"I have a responsibility toward my father's property," said Coryston, calmly. "And I intend to settle down upon it, and try and drum a few sound ideas into the minds of our farmers and laborers. Owing to my absurd title I can't stand for our parliamentary division--but I shall look out for somebody who suits me, and run him. You'll find me a nuisance, mother, I'm afraid. But you've done your best for your principles. Don't quarrel with me if I do the best for mine. Of course I know it's hard for you. You would always have liked to manage me. But I never could be managed--least of all by a woman." Lady Coryston rose from her seat. "James!--Arthur!--" The voice had regained all its strength. "You will understand, I think, that it is better for me to leave you. I do not wish that either Coryston or I should say things we should afterward find it hard to forgive. I had a public duty to do. I have performed it. Try and understand me. Good night." "You will let me come and see you to-morrow?" said James, anxiously. She made no reply. Then James and Arthur kissed her, Marcia threw an arm round her and went with her, the girl's troubled, indignant eyes holding Coryston at bay the while. As Lady Coryston approached the door her eldest son made a sudden rush and opened it for her. "Good night, mother. We'll play a great game, you and I--but we'll play fair." Lady Coryston swept past him without a word. The door closed on her and Marcia. Then Coryston turned, laughing, to his brother Arthur, and punched him in the ribs. "I say, Arthur, old boy, you talked a jolly lot of nonsense this afternoon! I slipped into the Gallery a little to hear you." Arthur grew red. "Of course it was nonsense to you!" "What did Miss Glenwilliam say to you?" "Nothing that matters to you, Corry." "Arthur, my son, you'll be in trouble, too, before you know where you are!" "Do hold your tongue, Corry!" "Why should I? I back you strongly. But you'll have to stick to her. Mother will fight you for all she's worth." "I'm no more to be managed than you, if it comes to that." "Aren't you? You're the darling, at present. I don't grudge you the estates, Arthur." "I never lifted a finger to get them," said Arthur, moodily. "And I shall find a way of getting out of them--the greater part of them, anyway. All the same, Corry, if I do--you'll have to give guarantees." "Don't you wish you may get them! Well now"--Coryston gave a great stretch--"can't we have a drink? You're the master here, Arthur. Just order it. James, did you open your mouth while mother was here? I don't remember. You looked unutterable things. But nobody could be as wise as you look. I tell you, though you are a philosopher and a man of peace, you'll have to take sides in this family row, whether you like it or not. Ah! Here's the whisky. Give us a cigar. Now then, we'll sit on this precious paper!"