Owen stared. "Why, for the reason I told you: that Mona won't take another step till mother has given full satisfaction. Everything must be there. You see, everything was there the day of that fatal visit." "I suppose he means them—in the first place, at least—to try to talk you over."!

"Well," said Mrs. Gereth profoundly, "it will be clear enough that Mona has." "To you, of course—to enjoy, to keep for yourself."

"Why, rather, Miss Vetch!" Owen declared. "I've done every blessed thing she wished. I rushed down to Ricks, as you saw, with fire and sword, and the day after that I went to see her at Waterbath." At this point he checked himself, though it was just the point at which her interest deepened. A different look had come into his face as he put down his empty teacup. "But why should I tell you such things, for any good it does me? I gather that you've no suggestion to make me now except that I shall request my solicitor to act. Shall I request him to act?" "I doubt if they'd bear it again!" Fleda marveled: her companion had in an instant become young again. "Away from Mona? How in the world—?"