Otherwise you help to deceive her. He
has no sense of honour in such things.'
Dora was so impatient to let her brother have the news that she
left the house as soon as she had had tea on the chance of
finding Jasper at home. She had not gone a dozen yards before she
encountered him in person.
'I was afraid Marian might still be with you,' he said, laughing.
'I should have asked the landlady. Well?'
'We can't stand talking here. You had better come in.'
He was in too much excitement to wait.
'Just tell me. What has she?'
Dora walked quickly towards the house, looking annoyed.
'Nothing at all? Then what has her father?'
'He has nothing,' replied his sister, 'and she has five thousand
pounds.'
Jasper walked on with bent head. He said nothing more until he
was upstairs in the sitting-room, where Maud greeted him
carelessly.
'Mrs Reardon anything?'
Dora informed him.
'What?' he cried incredulously. 'Ten thousand? You don't say so!'
He burst into uproarious laughter.
'So Reardon is rescued from the slum and the clerk's desk! Well,
I'm glad; by Jove, I am.
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