“I’m sick of that kind of talk from you,” protested the grandson, angrily.  “Can’t you mention the name of that innocent girl without a slur or an insult?  And there’s no reason why I cannot meet Clare Kavanagh any time and at any place.”

“Your political rule of out-and-open, as you’ve been tutored by Vard Waymouth, may work with men, but I’m telling you that it won’t operate with girls,” replied the Duke.  “You may mean all right, but I’m suspicious of you.  You sneaked back to Fort Canibas last summer to see her—­now didn’t you?”

“I saw her.”

“You don’t pay much attention to my wishes, do you, Harlan?”

“I claim the right, in a few matters, to be my own master.”

“Even to making a devilish fool of yourself!  You want Madeleine Presson.  I can see that you want her.  I’ve been watching.  And I’m coming out now and say that I want you to have her.  She’s my idea of a wife.  Now you needn’t go to talking about that Kavanagh girl and friendship! There’s no such thing as that kind of friendship.”

Harlan had no time then to vent the anger that was seething in him.  It seemed that every one who willed took the liberty to intrude upon the affairs which he tried to keep sacred.  While that thought was uppermost in his troubled emotions, Linton, the other chief offender, came in, Presson with him.

The chairman began briskly.  He was serious, but he spoke kindly.

“I don’t usually interfere in these matters, but we’d better have this thing straightened out for the good of all of us.  I’m glad you’re here, Thelismer.  I want you to stand by and listen.  Here are two mighty good boys, these two—­and now we’ll leave out all political differences.  We can afford to.  We’re all better friends than we were when the session opened.”  In spite of his absorption in his own affairs Harlan thought of the legislative morrow and its possibilities.  “Now, this isn’t politics!  As I say, I don’t usually meddle in my wife’s or my daughter’s—­”

“Just one moment, Mr. Presson!” Harlan strode forward.  “Has this lying scoundrel dared to bring his dirty scandal to you?”

He looked over the head of the chairman into the defiant face of his rival.  The little man threw up his hands, standing between them.

“Hold on!  Hold on!  You haven’t come to me in the usual way, but as near as I can find out both of you are after my daughter.  I know of my own knowledge, Harlan, that you have been interested up-country.  I simply want to have a general understanding.  I brought Linton here with me.  No use in running between!  Let’s have our say face to face.”

Harlan controlled himself.

“I think I understand just what prompts you, Mr. Presson,” he said.  “I respect your motives.  You’ve been imposed upon.  But you’re not to blame.  I know what you’re going to ask me.  I’ll save you the trouble.  I admire your daughter greatly.  I have intended to ask her hand in marriage.”  He was suddenly conscious that the determination to persist in that suit was not acute.