Farrell as a novelist to myself as a chauffeur.

The next morning at the hotel, temptation was again waiting for me.
This time it came in the form of a letter from my prospective
father-in-law. It had been sent from Cape May to my address in New
York, and by my servant forwarded in an envelope addressed to
Frederick Fitzgibbon."

It was what in the world of commerce is called a "follow-up"
letter. It recalled the terms of his offer to me, and improved upon
them. It made it clear that even after meeting me Mr. Farrell and
his wife were still anxious to stand for me as a son. They were
good enough to say they had found me a "perfect gentleman." They
hoped that after considering their proposition I had come to look
upon it with favor.

As his son, Mr. Farrell explained, my annual allowance would be the
interest on one million dollars, and upon his death his entire
fortune and property he would bequeath to me. He was willing, even
anxious, to put this in writing. In a week he would return to
Fairharbor when he hoped to receive a favorable answer. In the
meantime he enclosed a letter to his housekeeper.

"Don't take anything for granted," he urged, "but go to Fairharbor
and present this letter. See the place for yourself. Spend the week
there and act like you were the owner. My housekeeper has orders to
take her orders from you. Don't refuse something you have never
seen!"

This part of the letter made me feel as mean and uncomfortable as