“Yes, I have,” was the reply; “contemplated, much more closely, the pros and cons of limited liability, than you have the Protector’s chances of ultimate success. The system is rotten, Mr. Stewart, and you and such men as you, who derive profit from these ventures without incurring one halfpenny of risk, ought to be the first to confess that it is so.” “I have two thousand shares in the Protector Bread Company on my own risk, at all events,” said Mr. Stewart. “I am delighted to hear it, in one way,” answered Mr. Raidsford; “delighted, because it proves you to be a thoroughly honest man; but sorry, because if anything do go wrong with the Company, your loss will be considerable.” “But I am determined nothing shall go wrong with the Company.” “In that case, doubtless you devote a considerable amount of attention to the mills!” “Mr. Raidsford, have you any specific charge to make against our manager?” “If I had,” was the reply, “I should go before the board and prefer it. I make no charge, but I recommend caution. I was right about Lord Kemms, you perceive.” “We do not admit that,” broke in Douglas Croft; “we are his opponents now, and must fight the matter out with him.” “Or, rather, Mr. Black must,” added Mr. Stewart. “He got us into this scrape, and he must get us out of it; so, remember, Frank, you are in for a paper war with one of the shrewdest men I know; you and Mr. Raidsford will have to muster your forces so as to come out of the struggle with _éclat_. I am sorry it has so happened, I must confess; sorry that Lord Kemms has been—I am obliged to use a harsh word, Mr. Raidsford—so ill-advised. With the best intentions, I feel confident, you have counselled him to hurry into print (a course always to be avoided, if possible), but still, you have led him wrong. Had you left the matter in my hands, Frank,” he added, “I should myself have stated publicly that there had been some misunderstanding, and so withdrawn your name, without any fuss or anger. As it is—why it is—and there is no use in further discussion. We must now do the best we can for ourselves,” and Mr. Stewart rose to depart. “You are not thinking of going to-night?” exclaimed Lord Kemms, in astonishment; “because we differ in opinion, we are not, I trust, to swear eternal enmity.” “Not with my good-will,” replied Mr. Stewart; “but because we have differed in opinion, I must get back to town by the first train to-morrow morning. Had your letter to the _Times_ not been despatched I would gladly have remained here, instead of returning to Palinsbridge to-night; but needs must, you know; and you, Frank, are our driver.” “I am sorry for it, extremely sorry!” exclaimed Lord Kemms. “Sorry for having appealed to the god of English breakfast-tables?” asked Mr. Stewart. “Come, I am glad to see some signs of repentance about you.”