wherever it appears in the proof prospectus, and--yes--one thing more.
Telephone to Specton--the Right Honourable the Earl of Specton, I mean,
and say that after all I have been able to arrange that he shall have a
seat on the Board and a block of shares at a very moderate figure,
and that if he will wire his assent, his name shall be put into the
prospectus. You approve, don't you, Haswell?--yes--then that is all, I
think, Jeffreys, only please be as quick as you can, for I want to get
away."

Jeffreys, the immaculate and the impassive, bowed, and casting one swift
glance at Vernon out of the corner of his eye, departed.

What is called an awkward pause ensued; in fact it was a very awkward
pause. The die was cast, the matter ended, and what were the principals
to do until the ratifications had been exchanged or, a better simile
perhaps, the _decree nisi_ pronounced absolute. Mr. Champers-Haswell
remarked that the weather was very cold for April, and Alan agreed with
him, while Sir Robert found his hat and brushed it with his sleeve. Then
Mr. Haswell, in desperation, for in minor matters he was a kindly sort
of man who disliked scenes and unpleasantness, muttered something as
to seeing him--Alan--at his house, The Court, in Hertfordshire, from
Saturday to Monday.

"That was the arrangement," answered Alan bluntly, "but possibly after
what has happened you will not wish that it should be kept."

"Oh! why not, why not?" said Mr. Haswell. "Sunday is a day of rest when
we make it a rule not to talk business, and if we did, perhaps we might
all change our minds about these matters. Sir Robert is coming, and I
am sure that your cousin Barbara will be very disappointed if you do not