"Say that a long illness prevented, but that Paul Ritson is now prepared to fulfill his engagement."
"And what then?"
"What then?" Hugh Ritson echoed. "Why, what do you think?"
"Send him?" with a motion of the thumb over the shoulder.
"Of course," said Hugh.
Again the cynical tone caught Hugh Ritson's ear, and he glanced up quickly, but made no remark. He was now dressed.
"I am ready," and on reaching the door and taking a last look round the room, he added: "I'll have the best of this furniture removed to the Ghyll to-morrow. The house has been unbearable of late, and I've been forced to spend most of my time down here."
"Then you don't intend to give him much grace?" asked Bonnithorne.
"Not an hour."
The lawyer bent his forehead very low at that moment.