"It depends entirely on the value you set on your life," said Sir
Patrick.

"The value I set on my life?" repeated Arnold. "I set a high value on
it, of course!"

"In that case, Mr. Delamayn has laid you under an obligation."

"Which I can never repay!"

"Which you will repay one of these days, with interest--if I know any
thing of human nature," answered Sir Patrick.

He said the words with the emphasis of strong conviction. They were
barely spoken when Mr. Delamayn appeared (exactly as Miss Silvester
had appeared) at the entrance to the summer-house. He, too, vanished,
unnoticed--like Miss Silvester again. But there the parallel stopped.
The Honorable Geoffrey's expression, on discovering the place to be
occupied, was, unmistakably an expression of relief.

Arnold drew the right inference, this time, from Sir Patrick's language
and Sir Patrick's tones. He eagerly took up the defense of his friend.

"You said that rather bitterly, Sir," he remarked. "What has Geoffrey
done to offend you?"

"He presumes to exist--that's what he has done," retorted Sir Patrick.
"Don't stare! I am speaking generally. Your friend is the model young
Briton of the present time. I don't like the model young Briton. I
don't see the sense of crowing over him as a superb national production,