"What's got into you?" he asked.
"Oh! nothing," was the evasive answer.
"I didn't think you would insult a friend of mine."
"Excuse me, I have my reasons. The fellow was not too conciliatory to me, and I'm not running after English lords just now. Good-afternoon."
Alfred left the club, more than ever inclined to support the cause of Jack Harkaway.
Dinner was ready, when he reached home, and when the meal was over, he had an opportunity of speaking to his sister.
Mrs. Van Hoosen had gone to the opera, having accepted a seat in Lord Maltravers's box, but Lena remained at home under the plea of a severe headache.
The brother and sister sat on a lounge together, and Alfred slipped his arm round her waist.
"You have stayed home, my baby," he said, "because you didn't want to meet him."
"Whom do you mean?" asked Lena.