"I'm very glad you have come." "Thank ye, my dear, thank ye. I'm rather rough, but you must not mind that. Been hunting, and gold-digging, and living in camp. Soon rub off the corners. It's very nice and kind of you to speak so well as you have." He took the hand she held out, drew it through his arm, and kept it in quiet possession, as he turned with an insolent look of triumph upon Saul. "Now, Mr What's-your-name, do you live here?" "No," said Saul sharply, and he returned the other's defiant look, and felt hard pressed to keep back his jealous rage as he saw Gertrude rest calmly, with her hand in that of the new-comer. "No--not yet," he added to himself. "Well, then, my dear sir, as I do--in future--and as I have come a very long journey, and am tired and hungry, and want to talk to miss here, perhaps you'll be good enough to take your hat and get out." Saul's eyes flashed, and his cheeks became of an uglier pallor, as he listened to this speech, which bore a strong resemblance to that of one of the late Mr Chucks, the boatswain, of "Peter Simple" fame. For it was all refinement at the beginning, and wandered off into argot that was the very reverse. "I am not accustomed to be ordered out of this house, sir," said Saul in a low voice, full of suppressed rage; "and I refuse to go until I have seen your credentials." "What!" "And I'm not going to be bullied," said Saul. "Your cowboy manners don't frighten me; and if it wasn't for the lady here, whom, in spite of her preference for an utter stranger, I am bound to protect, I'd just take you and show you how to behave in an English house." "Would you, sir? Then look here. Out in the West, from where I came, we have no policemen and magistrates at every corner, ready to do all our dirty work. We do it ourselves, and carry with us all that is ready and necessary for the job." He advanced menacingly towards Saul; and as he took his first step, his hand dropped Gertrude's, and he put it behind him. "George Harrington! For Heaven's sake?" "Yes, yes, of course," he cried laughingly, taking her hand, laying it upon his arm, and stroking it gently. "I forgot. He riled me, and I felt as if I was back among the roughs out yonder. There, I don't want to quarrel, Mr Saul Harrington. I suppose we are uncles and cousins or something of the kind. Shake hands, and let's have a glass of something to show we are not bad friends. I suppose there is something in the house--eh, my dear?" "Yes, but--" "Look here, sir," cried Saul, ignoring the proffered hand, "I am not frightened by your Yankee, bullying ways, and I tell you what it is--" Saul Harrington did not tell the new-comer what it was, for the door opened, and Doctor Lawrence came in hastily. "What's the matter?" he cried. "Some one ill?" "Yes, old gentleman," said the stranger banteringly. "This chap--Mr Saul Harrington I think he calls himself--has got a fit."