"And so you have come back once more to the land of the living! I was awfully sorry for you, and think that they treated you uncommon harshly. As you've paid your money, of course they'll let you in again." In answer to this, Mountjoy had very little to say: but the interview ended by his accepting an invitation from Captain Vignolles to supper for the following evening. If Captain Scarborough would come at eleven o'clock Captain Vignolles would ask a few fellows to meet him, and they would have--just a little rubber of whist. Mountjoy knew well the nature of the man who asked him, and understood perfectly what would be the result; but there thrilled through his bosom, as he accepted the invitation, a sense of joy which he could himself hardly understand. On the following morning Mountjoy was up, for him, very early, and taking a return ticket went down to Buston. He had written to Mr. Prosper, sending his compliments, and saying that he would do himself the honor of calling at a certain hour. At the hour named he drew up at Buston Hall in a fly from Buntingford Station, and was told by Matthew, the old butler, that his master was at home. If Captain Mountjoy would step into the drawing-room Mr. Prosper should be informed. Mountjoy did as he was bidden, and after half an hour he was joined by Mr. Prosper. "You have received a letter from my father," he began by saying. "A very long letter," said the Squire of Buston. "I dare say; I did not see it, and have in fact very little to say as to its contents. I do not know, indeed, what they were." "The letter refers to my nephew, Mr. Henry Annesley." "I suppose so. What I have to say refers to Mr. Henry Annesley also." "You are kind,--very kind." "I don't know about that; but I have come altogether at my father's instance, and I think, indeed, that, in fairness, I ought to tell you the truth as to what took place between me and your nephew." "You are very good; but your father has already given me his account,--and I suppose yours." "I don't know what my father may have done, but I think that you ought to desire to hear from my lips an account of the transaction. An untrue account has been told to you." "I have heard it all from your own brother." "An untrue account has been told to you. I attacked your nephew." "What made you do that?" asked the squire. "That has nothing to do with it; but I did." "I understood all that before." "But you didn't understand that Mr. Annesley behaved perfectly well in all that occurred." "Did he tell a lie about it afterward?" "My brother no doubt lured him on to make an untrue statement." "A lie!"