Again he took the cigar out of his mouth, and again he regarded the ash; it was white, and long, and firm; it seemed it was a good cigar; and while he was still regarding the ash, he observed--
"Young woman, there's more in you than meets the eye. There's something in what you say; I admit there's a good deal in what you say. I'll give it my serious attention."
"Your serious attention! Won't you understand? Any day I may have to leave this place."
"That's true enough, unless you propose to remain on the premises while the catalogue s being drawn up, and the lots are being ticketed."
"Herbert! What do you mean?"
"Nothing to speak of; only I happen to know that the principal creditors don't mean to wait for their money a moment longer than they can help. Either the estate will have to be administered in bankruptcy, or Miss Nora Lindsay will have to agree to the whole thing being sold--lock, stock and barrel, for what it will fetch."
"When?"
"As a matter of fact, they want to come into the place and start the catalogue to-morrow."
"But what will become of Nora?"
"Quite so."