"It is a pleasure, Lady Croston."

"Ah, Sir Eustace, you do not expect me to believe that," laughed
the radiant creature at his side. "But if you only knew how I detest
lawyers, and what you spare me by the trouble you take, I am sure you
would not grudge me your time."

"Do not talk of it, Lady Croston. I would do a great deal more than that
for you; in fact," here he dropped his voice a little, "there are few
things that I would not do for you, _Madeline_."

She raised her delicate eyebrows till they looked like notes of
interrogation, and blushed a little. This was quite a new style for Sir
Eustace. Was he in earnest? she wondered. Impossible!

"And now for business," he continued; "not that there is much business;
as I understand it, you have only to sign this document, which I have
already witnessed, and the stock can be transferred."

She signed the paper which he had brought in a big envelope almost
without looking at it, for she was thinking of Sir Eustace's remark, and
he put it back in the envelope.

"Is that all the business, Sir Eustace?" she asked.

"Yes; quite all. Now I suppose that as I have done my duty I had better
go away."

"I wish to Heaven he would!" groaned Bottles to himself behind the
curtains. He did not like his brother's affectionate little ways or