Fox went out, and remained absent about five minutes. Suddenly the door was dashed open, and he came in excitedly. "He is coming--he is hard at hand. I have more to say. Do you mistrust me? Do you think I am telling lies? I will say it to his face; and then----" He drew his knife and made a stroke with it in the air, then sheathed it again. "Go," said he, "go in yonder." He pointed to the well-chamber that opened out of the hall. "Remain there. The rest I will tell Anthony to his face." He caught her by the wrist and led her to the door, and almost forced her into the little chamber. Then he went across the hall to the door that led to the kitchen, opened it, and looked into a small passage; crossed that to another door communicating with the kitchen, and turned the key in it. He returned to the hall, and was shutting the door behind him when Anthony entered from outside. Anthony raised his brows with surprise at the sight of Fox there, and flushed with anger. This was the man who was going to displace him at Hall, occupy his inheritance, and take his very name. And Fox--this treacherous friend--had the daring to come to his house and meet him. "What brings you here?" asked Anthony, roughly. "An excellent reason, which you might divine." Fox had completely recovered his assurance. He came across the room toward the seat he had occupied before, and, with a "By your leave," resumed it. He thus sat with his face in shadow, and his back to the door of the well-chamber. "And, pray, what are you doing in my house? Hast come to see me or Master Gibbs?" "You--you alone." Anthony threw himself into the settle; his brow was knit; he was angry at the intrusion, and yet not altogether unwilling to see Fox--for he desired to have a word with him relative to his proposed marriage with Bessie, and assumption of his name. "And I," said he; "I desire an explanation with you, Fox." "Come, now!" exclaimed young Crymes. "I have a desire to speak with you, and you with me. Which is to come first? Shall we toss? But, nay! I will begin; and then, when I have done, we shall see what desire remains in you to talk to me and pluck thy crow." "I want then to know what has brought you here? Where is my wife? Where is Urith? Have you seen her?" Anthony turned his head, and looked about the room. "What!" said Fox, with a jeer in his tone, "dost think because thou runnest to Kilworthy to make love to my sister Julian, that I came here to sweetheart thy wife?" "Silence!" said Anthony, with a burst of rage, and sprang from his seat. "I will not keep silence," retorted Fox, turning grey with alarm at the hasty motion, and with concentrated rage. "Nay, Anthony, I will not be silent! Answer me; hast thou not been this very day with Julian?" "And what if I did see her? I went to Kilworthy to find you."