"I doubt whether your mother is not responsible for everything Broughton owed when he died,—for everything, that is, in the way of business; and if so, Mrs. Broughton will certainly have a claim upon the estate." It occurred to Dalrymple once or twice that he was talking to Clara about Mrs. Van Siever as though he and Clara were more closely bound together than were Clara and her mother; but Clara seemed to take this in good part, and was as solicitous as was he himself in the matter of Mrs. Broughton's interest.
Then the discreet head-servant knocked and told them that Mrs. Broughton was very anxious to see Mr. Dalrymple, but that Miss Van Siever was on no account to go away. She was up, and in her dressing-gown, and had gone into the sitting-room. "I will come directly," said Dalrymple, and the discreet head-servant retired.
"Clara," said Conway, "I do not know when I may have another chance of asking for an answer to my question. You heard my question?"
"Yes, I heard it."
"And will you answer it?"
"If you wish it, I will."
"Of course I wish it. You understood what I said upon the doorstep yesterday?"
"I don't think much of that; men say those things so often. What you said before was serious, I suppose?"
"Serious! Heavens! do you think that I am joking?"
"Mamma wants me to marry Mr. Musselboro."
"He is a vulgar brute. It would be impossible."
"It is impossible; but mamma is very obstinate. I have no fortune of my own,—not a shilling. She told me to-day that she would turn me into the street. She forbade me to come here, thinking I should meet you; but I came, because I had promised Mrs. Broughton. I am sure that she will never give me one shilling."
Dalrymple paused for a moment. It was certainly true that he had regarded Clara Van Siever as an heiress, and had at first been attracted to her because he thought it expedient to marry an heiress. But there had since come something beyond that, and there was perhaps less of regret than most men would have felt as he gave up his golden hopes. He took her into his arms and kissed her, and called her his own. "Now we understand each other," he said.
"If you wish it to be so."
"I do wish it."
"And I shall tell my mother to-day that I am engaged to you,—
