Both men turned towards it. A long leg was protruding from Mainwaring's
window; it was quickly followed by the other leg and body of the
occupant, and the next moment Mainwaring come towards the two men, with
his hands in his pockets.

"Not so loud," he said, looking towards the house.

"Let that man go," said Bradley, in a repressed voice. "You and I,
Mainwaring, can speak together afterwards."

"That man must stay until he hears what I have got to say," said
Mainwaring, stepping between them. He was very white and grave in
the moonlight, but very quiet; and he did not take his hands from his
pockets. "I've listened to what he said because he came here on MY
business, which was simply to offer to do you a service. That was all,
Bradley, that I told him to do. This rot about what he expects of you in
return is his own impertinence. If you'd punched his head when he began
it, it would have been all right. But since he has begun it, before he
goes I think he ought to hear me tell you that I have already OFFERED
myself to Miss Macy, and she has REFUSED me! If she had given me the
least encouragement, I should have told you before. Further, I want to
say that, in spite of that man's insinuations, I firmly believe that no
one is aware of the circumstance except Miss Macy and myself."

"I had no idea of intimating that anything had happened that was not
highly honorable and creditable to you and the young lady," began
Richardson hurriedly.

"I don't know that it was necessary for you to have any ideas on the