"He is my own boy," she continued, "I would do anything for him. And I’m not going to let him be entrapped—if that is what all this means. I know he is very angry with me just now; probably he would not speak to me if he were to meet me this minute; but that won’t prevent my speaking to him. I’m going to put my pride in my pocket, Lord Musselburgh. I’m going to find out something more about this picturesque old gentleman, who talks so grandly about the Beatons, and the de Bethunes, and their coats of arms, and who accepts a £10 note—or perhaps only a £5 note?—on account of a book that is not yet published. And if there is any sort of scheme on foot for getting hold of the son of so notoriously wealthy a man as Harland Harris, then I want to make a little inquiry. Yesterday Vin indignantly complained that I was prejudiced, and that I had no right to form any opinion about those friends of his because I would not go along and dine with him and them last evening. Very well, I will go to him, and make up the quarrel, and ask him to repeat the invitation for this evening—" "For this evening?" repeated Lord Musselburgh, in tones of deep disappointment. "You don’t mean you are going to leave all your friends here and go and dine somewhere else?" "If I can procure an invitation. It is my duty. I’m not going to let my boy be made a fool of, even if I have to sacrifice a little of my own personal comfort." "Yes, that’s all very well," said Lord Musselburgh, gloomily, "but I did not bargain for your going away like that on the only evening I shall be here. If I had known—" He was on the point of saying he would not have come down: but that would have been too bold an avowal. He suddenly hit upon another happy suggestion. "You said that Vin had only those two on board with him? Well, if he asks you to dine with him, won’t he ask me too?" Mrs. Ellison laughed, and shook her head. "No, no. Another stranger would put them on their guard. I must manage my Private Investigation all by myself. But you need not look so disconsolate. There are some really nice people here, as you’ll find out by-and-bye; and the Drexel girls are driving over from Great Marlow—they are Americans, so you will be properly appreciated: they will try their best to make you happy." "How late shall you stay on board Vin’s boat?" he asked, heedless of these smaller attractions. "I shall be back here by ten—perhaps by half-past nine." "Is that a promise?" "Yes, it is—ten at latest." "Otherwise I should go back to town in the afternoon," said he, frankly.