Thorn’s face was hot when he came in, and he glanced at Osborn with an effort for carelessness when the latter indicated a chair.  Osborn looked old and broken, but he had a touch of dignity that was new.

“I’m sorry if I’m late,” Thorn remarked.  “I had to go to Swinset and had trouble with the car.”

Osborn wondered dully whether this was the real ground for his delay, but he said, “Oh, well, it does not matter now you have arrived.  I gave you a hint about my object in sending for you, but you don’t know all yet.”

“I imagine I know enough.  Gerald’s in trouble; he or you must meet the bill Hallam will bring.  You see, the fellow belongs to my club and I had a talk with him when I was in town.”

“So you knew what threatened us?” Osborn remarked, rather sharply.  “If so, it’s curious you waited until I sent for you.”

Thorn hesitated.  He had meant to be tactful, but it looked as if he had been rash.  Osborn’s suspicions were obviously excited.

“The matter is delicate, and I knew you would send for me if you thought I could be of use.”

“You can be of use.  Unless I take up the fellow’s bill, Gerald will go to jail.”

Thorn made a sign of sympathy.  He was surprised by Osborn’s bluntness, which implied that the latter was desperate.  “That must be prevented.  I’ll give you a cheque.”

He took out his cheque book, and then stopped, and Osborn asked:  “Is this a free loan, Alan?  I mean, is it made without conditions?”

“A gift, if you like.  Anyhow, I won’t bother you about repayment.  We can’t talk about conditions; but I have something to ask.”

“Grace?” said Osborn, rather hoarsely.

“Yes,” said Thorn, with a hint of embarrassment.  “I want Grace.  It’s an awkward situation.  I don’t want to urge that I deserve my reward, but I’ve waited a long time and thought you approved.”

“I did approve.  I hoped she’d marry you, but I imagined she could be persuaded and would do so willingly.  However, it looks as if I was mistaken.”

Thorn leaned forward, fixing his eyes on Osborn.

“Grace is young, and perhaps I don’t make a strong appeal to her romantic feelings, but I belong to her rank and her views and tastes are mine.  That is much.  Also, I can indulge and give her all she likes; the refinements and comforts to which she is, in a sense, entitled.  After all, they count for something.  I’m trying to be practical, but I love her.”

“If you really love her, I think you would do well not to urge her just now,” Osborn remarked quietly.

“Ah,” said Thorn, “I can’t wait.  Waiting has gained me nothing and there is a risk.  If I were young, I’d use all the patience I could control, but I’m getting old and farther away from Grace.  In another year or two I shall be bald and fat.  Perhaps the argument’s humorous, but it has a cruel force for me.”

“There are other girls, brought up as we have brought up Grace.  They might be flattered—­”