"In the only way which would concern a woman. Suppose that I thought of him as your husband?"
She flushed crimson.
"Have you spoken to him on the matter?"
"No, but being about to speak to him—after dinner to-night."
"I should defer my opinion until that has happened."
He laughed as though the idea of it amused him very much.
"Of course, he will have nothing to do with us, Anna. What is a fortune to such a fine fellow? What is a great house—and I say it—a very beautiful wife? Of course, he will refuse us. Any boy would do that, especially one who has been brought up in Union Street. Now go and look for him in the garden. I must tell Geary to have that cheque drawn out—and mind you, if I meet that fellow Forrest, I will half kill him just to show my good opinion of him. This nonsense must end to-night. Remember, it is a promise to me."
She shrugged her shoulders and left the room with slow steps. Gessner, still smiling, turned up a lamp by his writing-table and took out his cheque-book.