Mr Farrell smiled grimly.
“You are surprised at the time implied. My invitations were intentionally vague, for I had not at the time made up my mind as to various details. I have now decided that for the proper development of my scheme three months at least will be necessary. I therefore invite you to be my guests at the Court during that period.”
Again came the involuntary, simultaneous start of surprise, and Jack Melland cried hastily—
“It is impossible! I am obliged to you, sir; but it is quite impossible, so far as I am concerned. My business—”
“My—my mother!” cried Ruth. “We could not leave her so long; she needs our help—”
Mr Farrell interrupted with upraised hand.
“We will defer objections, if you please! I am prepared to meet and answer them, later on. For the present I ask you to think quietly over the prospect which lies before you, and to consider how far such obstacles as you have mentioned should be allowed to stand in the way. Surely the object is worth some temporary inconvenience or loss. This house, and all that it contains, with various properties bringing in an income of over ten thousand a year, will in due course become the property of one of your number—of the one who best fulfils a certain condition which I consider essential.”
“And the condition—the condition?” queried Mollie eagerly.
Mr Farrell looked at her in silence, while a grim smile passed over his features.
“That,” he said slowly—“that, my dear Miss Mary,—will be discovered, with other things,—when you hear my will read aloud on the day of my funeral?”