"Why, I'm not a brute, Doctor Vardaman, I'm not a--a Jew! I won't allow Mrs. Pallinder to be made wretched because of this--this--it's bad enough for me to have to stand it; but she--she----" The young man caught himself; he was on the edge of saying "she's an angel," but even in that moment of excitement some saving sense of humour mercifully restrained him. "She don't know anything about business. You can't go to _her_ for your rent! It's--it's inhuman to harry a woman like Mrs. Pallinder about _rent_. Leave _her_ out of it at any rate, it's the least you can do." "You, sir, get me my gum-shoes," said Steven determinedly, as the door once more swung to admit Huddesley. It is possible that this discreet and admirably trained individual had been improving his knowledge of Doctor Vardaman's acquaintances, just outside the key-hole; he overlooked Steven's orders, and went up to the doctor with a perturbed countenance. "Doctor Vardaman, if you please, sir----" there followed a whisper charged with meaning. "Oh, the _devil_!" said the old gentleman desperately. He looked around. "Steven, Gwynne, do sit down, both of you--why, yes, of course, Huddesley, certainly you can bring her in--and--and here's the key of the wine-cellar, Huddesley;" he was quite flustered. The others forgot their excitement a moment to wonder at him. "Bring her in, Huddesley, don't keep a lady standing," said the doctor, speaking testily in his confusion. Huddesley was keenly alive to the dramatic aspect of the meeting; he went ceremoniously out and ceremoniously returned, spreading the door with a flourish. "Mrs. Pallinder!" he announced. CHAPTER TEN