"I'm glad you've come, Mr. Hawkes."
"Why, you're a young lady!" cried the astonished solicitor.
"Am I? Ask me aunt about that!" replied Peg, somewhat bitterly.
"Mr. Hawkes wishes to talk to you, dear," broke in Mrs. Chichester, and there was a melancholy pathos in her voice and, in her eyes.
If neither Alaric nor Mr. Hawkes could deter her, what would become of them?
"And I want to talk to Mr. Hawkes, too," replied Peg. "But ye must hurry," she went on. "I've only, a few minutes."
Mrs. Chichester went pathetically to the door, and, telling Mr. Hawkes she would see him again when he had interviewed her niece, she left them.
"Now, my dear Miss Margaret O'Connell—" began the lawyer.
"Will ye let me have twenty pounds?" suddenly asked Peg.
"Certainly. NOW?" and he took out his pocket-book.