is absent--who is not here to defend himself. If you have anything to say
against William Longworth, come and say it when he is here, and he shall
answer for himself. It is cowardly of you, and ungenerous to me, to make
a number of accusations which I am in no wise able to refute.'

'Will you listen to what I have to say?'

'No; I will not.'

'Then, by God, you shall!' and with that Wentworth strode to the door and
turned the key, while the old man rose from his seat and faced him.

'Do you mean to threaten me, sir, in my own office?'

'I mean to say, Mr. Longworth, that I have made a statement which I am
going to prove to you. I mean that you shall listen to me, and listen to
me _now_!'

'And I say, if you have anything to charge against my nephew, come and
say it when he is here.'

'When he is here, Mr. Longworth, it will be too late to say it; at
present you can repair the injury he has done. When he returns to England
you cannot do so, no matter how much you might wish to make the attempt.'

The old man stood irresolute for a moment, then he sat down in his chair
again.

'Very well,' he said, with a sigh; 'I am not so combative as I once was.
Go on with your story.'