But the flocking pair had no such thoughts as those with which they were given credit, for directly they were outside, Duncan Leslie set Madelaine's heart beating by his first words. "Look here," he said, "I want to take you into my counsel, Miss Van Heldre, because you have so much sound common sense." "Is that meant for a compliment, Mr Leslie?" "No; I never pay compliments. Look here," he said bluntly, "you take an interest in Harry Vine." Madelaine was silent. "That means yes," said Leslie. "Now, to be perfectly plain with you, Miss Van Heldre, so do I; and I want to serve him if I can." "Yes?" said Madelaine, growing more deeply interested. "Yes, it is--as the sailors say. Now it's very plain that he is not contented where he is." "I'm afraid not." "What do you say to this--I will not be a sham--I want to serve him for reasons which I dare say you guess; reasons of which I am not in the least ashamed. Now what do you think of this? How would he be with me?" Madelaine flushed with pleasure. "I cannot say. Is this a sudden resolve?" "Quite. I never thought of such a thing till I went there." "Then take time to think it over. Mr Leslie." "Good advice; but it is a thing that requires very little thought. I cannot say what arrangements I should make--that would require consideration, but I should not tie him to a desk. He would have the overlooking of a lot of men, and I should try to make him as happy as I could." "Oh, Mr Leslie!" said Madelaine, rather excitedly. "Pray do not think I am slighting your father, or looking down upon what he has done, which, speaking as a blunt man, is very self-sacrificing." "As it would be on your part." "On mine? Oh, no," said Leslie frankly. "When a man has such an _arriere pensee_ as I have, there is no self-sacrifice. There, you see, I am perfectly plain." "And I esteem you all the more for it." The conversation extended, and in quite a long discussion everything was forgotten but the subject in hand, till Leslie said:-- "There, you had better sit down and rest for a few minutes. You are quite out of breath." Madelaine looked startled, for she had been so intent upon their conversation that she had not heeded their going up the cliff walk. "Sit down," said Leslie; and she obeyed. "Get your breath, and we'll walk back to your house together; but what do you think of it all?" "I cannot help thinking that it would for many reasons be better." "So do I," said Leslie, "in spite of the risk." "Risk?" "Yes. Suppose I get into an imbroglio with Master Harry? He's as peppery as can be. How then?" "You will be firm and forbearing," said Madelaine gravely. "I have no fear."