Mallien's wrath suddenly died away, and he dropped back into his chair with an uneasy look. "Who says that I accuse----"
"Rupert himself told me. I saw him last night, to hear what he had to say about this missing will, and he told me what you did not tell me."
"He's a mean hound to put my daughter against me!" shouted Mallien.
"Please"--Dorinda flung up her hand--"I am not deaf. Rupert did not wish to tell me. I made him speak out, as I saw that he was hiding something. If you were as honorable and scrupulous as Rupert, father, you would not need to get into these rages with me, as I don't deserve them. And it's no use your behaving in this way. I can hold my own, as you well know, and I intend to do so. We may as well understand one another."
"I am your father; you owe me respect."
"How can I give you what you don't deserve? You are my father, and God help me that I should have such a one."
"If you talk to me in this way," snarled Mallien, blustering, "I shall turn you out of doors neck and crop. What will you do then?"
"Marry Rupert," rejoined the girl promptly.
"A ruined man," sneered the other.
"He is not ruined yet; he never may be ruined. That will has yet to be found; it has yet to be proved legal, and you may be sure that Rupert will take all the advantage he can, to keep what he has."