Rolph entered the house, walked noisily into his study--a gun-room, for the study of fowling-pieces and fishing rods, with a museum-like collection of prize cups and belts dotted about, in company with trophies of the chase, heads, horns and skins. Here he rang the bell, which was very promptly answered by the butler, Captain Rolph being a follower of the celebrated Count Shucksen, and using so much military drill-sergeant powder with his orders that they went home at once. "Hayle been to see me, Smith?" he asked, sharply. "No, sir. Came to bring up your guns after my mistress had been down to the keeper's lodge this morning." "Brought up my guns," said Rolph, wonderingly. "What for?" The man looked at him rather curiously in silence. "Well, idiot, why don't you speak?" "Not my business, sir. In trouble, I suppose. Benjamin Hayle and me has never been friends, and so he said nothing, on'y one word as he went out." "And what was that?" "Sack, sir--sack!" "That'll do." "Yes, sir--I knew it would come some day," said the butler to himself. "Sticking up a notorious poacher on a level with respectable servants, and putting his daughter over 'em, making my lady of her. But pride always did have a fall." "Humph!" muttered Rolph, with a laugh, "the old girl strikes first blow without knowing what was coming. All right. Now for it. Just as well, perhaps. But he was a good keeper." He went out into the hall just in time to meet Marjorie, who was tripping blithely down the stairs, singing the while. "What a lovely day it is, Rob," she said. "Is it?" he said grimly. "Isn't it, dear? Why, what's the matter? Are you going in to see auntie on business?" "Yes, on that business. Did you and my mother hatch up that dodge between you?" "I don't know what you mean, Rob." "Of course not, my clever little schemer. Come in, too, and hear how I've flanked you both." A sudden change came over the girl's smiling countenance, with its air of wonder, and it was with a vindictive flash of her eyes that she suddenly caught Rolph by the arm. "Not married?" she said in a harsh whisper. "No; not yet." "Hah!" It was a catching sigh of relief as Rolph threw open the drawing-room door, and, with mock politeness, stood aside for Marjorie to enter. Mrs Rolph looked troubled and disturbed, and evidently welcomed the appearance of Marjorie, making a sign for the girl to come to her side, and then drawing herself up in her most stately way ready to receive her son's attack, which was not long in coming. "Why did you go to Hayle's this morning?" "On business, Rob." "What for?" "To tell him that the time had come when I required his services no longer, and that he must go at once." "What! My keeper?"