"Stop!" roared the Doctor again, as the men swung up their axes; and Veronica turned cold, and felt as if her delightful love-dream was at an end. Lord Pinemount dragged his horse's head round, and rode closer to the Doctor. "What do you mean, fellow?" he roared. "Have the goodness to recollect that you are addressing a gentleman. Stop those men. I will not have my property disfigured by these trees being cut down." "Oh, papa, papa!" sighed Veronica. "What, you dare!" cried his lordship. "Your property--disfigured!" "Then I will not have the Manor disfigured by that timber being taken down." "Are you mad?" yelled his lordship. "No, sir; but from your display of temper, and your insulting language, I presume that you are," said the Doctor, who grew more cool and dignified as his lordship became incoherent with passion. "Have the goodness to remember that you hold this estate upon certain conditions, and that you have no right to impoverish or destroy. I say that your action now would injure this property as well as mine beyond that hedge. Cut down a single tree more, and I'll make you smart for it in a way in which you little expect. Now order your workpeople off home, and--No: cut down that disfigured tree now, and grub up the stump. But if you touch another, Lord Pinemount, you will have to reckon with me. Go on, my lads, and be quick and get your hateful job done." For a few minutes his lordship could not speak. Then, growing more incoherent minute by minute,-- "Where is Mr Rolleston?" he cried. "Went round with the head-keeper, my lord," said one of the men. "Blue cap spinney, I think, my lord," ventured the second man. "Are we to cut down one tree, my lord?" said the first man, touching his hat. Lord Pinemount said something decidedly strong, drove his spurs into his horse's side, and went off at a furious gallop; while the two men grinned, and, as if moved by one spirit, wiped their noses on their bare arms. "This here's a rum game," whispered one to the other. "Come, my lads," cried the Doctor, "down with that tree, get the stump cut down and the chips cleared away by to-night, and I'll give you five shillings for beer." "Thankye, sir," they cried in duet, and then set to work vigorously; while the Doctor, who looked very knowing and severe, went slowly back to where Veronica stood, pale and troubled. "Oh, papa dear!" she whispered, "what have you done?" "Given Lord Pinemount a lesson that he has needed for a long time, my dear. I thought I could cow him." "Yes, papa; but how can you ever be friends at the Manor now?"