I can't go so far as to say, Orme, that if I had been permitted to choose, I should have chosen a son of yours for my son-in-law, but, you see, Maude doesn't give me the option.

The young people have taken the bit between their teeth and bolted, and it seems to me that the only thing we have to do is to sit tight and look as cheerful as possible.

Oh, one word more," he added, in a business-like tone.

"Of course I make over this concession to you, Orme; just taking the share I should have received if you had won the game and I had only stood in as proposed.

That is to say, you will be in exactly the same position as if you had won all along the line--as you thought you had." And with a nod, which included father and son, he went out.
Stafford unconsciously drew back a little, so that he was almost behind Sir Stephen, who had covered his eyes with his hands and sat perfectly motionless, like a half-stunned man looking back at some terrible danger from which he had only escaped by the skin of his teeth.