“Have you discharged him?”
“No—why should I?”
“Because I wish it.”
“Why in the world are you so unreasonable, dad?”
“Unreasonable! By gad, I like that. Have I been gallivanting round the country with some——”
“Stop! You are going too far. This conversation must cease here and now. If you have any respect for yourself, though not for me, you must adjourn the discussion till after you have met Miss Vanrenen and her father.”
For the first time in his life, the Earl of Fairholme realized his limitations; he was actually cowed for a few fleeting seconds. But the arrogant training of the county bench, the seignory of a vast estate, the unquestioning deference accorded to his views by thousands of men who tacitly admitted that what he said must be right because he was a lord—these excellent stays of self-conceit came to his help, and he snorted indignantly:
“I absolutely refuse to meet either of them.”
“That disposes of the whole difficulty for the hour,” said Medenham, turning to leave the room.
“Wait, George.... I insist——”