firmly. "That'll be part of it." "Part of what?" asked Million, bewildered. "Part of the arrangement I want to make with you," [Pg 49] I said. And then, looking up, I beheld curiosity written in every line of the back of that woman at the writing-table. I said: "Million, I can't talk to you here. Get your hat on and come out. We'll discuss this in the Park." [Pg 49] And in the Park, sitting side by side on two green wooden chairs, I unfolded to Million my suddenly conceived plan. "Now, listen," I began. "You're a rich girl—a young woman with a big fortune of her own——" "Oh, Miss, I don't seem to realise it one bit, yet——" "You'll have to realise it. You'll have to begin and adapt yourself to it all, quite soon. And the sooner you begin the sooner you'll feel at home in it all." "I don't feel as if I'd got a home, now," said Million, with the forlorn look coming over her face. "I don't feel as if I should ever make anything out of it—of this here being an heiress, I mean." "Million, you'll have to 'make something of it'. Other people do. People who haven't been brought up to riches. It may not 'come natural' to them, at first. But they learn. They learn to live as if they'd always been accustomed to beautiful clothes, and to having houses, and cars, and all that sort of thing, galore. Million, these are the things you've got to acquire now you're rich," I said quite threateningly. "Even your dear old lawyer knew that this Kensington place was only 'pro tem'. You'll have to have an establishment, to settle where you'll live, and what you want to do with yourself." [Pg 50] "I don't want to do nothing, Miss Beatrice," said little Million helplessly. [Pg 50] "Don't talk nonsense. You know you told me yourself quite lately," I reminded her, "that you had one great wish." Million's troubled little face lifted for a moment into a smile, but she shook her head (in that awful crimsony straw hat that she will wear "for best"). "You do remember that wish," I said. "You told me that you would so like to marry a gentleman. Well, now, here you will have every chance of meeting and marrying one!"
Prev.
Back
Top