“Indeed? You will not mind, Mr Dix?”
“Oh, by no means, my dear sir. But one moment, please. Why not close with my proposal? Come, my dear sir, to be plain, I will take the place at your own terms.”
“You will not take the place at any terms, sir,” said the Colonel, decisively. “Dolly, show the other gentleman in. But did he give you his card?”
“No, sir; said he’d like to speak to you himself.”
“Show him in, then.”
“Hah!” ejaculated the lawyer; “but you will alter your mind, Colonel Pendarve?”
“I hope not.”
“But if you do, you will give me the first offer?”
“I will make no promises, sir,” replied the Colonel.
At that moment a reddish-haired, sour-looking man was shown in, and he nodded shortly to the lawyer.