But Margaret, having got over the hardest part of all, her own consent, in a grave, matter-of-fact way, tried to say what she had to say plainly.
"Mr. Drayton has promised——my sister must be safe——" this was all she had to say.
"And you yourself, Miss Rivers?"
"I want nothing, nothing for myself, but for her—it must be made safe."
"I do not see how that can be done unless she marries Mr. Drayton. Any money arrangement must take the form of a marriage settlement."
She looked at him blankly.
"Is this so? is this quite true?"
"It is quite true. There may be a stipulation, a promise, but, forgive me, Miss Rivers, that would look like a bargain and might lead to misconception."
"It is a bargain," said poor Margaret, while her face crimsoned under his gaze; "my sister, in some way, must be made secure."
"I think I had better see Mr. Drayton's man of business," he said, finding that she cared for nothing but what could be done for her sister.