family: they will be pleased to
remember that," he repeated pompously.

It was just at this moment, when victory lay within his grasp, that
Dick sauntered lazily into the room.

Dick was in an execrable humor: he was tired and worried, and his
boots were muddy. And what was the use of being still contumacious,
unless his obstinacy were to be a spectacle to men and gods,--unless
he were to flaunt his ill humor in the face of his tyrant, and make
his father's soul wretched within him? Such is youthful reasoning,
that hates to veil its feelings unobserved.

Dick had not perceived Sir Harry's card, so he stared at the intruder
a little coolly. Sir Harry returned his look with a glance of mingled
surprise and amusement.

"Is this the young gentleman in question?" he asked, in a tone that
roused Dick's ire. To tell the truth, he was a little disappointed by
Nan's choice. It was not so much Dick's want of good looks, but in Sir
Harry eyes he appeared somewhat insignificant; and then a scowl is not
always becoming to a face. Dick's bright genial expression was
wanting; he looked a little too like his father at this moment for Sir
Harry's taste.

"Do you mean me?" observed Dick, in a magnificent tone. "Is it I who
am the young gentleman in question?--Father, will you have the
goodness to introduce me to this gentleman with whom you have been
talking me over?" And Dick twirled his moustache angrily.

Mr. Mayne looked at his son's moody face, and his feelings underwent a
sudden revulsion; but before he could speak Sir Harry stepped in
nimbly before him:

"Well now, I like spirit--no one cares to be talked about behind
one's back. Supposing we shake hands, you and I, as we are to be so
nearly related. I am Nan's guardian, her next of kin,--Sir Harry
Challoner, at your service; and Nan sends her love and you are a lucky
fellow, that is what you are!" exclaimed Sir Harry, genially, as he
struck Dick a sounding blow on his shoulder. But Dick did not wince;
and, though the diamond ring cut into his hand as they exchanged that
grasp, no expression of pain crossed his face, which became all at
once quite radiant.

Sir Harry hailed the metamorphosis with delight. Here was the real
Dick emerging like a young sun-god from the clouds.

"Come, that is first-rate; I like the look of you better now," he
said, with an appreciative nod.

"Father, what does this mean?" faltered Dick.

"It means," growled Mr. Mayne, for he could not