‘He is,’ replied Speid; ‘but how long he will remain so is another matter. I am very angry with him—disgusted, in fact.’
‘What has he done, sir, if I may ask?’
‘Everything that is most intolerable. He drove me to the very end of my patience, in the first instance.’
‘How long is your patience, Mr. Speid?’
‘It was short to-night,’ replied Gilbert.
‘And then?’
‘Then I brought him here to be of some use, and while I was looking over the wall for these thieving ruffians, he ran away.’
‘He does not look very brave,’ observed Cecilia, a smile flickering round her lips. ‘He arrived at the door, and rang up the house, and I could see that he was far from comfortable.’
‘He will be more uncomfortable to-morrow,’ said Gilbert grimly.
‘Poor fellow,’ said Cecilia softly. ‘It must be a terrible thing to be really afraid.’