“I think you are mistaken in your opinion of the young lady,” he said quietly. “Mistaken! Bah!” sneered Elwell. Peter made no answer. Elwell paced angrily between the desk and the window. “A pleasant acquaintance she is likely to be for the future Mrs. Elwell,” he said, gnawing at his mustache. “You knew as much about her when you accepted her services as you do now,” retorted Coleman. “You have no right to complain. See, now,” he went on, turning in his revolving chair so as to face his old client. “You and I cannot afford to quarrel. At least,” he went on truthfully, “I cannot afford to quarrel with you. I will do all I can for you, and prevent this visit, if possible; but I can not promise. You see,” he went on, glancing at the money on the desk, and smiling slightly, “you do not know Lettie as I do.” “Is she different from all other women?” inquired Elwell sneeringly. “Yes,” replied Peter seriously; “she is. If I was to offer her those banknotes it would settle the matter for good.” “Then you had better offer them,” exclaimed Elwell pettishly; “for I want it settled.” “Probably not as she would settle it, though,” returned the lawyer dryly. “Do as you please!” cried Elwell impatiently; “only see that she does not go.” “I will do all I can, but I cannot promise,” replied the lawyer imperturbably. “I will see her at once, and try to prevent her going.” “Tell her she had better not come,” said Elwell savagely. “I might be tempted to expose her in front of them all.” “That might be dangerous,” replied Peter calmly. “You know absolutely nothing about her, and who can tell how much she may know about you?” Elwell turned quickly and looked at his friend, to see if there was any concealed menace in his words; but the lawyer’s face was a perfect blank, and he returned the gaze steadily. “You will do all you can?” he said at last. “Everything possible,” returned Coleman in an earnest tone. “But I cannot prevent her going if she wants to, and I would advise you to treat her right if she does go.” “I will remember,” said Elwell in acknowledgment of this advice, as he left the office. And Peter muttered when he was left alone: “You will be pretty sure to remember if you don’t.” Peter evidently disliked the duty before him; and, like many others, he tried to make up in spiritual for what he lacked in moral courage. In consequence, he was in a highly exhilarated condition when he reached his home. “Ask Miss Allan if she will see me in the parlor for a moment,” he said to the servant; and in a moment more Lettie entered the room. “See here, Lettie,” he said authoritatively, as soon as she entered, “we have been talking about this visit--Elwell and I--and we have concluded that it would be better, perhaps, if you did not go. I thought I would come up and tell you,” he went on hurriedly, “so you would not make any unnecessary preparations.” Lettie listened quietly until he had finished.