unpleasant hour ensued for poor Dick. Mr. Mayne in one of his
worst tempers; he had conducted himself to Nan in an ungentlemanly
manner, and he knew it; as Dick said to himself,--

"It is very hard on a fellow when one's father acts like a cad."

Mr. Mayne had shown himself a cad. No gentleman by birth or breeding
would have conducted himself in that offensive way. Bad temper had
broken down the trammels of conventionality: never before in his life
had Dick felt so utterly ashamed of his father. Mr. Mayne was
conscious of his son's criticism, and it made things worse.

It spoke well for Dick's prudence and self-command that he let the
storm of his father's anger break over his head, and said no word. Mr.
Mayne ranted and raved; I am afraid he even swore once or twice,--at
least his language was undesirably strong,--and Dick walked beside him
and held his peace. "Poor old boy, he is terribly cut up about this!"
he thought once.

Mr. Drummond saw them coming along, and wondered at the energy of the
older man. Was it the visit to the Friary that had put him out? and
then he fell anew into cogitation. Who were these people who were so
curious about the Challoners? At least that sulky young fellow had
taken no apparent interest, for he had made an excuse to leave them;
but the other one had persisted in very close investigation. Perhaps
he was some relation,--an uncle, or a distant cousin; evidently he had
some right or claim to be displeased. Archie determined to solve the
mystery as soon as possible.

"Well, sir, have you nothing to say for yourself?" demanded Mr. Mayne,
when he had fairly exhausted himself. He had disinherited Dick half a
dozen times; he had deprived him of his liberal allowance; he had
spoken of a projected voyage to New Zealand: and Dick had only walked
on steadily, and thought of the cold trembling little hand he had
kissed. "Have you nothing to say for yourself?" he vociferated.

Dick woke up at this.

"Oh, yes, I have plenty to say," he returned cheerfully; "but two
cannot talk at once, you know. It was right for you to have the first
innings, and all that; and I say, father,"--his filial feelings coming
to the surface,--"I am awfully sorry, and so is Nan, to see you so
vexed."

"Speak for yourself," was the wrathful answer. "Don't mention that
girl's name in my hearing for the present."

"Whose name?--Nan's?" returned Dick, innocently. "I don't see how we
are to keep it out of the conver