.

"Because that sort of thing would have appealed to him. But he'd never
take it from her; he wouldn't even if he was in love with her." She
addressed Lady Evenswood especially. "You understand that?" she asked.
"He wouldn't be indebted to her. He'd hate her for that."

"Not very amiable," commented Southend.

"Amiable? No!" Amiability seemed at a discount with the Imp.

"You know him very well, my dear?"

"Yes, I--I came to." Mina paused, and suddenly blushed at the
remembrance of an idea that had once been suggested to her by Major
Duplay. "And I'm very fond of her," she added.

"In the deadlock," said Southend, "I think you'll have to try my
prescription, Lady Evenswood."

"You think that would be of use?"

"It would pacify this pride of Master Harry's perhaps."

Mina looked from one to the other.

"Do you mean there's anything possible?" she asked.

"My dear, you're a very good friend."

"I'm not very happy. I don't know what in the world Cecily will do. And
yet----" Mina struggled with her rival impulses of kindness and
curiosity. "It's all awfully interesting," she concluded, breaking into
a smile she could not resist.

"That's the only excuse for all of us, I suppose," sighed Lady
Evenswood.

"Not that I like the boy particularly," added Southend.

"Is there anything?" asked Mina. The appeal was to the lady, not to
Southend. But he answered chaffingly:

"Possibly--just possibly--the resources of the Constitution----"

The bell of the front door sounded audibly in the morning-room in which
they were.

"I dare say that's Robert," remarked Lady Evenswood. "He said he might
call."

"Oh, by Jove!" exclaimed Southend with a laugh that sounded a trifle
uneasy.

The door opened, and a man came in unannounced. He was of middle height,
with large features, thick coarse hair, and a rather ragged beard; his
arms were long and his hands large.

"How are you, Cousin Sylvia?" he said, crossing to Lady Evenswood, who
gave him her hand without rising. "How are you, Southend?" He turned
back to Lady Evenswood. "I thought you were alone."

He spoke in brusque tones, and he looked at Mina as if he did not know
what she might be doing there. His appearance seemed vaguely familiar to
her.

"We are holding a little conference, Robert. This young lady is very
interested in Harry Tristram and his affair. Come now, you remember
about it! Madame Zabriska, this is Mr Disney."

"Mr Disney!" The Imp gasped. "