Jacob's Ladder Part 29

"I had no idea that you were _persona grata_ in this household," Sybil remarked coldly.

"I'm not--if it means what it sounds as if it did," Jacob replied. "I am asked here because I am very rich and because the Marquis is interested in money-making schemes. Do you like being a nursery governess?"

"I hate it!"

"Worse than giving dancing lessons?"

"You needn't rub it in. That was just an unfortunate episode."

"Unfortunate, you call it?"

"Unfortunate," she repeated, "for if those two men had been half as clever as I thought they were, they wouldn't have bungled the matter, and I should have been able to make a real start in life."

"With my money?"

"Yes, but not given by you. Taken from you!"

"Miss Bultiwell," Jacob asked wistfully, "are you never going to get rid of this ridiculous prejudice against me?"

"Never!"

"You know--that I admire you more than any one else in the world?"

"I am glad to hear it, if it makes you uncomfortable."

"It makes me unhappy."

"Then I'm glad you find me attractive," she declared. "I only wish I had really beautiful clothes and were far better looking. Then you might suffer more."

"Some day," he said, drawing nearer to her, "you will try me too high."

She laughed scornfully.

"Are you trying to threaten me?"

He came nearer still. His hand rested against the wall, within a few inches of her. Her lips were a little parted, but her eyes flashed.

"What do you mean?" she demanded. "How dare you come so near to me!"

His eyes met hers steadily.

"I am going to propose," he told her. "I can't from the other side of the balcony."

"Propose!" she repeated contemptuously.

"Will you marry me please, Sybil?" he asked.

"Will I--"

"I think you will some day," he went on. "It would make things simpler if you'd say 'yes' now."

She was speechless. For the first time Jacob felt that he had scored.

Perhaps it was not altogether to his disadvantage that at that moment a footman stepped out on to the balcony with a small package for him.

Sybil slipped away and Jacob followed her into the room. Lady Mary looked up from the piano.

"One more song, Miss Bultiwell?" she suggested.

"If you will excuse me," Sybil replied, "I must go home now."

"Must you?" Lady Mary murmured, "Mr. Pratt will see you across the Square."

"Quite unnecessary, thank you," was the curt rejoinder.

"Besides, we rather want Mr. Pratt," the Marquis, who had just made his appearance, intervened. "James can step across with Miss Bultiwell."

Sybil moved quickly towards the door.

"Please don't let any one stir," she begged. "It is barely a hundred yards and I much prefer going alone."

Lady Mary got up from the piano and detained Jacob as he turned to follow the other two men.

"Mr. Pratt," she asked, "how did you contrive to offend Miss Bultiwell?"

"I refused to put some money into her father's business," he explained. "Her father was hopelessly bankrupt and tried to palm off a false balance sheet on me. He afterwards shot himself. It was unfortunate, but I cannot see that I was to blame."

Lady Mary sighed.

"Of course," she said, "I feel I am being rather generous in trying to help you, because I am beginning to rather like you myself."

"There doesn't seem to be anything against your encouraging the feeling," Jacob replied, with a rather sad twinkle in his eyes. "I don't think Sybil will ever have me."

She made a little grimace.

"I don't like being a second choice," she confessed. "Couldn't you get to like me best?"

"What about the other fellow?"

"He's coming in with Jack in a few minutes," she said. "I must ask him about it. I think I shall tell him that my affections are wavering."

"As soon as the coast is clear," Jacob began,--

"Humbug!" she interrupted. "Go down and be fleeced."

The scene was laid when Jacob reached the library. He slipped into the vacant chair and accepted the pen which the Marquis handed to him.

"Leave the cheque open, please," Mr. Dane Montague begged. "We have to hand the money over in cash to-morrow morning."