‘But——’ the girl hesitated, ‘what I have to say is very particular, and I would not be overheard on any account.’
‘Ah! ah!’ he giggled, ‘I’ll have no games played with me. I’m no longer susceptible to fascination, and I ain’t worth it; on my sacred word I’m not. I’m very poor, very poor now. You can see it for yourself. Is this house kept up, and the garden? Does the hall look like a lap of luxury? I’m too poor to be a catch, so you may go away.’
Barbara would have laughed had not the nature of her visit been so serious.
‘I am Miss Jordan,’ she said, ‘daughter of Mr. Jordan of Morwell, from whom you borrowed money seventeen years ago.’
‘Oh!’ he gave a start of surprise. ‘Ah, well, I have sent back as much as I could spare. Some was stolen. It is not convenient to me after this reverse to find all now.’
‘My father has received nothing. What you sent was lost or stolen on the way.’
The old man’s jaw fell, and he stared blankly at her.
‘It is as I say. My father has received nothing.’
‘I sent it by my son.’
‘He has lost it.’