"Ah!" said Benham, "perhaps not; but you know me—and so will she," and he in his turn raised his voice in growing excitement.
Daisy, frightened at the angry interview, clung to Medland's arm, looking in wonder from him to Benham. Some half-dozen people, seeing the group, stopped for a moment in curiosity and, walking on, cast glances back over their shoulders. A lull in the babble of conversation warned Medland, and he looked round. Alicia Derosne was passing by in company with the Chief Justice. Near at hand stood Kilshaw, watching the encounter with a sneering smile. The Chief Justice stepped up to Medland.
"What's the matter?" he asked, in a low tone.
"Nothing," said Medland. "Only I do not wish my daughter to talk to this gentleman."
The contempt of his look and tone goaded Benham to fury.
"I don't care what you wish," he exclaimed. "I have as good a right as anybody to talk to the young lady, considering that she's——"
Before he could finish his sentence, Kilshaw darted up to him, and caught him by the arm.
"Not yet, you fool," he whispered, drawing the angry man away.
Benham yielded, and Kilshaw caught Medland's look of surprise.
"Come, Mr. Benham," he said aloud, "you and