"I've told them to give him the run of my wardrobe," Slyne answered indifferently. "So he'll be all right.
"And—what I wanted to say to you, Sallie, is that—I've just heard—All my hard work for you has been successful at last," he stammered, in a changed voice. "The claim I made for you has been allowed by the law. We're all going up to London to-morrow to get matters finally settled, and then—you'll be Countess of Jura in your own right."
He paused, effectively. Captain Dove was glancing from one to the other of them with judicial gravity.
"So that you can keep your promise to me now, without any further delay," said Slyne. "I want you to tell the others at dinner to-night—that you've chosen me for your husband."
The happy light in her eyes died out instantly. A faint frown furrowed her smooth white forehead. Her curved lips trembled a little. The old unhappiness and dread were plucking at her heart again. But she did not shirk the issue.
"But you agreed to wait—for three months, Jasper," she said in a low, pleading voice.
"That was only in case it took so long to fix things up for you," he lied easily. "Our signed agreement makes that quite clear, and it's absolutely binding, you know. Mr. Jobling will tell you that—and he's a lawyer."
She was gazing at him with something very like horror in her wide eyes.
"Was that in the paper I signed?" she asked breathlessly. But her lips had grown set and resolute. "I thought—"
"You must have misunderstood me, then," Slyne interrupted with assumed impatience. "But—you signed it of your own free will, before responsible witnesses. I've kept my part of our bargain; and now—you must keep yours, or the law will make you."