The discussion of this point was interrupted by a tap at the door.
Mrs. Hilliard, after leaving the room for a moment, returned with
rosy countenance.

"He is here," she murmured. "I thought I should like you to meet him
this evening. Do you mind?"

Mr. Marr entered; a favourable specimen of his kind; strong, comely,
frank of look and speech. Hilliard marvelled somewhat at his choice
of the frail and timid little widow, and hoped upon marriage would
follow no repentance. A friendly conversation between the two men
confirmed them in mutual good opinion. At length Mrs. Hilliard spoke
of the offer of money made by her brother-in-law.

"I don't feel I've any right to it," she said, after explaining the
circumstances. "You know what Maurice has done for me. I've always
felt I was robbing him----"

"I wanted to say something about that," put in the bass-voiced Ezra.
"I want to tell you, Mr. Hilliard, that you're a man I'm proud to
know, and proud to shake hands with. And if my view goes for
anything, Emily won't take a penny of what you're offering her. I
should think it wrong and mean. It is about time--that's my way of
thinking--that you looked after your own interests. Emily has no
claim to a share in this money, and what's more, I don't wish her to
take it."

"Very well," said Hilliard. "I tell you what we'll do. A couple of
hundred pounds shall be put aside for the little girl. You can't
make any objection to that."