tte.

There fell a brief silence between them. Sir Eustace was no longer
smoking. His frown had deepened. Suddenly he laid his hand upon Scott's
shoulder.

"It's my turn now," he said. "I've something to say to you."

"Well?" said Scott. He stiffened a little at the hold upon him, but he
did not attempt to frustrate it.

"Only this." Eustace pressed upon him as one who would convey a warning.
"You've interfered with me more than once lately, and I've borne with
it--more or less patiently. But I'm not going to bear with it much
longer. You may be useful to me, but--you're not indispensable. Remember
that!"

Scott started at the words, as a well-bred horse starts at the flicker of
the whip. He controlled himself instantly, but his eyelids quivered a
little as he answered, "I will remember it."

Sir Eustace's hand fell. "I think that is all that need be said," he
observed. "We will get to business."

He turned from the window, but in the same moment Scott wheeled also and
took him by the arm. "One moment!" he said. "Eustace, we are not going to
quarrel over this. You don't imagine, do you, that I interfere with you
in this way for my own pleasure?"

He spoke urgently, an odd wistfulness in voice and gesture.

Sir Eustace paused. The sternness still lingered in his eyes though his
face softened somewhat as he said, "I haven't gone into the question of
motives, Stumpy. I have no doubt they are--like yourself--very worthy,
though it might not soothe me greatly to know what they are."

Scott still held his arm. "Oh, man," he said very earnestly, "don't miss
the best thing in life for want of a little patience! She's such a child.
She doesn't understand. For your own sake give her time!"

There was that in his tone that somehow made further offence impossible.
A faint, half-grudging smile took the place of the grimness on his
brother's face.

"You take things so mighty seriously," he said. "What's the matter? What
has she been saying?"

Scott hesitated. "I can't tell you that. I imagine it is more what she
doesn't say that makes me realize the state of her mind. I can tell you
one thing. She would rather go shopping with Isabel to-morrow than
picnicking in the wilderness with you, and if you're wise, you'll give in
and let her go. You'll run a very grave risk of losing her altogether
if you ask too much."

"What do you mean?" Eustace's voice was short and stern; the question was
like a sword thrust.

Again S