agitation. They heard her firm, light tread along the corridor
above. Then with a hunch of the shoulders the squire turned and
unlocked the boudoir door.

Mrs. Ingleton burst forth in a fury. "You cad to keep me boxed up
here with that little serpent pouring all sorts of poison into your
ears! Where is she? Where is she? I'll give her such a trouncing
as she's never had before!"

But Ingleton stretched an arm in front of her, barring the way.
His face was grim and unyielding. "No, you won't!" he said.
"You'll leave her alone. She's my daughter--not yours. And you'll
not interfere with her any further."

There was a finality in his tone. Mrs. Ingleton stopped short,
glaring at him.

"You take her part, do you?" she demanded.

"On this occasion--yes, I do," said the squire.

"And what about me?" said Preston.

Ingleton looked at him--still barring his wife's progress--with a
faint, sardonic smile. "Well, she seems to have given you the
boot, anyway. If I were in your place, I should--quit."

"She'll repent it!" raved Mrs. Ingleton. "Oh, she will repent it
bitterly!"