e
afterward I saw her look the same, and was thankful that her scornful
glance rested on another man. Then, while I stood bolt upright, staring at
the speaker, and wondering how I could make the matter plain, others
intervened, for Ormond, turning toward Colonel Carrington, said:

"I fancy, sir, this is not the place for--er--such explanations. They
might prove embarrassing."

Colonel Carrington glanced at his sister, who followed by the rest had
already risen from her chair, beckoning to Grace, but Harry broke in.

"I agree with Captain Ormond in part," he said, "but this is a serious
matter. We have all unfortunately heard the charge, and in fairness to Mr.
Lorimer we should hear him refute it. It's either a cruel mistake, sir, or
gratuitous malice, and I would stake my last dollar on his honor. A few
words will suffice."

It was a kindly thought of Harry's, and the Colonel nodded.

"You will excuse us, Jessy," he said. "Geoffrey, as a matter of fairness
he is perfectly right. Now, sir, for the space of two minutes will you
restrain your impatience and follow us?"

Adam Lee of Stoney Clough, however, thought differently. I had never seen
him before, but I knew him well by reputation; for, though not born there,
he was one of the erratic ultra-reformers one may find in many an English
industrial town. They have left all regular creeds and parties behind, and
look for the regeneration of an iniquitous world by some fantastic new
religion, or the subversion of all existing authorities. Some, it is true,
live lives of self-denial, and die, worn out by disappointment, of a
broken heart, but the rest develop into fanatics of savage bigotry.

"No! I've followed him weary and hungry for many days," he said. "He
doesn't leave my sight until he has answered me. Stop! you that sit warm
in luxury, pampering your sinful bodies and grinding the poor, you shall
hear what one of your kind has done, and judge between us. The tale will
be good for you. Shall the rich rob us of our children, as they rob us of
our bread?"

He flung out one arm as he spoke, and there was a rude power in voice and
gesture that commanded attention. Neither was his accent now altogether
that of Lancashire, for Lee, as is not uncommon, would sometimes speak a
purer English than the local vernacular. Miss Carrington glanced past him
toward the door, irresolute, and Grace leaned forward staring at him as
though fascinated, while perhaps I of all the oth