"You will, will you? Let me tell you that's damned like what we plain
mercantile men call downright incivility. I say it again--incivility;
and rudeness too, if you like it better." He saw I was determined, and
closed the door as he spoke, his face twitching and working violently,
and his quick, evil eyes turned again in the direction of the screen.

"Well," he continued, with a sulky defiance of manner and look, "do as
you like; stop here--you'll wish you hadn't before long, I'll be bound!
You don't seem to hurry yourself much about speaking, so _I_ shall sit
down. _You_ can do as you please. Now then! just let's cut it short--do
you come here in a friendly way, to ask me to send for _my_ girl
downstairs, and to show yourself the gentleman, or do you not?"

"You have written me two letters, Mr. Sherwin--"

"Yes: and took devilish good care you should get them--I left them
myself."

"In writing those letters, you were either grossly deceived; and, in
that case, are only to be pitied, or--"

"Pitied! what the devil do you mean by that? Nobody wants your pity
here."

"Or you have been trying to deceive me; and in that case, I have to
tell you that deceit is henceforth useless. I know all--more than you
suspect: more, I believe, than you would wish me to have known."

"Oh, that's your tack, is it? By God, I expected as much the moment you
came in! What! you don't believe _my_ girl--don't you? You're going to
fight shy, and behave like a scamp--are you? Damn your infernal coolness
and your aristocratic airs and graces! You shall see I'll be even with
you--you shall. Ha! ha! look here!--here's the marriage certificate safe
in my pocket. You won't do the honourable by my poor child--won't you?
Come out! Come away! You'd better--I'm off to your father to blow the
whole business; I am, as sure as my name's Sherwin!"

He struck his fist on the table, and started up, livid with passion. The
screen trembled a little, and a slight rustling noise was audible behind
it, just as he advanced towards me. He stopped instantly, with an oath,
and looked back.

"I warn you to remain here," I said. "This morning, my father has heard
all from my lips. He has renounced me as his son, and I have left his
house for ever."

He turned round quickly, staring at me with a face of mingled fury and
dismay.

"Then you come to me a beggar!" he burst out; "a beggar who has taken
me in about his fine family, and his fine prospects; a beggar