Meanwhile the adorable things were still
under his roof; and with a mad pleasure he relocked the drawer.
* * * * *
Faversham spent the rest of the morning in cogitations that may be easily
imagined. He certainly attributed some share in the extraordinary
proposal that had been made to him, to his possession of the gems, and to
Melrose's desire to beguile them from him. But what then? Sufficient for
the day! He would decide how to deal with that crisis when it should
arrive.
Meanwhile, the amazing proposal itself was before him. If it were
accepted, he should be at once a comparatively rich man, with an infinity
of chances for the future; for Melrose's financial interest and influence
were immense. If not free to marry immediately, he would certainly be
free--as Melrose himself had hinted--to prepare for marriage. But could
he do the work?--could he get on with the old man?--could he endure the
life?
After luncheon Dixon, with the subdued agitation of manner which showed
the advent of yet another change in the household, came in to announce
that a motor had come from Carlisle, that Mr. Melrose did not propose to
use it himself, and hoped that Mr. Faversham would take a drive.
It was the invalid's first excursion into the outer world.
He sat breathing in great draughts of the scented summer air, feeling his
life and strength come back into him.
The rain had passed, and the fells rose clear and high above the moist
hay meadows and the fresh-leaved trees.
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