In the midst of the noise and the turbulent movements of the crowd of men a figure flitted lightly past Gerard, followed immediately by another; and Delia and Miss Davison, the former leading, the other following close behind, made their way into the group with the authority born of combined intelligence and experience, and at once found a hearing.
“Gentlemen,” said Delia, “this scene is very distressing, and not one of you can make himself heard or understood if you all speak at once. Will you separate for a time, and all think calmly over what has happened—or has not happened—and then come together to discuss the matter like reasonable persons? If not for your own sakes, I think you will do so for my mother’s and for ours, will you not?”
Manner, voice, tone, all were perfect, and one after another the men fell back, acknowledging the justice of her speech, and willing to obey her suggestion.
Sir William alone of the visitors was obdurate. While Denver merely retreated a few steps, and then threw himself with an air of insolent defiance on a sofa, the baronet maintained his position in the middle of the room, and poured forth his woes as incoherently and volubly as ever.
He paid no heed to Delia, who looked at Miss Davison with a little gesture of despair.
Then Rachel came up to Sir William, and laying her hand on his sleeve, said gently—
“Don’t you think, Sir William, you had better talk this over quietly with someone—with me, if you like? And I will listen to all you have to say, and will do anything I can to put the matter right.”
“You can’t put it right. I beg your pardon, Miss Davison, but really this isn’t a thing I can discuss with a lady. I’ve been che—”
“Oh, hush, hush! Think what you’re saying.”
“I’ve been cheated, I say. I’m sorry to have had to make a disturbance, but it doesn’t alter the fact that—”