e whole history of human relationship is on my side
there. It's no opinion--it's a fact."

Ransford stared at this frank remark, and Bryce went on, coolly and
imperturbably, as if he had been discussing a medical problem.

"A man who takes a woman's first answer as final," he continued, "is, I
repeat, a fool. There are lots of reasons why a woman shouldn't know
her own mind at the first time of asking. She may be too surprised. She
mayn't be quite decided. She may say one thing when she really means
another. That often happens. She isn't much better equipped at the
second time of asking. And there are women--young ones--who aren't
really certain of themselves at the third time. All that's common
sense."

"I'll tell you what it is!" suddenly exclaimed Ransford, after remaining
silent for a moment under this flow of philosophy. "I'm not going to
discuss theories and ideas. I know one young woman, at any rate, who
is certain of herself. Miss Bewery does not feel any inclination to
you--now, nor at any time to be! She's told you so three times. And--you
should take her answer and behave yourself accordingly!"

Bryce favoured his senior with a searching look.

"How does Miss Bewery know that she mayn't be inclined to--in the
future?" he asked. "She may come to regard me with favour."

"No, she won't!" declared Ransford. "Better hear the truth, and be done
with it. She doesn't like you--and she doesn't want to, either. Why
can't you take your answer like a man?"

"What's your conception of a man?" asked Bryce.

"That!--and a good one," exclaimed Ransford.

"May satisfy you--but not me," said Bryce. "Mine's different. My
conception of a man is of a being who's got some perseverance. You can
get anything in this world--anything!--by pegging away for it."

"You're not going to get my ward," suddenly said Ransford. "That's flat!
She doesn't want you--and she's now said so three times. And--I support
her."

"What have you against me?" asked Bryce calmly. "If, as you say, you
support her in her resolution not to listen to my proposals, you must
have something against me. What is it?"

"That's a question you've no right to put," replied Ransford, "for it's
utterly unnecessary. So I'm not going to answer it. I've nothing against
you as regards your work--nothing! I'm willing to give you an excellent
testimonial."

"Oh!" remarked Bryce quietly. "That means--you wish me to go away?"

"I certainly think it would be best