Such a character in a Debenham seemed to Mr. Belassis little short of a personal insult. He had always before been able to do what he would with the Debenhams. Even Maud, who had a distinct spirit and character of her own, had never given him any great trouble or anxiety. There was a facile playfulness in her composition, and a distaste of anything unpleasant, which rendered it easy to coax or to command her. She would put up with a good deal rather than make a fuss and get into disgrace; and he had always felt certain that with care and diplomacy he should be able to get her to do his will in great things as in small, if only she remained an inmate of his house, and was backed merely by such feeble support as her aunt Olive could give her. But now that the supposed brother had taken her away to his own house, and would evidently stand between her and any threatened coercion or cajolement—who might possibly use his influence, which was great, against the Belassis interest, then matters began to look serious; and the worthy uncle’s brow was often lined by anxious care, as he reviewed the situation and wondered what would be the end of it. He was so used to find his will and his wife’s dominate over all others, that the sensation he was now experiencing made him feel helpless, and almost foolish. Mrs. Belassis, too, took a view of matters which was anything but reassuring; for she was convinced that Phil was their enemy, and that his present quietness and apparent cordiality only formed a mask for a hatred which would openly manifest itself when he had assured himself of the strength of his position. ‘Mark my word, Alfred,’ she would say sometimes, ‘he hates us; and some day he will make us feel it. What a fool you were to speculate with that trust-money! I always told you it was too risky. You know better than I, where a transaction of that kind is likely to lead you; and I know quite well that Philip Debenham will have no mercy. One can read that in his face.’ Mr. Belassis wiped his forehead with his handkerchief. ‘Lewis must marry Maud. We _must_ manage that. When her name is Belassis, and her interests ours, then he will have to stay his hand. He will not bring disgrace upon _her_ family.’ ‘When!’ repeated Mrs. Belassis sceptically. ‘If you marry Maud to Lewis _now_, you will be a cleverer man than I take you for.’ ‘But—but,’ he expostulated, ‘why should we not? He is devoted to her, and I think she likes him. A few weeks ago you had no fears.’ ‘A few weeks ago Maud was under my control. Now she is not. Our influence is at an end. She cares for nobody now but Philip, and he will be our enemy.’ Mr. Belassis cursed his nephew with a hearty goodwill. In his wife’s society he allowed himself the luxury of strong language.