"Let it take its chance now, papa."
"Of course it must take its chance; but your chances must be protected."
"Papa, he was at any rate my nephew."
"I don't know that. In law, I believe, he was no such thing. But
he has gone, and we need think of him no further." He was very triumphant. There was an air about him as though he had already won the great stake for which he had been playing. But in the midst of it all he was very civil to Jack De Baron. "You will stay and dine with us to-day, Captain De Baron?"
"Oh, do," said Mary.
"We can give you a bed if you will sleep here."
"Thanks. My things are at the hotel, and I will not move them. I will come and dine if you'll have me."
"We shall be delighted. We can't make company of you, because no one is coming. I shouldn't wonder if Lord George rode over. He will if he hears of this. Of course he'll know to-morrow; but perhaps they will not have telegraphed to him. I should go out to Manor Cross, only I don't quite like to put my foot in that man's house." Jack could not but feel that the Dean treated him almost as though he were one of the family. "I rather think I shall ride out and risk it. You won't mind my leaving you?" Of course Jack declared that he would not for worlds be in the way. "Mary will play Badminton with you, if you like it. Perhaps you can get hold of Miss Pountner and Grey; and make up a game." Mr. Grey was one of the minor canons, and Miss Pountner was the canon's daughter.
"We shall do very well, papa. I'm not mad after Badminton, and I dare say we shall manage without Miss Pountner."