“I think you are mistaken in all that you have said,” quietly remarked Mr. Campbell. “I think that everybody in the room, except myself, is drunk or demented, or most likely both!” exclaimed Leegh, losing his temper and now speaking recklessly, for he was not yet quite sober. Mr. Campbell made no reply to these words. “Will you be good enough to explain yourself?” rudely demanded Leegh. “I have no explanation to make about myself. For any other questions you would like to ask I must refer you to Mr. Randolph Hay himself.” “He is in a fine condition to answer questions, is he not, now? Look at him!” said Leegh, pointing to the abject creature in the chair. The rector looked and sighed to see the human wreck. “Now, then, will you explain?” “No; I must still refer you to Mr. Randolph Hay.” “Confound your insolence!” between his grinding teeth. And then, aloud: “You got my letter, I presume?” “Warning me to vacate the rectory?” “Of course. What else should I have written to you about?” “I got your letter.” “Well, I hope you are ready to go. Because I shall certainly enter into possession on the first of January,” said Leegh rudely. “The rectory is even now quite ready for the new incumbent.” “I am glad to hear it, though I shall not care to take possession until the first of January. And now, Mr. Campbell, excuse me for reminding you that the hour is late, and suggesting that, as this is the evening of Mr. and Mrs. Randolph Hay’s arrival, it would be in good form for visitors to retire.” “Thank you: but I must speak to my host and hostess first.” At this moment Judy came up from some obscure part of the big room in which she had been lurking like a frightened kitten. Mr. Campbell made room for her, and Judy sat down beside her friends. “Who is this young lady? Will you introduce me to her?” said Leegh with one of his lady-killing smiles. “Excuse me, sir. I would rather not do so,” said Mr. Campbell. And then turning to Judy, who had looked up with surprise and pity, for she could not bear to see any one pained or mortified, he added in explanation: “No, my dear; I cannot do it.” Then, with a smothered imprecation, Leegh turned on his heel and sauntered down the room to rejoin his sister, and feeling as if he were in a very weird and ugly dream. In the meanwhile, however, Ran, Mike and Will Walling had been taking counsel together, and often glancing from the stupefied figure of Gentleman Geff, who still sat with blanched face, dropped jaw and starting eyes, staring into vacancy, to that of Lamia Leegh, who reclined on her chair with closed eyes and in a half-fainting condition. At length Ran from the pity of his heart said: