u propose to buy my integrity,
my honor, my soul. Very well. My integrity, my honor, and my soul are
not for sale at any price. I shall make an honest report in this matter.
Good-night, sir! Perhaps you will make my excuses to the ladies for not
joining them at supper as I promised to do. As for the rest, you may
explain to them that I am not such a scoundrel as you hoped I might be."

And with that Guilford Duncan stalked out of the house, helping himself
to his hat as he passed the rack in the entry way.

XXII

UNDER THE HONEYSUCKLES

If Guilford Duncan had been a little more worldly wise than he was, he
would have gone at once to Captain Will Hallam. He would have told that
shrewdest of shrewd men of the world all that had passed between himself
and Tandy, and he would have asked Will Hallam's advice as to what
course to pursue.

Instead of that Guilford Duncan went at once to Barbara. He felt a need
of sympathy rather than a need of advice, and he had learned to look to
Barbara, above all other people in the world, for sympathy.

He was still a good deal disturbed in his emotions when Barbara greeted
him in the little porch, and it was a rather confused account that he
gave her of what had happened.

"I don't quite understand," said Barbara at last. "Perhaps if you have a
cup of tea you can make the matter clearer," and without waiting for
assent or dissent, she glided out to the kitchen, whence she presently
returned bearing a fragrant cup of Oolong.

"Now," she said, after he had sipped the tea, "tell me again just what
has happened. You were too much excited, when you told me before, to
tell me clearly."

"Well, it amounts to this," answered Duncan. "That scoundrel Tandy----"

"Stop!" said Barbara, in an authoritative tone. "Never mind Tandy's
character. If you go off on that you'll never make me understand."

In spite of his agitation, Duncan laughed. "How you do order me about!"

"Oh, pardon me!" exclaimed the girl in manifest alarm. "I didn't mean to
do that. I would never think of doing such a thing. I only meant----"

"My dear Miss Barbara, I fully understand. I need ordering about
to-night, and I heartily wish you would take me in hand."

"Oh, but I could never presume to do that!"

"I don't see why," answered Duncan. "You are my good angel, and it is
the business of my good angel to regulate me and make me behave as I
should."

"But, Mr. Duncan----"

"But, Barbara"--it was the