Part 6 (1/2)
”Eccentric!” cried Artis. ”Mad. Well, I give you all warning. I shall take action, and throw it into chancery.”
He walked to the end of the room, and Paul Capel looked after him uneasily as he saw Katrine follow.
”You foolish boy!” she whispered; ”am not I as badly used as you? Be patient. Wait.”
”What do you mean?” he whispered, hastily.
She looked full in his eyes, and he tried to read the mystery in their depths, but without avail.
”Why don't you speak?” he cried.
”Some things are better left unspoken,” she replied. ”Don't be rash.”
”I'll wait.” he whispered, ”if you wish it.”
”I do wish it. Take no notice of what I say or do. Promise me that.”
”Promise me you will not make me jealous, and I'll wait.”
”But maybe I shall make you jealous,” she said. ”Still, you know me.
Wait.”
”I'm sorry for one thing, Mr Girtle,” said Paul Capel, while this was going on.
”May I ask what that is?”
”Oh, yes. Your simple bequest of a ring. Will you--you will not be offended, Mr Girtle--out of this immense wealth allow me to make you some suitable--”
”Stop,” said the old gentleman, laying his hand upon the speaker's arm.
”My old friend wished to leave me a large sum, but I chose that ring in preference. Thank you all the same, my dear young friend, and I beg you will count upon me for help.”
”Well, then, there is something I should like to do at once. Look here, Mr Girtle--a million and a half--”
”With its strange burden.”
”Oh, I don't mind that. I want to do something over this money. Miss Lawrence is well provided for, but Miss D'Enghien--”
”Well, you had better marry her.”
”Do--do you mean that?”
”No,” said the old man, sternly; ”I do not.”
”There is Mr Artis, too. I should like--”
”To find him in funds to carry on a legal war against you for what he would call his rights. My dear Mr Capel, may I, as lawyer, give you a bit of advice?”
”Certainly; I ask it of you.”