"Do you mind my saying," said Jeffreys, colouring, "that it is an
additional pleasure to do what I can for Percy if it makes you happy?"

"I don't mind your saying it if it is true. It does make me happy."

And her face was the best witness to her sincerity.

Jeffreys was not the only person who saw that bright smile. Mrs
Rimbolt, entering the room at that moment, saw it too, and heard the
words which it accompanied.

She glared round witheringly on Jeffreys.

"So, Mr Jeffreys, _you_ are here. What brings you here?"

"Mr Jeffreys--" began Raby, feeling and looking very confused.

"Silence, Raby, I asked Mr Jeffreys."

"I came here not knowing the room was occupied. It was a pleasant
surprise to find Miss Atherton here, and she has been making me happy by
talking to me about Percy."

"Mr Jeffreys," said the lady, "allow me to say I do not believe you."

"Auntie!" exclaimed Raby, firing up in a manner unusual to her; "it is
true. Mr Jeffreys always tells the truth!"

"Raby, my dear, you had better leave the room."

"No, auntie!" exclaimed the girl. "You have no right to charge Mr
Jeffreys with saying what is not true. It's not fair--it's wrong--it's
wicked!"

"You forget, my dear, of all persons you should not address me like
this."

"No," said the girl, going to the door, which Jeffreys opened for her.
"I don't forget, and I shall not forget. You have no right to say it.
I wish father was home again, and would take me away!"

In the midst of his own indignation, Jeffreys could not help admiring
this outbreak of righteous indignation on the part of the spirited girl.

Mrs Rimbolt little guessed how much she herself was doing to defeat her
own ends.

"Mr Jeffreys," said she, after Raby had gone, "after our interview last
week, your conduct is both disgraceful and dishonourable. I should not
have believed it even of you."

"Pardon me, madam. You have charged me with telling you a lie just now.
Is that so?"

His tone was strangely peremptory. Mrs Rimbolt had never seen him like
this before--and for the moment it disconcerted her.

"What I heard as I entered the room had no reference to Percy," said
she.

"Excuse me--it had. Miss Atherton--"

"If it had, I must believe you. I wish to hear no more about it. But
after your promise last week--"

"I made no promise, and should decline to do so. I am quite aware of my
position here, and am ready to give it up when called upon. But while