Hallam bowed and tried not to look surprised.  “Very well.  I have brought the document about which you wrote.  I am sorry I find it impossible to renew the loan.”

“Let me see the bill,” said Kit, who took it from him and afterwards nodded.  “Yes; that’s all right!  Cancel the thing and I’ll give you a cheque.”

“You admit your liability, then?” Hallam asked.

“Of course!  What did you expect?  My name’s here.  It’s not my habit to disown my debts.”

Hallam did not state what he had expected.  He was tactful and was satisfied to get his money.  Pulling out a fountain pen, he cancelled the bill and put Kit’s cheque in his pocket.

“That is all, I think, and I can get a train if I start at once,” he said.  “If you should require help to extend your farm or improve your stock, I should be glad if you would apply to me.”

“I’m afraid your interest is too high,” Kit rejoined with a smile, and Hallam bowed to the others and went out.

When he had gone, Osborn turned to Kit, who gave Mrs. Osborn the cancelled bill.

“I don’t understand,” he said dully.  “Why have you come to my rescue?”

“To some extent, it was for Miss Osborn’s sake.”

“Ah!” said Osborn.  “I suppose you have a demand to make now I am in your power?”

“You are not in my power.  Mrs. Osborn has the bill, and if you cannot repay me, I won’t urge the debt.  But there is, so to speak, a stipulation.  You must use no pressure to persuade Miss Osborn to marry Mr. Thorn.”

“I am not likely to do so,” Osborn remarked, dryly.  He paused and his face got red as he struggled with his deep-rooted dislike for Kit.

“You have taken a very generous line, Mr. Askew,” he resumed.  “We have not been friends, but I must confess it looks as if I had been unjust.”

Kit smiled.  “Luck made us antagonists.  However, I hope the antagonism has gone for good, because after all I have something to ask.  I must go to London on some business to-morrow, but with your leave I will again call in a week.”

“You will find us at home when you do come,” Osborn answered with grave politeness, and when Kit got up Mrs. Osborn gave him her hand.

He went out and Osborn, who felt limp now the strain had slackened, leaned back heavily in his chair and looked at his wife.

“The fellow is a working farmer, but he struck just the right note.  Well, he has beaten me, and it’s easier to be beaten by him than I thought.  But he states he’s coming back—­”

“Yes,” said Mrs. Osborn.  “I think he means to ask for Grace.”

Osborn knitted his brows.  “I imagined that was done with.  It is one thing to take his help and another to give him Grace.  After all, there is not much difference between his plan and Thorn’s.”

“I expect you will find the difference important,” Mrs. Osborn replied with a smile.  “He has broken down your unjustified prejudice, and if he is the man I think, he will leave Grace free to refuse—­if she likes.”