“Exactly. It's a mere menace to-day, but six months hence it may be something more formidable. It is a curious case, cleverly contrived and ingeniously put together. Don't say that we could n't smash it; such carpentry always has a chink or an open somewhere. Meanwhile the scandal is spreading over not only England, but over the world, and no matter how favorable the ultimate issue, there will always remain in men's minds the recollection that the right to your estate was contested, and that you had to defend your possession.” “I had always thought till now,” said Bramleigh, slowly, “that the legal mind attached very little importance to the flying scandals that amuse society. You appear to accord them weight and influence.” “I am not less a man of the world because I am a lawyer, Colonel Bramleigh,” said the other, half tartly. “If this must be done the sooner it be over the better. A man of high station--a peer--is at this moment paying such attention to one of my daughters that I may expect at any moment, to-day perhaps, to receive a formal proposal for her hand. I do not suspect that the threat of an unknown claimant to my property would disturb his Lordship's faith in my security or my station, but the sensitive dislike of men of his class to all publicity that does not redound to honor or distinction--the repugnance to whatever draws attention to them for aught but court favor or advancement--might well be supposed to have its influence with him, and I think it would be better to spare him--to spare us, too--this exposure.” “I 'll attend to it immediately. Kelson hinted to me that the claimant was now in England.” “I was not aware of that.” “Yes, he is over here now, and I gather, too, has contrived to interest some people in his pretensions.” “Does he affect the station of a gentleman?” “Thoroughly; he is, I am told, well-mannered, prepossessing in appearance, and presentable in every respect.” “Let us ask him over to Castello, Sedley,” said Bramleigh, laughing. “I 've known of worse strategy,” said the lawyer, dryly. “What! are you actually serious?” “I say that such a move might not be the worst step to an amicable settlement. In admitting the assailant to see all the worth and value of the fortress, it would also show him the resources for defence, and he might readily compute what poor chances were his against such odds.” “Still, I doubt if I could bring myself to consent to it. There is a positive indignity in making any concession to such a palpable imposture.” “Not palpable till proven. The most unlikely cases have now and then pushed some of our ablest men to upset. Attack can always choose its own time, its own ground, and is master of almost every condition of the combat.” “I declare, Sedley, if this man had retained your services to make a good bargain for him, he could scarcely have selected a more able agent.” “You could not more highly compliment the zeal I am exercising in your service.”