"Yes, yes, we all know that, and admit it," replied the captive, attempting to free his hand.
Lord James gave it a final wring. "To be sure! You, of all men, will bear in mind what he accomplished. Yet I must insist that my own appreciation is no less keen. It is the greatest satisfaction to me that I am privileged to call Thomas Blake my friend."
"Your friend has put me under obligations," answered Mr. Leslie. "I have acknowledged to him that I owe him a heavy debt for what he has done. I stand ready to pay him for his services, whenever he is ready to accept payment."
"Ah, indeed," murmured Lord James. "'Pon my word, now, that's what I call deuced generous."
"No; that's not the question at all. It's merely a matter of a business settlement for services rendered," replied Mr. Leslie.
"Yet one does not—er—value gratitude in pounds and dollars, y' know."
"No, no, of course you do not, papa!" exclaimed Genevieve. "Please remember—please try to consider—"
She would better have remained silent. Her evident concern alarmed her father to the point of exasperation.
"I am considering how this friend of Lord Avondale's bore himself towards me, in my office, this morning," he interrupted her. He turned again to Lord James. "I should not need to tell you, sir, that the manner of expressing gratitude depends altogether on the circumstances. We are now, however, considering another matter. You were about to leave—You will always be welcome to my house, Lord Avondale, and so will be your friends, when they come and go with you."
"Father!" protested Genevieve, rising to face him.