Bets were made, some in favour of Macassar, and some in that of the hospital; but of late the odds were going much against our hero.

It was well known that in three short months he would attain that disastrous age, which, if it found him a bachelor, would find him also denuded of his legacy.

And then how short a margin remained for the second event! The odds were daily rising against Macassar, and as he heard the bets offered and taken at the surrounding desks, his heart quailed within him.
"And the lovely Crinoline, she also had heard of this eccentric will; she and her mother.

L3,000 with interest arising for some half score of years would make a settlement by no means despicable in Tavistock Square, and would enable Macassar to maintain a house over which even Crinoline need not be ashamed to preside.

But what if the legacy should be lost! She also knew to a day what was the age of her swain; she knew how close upon her was that day, which, if she passed it unwedded, would see her resolved to be deaf for ever to the vows of Macassar.