‘It’s everything to get him in a good humour,’ pleaded Sir Felix.

‘But the young lady will feel that she is ill-used.’

’There’s no fear of that; she’s all right.  What am I to say to him about money?  That’s the question.’

‘I shouldn’t think of dictating anything, Felix.’

’Nidderdale, when he was on before, stipulated for a certain sum down; or his father did for him.  So much cash was to be paid over before the ceremony, and it only went off because Nidderdale wanted the money to do what he liked with.’

‘You wouldn’t mind having it settled?’

’No;—­I’d consent to that on condition that the money was paid down, and the income...