"Of course I want it kept as quiet as possible; but I don't want it kept quiet at the cost of that fellow's going unpunished--getting off scot-free! We've nothing to be ashamed of. Publicity won't hurt us, little as we may like it. But it'll hurt him, and he shall have it in full measure--straight in the face. Is it a possible state of things that he should be here, living in the place, taking part in our public affairs, being our Member, while my daughter is at Nutley? I say no, and I think Belfield--his father, I mean--ought to be able to see it for himself. What then? Are we to be driven out of our home?" "That would be absurd, of course," Andy had to admit. "It seems to me the only alternative." He rose from his chair, and walked up and down like an angry tiger. He faced round on Andy. "For a beginning, the first step he takes in regard to the seat, I shall resign from the committee of the Association, and state my reasons for my action in plain language--and I think you know I can speak plainly. I shall do the same about any other public work which involves meeting him. I shall do the same about the hunt, the same about everything. And I'll ask my friends--I'll ask decent people--to choose between Harry Belfield and me. To please my daughter, I didn't break his head, as I should have liked to, but, by heaven, I'll spoil his game in Meriton! I'm afraid that's the only message I can give you to take to Halton." "In fact you'll do your best to get him boycotted?" Andy liked compendious statements. "That's exactly what I mean to do, Hayes. A man going to be married to my daughter in a fortnight--parted from her the moment before on the footing of her lover--found making violent love to another inmate of my house, her companion, almost within my very house itself--sounds well, doesn't it? Calculated to recommend him to his friends, and to the constituency?" Andy tried a last shot. "Is this action of yours really best for Miss Wellgood, or what she would wish?" Wellgood flushed in anger, conscious of his secret motives, by no means sure that he was not suspected of them. "I judge for my daughter. And it's not what she may wish, but what is proper in regard to her that I consider. On the other hand, if he lets Meriton alone, he may do what he likes. That's not my affair. I'm not going to hunt him over the whole country." "Well, that's something," said Andy with a patient smile. "I'll communicate your terms to Mr. Belfield." He paused, glancing doubtfully at his most unconciliatory companion. "Do you think it would be painful to Miss Wellgood to see me?" He stopped suddenly in his prowling up and down the room. "That's funny! She was just saying she would like to see you." "I'm glad to hear that. I want to be quite frank. Harry has asked me to express to her his bitter regret." "Nothing more than that?" "Nothing more, on my honour."