"If you didn't bring him," said the judge, "I suppose he came by himself. Very likely he fell into the same mistake that my niece and I did. He may have thought you wanted him to marry her." "He can't possibly have thought anything of the sort. I've told him all along--in fact, it was really his plan." "That Simpkins should marry my niece?" "Yes. We've talked it over a dozen times at least." "Of the two," said the judge, "I'd rather have the Major for a nephew. I scarcely know him, and I don't know Simpkins at all; but judging simply by appearances, I should say that the Major is the better man." "He is, decidedly. Simpkins is in every way his inferior. The fact is--I don't want to say anything to hurt your feelings." "Don't mind my feelings. They're accustomed to laceration." "Well, I think the Major is too good a man to--" "You can't expect me to agree with you there," said the judge. "But I appreciate your point of view, and I respect your feeling of affection for your friend." "There's no use beating about the bush in this way," said Meldon. "If you think I'm going to remain passively indifferent while my unfortunate friend allows himself to be entrapped by a woman like Mrs. Lorimer--" "Good Heavens!" said the judge. "Mrs. Lorimer! What on earth has Mrs. Lorimer--?" "There's no use your pretending to be ignorant of the facts," said Meldon. "You must know them." He wrenched his arm from the judge's grip as he spoke, and started at a rapid pace towards the lawn. Sir Gilbert Hawkesby hesitated for a moment with a look of bewilderment on his face. Then he ran after Meldon, and caught him by the arm again. "Hold on a minute," he said. "Something has just occurred to me. Before you do anything rash let me tell you a little story." "I can't wait," said Meldon. "Every moment increases the Major's danger. Further endearments--" "We needn't be afraid of that," said the judge, "while Simpkins is there, and I really do want to tell you my story. It may, I think it will, alter your whole view of the situation." "I'll give you two minutes," said Meldon, taking out his watch. "One will do," said the judge, speaking rapidly. "All I have to say is this. I met Mrs. Lorimer on the platform of Euston Station on the evening of her acquittal, and I mistook her for my niece who was travelling in the same train." Meldon put his watch into his pocket and stared at the judge. "It was quite an excusable mistake," said Sir Gilbert soothingly. "Any one might have made it. The likeness is extraordinary." "The thing to do now," said Meldon after a long pause, "is to get Simpkins out of this as quickly as possible. He's no use here." "None," said the judge. "Why did you bring him?" "I brought him to marry your niece," said Meldon. "I told you that before." "Marry!-- Oh yes, while you thought she was-- Do you dislike Simpkins very much?" "No; I don't. But everybody else, including the Major, does."