Philip's face gradually changed beneath her look, from the tension and gloom with which he had begun the scene to a kind of boyish relief--a touch of pleasure--of mischief even.
His high, majestical pretensions vanished away; a light and volatile mind thought no more of them; and he turned eagerly to another idea.
"Elizabeth, do you know that you have proposed to Anderson ?" "If I have, it was your fault." "He hasn't said Yes ?" Elizabeth was silent.

Anderson came forward--but Philip stopped him with a gesture.
"He can't say Yes--till I give him back his promise," said the boy, triumphantly.

"Well, George, I do give it you back--on one condition--that you put off going for a week, and that you come back as soon as you can.

By Jove, I think you owe me that!" Anderson's difficult smile answered him.
"And now you've got rid of your beastly Conference, you can come in, and talk business with me to-morrow--next day--every day!" Philip resumed, "can't he, Elizabeth?
If you're going to be my brother, I'll jolly well get you to tackle the lawyers instead of me--boring old idiots! I say--I'm going to take it easy now!" He settled himself in his chair with a long breath, and his eyelids fell.

He was speaking, as they all knew, of the making of his will.