"I should think so," she replied with a laugh. "A more impatient man to do anything for I never saw." "I am a bit impatient. But that is not what I am thinking of. You wore a ring that day--a sapphire ring with a little sapphire padlock--and that ring interests me very much. Will you tell me where you got it?" "No, sir. Even if I knew, I might have excellent reasons for not telling you. Why, Squire, I am astonished at your asking such a question! Rings have mostly a story--a love-story too; you might be asking for secrets!" "I beg pardon. To be sure I might. But you see a ring exactly like the one you wore, holds a secret of my own." "Perhaps you are mistaken about the ring. So many rings look alike." "I could not be mistaken. I do wish you would tell me--I am afraid you think me rude and inquisitive--" "Indeed I do, sir! And, if you please, we will forget this conversation. It is too personal to be pleasant." With these words she bowed and withdrew, and the Squire got up and walked about the room until the Duke entered it. By that time, he had worried himself into an impatient, suspicious temper, and was touchy as tinder when his political chief asked him to sit down and discuss the situation with him. "Exham has gone to see a number of our party; but I thought I would outline to you personally the course we intend to pursue with regard to this infamous Bill." The Squire bowed but said not a word; and the Duke proceeded, "We have resolved to worry and delay it to the death. In the Commons, the Opposition will go over and over the same arguments, and ask again, and again, and again, the same questions. This course will be continued week after week--month after month if necessary. Obstruction, Squire, obstruction, that is the word!" "What do you mean exactly by 'obstruction'?" "I will explain. Lord Exham will move, 'That the Speaker do now leave the Chair.' When this motion is lost, some other member of the Opposition will move, 'That the debate be now adjourned.' That being lost, some other member will again move, 'That the Speaker do now leave the Chair,' and so, with alternations of these motions, the whole night can be passed--and night after night--and day after day. It is quite a legitimate parliamentary proceeding." "It may be," answered the Squire; "but I am astonished at your asking John Atheling to take any part in such ways. I will fight as well as any man, on the square and the open; if I cannot do this, I will not fight at all. I would as soon worry a vixen fox, as run a doubling race of that kind. No, Duke, I will not worry, and nag, and tease, and obstruct. Such tactics are fitter for old women than for reasoning men, sure of a good cause, and working to win it." "I did not expect this obstruction from you, Squire; and, I must say, I am disappointed--very much disappointed."