'My dear, you look so beautiful that it would be criminal for me to accept a salary of under three thousand a year.' I said. 'Don't you be afraid. Just keep on looking like that, and trust me. It will all come out right.'

As it happened, I had to keep encouraging her to be brave for the whole journey. She wanted my to accept a lower salary, and kept saying 'Henry, Henry, you'll ruin us! Oh, please remember that if we ask for too much we may get no salary at all. Then what will happen to us? We have no way in the world to make any money.'

We were shown into the room in by that same servant as before. There they were, the two old gentlemen. Of course, they were surprised to see my wonderful Portia with me, but I said: It's all right, gentlemen; she is my future wife. I am ready to report.'

And I introduced them to her, and told Portia their names. It didn't surprise them that I knew who they were. They knew I would have discovered that. They seated us, and were very polite to me. They did their best to stop Portia from feeling embarrassed, and made her feel as comfortable as they could. Then one of them said 'Now we can decide the bet which my brother Abel and I made. If you have won for me, you shall have any job I can offer you. Do you have the million-pound note?'