was first prepared to order. But he would not admit that into
consideration. He ordered the waiter to take everything away and throw
it out of doors, declared that he would have a restaurant started on the
opposite side of the street where a man could get a decent meal, and
rose from the table in a rage.

It was while the Iron King was in this amiable and promising state of
mind that a waiter brought in a card and laid it before him. He took it
up and read aloud:

"The Duke of Cumbervale."

"Show him in," said Mr. Rockharrt.

A few minutes later the visitor entered the parlor, bowed to his host,
and then shook hands with the two younger men, whom he had not seen
since the evening before.

"So you braved the storm after all, duke? You found the old house too
dreary for a long, rainy day. Take a seat," said Mr. Rockharrt, waving
his hands majestically around the chairs.

"No; it was not the weather that made Rockhold insupportable to me. But,
sir, I have come a long way for a great disappointment," said the
rejected lover.

"What! what! what! Explain yourself, if you please, sir!" exclaimed the
Iron King, bending his heavy gray brows over flashing eyes.

"Mrs. Rothsay has rejected me."

"What! what! Rejected you! Why, your engagement was declared in the
family conclave only last night."

"Mrs. Rothsay states that the declaration was erroneous, and that no
such engagement ever has been or ever could be made between us."

"How dare she say that? How dare she try to break off with you in this
scandalous manner? But she shall not! She shall keep faith with you or
she is no granddaughter of mine! I will have nothing to do with false
women! How did this breach occur? Tell me all about it!
Fabian--Clarence! Go about your business. I want to have some private
conversation with the duke."

The two younger men, thus summarily dismissed, nodded to the visitor and
left the room, glad enough to go down below to the saloon and get
something to eat and drink.

"Now, then, sir, what's the row with my granddaughter?" demanded the
Iron King, wheeling his chair around to face his visitor.

"There is no 'row,'" said the young man, with the faintest possible hint
of disgust in his tone and manner. "Mrs. Rothsay rejects me, positively,
absolutely. She repudiates the announcement of our betrothal as
unauthorized and erroneous."

"But you know, as we all know, that she was engaged to you! Yes; and she
shall keep her engageme