“So you really go to Littlebath to-morrow,” Mr Rubb said to Miss Mackenzie, when they were again together in the drawing-room.

“Yes, to-morrow morning. Susanna must be at school the next day.”

“Happy Susanna! I wish I were going to school at Littlebath. Then I shan’t see you again before you go.”

“No; I suppose not.”

“I am so sorry, because I particularly wished to speak to you,—most particularly. I suppose I could not see you in the morning? But, no; it would not do. I could not get you alone without making such a fuss of the thing.”

“Couldn’t you say it now?” asked Miss Mackenzie.

“I will, if you’ll let me; only I suppose it isn’t quite the thing to talk about business at an evening party; and your sister-in-law, if she knew it, would never forgive me.”

“Then she shan’t know it, Mr Rubb.”

“Since you are so good, I think I will make bold. Carpe diem, as we used to say at school, which means that one day is as good as another, and, if so why not any time in the day? Look here, Miss Mackenzie—about that money, you know.”

And Mr Rubb got nearer to her on the sofa as he whispered the word money into her ear. It immediately struck her that her own brother Tom had said not a word to her about the money, although they had been together for the best part of an hour before they had gone up to dress.

“I suppose Mr Slow will settle all that,” said Miss Mackenzie.

“Of course;—that is to say, he has nothing further to settle just as yet. He has our bond for the money, and you may be sure it’s all right. The property is purchased, and is ours,—our own at this moment, thanks to you. But landed property is so hard to convey. Perhaps you don’t understand much about that! and I’m sure I don’t. The fact is, the title deeds at present are in other hands, a mere matter of form; and I want you to understand that the mortgage is not completed for that reason.”

“I suppose it will be done soon?”

“It may, or it may not; but that won’t affect your interest, you know.”

“I was thinking of the security.”

“Well, the security is not as perfect as it should be. I tell you that honestly; and if we were dealing with strangers we should expect to be called on to refund. And we should refund instantly, but at a great sacrifice, a ruinous sacrifice. Now, I want you to put so much trust in us,—in me, if I may be allowed to ask you to do so,—as to believe that your money is substantially safe. I cannot explain it all now; but the benefit which you have done us is immense.”

“I suppose it will all come right, Mr Rubb.”

“It will all come right, Miss Mackenzie.”

Then there was extracted from her something which he was able to take as a promise that she would not stir in the matter for a while, but would take her interest without asking for any security as to her principal.