Mind! if I did I should only be taking my pound of flesh: and I may tell you that before I entered this house this afternoon I had resolved to have it.

But I heard something that induced me to change my mind." Sir Stephen leant forward, his eyes fixed eagerly on the speaker, and Stafford in his anxiety held his breath and pressed his father's shoulder encouragingly.
"You heard something, sir ?" Stafford asked, as calmly as he could.
Mr.Falconer was silent for a moment, then he said: "Yes.

I heard that you were desirous of marrying my daughter, Maude, Mr.Orme; and I need not say that a man does not ruin his son-in-law!" There was an intense silence.

Stafford stood as if he were turned to stone, as if he were trying to persuade himself that he had misunderstood the meaning of Falconer's words.

Marry Maude Falconer--he! Was he dreaming, or was this man, who stood regarding him with cold, glittering eyes, mad!.