"I belong to the class that produces, and we are ground between the upper and the nether millstones. Do you see?" Eleanor expressed her assent. "The fire, of course, cost us a lot." "It was set on fire," interrupted his daughter. "I know it." "Well, I don't know--possibly. It looks so. Anyhow, it caught us at the top notch, and while the insurance amounts to something, the actual loss was incalculable. Then came the trouble with the bank. So long as I was there they knew they could not go beyond the law. So Canter and the others got together, and I got out, and, of course----" "I know," said his daughter. "They asked me to remain, but--I preferred to be free." "So do I." "I had an overture to-day from the Canters," said Mr. Leigh, after a moment of reflection. "I do not quite know what it means, but I think I do." "What was it?" Eleanor looked down with her face slightly averted. "Jim Canter came from his father to propose--to suggest a _modus vivendi_, as it were. It means that they have started a blaze they cannot extinguish--that they are having trouble with their people, and fear that our people are coming around, but it means something further, too, I think." Mr. Leigh ceased talking, and appeared to be reflecting. "What?" said the girl, after waiting a moment. "You know--your aunt--however--" He paused. She rose and faced him. "Father, I wouldn't marry him to save his life--and I have told both him and Aunt Sophia so." Mr. Leigh gave a sigh of relief. "You, of course, declined the proposal they made?" said Eleanor. "I did--I think they have broken with the Argand interest. I saw your aunt to-day, and had a talk with her. I think her eyes are opened at last. I told her a few plain truths." He dropped into reflection and a quizzical expression came into his eyes. "I had a very remarkable thing happen to me to-day." "What was it?" demanded his daughter. "I had an offer of marriage made me." Eleanor Leigh's face changed--at first it grew a shade whiter, then a shade redder. "I know who it was," she said quickly. "Oh!" Mr. Leigh shut his lips firmly. "I did not know." "She is a cat! She has been sending me flowers and opera tickets all winter, and deluging me with invitations. I knew she was up to something." She spoke with growing feeling, as her father's eyes rested on her placidly with an amused expression in them. "I wouldn't be such easy game. Why, dad, she'd bore you to death--and as to me, I wouldn't live in the house with her--I couldn't." She stood with mantling cheek and flashing eye, a young Amazon girded for battle. "I will relieve you," said her father. "It is not the feline-natured lady you have in mind; but a person quite different." Miss Eleanor looked relieved.