William stood staring at the door long after the farmer had disappeared. He had seen the possibility of the farm falling into other hands from the first, but had never fully realised till now how much that might mean to him. His own future was involved just as much as Ralph's. While there was a prospect of getting the farm he had not troubled about his own notice to quit. Now the whole problem would have to be thought out again. Nor was that all--nor even the most important part. He had seen, in fancy, Ruth installed in the old home that she loved so much; seen how Hillside had called to her more loudly and potently than all the pleadings of Sam Tremail; seen the gulf that now lay between them gradually close up and disappear; seen her advance to meet him till their hands had clasped in a bond that only death could break.
It was a foolish fancy, perhaps, but he had not been able to help it taking possession of him from time to time, and with the passing of the days and weeks the fancy had become more and more vivid and real.
"It is all over now," William said to himself, as he stood staring at the door. "Ralph will go abroad and leave her alone at home. Then will come the choice of going away to a strange country or going to Pentudy, and Sam, of course, will win," and William sighed, and dropped into a chair behind his desk.
A minute or two later the door swung open again, and Ralph Penlogan stalked into the shop.
William rose at once to his feet, and moved down inside the counter.
"Well, William, any news yet?" Ralph questioned eagerly.
William dropped his eyes slowly to the floor.
"Yes, Ralph," he said, in a half-whisper. "We've missed it."
"Ay! I've been a bit afraid of it all along. You remember their lawyer told Mr. Jewell that there were several people after it."
"Where's Jewell's letter?" Ralph questioned, after a pause.
"Jenkins told me. He got a letter from Sir John this morning saying he had sold it."
"He mentioned no name--possibly he didn't know. It went to the man, I expect, who was willing to pay most for it."
"Perhaps Sir John got to know we were after it."
"Possibly, though I don't think Jewell would tell him."
"Oh, well, it doesn't matter, I suppose," Ralph said, in a hard voice. "It's all in the day's work."