"Done what?"
"Upset the apple-cart. Poor old Dad! But I'd do it again!"
"How did you do it the first time?" said Pip patiently.
"Well, I'll tell you. After lunch, Dad and I and his lordship went into the library. We all sat down, the old gentleman very stiff and upright. He had hardly given me a glance so far, but now he turned and looked at me. I felt pretty small, Jack. I can hold my own in a staring match with most people, but that proud old man fairly beat me. He simply looked right through me at the cushion my head was leaning against. By the way, you can do that a bit, too, Jack. It's a trick some men have. That's what first made me think that you—where was I?"
"In the library."
"Oh, yes. Well, at last the old man turned to Dad, and looked at him. Dad didn't half like it, I could see. The old man said—
"'I understand that my son proposes to ally himself with—er,—this young lady?'
"'Yes,' said Dad, 'he does.'
"'And you have given your consent to the match?'
"'Yes', says Dad, as solemn as a judge; 'after due consideration, I have.'