"He is a little hasty and irritable, sir. He has been put out ever since you took this place, for he had set his mind upon it for years. It was a disappointment to him, sir." "I had set my mind upon having the place, and it would have been a bitter disappointment to me to have missed it. Let me see, Mr Rolleston: with the paddock, garden, and orchard there are about six acres." "So I have heard, sir." "And your father has thousands of acres?" "Yes, sir." "And he grudges me my little bit. Hardly fair, eh?" "I can make no defence, sir. I only throw myself upon your mercy. My father is too unwell and irritable to see the matter in the light I do." "Ah! you are a prejudiced observer," said the Doctor drily. "I hope not, sir: I wish to be just; and I ask you not to think ill of us for this affair." "Humph! And are you apologising for Lady Pinemount too?" "For my mother, sir? There is no need." "Oh! Why, I thought when Ahab coveted Naboth's vineyard, the queen--" "Doctor Salado!" cried Denis, springing from his seat with flashing eyes, "how dare you. It is an insult to my dear mother, who is as pained and grieved as I am." "I beg her ladyship's pardon humbly," said the Doctor, as he saw Denis glance again at Veronica, and that she made him an imploring sign. "I--I beg yours, sir," faltered Denis. "What for, my lad? Defending your mother? It was quite right. Shake hands." Denis caught the Doctor's hand, and Veronica uttered a sigh of relief. "There now, sit down, and let's talk sensibly; and next time a man insults Lady Pinemount like that, knock him down. So you have come to apologise, eh?" "Yes, sir. It is most painful to me. I have no authority, but I know you to be a straightforward English gentleman who sees my position, and I ask you to be lenient with my father and forbearing towards him." "But you see this is all selfishness, Denis Rolleston." "Yes, sir; but you don't know all." "All what? That you have a silly, boyish liking for my child." "Silly! boyish!" cried the young man, flushing. "Don't you be hard upon me too." "It's the simple truth," said the Doctor drily; "and very simple too. Here are you, son of the nobleman who holds this handsome estate, with a right to look very high in a matrimonial alliance, and yet you come hanging about here after a young lady, daughter of such a nobody as an eccentric old naturalist who has spent the past thirty years abroad. You must be very weak-minded, young man." "Words, sir," cried Denis eagerly. "You know in your heart you think I am as wise as I know I am." His eyes met Veronica's again, and there was a proud look of happiness in his glance. "Bah--bah--bah! Heroics, sentiment. Rubbish!" cried the Doctor. "Come, be frank. Your father knows of your inclinations?" "Yes, sir." "And he flew into a rage when he found it out?" Denis was silent.