"Yes. The Marchesa does me the honor to place her confidence in me; and it occurs to me that, before this unfortunate dispute——"
"Why unfortunate?" interrupted Lynborough with an air of some surprise.
"Surely it is—between neighbors? The Castle and the Grange should be friends." His cunning suggestion elicited no response. "It occurred to me," he continued, somewhat less glibly, "that, before further annoyance or expense was caused, it might be well if I talked matters over with your lordship's solicitor."
"Sir," said Lynborough, "saving your presence—which, I must beg you to remember, was not invited by me—I don't like solicitors. I have no solicitor. I shall never have a solicitor. You can't talk with a non-existent person."
"But proceedings are the natural—the almost inevitable—result of such a situation as your action has created, Lord Lynborough. My client can't be flouted, she can't have her indubitable rights outraged——"
"Do you think they're indubitable?" Lynborough put in, with a sudden quick flash of his eyes.
For an instant Stillford hesitated. Then he made his orthodox reply. "As I am instructed, they certainly are."
"Ah!" said Lynborough dryly.
"No professional man could say more than that, Lord Lynborough."
"And they all say just as much! If I say anything you don't like, again remember that this interview is not of my seeking, Mr. Stillford."