‘Soyez le bienvenu!’ he murmured, with an indrawn snigger.
Nol made an ugly gesture:—
‘Out of this you go!’ said he.
The stranger just glanced at his host. Bagott half rose in his chair, his eyes red with fury:—
‘Away, thou dog, thou villain!’ he roared. ‘What; you’d so dare to my guest, and before my face! I’ll requite thee, dog!’
He rocked and panted, mouthing like a mad thing.
‘’Twas Master Brion’s order,’ said Nol sulkily.
The Judge banged his fist on the table.
‘Who is master here, thou beast? Disobey me at thy peril. I have not yet so abrogated my authority’—he made a sudden effort to command himself; and went on in a quieter voice, which yet shook with agitation: ‘Master Brion judged within the limits of his knowledge, which was not all, nor near all. I have learned the whole truth from this gentleman, who indeed was on his way to visit me when that misfortune befell him. My nephew did well and prudently, acting for the best; and you did well to follow his instructions. But that is done. Henceforth this becomes my guest, whom I commit to your duty to serve and honour. Attend to it well.’
He sank back in his chair, waving the two from the room, and with dismay at their hearts they left him. What was to be done? Nothing that they could see. They were on the horns of as bitter a dilemma as could have perplexed two honest, troubled heads. They could not act in opposition to their lawful master: they dared not make a public scandal of the business, lest its consequences should visit themselves on that loved but dishonoured head. There was nothing, for their part, but to continue to keep the fact of the stranger’s presence in the house a secret from the world, and to abide whatever issue might arise, pending their young lord’s return. How the man had succeeded in procuring that interview was a mystery to them; but they had done their part faithfully, and were not in any way to blame for the miscarriage of their plans.