"If I were you," he said quietly, "I should postpone this interview for half-an-hour. I think you may possibly regret it if you don't."
Seton tossed away a half-smoked cigarette and rose.
"In half-an-hour," he said, "I shall have left this place, and my cousin with me. I asked to speak to you because I detest all underhand dealings. You apparently have not the same scruples."
Merefleet also rose.
"You will apologise for that," he said, in a tone of conviction. "I don't question your motives, but to fetch me out here and then insult me was not a wise proceeding on your part."
Seton's hand clenched involuntarily. But he had put himself in the wrong, and he knew it.
"Very well," he said at length, with a shrug. "I apologise for the expression. But my opinion of you remains unaltered."
Merefleet ignored the qualification. He was bent on something more important than the satisfaction of his own personal honour. "And now," he said, with deliberate purpose, "I am going to have a private interview with your cousin."
Seton started.
"You are going to do nothing of the sort," he said instantly.