Sir Eustace laughed. "You carry conscience enough for the two of us. What is it? Fire away!" Scott puffed at his cigarette. "You won't like it," he observed. "But it's got to be said. Look here, Eustace! It's all very well to be in love. But you're carrying it too far. The child's downright afraid of you." "Has she told you so?" demanded Eustace. A hot gleam suddenly shone in his blue eyes. He looked down at Scott with a frown. Scott shook his head. "If she had, I shouldn't tell you so. But the fact remains. You're a bit of an ogre, you know, always have been. Slack off a bit, there's a good fellow! You'll find it's worth it." He spoke with the utmost gentleness, but there was determination in his quiet eyes. Having spoken, he turned them upon the garden again and resumed his cigarette. There fell a brief silence between them. Sir Eustace was no longer smoking. His frown had deepened. Suddenly he laid his hand upon Scott's shoulder. "It's my turn now," he said. "I've something to say to you." "Well?" said Scott. He stiffened a little at the hold upon him, but he did not attempt to frustrate it. "Only this." Eustace pressed upon him as one who would convey a warning. "You've interfered with me more than once lately, and I've borne with it--more or less patiently. But I'm not going to bear with it much longer. You may be useful to me, but--you're not indispensable. Remember that!" Scott started at the words, as a well-bred horse starts at the flicker of the whip. He controlled himself instantly, but his eyelids quivered a little as he answered, "I will remember it." Sir Eustace's hand fell. "I think that is all that need be said," he observed. "We will get to business." He turned from the window, but in the same moment Scott wheeled also and took him by the arm. "One moment!" he said. "Eustace, we are not going to quarrel over this. You don't imagine, do you, that I interfere with you in this way for my own pleasure?" He spoke urgently, an odd wistfulness in voice and gesture. Sir Eustace paused. The sternness still lingered in his eyes though his face softened somewhat as he said, "I haven't gone into the question of motives, Stumpy. I have no doubt they are--like yourself--very worthy, though it might not soothe me greatly to know what they are." Scott still held his arm. "Oh, man," he said very earnestly, "don't miss the best thing in life for want of a little patience! She's such a child. She doesn't understand. For your own sake give her time!" There was that in his tone that somehow made further offence impossible. A faint, half-grudging smile took the place of the grimness on his brother's face. "You take things so mighty seriously," he said. "What's the matter? What has she been saying?"