risk. She shan’t marry Claud Wilton, and she shall marry me. Yes, you may smile, but if I die for it I’ll have that girl and her money.”
“But it would cost two hundred pounds to make the venture, sir. Perhaps you had better get that first. Now please go.”
The young man rose and looked at him fiercely for a few minutes, and Garstang met his eyes firmly.
“No,” he said, “that would not do, Harry. The law fences us round against robbery and murder, just as it does women against abduction. You are not in your senses. You were drinking last night. Go back home and have a long sleep. You’ll be better then.”