"Fool--idiot--mad boy!" hissed Mrs Lloyd, seizing his arm angrily, and shaking it. "You shall not act like this. I've been nearly thirty years building this up, and do you think I will have it crushed down like that? Say a word if you dare!" "If I dare!" exclaimed Richard. "Do you know that Humphrey does more than suspect, that he knows all--heard all from your own lips in the lane yesterday?" Mrs Lloyd's jaw dropped. "The true-hearted, honest fellow refused to take advantage of his position." "Of course, yes," cried Mrs Lloyd. "We'll pay him out, and let him go. Yes, he shall have Polly," she added, with a look of pleasure on her troubled face. "Enough of this," said Richard, firmly. "Loose my arm. Some day I may be able to talk to you again. Now, go to your room, and make arrangements either for leaving, or make your peace with your new lord. He loves little Polly, and that will act as a shield for you." "I say you shall not give in," cried Mrs Lloyd, in a hoarse, angry voice. But he dragged his arm free, and dashed up the stairs. End of Volume Two. Volume 3, Chapter I. MISTAKEN ZEAL. In the course of the morning Richard grew calmer. He had a long interview with Humphrey, giving him plenty of advice as to his future proceedings; and then sending for Mr Mervyn, whom Humphrey happened to mention as a gentleman in whom he had great confidence. But the messenger was not needed, for Mr Mervyn was coming up the drive, and he was sent on another errand, with a couple of notes to Penreife--one to Sir Hampton, the other to Tiny. "I was on my way here, Mr Trevor," he began. "My name is Richard Lloyd, Mr Mervyn," said Richard, quietly. "Yes--yes," said Mr Mervyn, "I have heard. It is all over the place." "So soon?" said Richard, bitterly. "Yes; and directly I heard," said Mervyn, "I came up. But, my dear sir, it's like a romance; it can't be true." "It's true enough," said Richard, coldly. "But under the circumstances, Mr Trev--Lloyd," said Mervyn, "Mr Humphrey here won't press--" "That's what I want Master Richard here to understand," said Humphrey. "As I says to him yesterday, sir, what's the good of it to me?" "Exactly," said Mervyn, "right is right; but as Mr Trev--Lloyd is innocent in the matter, and has made engagements and the rest of it, why not come to some arrangement satisfactory to both?" "Mr Mervyn, you are sent for here as the friend of Mr Humphrey Trevor." "Exactly, Mr Tre--Lloyd. I beg your pardon, but my tongue is not so quick of apprehension as my brain." "I want you to advise and help him in his novel position." "I will," said Mervyn, frankly; "but I should like to advise and help you too. You see, Mr Tre--there--Mr Richard, you have possession." "I give it up," said Richard. "But you might hold it, and give friend Humphrey here a great deal of trouble." "Mr Mervyn, I claim to be still a gentleman, whatever my birth," said Richard, haughtily. "Will you act as Humphrey's friend?" "I will."