'Well, first, you must see me through with mamma, if--if anything comes out about what's been happening. You know Beaufort wouldn't stick at giving me away if he wanted to get even with me.' 'You're probably right as to that,' agreed Fricker, licking his cigar. 'So you must tell mamma that it had your approval, and not let her be nasty to me. You can manage that, if you like, you know.' 'I daresay, I daresay. Is there any other diversion for your idle old father?' 'Yes. You must back me up with Beaufort. I believe he's dangling after Mrs. Trevalla again.' Connie's eyes flashed with threatenings of wrath. 'On the quiet?' Connie nodded emphatically. 'Hardly the square thing,' said Fricker, smiling in an abused patience. 'Are you going to stand it? He's made fierce love to me.' 'Yes, I know something about that, Connie. And you're fond of him, eh?' 'Yes, I am,' she declared defiantly. 'And I won't let that woman take him away from me.' 'What makes you think she'd have him?' 'Oh, she'd have him! But I don't mean her to get the chance.' Fricker liked spirit of all sorts; if he had approved of Peggy's, he approved of his daughter's too. Moreover his great principle was at stake once more, and must be vindicated again; he must insist on fair play. If what Connie attributed to Beaufort Chance were true, it was by no means fair play. His mind briefly reviewed how he stood towards Beaufort; the answer was that Beaufort hung on him, and could not stand alone. He had the gift of seeing just how people were situated; he saw it better than they did themselves, thanks to his rapid intuition and comprehensive grasp of business affairs. He had set Beaufort Chance on horseback--financial horseback; if he willed, he could pull him down again; at the least he could make his seat most uncomfortable and precarious. 'We should be able to manage him between us, should we, after the event as well as before?' 'You help me to manage him before--I'll manage him myself afterwards,' said Connie. 'Good girl! Say what you like. I'll back you up. Bring him to me, if need be.' Connie darted at him and kissed him. 'Don't say anything before Miss Ryle,' she whispered. 'It's just that I'm going out to tea.' When they reached the hall, where Peggy was waiting in triumphant composure, Connie Fricker lived up to the spirit of this caution by discarding entirely her aggressive plainness of speech and her combative air. She minced with excessive gentility as she told Miss Ryle that she was ready to go with her; then she flew off to get a gold-headed parasol. Peggy sat and smiled at Mr. Fricker. 'She's going to have tea with you?' asked Fricker. 'Isn't it kind of her?' beamed Peggy. Fricker respected diplomacy. 'The kindness is on your side,' he replied politely; but his smile told Peggy all the truth. She gave a laugh of amusement mingled with impatient anticipation.