"Come," said Ratman encouragingly, "if you could work things in that direction, it might be worth my while to give you time."
"I can do nothing. The fellow is immovable. In six months--"
"In six months everything will be too late. And now, what about the other matter? Is that all right?"
Once more the captain groaned. "I can say nothing about it yet. She knows my wishes, but as Robert Ratman she will not hear a word of it. As Roger Ingleton, the elder, you may depend on it the matter will take another view. All depends on your success there. When that's achieved, the rest will come if you give her time."
"You are a glib talker, Oliphant. I admire you. Now listen. You want credit, and you know how to buy it. One way or another, this business must come to an end. I'll take new bills with interest at three months. By that time everything must be square and smooth; otherwise you'll be sorry you and your children were born, my boy. Order dinner. I'm going back by the six train. Pass me that paper, and don't disturb me any more by your talking."
As Mr Ratman, very well satisfied with his day's business, strolled serenely back through the park that afternoon, he was surprised to hear light footsteps behind him, and, on turning, to discover that his pursuer, of all people, was Miss Rosalind Oliphant.
"Hullo!" said he, "this is flattering, with a vengeance."
"Mr Ratman, I want to speak to you, please," said Rosalind, very pale and nervous.
"Excuse me," said he, "that's not my name; my name is Roger Ingleton. What's the matter?"
"It's about my father. Have you seen him?"
"He says he owes you money, and that you threaten to ruin him. Is that so?"
"Upon my word, if you want to know, it is."
"Nothing. A trifle. Fifteen hundred pounds or thereabouts."
"Fifteen hundred!" faltered she. "Does he owe you all that."
The little she had to offer was a drop in the bucket only.
"Look here," said he; "Miss Rosy, your father's in a fix. I don't want to be hard on him, but I must have my money or its equivalent. Now, I should consider it a very fair equivalent to be allowed to call him father-in-law. I may not be up to your mark in some things, Miss Rosalind, but I've a good name, and I flatter myself I know beauty when I see it. Now, think over it. It's the only chance your father's got, and you might do worse for yourself than become the mistress of Maxfield. Good-bye. Shake hands."