y an
irresistible impulse.

Ralph's face stiffened yet more.

"Then that is all, sir?" he asked.

"I beg your pardon for saying that," added his father courteously. "It
should not have been said. It is not a bribe, however; it is an offer to
compensate for any loss you may incur."

"Have you finished, sir?"

"That is all I have to say on that point," said Sir James, "except--"

"Well, sir?"

"Except that I do not know how Mistress Atherton will take this story."

Ralph's face grew a shade paler yet. But his lips snapped together,
though his eyes flinched.

"That is a threat, sir."

"That is as you please."

A little pulse beat sharply in Ralph's cheek. He was looking with a
kind of steady fury at his father. But Mary thought she saw indecision
too in his eye-lids, which were quivering almost imperceptibly.

"You have offered me a bribe and a threat, sir. Two insults. Have you a
third ready?"

Mary heard a swift-drawn breath from her father, but he spoke quietly.

"I have no more to say on that point," he said.

"Then I must refuse," said Ralph instantly. "I see no reason to give up
my work. I have very hearty sympathy with it."

The old man's hand twitched uncontrollably on his chair-arm for a
moment; he half lifted his hand, but he dropped it again.

"Then as to Margaret," he went on in a moment. "I understand you had
intended to dismiss her from the convent?"

Ralph bowed.

"And where do you suggest that she should go?"

"She must go home," said Ralph.

"To Overfield?"

Ralph assented.

"Then I will not receive her," said Sir James.

Mary started up.

"Nor will Mary receive her," he added, half turning towards her.

Mary Maxwell sat back at once. She thought she understood what he meant
now.

Ralph stared at his father a moment before he too understood. Then he
saw the point, and riposted deftly. He shrugged his shoulders
ostentatiously as if to shake off responsibility.

"Well, then, that is not my business; I shall give her a gown and five
shillings to-morrow, with the other one."

The extraordinary brutality of the words struck Mary like a whip, but
Sir James met it.

"That is for you to settle then," he said. "Only you need not send her
to Overfield or Great Keynes, for she will be sent back here at once."

Ralph smiled with an air of tolerant incredulity. Sir James rose
briskly.

"Come, Mary," he said, and turned his back abruptly on Ralph, "we must
find lodgings for t