that. Go along,
and do what you're told. D----n it! am I not to be obeyed, sir?"

Wherewith he hurried toward the house. Dixon looked after him, shook his
head, and instead of going toward the farm, quietly retreated round the
farther corner of the house to the kitchen. He was the only person at the
Tower who had ever dared to cross Melrose. He attempted it but rarely;
but when he did, Melrose was each time freshly amazed to discover that,
in becoming his factotum, Dixon had not altogether ceased to be a man.

Melrose entered the house by the front door. As he walked into the hall,
making not the slightest effort to moderate the noise of his approach,
another woman--also in white cap and apron--ran toward him, with quick
noiseless steps from the corridor, her finger on her lip.

"Please, sir!--it is most important for the patient that the house should
be absolutely quiet."

"I tell you the house is mine!" said Melrose, positively stamping. "What
business have you--or the other one--to give orders in it? I'll turn you
all out!--you shall march, I tell you!"

The nurse--an older woman than the first who had spoken to him
outside--drew back with dignity.

"I am sorry if I offended you, sir. I was summoned from Carlisle this
morning as night nurse to an urgent case. I have been helping the other
nurse all day, for Mr. Faversham has wanted a great deal of attention. I
am now just going on duty, while the day nurse takes some rest."

"Show me where he is," said Melrose peremptorily. "I wish to see him."

The nurse hesitated. But if this was really the master of the house, it
was difficult to ignore him entirely. She looked at his feet.

"You'll come in quietly, sir? I am afraid--your boots--"

"Oh, go on! Order me about! What's wrong with my boots?" The pale grin
was meant for sarcasm.

"They're rather heavy, sir, for a sick-room. Would you--would you
mind--taking them off?"

"Upon my word, you're a cool one!"

But there was something in the quiet self-possession of the woman which
coerced, while it exasperated him. He perceived plainly that she took him
for a madman to be managed. Yet, after glaring at her for a moment, he
sat down fuming, and removed his boots. She smiled.

"That'll do nicely, sir. Now if you don't mind coming _very_ quietly--"

She glided to the door of the drawing-room, opened it noiselessly and
beckoned to Melrose. He went in, and, against his will, he went on
tiptoe, and holding his br