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"How does Miss Bewery know that she mayn't be inclined to—in the future?" he asked. "She may come to regard me with favour."

"No, she won't!" declared Hansford. "Better hear the truth, and be done with it. She doesn't like you—and she doesn't want to, either. Why can't you take your answer like a man?"

"What's your conception of a man?" asked Bryce.

"That!—and a good one," exclaimed Hansford.

"May satisfy you—but not me," said Bryce. "Mine's different. My conception of a man is of a being who's got some perseverance. You can get anything in this world—anything!—by pegging away for it."

"You're not going to get my ward," suddenly said Ransford. "That's flat! She doesn't want you—and she's now said so three times. And—I support her."

"What have you against me?" asked Bryce calmly. "If, as you say, you support her in her resolution not to listen to my proposals, you must have something against me. What is it?"

"That's a question you've no right to put," replied Ransford, "for it's utterly unnecessary. So I'm not going to answer it. I've nothing against you as regards your work—nothing! I'm willing to give you an excellent testimonial."

"Oh!" remarked Bryce quietly. "That means—you wish me to go away?"

"I certainly think it would be best," said Ransford.

"In that case," continued Bryce, more coolly than ever, "I shall certainly want to know what you have against me—or what Miss Bewery has against me.