She closed her lips suddenly. But he really knew perfectly the unspoken words.She sometimes was about to suggest that there was too little man in him. He droppedhis chin inside his arm, partly for comfort and partly to veil the sneer. Ifshe could have followed what he had done in the past six days!

"And you are used to the recent idea?"

"You look at that I'm back before the time was up and in front of my promise,"he exclaimed.

She nodded. "Which paves the way for another very recent idea of mine."

He felt that a blow was coming and nerved himself against the shock ofit. But the preparation was merely like tensing one's muscles against afall. When the shock came, it stunned him.

"Vance, I've decided to adopt Terence!"

His fingertips sank into his cheek, bruising the flesh. What would becomeof his six days of work? What would become of his cunning and hisforethought? All destroyed at a blow. For if she adopted the boy, thevery law would keep her from denying him afterward. For a moment itseemed to him that some devil must have forewarned her of his plans.

"You don't approve?" she exclaimed at last, anxiously.

He threw himself back in the chair and laughed. All his despair went intothat hollow, ringing sound.

"Approve? It's a queer question to ask me. But let it go. I know Icouldn't change you."

"I know that you have a right to advise," she said gently. "You are myfather's son and you have a right to advise on the placing of his name."