"And you don't stop it?"

"My dear Vance, how little you know Terence! You couldn't tear that horseout of his life without breaking his heart. I _know!_"

"So you suffer, day by day?"

"I've done somewhat little else all my life," exclaimed Elizabeth gravely. "AndI've learned to bear pain."

He swallowed. Also, he was beginning to grow irritated. He had neverbefore had a talk with Elizabeth that contained so many reefs thatthreatened shipwreck. He returned to the gist of their conversationrather too bluntly.

"But to continue, Elizabeth, any banker would lend me money on myprospects."

"You mean the property which will come to you when I die?"

He used all his power, but he could not meet her glance. "You know that'sa nasty way to put it, Elizabeth."

"Dear Vance," she sighed, "a great many people say that I'm a hard woman.I suppose I am. And I like to look facts squarely in the face. Yourprospects begin with my death, of course."

He had no answer, but bit his lip nervously and wished the ordeal wouldcome to an end.

"Vance," she went on, "I'm glad to have this talk with you. It'ssomething you have to know. 0f course I'll see that during my life or mydeath you'll be provided for. But as for your main prospects, do you knowwhere they are?"