Mr. Miller strove to re-direct his attention to his case and the papers in his hand.  Herbert made a faint and ineffectual attempt to remove the offending objects from the table.  Mr. Miller only looked back at them with an ever-increasing gloom upon his face, and Herbert’s hand, morally paralyzed by the glance, sank powerlessly down by his side.  He imagined, of course, that the father had recognized his daughter’s property.

“Well, to continue the subject,” said Mr. Miller, looking away with an effort, and turning over the papers he had brought with him; “there are several points in the case I should like to mention to you.”  He paused for a minute, apparently to collect his thoughts, and to Herbert’s sensitive ears there was a sudden coldness and constraint in his voice and manner.  “You will, of course, take instructions in the main from Grainge and Co.; but what I wished to point out to you was—­ahem——­” here his voice unaccountably faltered, and his eyes, as though drawn by a magnet, returned once more with ominous displeasure to that little heap of feminine finery that lay between them.  Mr. Miller flung down his papers, and turning round in his chair, rested both elbows upon the table.

“Mr. Pryme,” he said, with decision, “I think it is best that I should be frank with you!” He looked the young barrister full in the face.

“Certainly, certainly, if you please, Mr. Miller,” said Herbert, not quite knowing what he had to fear, and turning hot and cold alternately under his visitor’s scrutinizing gaze.

“Well, then, let me tell you fairly that I came to seek you to-day with the friendliest motives.”

“I am sure you did, and you are most kind to me, sir,” murmured Herbert, playing nervously with an ivory paper-cutter that lay on the table.

Mr. Miller waved his hand, as though to dispense with his grateful acknowledgments.

“The fact is,” he continued, “I had understood from Mrs. Miller that you were a suitor for my daughter’s hand.  Well, sir, Mrs. Miller, as you know, disapproves of your suit.  My daughter will be well off, Mr. Pryme, and you, I understand, have no income at all.  You have no other resource than a profession, at which, as yet, you have made nothing.  There is some reason in Mrs. Miller’s objection to you.  Nor should I be willing to let my daughter marry an idle man who will live upon her money.  Then, on the other hand, Mr. Pryme, I find that my girl is fond of you, and, if this is the case, I am unwilling to make her unhappy.  I said to myself that I would give you an opening in this case of mine, and if you will work hard and make yourself known and respected in your profession, I should not object, in the course of time, to your being engaged to her, and I would endeavour to induce her mother to agree to it.  I came here to-day, Mr. Pryme, to give you a fair chance of winning her.”

“You are too good, Mr. Miller,” cried Herbert, with effusion, stretching forth his hand.  “I do not know how to thank you enough, nor how to assure you of my grateful acceptance of your terms.”