"Yes. It will be useless to make any offer for it."

"Why will it be useless to do that?"

"Because--because I have bought it myself."

"You have bought it?"

"Yes; when he came to me last night, and made those
representations--Well, in short, I have bought the place."

"To save him from losing money by that--story?"

"Well--yes. I ought to have told you the fact this morning, as soon as
you said you would buy the place. I know that you like people to be
perfectly truthful. But--I couldn't--without seeming to--brag."

"I understand," said Miss Hernshaw.

"I took the risk of your writing to St. John; but then I realized that if
he answered and told you what I ought to have told you myself, it would
make it worse, and I came back."

"I don't know whether it would have made it worse; but you have come too
late," said Miss Hernshaw. "I've just written to Mr. St. John."

They were both silent for what Hewson thought a long time. At the end of
it, he asked, "Did you--you must excuse me--refer to me at all?"

"No, certainly not. Why should I?"