"What caused this quarrel?" inquired Mr. Trevor of Vibert, after Bruce had quitted the room. "Oh, Bruce is in a huff,--it is no novelty," replied Vibert. "He thinks that every one is wanting in common sense but his own oracular self." Mr. Trevor paced up and down the study for some minutes with a troubled mien and furrowed brow. He had many things to disturb his mind; he was seriously grieved at Emmie's hysterical state, and in the dissension between his sons found a new cause of perplexing annoyance. Vibert marked his father's vexation, and characteristically enough managed to take advantage of it for the furtherance of his own wishes. "I should like to keep out of the bear's way till he has had his growl out," observed Vibert, watching his father's countenance as he spoke. "I have lots of things that I want to do in London to-morrow. I would sleep at Aunt Mary's in Grosvenor Square, and come back on the following day." The youth had thrown out a feeler, and saw by his father's face that Mr. Trevor would not be likely to offer violent opposition to the trip upon which his son's heart was set. "You will be wanting more money, you young spendthrift," was Mr. Trevor's remark, but made in an easy, good-humoured way. "No, I have plenty left," answered Vibert. The unexpected announcement was an agreeable surprise to the parent, who was not aware that Vibert's supply had been borrowed from Emmie. "You might consult your aunt about Emmie," observed Mr. Trevor, pausing in his walk, and then resuming his seat. "I am not easy regarding the health of your sister; Myst Court is too dull for her, I fear, and its loneliness serves to fill her mind with idle fancies." "Yes, yes, I'll tell my aunt all about Emmie," said Vibert, trying to look as thoughtful and sympathetic as his pleasure at getting his own way would permit. "It is so much easier to explain all these delicate matters by speaking than by writing," he added. "And you will take up my watch to Golding to be repaired," observed Mr. Trevor. "I do not like to trust one so valuable as mine to conveyance by post." "I will take it with all the pleasure in life!" cried Vibert, who would eagerly have undertaken the charge of all the clocks in the house had they needed just then a journey to London. The matter was quickly settled; it was arranged that Vibert should start by an early train. "What a lucky chance it was that Bruce should have barked at me just as papa came in!" thought the triumphant Vibert. "I'll be off before daylight to-morrow, or the hard-headed, hard-hearted chap would find a thousand reasons for not letting me go after all." CHAPTER XXI. INDECISION. "Vibert gone to London,--and so suddenly!" exclaimed Bruce, when, on the following morning, he heard from his father of his brother's early departure. "Wherefore did he go? He did not mention to me a word of his intention to make the journey." "You scarcely invite his confidence," observed Mr. Trevor.