“Yes; it was a joint transaction, but I found the money.”
“And why did you come away?”
“Well, we made very little out of it, Phil. As Corbett has two sisters, I thought it best to leave what there was for him. He was absurdly grateful about what he called my generosity in the matter, but now that the land has proved valuable, of course all that nonsense is at an end, and we go half-shares in the deal.”
“Two sisters! They pretty?”
“What! Jealous already! They are very nice, but much older than their brother, and he is my senior by two years.”
Miss Browne was graciously pleased to accept this explanation. She knitted her smooth brow into a reflective frown as she said:
“Mr. Corbett arrives on the 4th. It is now January 30th. You really ought to go home, Bertie.”
“Now my dear, sensible little woman is talking like her own self.”
“I see I must give you permission. But I did hope we would see Florence together.”
“So we shall. I’ll tell you what I can do. I shall write to Corbett to-day, care of the steamer at Liverpool, tell him to go to my flat, and stay there a few days until I arrive, and go home myself at the end of next week. He is sure to spend some time seeing the sights before tackling business, and he can do that as well without me as if I were there. A line to my old housekeeper, who has a spare key, will make the place habitable for him. Happy thought, I’ll do it.”