postulated Shirley, "do not begin to fret and
fume, or we shall make no sense of the business. Ask me what you want to
know. I am as willing to come to an explanation as you. I promise you
truthful replies."

"I want--I demand to know, Miss Keeldar, whether Sir Philip has made you
an offer?"

"He has."

"You avow it?"

"I avow it. But now, go on. Consider that point settled."

"He made you an offer that night we dined at the priory?"

"It is enough to say that he made it. Go on."

"He proposed in the recess--in the room that used to be a
picture-gallery--that Sir Monckton converted into it saloon?"

No answer.

"You were both examining a cabinet. I saw it all. My sagacity was not at
fault--it never is. Subsequently you received a letter from him. On what
subject--of what nature were the contents?"

"No matter."

"Ma'am, is that the way in which you speak to me?"

Shirley's foot tapped quick on the carpet.

"There you sit, silent and sullen--_you_ who promised truthful replies."

"Sir, I have answered you thus far. Proceed."

"I should like to see that letter."

"You _cannot_ see it."

"I _must_ and _shall_, ma'am; I am your guardian."

"Having ceased to be a ward, I have no guardian."

"Ungrateful being! Reared by me as my own daughter----"

"Once more, uncle, have the kindness to keep to the point. Let us both
remain cool. For my part, I do not wish to get into a passion; but, you
know, once drive me beyond certain bounds, I care little what I say--I
am not then soon checked. Listen! You have asked me whether Sir Philip
made me an offer. That question is answered. What do you wish to know
next?"

"I desire to know whether you accepted or refused him, and know it I
will."

"Certainly, you ought to know it. I refused him."

"Refused him! You--_you_, Shirley Keeldar, _refused_ Sir Philip
Nunnely?"

"I did."

The poor gentleman bounced from his chair, and first rushed and then
trotted through the room.

"There it is! There it is! There it is!"

"Sincerely speaking, I am sorry, uncle, you are so disappointed."

Concession, contrition, never do any good with some people. Instead of
softening and conciliating, they but embolden and harden them. Of that
number was Mr. Sympson.

"_I_ disappointed? What is it to me? Have _I_ an interest in it? You
would insinuate, perhaps, that I have motives?"

"Most people have motives of some sort for their actions."

"She accuses me to my face! I, t