[“‘Father!’ Jane’s... whisper was at his ear.”]
“You’re aligning yourself with a discredited cause, sir. Your case is a bubble which I promise to prick at the opportune moment. The tone of your letters requesting an interview with a view to reopening the case is impertinent. The compromise suggested is blackmail and will be treated as such.”
Gallatin flushed darkly and then turned white at the insult.
“Mr. Loring, I’ll ask you to choose your words more carefully,” he said angrily, his jaw set.
“I’m not in the habit of mincing words, and I’ll hardly spare you or the people who employ you for the sake of a foolish whim of a girl, even though she is——”
“You must not, Father,” whispered Jane again, in tones of anguish. “You’re in your own house. You’re violating all the——”
“Be quiet,” he commanded shortly, “or leave the room.”
“I can’t be quiet. Mr. Gallatin for the present is my guest and as such——”