"
"My secretary has the figures, I believe," said the earl, slightly bored.
"Well, we'll say thirty thousand in round figures. Now what hope have you
of ever paying that sum off?"
"None--unless I--er--well, unless I should be fortunate enough to secure a
rich wife."
"Precisely; that is exactly what I thought," rejoined Terwilliger.
"Marriage is your only asset, and as yet that is hardly negotiable. Now I
have called you here this afternoon to make a proposition to you. If you
will marry according to my wishes I will give you an income of five
thousand pounds a year for the next five years."
"I don't quite understand you," the earl replied, in a disappointed tone.
It was evident that five thousand pounds per annum was too small a figure
for his tastes.
"I think I was quite plain," said Terwilliger, and he repeated his offer.
"I certainly admire the lady very much," said the earl; "but the
settlement of income seems very small."
Terwilliger opened his eyes wide with astonishment.
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