“And what a beautiful foot too!” cried Stocmar, with enthusiasm. Something that sounded like a malediction was muttered by Paten as he arose and walked the room with passionate strides. “Once more, I say,” cried he, “let me take your place this evening, or else I 'll call on this old fool,--this Sir William Heathcote,--and give him the whole story of his bride. I 'm not sure if it's not the issue would give me most pleasure. I verily believe it would.” “It's a smart price to pay for a bit of malice too!” said Stocmar, musing. “I must say, there are some other ways in which the money would yield me as much pleasure.” “Is it a bargain, Stocmar? Do you say yes?” cried Paten, with heightened excitement. “I don't see how I can agree to it,” broke in the other. “If she distinctly tells me that she will not meet you--” “Then she shall, by------!” cried Paten, confirming the determination by a terrible oath. “Look out now, Stocmar, for a scene,” continued he, “and gratify yourself by the thought it is all your own doing. Had you accepted my proposal, I 'd have simply gone in your place, made myself known to her without scandal or exposure, and, in very few words, declared what my views were, and learned how far she'd concur with them. You prefer an open rupture before the world. Well, you shall have it!” Stocmar employed all his most skilful arguments to oppose this course. He showed that, in adopting it, Paten sacrificed every prospect of self- interest and advantage, and, for the mere indulgence of a cruel outrage, that he compromised a position of positive benefit. The other, however, would not yield an inch. The extreme concession that Stocmar, after a long discussion, could obtain was, that the interview was not to exceed a few minutes, a quarter of an hour at furthest; that there was to be no _éclat_ or exposure, so far as he could pledge himself; and that he would exonerate Stocmar from all the reproach of being a willing party to the scheme. Even with these stipulations, Stocmar felt far from being reconciled to the plan, and declared that he could never forgive himself for his share in it. “It is your confounded self-esteem is always uppermost in your thoughts,” said Paten, insolently. “Just please to remember you are no foreground figure in this picture, if you be any figure at all. I feel full certain _she_ does not want you,--I 'll take my oath _I_ do not,-- so leave us to settle our own affairs our own way, and don't distress yourself because you can't interfere with them.” With this rude speech, uttered in a tone insolent as the words, Paten arose and left the room. Scarcely had the door closed after him, however, than he reopened it, and said,-- “Only one word more, Stocmar. No double,--no treachery with me here. I 'll keep my pledge to the very letter; but if you attempt to trick or to overreach me, I 'll blow up the magazine.” Before Stocmar could reply, he was gone. CHAPTER XXXV. LOO AND HER FATHER