He gave her a cold, moist hand.
"And you promise me," she said, taking it, "on your honour that you will stand by me and back me up when I try to bring Anthony and my father together once more on the old terms?"
His mistrust was roused, and he did not answer at once. Her frank grey eyes rested full on his face, and his eyes fell before her steady glance.
"I will do what you will," he said; "but I do not suppose that your father will prove as wax in our hands, to mould as we like. Anthony has too deeply offended him, and Urith he will never see."
They dropped hands, for at that moment Julian entered the garden.
"I will go, see your father at once, and make trial in this matter," said he.
"You will find him in his room; he is looking at some papers."
Fox walked away, giving Julian a nod and a sneer as he passed, and entered the house.
Julian came hastily up to Bess.
"My dear Bessie! Is it true? Are you really going to take my brother? It cannot—it must not be. It is intolerable to be in the house with him when one is master, and he there only on sufferance; but to have him lord superior, and to be his slave!" Julian shivered.