It suits your principles, and your ideas, of course--not mine! And now, having driven me to it--having publicly discredited and disgraced me--you can still sit there and talk of throwing up your work.' The growing passion in the irascible gentleman towering above her warned her that it was time to bring the scene to an end.
'I am glad,' she repeated steadily, 'very glad--especially--for Mr.
Desmond.' 'Oh, Desmond!' the Squire threw out impatiently, beginning again to walk up and down.
'He would have minded so dreadfully,' she said, still in a lower key.

'It was really him I was thinking of.

Of course I had no right to interfere with your affairs--' The Squire turned, the tyrant in him reviving fast.
'Well, you did interfere--and to some purpose! Now then--yes or no--is your notice withdrawn ?' Elizabeth hesitated.
'I would willingly stay with you,' she said, 'if--' 'If what ?' She looked up with a sudden flash of laughter.
'If we can really get on!' 'Name your terms!' He returned, frowning and excited, to the neighbourhood of the Roman emperor.
'Oh no--I have no terms,' she said hurriedly.

'Only--if you ask me to help you with the land, I should want to obey the Government--and--and do the best for the war.' 'Condition No.

1,' said the Squire grimly, checking it off.