"Pray excuse me. It is nothing, Sir William. Do be seated. I am very sorry for having alarmed you. Some little time ago I injured my knee--as I thought at the time, slightly; but it often gives me a single pang of most acute pain, and in crossing my legs just as you spoke that pang came, and I could not but cry out, if my life depended on not doing so. I know you will excuse me, Sir William; the pain is all gone. I think you were saying, when I so unhappily interrupted you, that you and I take a deep interest in Miss Midharst." "You are sure you are all right?" "Yes, quite sure." "Did you ever hear the death-scream of a horse?" "No, never." "Your shout frightened me; it was like that. Well, as I was saying, we both take an interest in Miss Midharst. You know the way Sir Alexander treated this place. I heard of it, and to-day I see it." "Yes; it is naked enough." "Well, it is not a fit place for Miss Midharst to reside in now." "I have been thinking, of course, of getting a suitable house for her until we are able to buy or build one." "Oh, I don't mean anything of that kind. She is to stay here." "Stay here! You do not know that from me, Sir William. It is not my intention. My intention was to place my own house at her disposal, and live in my town house." "Oh, but it is all settled: she is to stay here." "All settled! All settled, Sir William, and by whom?" "By Miss Midharst and me." "But--but--" Grey was trembling all over now, he knew not why--"but, Sir William, one would think Miss Midharst's guardian might have been consulted on the matter before all was settled." "I assure you he was." "But I pledge you my word, Sir William, this is the first I have heard of it." "My dear Mr. Grey, there is some mistake. You surely do not imagine you are Miss Midharst's guardian?" "Then, in the name of Heaven," cried Grey feebly, "if I am not, who is?" "I." "_You!_ But the will does not mention your name!" "Nor yours, as guardian of her person. You will take charge of Miss Midharst's fortune, as by will appointed. I will take charge of Miss Midharst herself, by position as head of the house. You did not catch the full drift of the meaning of the will. I paid particular attention to that paragraph." "No doubt you are right, Sir William. I did not pay particular attention to that paragraph. I gathered that I was the only guardian named, and I concluded the conditions were the usual ones." It was with the utmost difficulty Grey could prevent himself from betraying his conflicting passions. Now came personal anger against the young and determined baronet; now despair at the thought of having Maud removed from his personal custody. Sir Alexander had certainly given him to understand that he, Grey, was to be guardian to the girl; and here was he, after all he had done and risked, after he had died his hands in blood----Bah! that kind of thing would drive him mad. He must keep calm now if he did not wish to hang next month.