"I didn't mean that, but it's natural to suppose that I shall live
longer than you do, isn't it?"

"I suppose so," returned Allan Roscoe, shortly.

"Of course that's what I mean."

"Then, since you are so much better off than Hector, you had better
be more considerate, and leave him to get over his disappointment as
well as he can."

"Shall I send in Hector to see you?" asked Guy, as he at length
turned to leave the room.

"Yes."

"You're to go in to my father," said Guy, reappearing on the lawn;
"he's going to give it to you."

Hector anticipated some such summons, and he had remained in the
same spot, too proud to have it supposed that he shrank from the
interview.

With a firm, resolute step, he entered the presence of Allan Roscoe.

"I hear you wish to see me, Mr. Roscoe," he said, manfully.

"Yes, Hector; Guy has come to me with complaints of you."