p sharply.

"I think we had better leave them out of the discussion." His voice
trembled a little.

"Why? Are they so much to you? They have, however, a good deal to do
with my argument. Do you think it was wise to neglect the whole of
Pendragon for the society of the Bethels--people of whom one is an
idler and loafer and the other a lunatic?" Clare was becoming excited.

"You forget, Clare, that I first met them in your drawing-room."

"They were there entirely against my will. I showed them that quite
distinctly at the time. They will not come again."

"That may be. But they are, as you have said, my friends. I cannot,
therefore, hear them insulted. They must be left out of the
discussion."

On any other matter he could have heard her quietly, but the Bethels
she must leave alone. He could see Mary, as he spoke, turning on the
hill and laying her hand on his arm; her hair blew in the wind and the
light in her eyes shone under the moon. He had for a moment forgotten
Robin.

"At any rate, I have made my meaning clear. We wish you--out of regard
for us, if for no other reason--to be a little more careful both of
your company and of your statements. It is hard for you to see the
position quite as we do, I know, but I cannot say that you have made
any attempt whatsoever to see it with our eyes. It seems useless to
appeal to you on behalf of the House, but that, too, is worth some
consideration. We have been here for many hundreds of years; we should
continue in the paths that our ancestors have marked out. I am only
saying what you yourself feel, Garrett?"

"Absolutely." Garrett looked up from his paper. "I think you must
see, Harry, that we are quite justified in our demands--Clare has put
it quite plainly."

"Quite," said Harry. "And you, Robin?"

"I think that Aunt Clare is perfectly right," answered Robin coldly.

Harry's face was very white. He spoke rapidly and his hand gripped the
marble of the mantelpiece; he did not want them to see that his legs
were trembling.

"Yes. I am glad to know exactly where we stand. It is better for all
of us. I might have taken it submissively, Clare, had you left out
your last count against me. That was unworthy of you. But haven't
you, perhaps, seen just a little too completely your own point of view
and omitted mine? I came back a stranger. I was ready to do anything
to win your regard. I was perhaps a little foolishly sentimental about
i