'I ask again, what do you wish to do with it? Would you let it?'
'No,' said the colonel, sighing again; 'if I go I must sell. My means will not allow me to do otherwise.'
'I will buy it of you, if you wish to sell.'
'You! What would you do with the property?'
'Keep it for you, against a time when you may wish to buy it back. But indeed it would come very conveniently for me. I should like to have it, for my own purposes. I will give you its utmost value.'
The colonel pondered, not glad, perhaps, to have difficulties cleared out of his way. Mr. Dallas waited, too keen to press his point unduly.
'I should have to go and reconnoitre,' the former said presently. 'I must not give up one home till I have another ready. I never thought to leave Seaforth. Where do you say this place is that Mrs. Dallas recommends?'
'In New York. The school is said to be particularly good and thorough, and conducted by an English lady; which would be a recommendation to me, as I suppose it is to you.'
'I should have to find a house in the neighbourhood,' said the colonel, musing.
Mr. Dallas said no more, and waited.