"Exactly twenty thousand pounds."
I felt as if my head were turning round. At that moment I caught a glimpse of Mary leaning on her father's arm. She looked prettier than ever.
"Doctor Morgan," I said, "there has been a mistake here—will you suffer me to explain it?"
"Certainly," said the doctor, in a very mollified tone; "if you will breakfast with me to-morrow morning." Twenty thousand pounds do make a difference in a man's position.
"May I come too, doctor?" hiccuped Cutts.
"No, sir; and, if you do not wish to be prosecuted, you had better send me a fee to-morrow morning."
"Oh, come!" said old Scripio. "I daresay it was merely a bit of fun. I'll settle the fees, doctor. Put Cutts to bed, and let the rest of us have a bit of supper."
On that day three weeks I married Mary Morgan, and have never taken another share in any railway since. If the reader wishes to know the reason, he may consult the list of present prices.