"I understand father."

Still it required all Maggie's adroitness to even partially reconcile Mr. Brookes to Lord Mount Rorke's letter. She accepted without argument that marriage in the present circ.u.mstances was out of the question. She even went so far as to cordially a.s.sent that a man would be a fool to give his daughter to a man who could not settle a substantial sum of money upon her, and she only ventured to suggest that it would be foolish not to give Lord Mount Rorke the opportunity of changing his mind. She spoke of his immense fortune, and exaggerated it until she made even Berkins seem a paltry creature in the old man's eyes.

Frank was anxious to propitiate Sally. He returned from London with presents for her, and he always spoke to her, looking at her admiringly.

He showed much anxiety, and, fearing that she found it dull at his studio, when the sisters came to tea he begged her to give him Meason's address. Sally tossed her head; she had had enough of Meason, and her manner left no doubt as to her sincerity. But happening to meet Meason a few days after in the train, Frank slipped easily into asking him to come and see him; and in the easy atmosphere of the studio the acquaintanceship soon ripened into intimacy, and after a preliminary ruffling of plumage, Sally restored her old sweetheart to all the rights of wrong. Life went well amid incessant secrets, letter-writing, and tea parties. Grace came to the studio to lunch sometimes, and she had been betrayed into a promise not to say a word about Meason. It was never ascertained whether, in the indiscretion of the marital night, she had betrayed this trust, or whether some jealous enemy had spoken or written to Mr. Brookes on the subject; but certain it is that one joyful day when Meason, Sally, and Maggie were eating oysters, and Frank was twisting the corkscrew into a bottle of Chablis, there came an ominous ringing at the door.

"I wonder who that can be. Shut up, Triss."

"Perhaps it is father."

"He is in London."

"I'm not so sure about that."

"No matter--we don't want to see them."

"Rather not! They wouldn't have known we were here had it not been for that dog."

"I must go and see who it is. Come here, sir; come here, you brute."

"Supposing it is father?"

"Get behind that piece of tapestry. I'll say that Meason and I were having some oysters."

"Come here, sir. I'd better tie up that dog--I wonder who it is?"

"Open the door."

"Oh! Mr. Brookes, quite an unexpected pleasure."

"I have come, sir, for my daughters."

"Your daughters? Your daughters are not here. Mr. Brookes."

"I have reason to know they are here, and I will not leave without them."

"You will do well to let us in, Mr. Escott; we are determined--"

"Who are you? What business is it of yours?"

"Should you refuse us admission we are resolved to wait here till evening, till midnight if necessary!" exclaimed Berkins. "I say again you will do well to admit us, and so avoid a scandal on the green."

"You can come in if you like."

"Will you kindly chain up that dog of yours?"

"Well, this is coming it too strong; this is a little too 'steep.' If Mr. Brookes refuses to believe my word that his daughters are not here he may come in and look for them, and to facilitate his search I will tie up the dog--(the dog is tied up). But you, what brings you here?

What the devil, I should like to know, brings you here, poking your nose into other people's business?"

"Mr. Brookes, will you answer him?"

"I must decline your offer to admit me unaccompanied by my son-in-law.

We shall not stay long."

"All this seems to me very extraordinary, but since you wish it, Mr.

Brookes, pray enter."

"Is that dog tied up quite securely?"

"Quite. I think you know Mr. Meason?"

"Mr. Meason knows very well that I do not wish to know him."

"If you only come here to insult my guest, the sooner you go out the better. Had I known that you intended to behave in this fashion I should have left you standing outside till morning. I'll not have--"

"Never mind, Escott; I'm off. Mr. Brookes and I are no longer on speaking terms, that's all! I'll see you later on."

"Don't go, pray."

"I think I must."

"I am surprised, Frank," said Mr. Brookes, when Meason was gone, "that you should seek your friends among the enemies of my family."

"We will not discuss that question now. I never heard of such conduct --you force your way into my studio, and apparently for no purpose but to insult my guest. You see your daughters are not here."

"I am by no means satisfied with that," said Berkins, opening a door.

"I must see behind that piece of tapestry."

"No, you shall not. I have had just about enough of this. How dare you? G.o.d's truth--" and as Berkins seemed determined to continue his search, Frank caught him by the collar.

But Berkins was tall and strong, and showed no intention of allowing himself to be thrown out. His long legs were soon extended here and there; his body was sometimes bent back by Frank's weight, once he had succeeded in nearly throwing Frank over on the sofa. Mr. Brookes had fled to the door, which, in his excitement, he failed to open, and the struggle was continued until at last, maddened by a most tight and tempting aspect of Berkin's thigh, Triss broke his collar, and in a couple of bounds, reached and fixed his teeth deep in the flesh.

"Triss, you brute, leave go." But Triss clung to the long-desired thigh. "I'll twist his tail, it will make him leave go."

With a savage yelp of pain the dog turned on his master and was hauled instantly off Berkins's thigh.

"I need hardly say that so far as the dog is concerned, I regret, and I am truly sorry for what has occurred."

"Sir, do you not see what a state I am in; do not stand there making excuses, but lend me your handkerchief. I shall bleed to death if you don't."

"Shall I tie it up for you?"

"If those girls there would only fetch a doctor."

Mr. Brookes could not refrain from foolish laughter, and in a moment of wretched despair he declared that it would be all the same in a hundred years time--a remark which would not have failed to irritate Berkins if he had not fainted.