I threatened on purpose, to see how he’d take it; and I found he took it ugly.

He showed his beautiful teeth and his brow came down and his eyes flashed.

“You’ll fire me, I suppose?” he said.  “That’s the reward of being honest and straight; and much good that will do you.  You won’t win her back, because she’s gone, and well you know it; and now you’re going to bully me and rob me of my job.”

“Go,” I answered the man, “and don’t be a fool.  If you’ve lived along with me for near a year, you well know I bully none.  I shan’t fire you; but I order this and no more or less:  keep off her till I’m satisfied about you and satisfied about her.  And keep off her father likewise.  Joshua Owlet has got a screw loose where his daughter is concerned and it won’t advance nothing if you go to him.  Now be off.”

He made no answer, but I pointed to the door and he cleared out.

We were busy at the time and the house full of gentlemen, for it was half through October and shooting in full swing.  So I left it at that for a bit and avoided Jenny also till her afternoon out; and then I told her we’d walk together and drink tea at the Wheatsheaf in Little Silver.  Which we did do, and I explained the position and bade her hold off Tom until she heard me on the subject again.  She was a lot cut up about it and poured scorn on herself and appeared very wishful to please me in the matter; but there wasn’t no more love-making, of course; and to make Jenny understand the gulf that now separated us, I let her pay for her own tea.  I loved her still most ardent, but I meant for everything to be done decent and in order; and so far as I am able to see, both of ’em fell in with my wishes and waited for my future commands.

Then a most amazing thing fell out, and Jenny, who had spent an afternoon with her father, told me he was very wishful to see me.  So I called on the man and heard news that astonished me a good bit.

Joshua Owlet was changed to the roots!  He told me a story that chimed very close with my own wishes, and for that reason I was tardy to believe it; but he gave me chapter and verse, and when I heard my own life was got in danger, I did believe it as the safest course to pursue.

“That Bond is a rogue, William,” Joshua began, and he was terrible excited from the start off.

“I’m inclined to agree with you,” I answered, “for he’s done a dirty thing and, so far as I can tell, he’s worked very artful to get Jenny away from me, which no honest man would have set out to do.”

“That’s nothing,” he answered.  “The girl has been a fool and still is; but the point is this.  While she was all for him, Bond felt the going good; but now, along of your high-minded action and the way you’ve took it, and the way he’s took it, and what I’ve said, she’s in two minds yet.  Love him she did and love him she do and don’t deny it; but she begins to see, as well she may, that for her lifelong salvation, if she must wed, she’d have a safer and a better time with you than Bond.”