not seriously entertained. He might be
ambitious, and he might carve out a great future; but still he was of
the working class, and doubtless had the instincts of his class.

On her return home she found her father much preoccupied. During the
whole of the dinner hour he scarcely spoke, but presently, when the
servants had left them, he seemed desirous of entering into
conversation with her.

"Have you had a good time in London, Mary?" he said.

"A very interesting time indeed," was her reply. "The Scotmans were
very kind."

"I suppose Stepaside's speech was talked about a good deal?"

"Yes," replied the girl. "He seems to have made a great impression.
People are very much interested in him, too; and he was at the house of
Sir John Sussex on the night when he gave that reception."

"Did you see him?"

"Yes," she replied.

"And speak to him?"

"It was difficult to avoid doing that. You see, I had met him once or
twice, and when he came to me I had to be civil."

"The impertinent upstart!" cried Mr. Justice Bolitho, and there was
almost a snarl in his tones.

"He's not looked upon in that light in London," said the girl.
Somehow, she knew not why, she wanted to defend him against her
father's evident dislike.

"We live in a topsy-turvy age," said the Judge. "Do you know what the
fellow did? He actually had the temerity to write, asking for my
consent to pay his addresses to you! You did not know of this, of
course?"

"No." The word escaped her almost mechanically, but she felt a warm
flush pass over her face.

"I never knew of such impertinence! Fancy the fellow whom I sent to
jail only a few years ago daring to think of such a thing! Had he come
to me in person, I think I should have had him horsewhipped. And he
ought to be horsewhipped, too. Why----" And then he laughed harshly.

Mary Bolitho did not reply. Somehow words did not come easily to her.
All the same, a feeling of hot rebellion came into her heart.

"I answered him, of course," went on the Judge. "At first I thought of
returning his letter without any remark whatever. Still, I sent him a
few words which I think will have a beneficial effect on his colossal
cheek!"

"What did you say?" asked the girl.

"I have a copy of it here somewhere," went on the Judge. "Would you
like to see it?"

He took some papers from a drawer, and, having selected one, passed it
to her. Mary Bolitho's face crimsoned as she read. She kne