“But then, mine is rather a peculiar nephew, sir.  But, surely it was not to discuss nephews,—­mine or anyone else’s, that you are hither come, and our ears do wait upon you,—­pray be seated, sir.”

“Thank you, I prefer to stand.”

“Strange!” murmured Bellew, shaking his head, “I never stand if I can sit, or sit if I can lie down.”

“I should like you to define, exactly, your position—­here at Dapplemere, Mr. Bellew.”

Bellew’s sleepy glance missed nothing of the other’s challenging attitude, and his ear, nothing of Mr. Cassilis’s authoritative tone, therefore his smile was most engaging as he answered: 

“My position here, sir, is truly the most—­er—­enviable in the world.  Prudence is an admirable cook,—­particularly as regard Yorkshire Pudding; gentle, little Miss Priscilla is the most—­er Aunt-like, and perfect of housekeepers; and Miss Anthea is our sovereign lady, before whose radiant beauty, Small Porges and I like true knights, and gallant gentles, do constant homage, and in whose behalf Small Porges and I do stand prepared to wage stern battle, by day, or by night.”

“Indeed!” said Mr. Cassilis, and his smile was even more supercilious than usual.

“Yes, sir,” nodded Bellew, “I do confess me a most fortunate, and happy, wight who, having wandered hither and yon upon this planet of ours, which is so vast, and so very small,—­has, by the most happy chance, found his way hither into Arcady.”

“And—­may I enquire how long you intend to lead this Arcadian existence?”

“I fear I cannot answer that question until the full o’ the moon, sir,—­at present, I grieve to say,—­I do not know.”

Mr. Cassilis struck his riding-boot a sudden smart rap with his whip; his eyes snapped, and his nostrils dilated, as he glanced down into Bellew’s imperturbable face.

“At least you know, and will perhaps explain, what prompted you to buy all that furniture?  You were the only buyer at the sale I understand.”

“Who—­bought anything, yes,” nodded Bellew.

“And pray—­what was your object,—­you—­a stranger?”

“Well,” replied Bellew slowly, as he began to fill his pipe, “I bought it because it was there to buy, you know; I bought it because furniture is apt to be rather useful, now and then,—­I acquired the chairs to—­er—­sit in, the tables to—­er—­put things on, and—­”

“Don’t quibble with me, Mr. Bellew!”

“I beg your pardon, Mr. Cassilis!”

“When I ask a question, sir, I am in the habit of receiving a direct reply,—­”

“And when I am asked a question, Mr. Cassilis, I am in the habit of answering it precisely as I please,—­or not at all.”

“Mr. Bellew, let me impress upon you, once and for all, that Miss Devine has friends,—­old and tried friends, to whom she can always turn for aid in any financial difficulty she may have to encounter,—­friends who can more than tide over all her difficulties without the—­interference of strangers; and, as one of her oldest friends, I demand to know by what right you force your wholly unnecessary assistance upon her?”