To hear a demand made for a daughter when the Major had possibly been thinking the demand might be for his life, was undoubtedly a relief. It brought back his courage. "What do you mean, fellow?" he growled, stamping out the fire of the cigar. "Are you out of your mind?" "Not quite. You might have driven some men out of theirs, though, by what you've done. _We'll let that part be_, Major. I have come to-night about my daughter. Where is she?" They stood looking at each other. Reed stood just inside the door, hat in hand; he did not forget his manners even in the presence of his enemy; they were a habit with him. The Major, who had risen in his surprise, stared at him: he really knew nothing whatever of the matter, not even that the girl was missing; and he did think Reed's imprisonment must have turned his brain. Perhaps Reed saw that he was not understood. "I come home from prison, into which you put me, Major Parrifer, to find my daughter Catherine gone. She went away the day I was taken up. Where she went, or what she's doing, Heaven knows; but you or yours are answerable for it, whichever way it may be." "You have been drinking," said Major Parrifer. "_You_ have, maybe," returned Reed, glancing at the spirits on the table. "Either Cathy went out on a harmless jaunt, and is staying away because she can't face the shame at home which you have put there; or else she went out to meet your son, and has been taken away by him. I think it must be the last; my fears whisper it to me; and, if so, you can't be off knowing something of it. Major Parrifer, I must have my daughter." Whether the hint given about his son alarmed the Major, causing him to forget his bluster for once, and answer civilly, he certainly did it. His son was in Ireland with his regiment, he said; had not been at the Hall for weeks and weeks; he could answer for it that Lieutenant Parrifer knew nothing of the girl. "He was here at Christmas," said George Reed. "I saw him." "And left two or three days after it. How dare you, fellow, charge him with such a thing? He'd wring your neck for you if he were here." "Perhaps I might find cause to wring his first. Major Parrifer, I want my daughter." "If you do not get out of my house, I'll have you brought before me to-morrow for trespassing, and give you a second month's imprisonment," roared the Major, gathering bluster and courage. "You want another month of it: this one does not appear to have done you the good it ought. Now--go!"