He slightly coloured, put his hand to the panes and covered them. "Nay," she said, taking hold of his hand, and drawing it away, "nay, let me read it." "I have writ," said he, bitterly, "what might have been, and then----" he gulped down his rising emotion, "then I had been----" She stooped and kissed him on the brow, "Poor boy!" Instantly he threw his arms round her neck and drew her face to his, and kissed her cheeks and lips, passionately. She--she alone remained to him--and yet--how far apart they were. She sprang away with a cry. The door was open, and in it stood old Anthony Cleverdon. CHAPTER XXXVII. ANOTHER TEMPTATION. Anthony rose, when he saw his father, with instinctive filial respect, but he did not look him in the face. He could not do this. "Hah!" said the old man, entering the room, and closing the door behind him. "I had come here with an intent that is now set aside. I had come, Julian, to tell thee that it was yet in thy power to weld together the estates of Hall and Kilworthy, notwithstanding what has occurred--that is, if thou wouldst overlook a certain disparity in years, and keep thine eye fixed on the main advantage. But that is over. I am glad I came when I chanced, and in time to save me from running a great risk. Thou art too free with thy kisses, too lavish in thy love to please me." He spoke as though what he said must wither Julian, crush her under the sense of her great loss. His assurance that she must be attracted by the same ambition as himself was so grotesque that Julian at once rallied from the confusion that had covered her, laughed, and said: "You do me a mighty honour." "Not at all--I decline to show you the honour." "So much the better. When I walk through a wood I do not like to have the bramble claw at me. If it does, then I must turn and put my foot on it. Let the bramble hug the nettle, and not aim at the lady." Her impudence staggered him. "It is mighty sport," she continued, "to hear that little Hall desired to hitch itself on to the skirts of Kilworthy. But Master Cleverdon, if thou art in a marrying mood, prithee go to the next giglet fair, and choose thee there a wench." Her insolence had its effect; the effect designed. Instead of being attacked by the old Squire, she was the assailant, and she hit him where she knew she could keenly wound him, so as to draw off his thoughts from what he had just seen. He was offended and angry. "There," said she--"sit down in my seat by the fire. I meant no harm; but as you were absurd on your side, I made grimaces on mine. I am glad you are here, and face to face with Anthony, for, mayhap, I can persuade you to that which, unpersuaded, you were loth to do."