"I hope so," gloomily.
"We must be, or be ruined. You will settle this business with Constance, at once, to-day?"
"Yes—I suppose so."
"You suppose! man, you talk as if you were leading a forlorn hope. Do you expect a refusal?"
"I don't know what to expect," flinging away his segar, angrily, "I can't understand Constance; I wish that cursed Heath were safely out of my path."
"Can't you trust him to Belknap?"
"There we are again! what is that confounded detective doing? He has been here five days, or nearly that; four days ago, Constance asked three days to consider upon the case. What did that mean? Belknap should have been here with his report long ago. Why don't he come?"
"That I can't tell you; he has his own way of doing things; his absence does not alter the fact, that I must use this opportunity for getting to the city; and you must press this business with Constance, and bring it to a settlement. I don't think there is much doubt as to her answer."
"Well, I wish I could feel as sanguine, that's all."
At this moment there came the sound of wheels on the gravel outside, and glancing toward the window, Frank sprang up exclaiming: