"It was and has been a terrible trouble to me, Jack," said the major quietly. "But there, I have done. Don't be angry with me. Let's talk about what you are going to do." All this time Sir John had been moving slowly in the direction of The Firs, with the major's hand resting upon his arm. "There's no occasion to talk about it that I see; I'm going to have a few words with that Mr Alleyne, and this I conceive it to be my duty to do. There, there's an end to it." "Well, but is it wise?" said the major. "It seems that Mr Alleyne has formed a deep attachment to Glynne." "Such insolence! A man in his position!" "And, carried away by his feelings, he declared his love for her." "As if such a man as he has a right to force himself upon a girl in Glynne's position. It is preposterous." "It was in bad taste--a mistake, for a man who knew of Glynne's engagement to speak as he did. But young men do not always think before they speak, nor old ones neither, Jack." "Tchah! nonsense. There, go on and hunt fungi. Be off now, Jem." "Be off? No; I'm coming with you as far as The Firs." "What! Coming with me?" "Yes; I shall come and be present at the meeting. I don't want my brother to forget himself." "Jem!" "There, my dear Jack, it is of no use for you to be cross--I mean what I say. It will not do for you to get into one of your passions." "My passions?" "Yes, your passions. It will cause trouble with Alleyne." "A scoundrel!" "No, he is not a scoundrel, Jack. It will upset his little sister." "A confounded jade!" cried Sir John. "If I had known what I know now, the minx should never have entered my doors." "Steady, Jack." "I am steady, sir. A little heartless flirt, setting her cap at every man she sees. Rolph won't own to it, but I have it on very good authority that the poor fellow could not stir without that vixen being on the watch for him, and meeting him somewhere." The major was silent. "And all the time she knew that he was engaged to Glynne, and she was professing to be the best of friends to the poor child." The major drew his breath very hard. "There, you'd better be off now, Jem," cried Sir John. "I'm going just to let that fellow Alleyne have a bit of my mind, and then I shall be better." "But Mrs Alleyne is a most estimable lady. Had you not better give the matter up? Let it slide, my dear Jack. These troubles soon die a natural death." "I'm going to kill this one, Jem. Then we'll bury it," said Sir John grimly. "Now, you be off. I sha'n't upset Mrs Alleyne. I won't see her." "Nor yet Lucy Alleyne?" "Not if she keeps out of my way. Ugh! I haven't patience with the smooth-spoken little minx. It's horrible: such depravity in one so young."