'I have found a way out of it. It took me a long while, but I have found the way--there it is,' he said, pointing to the type-writing machine. 'They don't suspect anything, not they, the fools; they don't know what is hanging over their heads. I'll tell you, Agnes, but you must not breathe a word of it to any one, if you did, they would take the machine from me: for they'd like me to remain a mere expense. As long as I'm that, they can do what they like, but as soon as I gain an independence, as soon as I am able to pay for my meals,' he whispered, 'I mean to put my house in order But you mustn't breathe a word.' 'I'll never do anything, father, you ask me not to do.' 'I shall be able to sweep out all those you don't like. There are too many men hanging about here?' 'Tell me, father, do you like Lord Chadwick?' The Major's face changed expression. 'Have I said anything to wound you?' she said, pressing his hand. 'No, dear. You asked me if I liked Lord Chadwick. I was thinking. Somehow it seems to me that I rather like him, though I have no reason to do so. He thinks me crazy, but so do others; I know that my conversation bores him, he always tries to get away from me, yet somehow it seems to me that I do like him.' 'Is he a fast man, father, is he like Lord Chiselhurst?' 'He is much the same as the other men that come here. I don't think he's a bad man--no worse than other men. Is he kind to you, dear; tell me that; do you like him?' 'Yes, father; he and Mr. St. Clare are the men I like best here. But why is he here so much, father, he's no relation.' 'He has dined and lunched here every day for the last ten years. He's been an expense too.' 'Mother said he is so poor that she has often to lend him money.' 'He should have spent some of the money she lent him, on a type- writing machine, and striven as I do to make an independence. When I've got together a little independence, when I can pay for my meals and my clothes, you shall see; none that you dislike shall ever come here, dearest. I'll put my house in order.' 'But that will take a long time, father; in the meantime----' 'What, dear?' 'Mother will want me to marry.' 'They shall not force you to marry, they shall not ask you to do anything you do not like. Lord Chiselhurst ought to be ashamed, a man of his age to want to marry a young girl like you. I will go and tell him so.' The Major stood up, he was pale, and Agnes noticed that his lips trembled. 'No, father,' she said, 'do not go to him; I do not know that he wants to marry me; it is only mother's idea, she may be mistaken.' 'You shall not be persecuted by his attentions.' 'Lord Chiselhurst is a gentleman, father. Whatever his faults may be, I feel sure when he sees that I do not want him, that he will cease to think of me... Lord Chiselhurst is not the worst.' 'Who, then, is the worst? Who is it that you wish me to rid you of?'