This latter part of the sentence had something sharp and interrogative in it. There was just a chance, it seemed to imply, that his son might have something to say upon the one point that lay near the old man's heart. "Nothing, Sir," said Richard, rising. "No, no; so I supposed. You may go, Sir--nothing." Of this interview, one word of the real purport of which he could not tell to his sister, he gave her an account very slight indeed, but rather pleasant. CHAPTER XXVI. THE GARDEN AT MORTLAKE. Alice leaned back in her chair, smiling, and very much pleased. "So my father seems disposed to relent ever so little--and ever so little, you know, is better than nothing," said Richard Arden. "I'm so glad, Dick, that he wishes you to take your dinner with us to-morrow; it is a very good sign. It would be so delightful if you could be at home with us, as you used to be." "You are a good little soul, Alice--a dear little thing! This is very pretty," he said, looking at her drawing. "What is it?" "The ruined castle near the northern end of the lake at Golden Friars. Mr. Longcluse says it is pretty good. Is he to dine here, do you know?" "No--I don't know--I hope not," said Richard shortly. "Hope not! why?" said she. "I thought you liked him extremely." "I thought he was very well for a sort of outdoor acquaintance for _men_; but I don't even know _that_, now. There's no use in speaking to Lady May, but I warn you--you had better drop him. There is very little known about him, but there is a great deal that is not pleasant _said_." "Really?" "Yes, really." "But you used to speak so highly of him. I'm so surprised!" "I did not know half what people said of him. I've heard a great deal since." "But is it true?" asked Alice. "It is nothing to me whether it is true or not. It is enough if a man is talked about uncomfortably, to make it unpleasant to know him. We owe nothing to Mr. Longcluse; there is no reason why you should have an acquaintance that is not desirable. _I_ mean to drop him quietly, and you _can't_ know him, really you _mustn't_, Alice."