"What!" exclaimed Tredennis, with intolerant haughtiness,—"that coarse fellow?"
"He isn't a nice fellow," said Arbuthnot, "but he won't show his worst side to her—any more than he can help. He is a very powerful fellow, they say."
Here he stopped. They had reached their gate-way again.
"I'll do what I can," he said. "It won't be much, perhaps; but I will do what I can. I fully appreciate the confidence you showed in speaking to me."
"I fully appreciate the manner in which you listened to what I had to say," said Tredennis.
And, somewhat to Arbuthnot's surprise, he held out his hand to him.
CHAPTER XII.
Instead of making his way home at once Arbuthnot turned up the side of the street on which the Amorys' house stood. As he reached the house the door was opened, and a man came out and walked down the steps. He was a man with a large frame, a darkly florid complexion, and heavily handsome features. As he passed Arbuthnot he gave him a glance and a rather grudging bow, which expressed candidly exactly the amount of pleasure he derived from encountering him.