Mr. Longworth went on with his reading. Edith saw her father was greatly disturbed, and eagerly desired to know the reason, but knew enough of human nature to understand that in a short time he would relieve her anxiety. He again appeared to be trying to fix his attention on the paper. At length he threw it down, and turned towards her. 'That man, Wentworth,' he said bitterly, 'behaved to-day in a most unjustifiable manner to me in my own office. It seems that William and he and Kenyon embarked in some mine project. I knew nothing of their doings, and was not even consulted with regard to them. Now it appears William has gone to America and done something Wentworth considers wrong. Wentworth came to me and demanded twenty thousand pounds--the most preposterous thing ever heard of--said I owed it to clear the good name of Longworth. As if the good name were dependent on him, or anyone like him! I turned him out of the office.' Edith did not answer for a few moments, while her father gave expression to his indignation by various ejaculations that need not be here recorded. 'Did he say,' she spoke at length, 'in what way William had done wrong?' 'I do not remember now just what he said. I know I told him to come again when my nephew was present, and then make his charges against him if he wanted to do so. Not that I admitted I had anything to do with the matter at all, but I simply refused to listen to charges against an absent man. I paid no attention to them.' 'That certainly was reasonable,' replied Edith. 'What did he say to it?' 'Oh, he abused me, and abused William, and went on at a dreadful rate, until I was obliged to order him out of the office.' 'But what did he say about meeting William when he returned, and making the charges against him then?' 'What did he say? I don't remember. Oh yes! he said it would be too late then; that they had only a few days to do what business they have to do, and that is why he made the demand for twenty thousand pounds. It was to repair the harm, whatever the harm was, William had done. I look on it simply as some blackmailing scheme of his, and I am astonished that a man belonging to so good a house as he does should try that game with me. I shall speak to the elder partner about it to-morrow, and if he does not make the young man apologize in the most abject manner he will be the loser by it, I can tell him that.' 'I would think no more about it, father, if I were you. Do not let it trouble you in the least.' 'Oh, it doesn't trouble me, but young men nowadays seem to think they can say anything to their elders.' 'I mean,' she continued, 'that I would not go to his partner for a day or two. Wait and see what happens. I have no doubt, when he considers the matter, he will be thoroughly ashamed of himself.' 'Well, I hope so.' 'Then give him the chance of being ashamed of himself, and take no further steps in the meantime.'