“I never made such a bargain,” said Rachel, puzzled.

“Is that a reason for not doing so?”

“I don’t know what you mean to do.  Not to molest that poor Mrs. Rawlins.  I will not have that done.”

“Certainly not.  All I ask of you is that these works of art should remain here with Miss Williams, as a safe neutral, and that you should meet me here on Monday, when I will undertake to convince myself.”

“Not me?” cried Rachel.

“Who would make it part of his terms to convince a lady?”

“You mean to say,” exclaimed Rachel, considerably nettled, “that as a woman, I am incapable of being rationally convinced!”

“The proverb does not only apply to women,” said Ermine, coming to her rescue; but Rachel, stung by the arch smile and slight bow of Captain Keith, continued—­“Let the proof be convincing, and I will meet it as candidly as it is the duty of all reasonable beings to do.  Only let me first know what you mean to prove.”

“The terms are these then, are they not, Miss Williams?  I am to come on Monday, February the 5th, prepared to test whether these designs are what they profess to be, and Miss Curtis undertakes to be convinced by that proof, provided it be one that should carry conviction to a clear, unbiassed mind.  I undertake, on the other hand, that if the said proof should be effectual, a mythical personage called Simon Skinflint shall become a supporter of the Female Union for Englishwomen’s Employment.”

Ho spoke with his own peculiar slowness and gravity, and Rachel, uncertain whether he were making game of her or not, looked perplexed, half on the defence, half gratified.  The others were greatly amused, and a great deal surprised at Alick’s unwonted willingness to take trouble in the matter.  After a few moment’s deliberation, Rachel said, “Well, I consent, provided that my candour be met by equal candour on the other side, and you will promise that if this ordeal succeeds, you will lay aside all prejudice against Mauleverer.”

A little demur as to the reasonableness of this stipulation followed, but the terms finally were established.  Mr. and Mrs. Grey, old family friends, had long been engaged to spend the ensuing Monday at the Homestead.  The elder daughter, an old intimate of Grace’s, had married an Indian civil servant, whom Colonel Keith was invited to meet at luncheon, and Captain Keith at dinner, and Alick was further to sleep at Gowanbrae.  Lady Temple, who was to have been of the party, was called away, much to her own regret, by an appointment with the dentist of St. Norbert’s, who was very popular, and proportionately despotic, being only visible at his own times, after long appointment.  She would therefore be obliged to miss Alick’s ordeal, though as she said, when Rachel—­finding it vain to try to outstay so many—­had taken her leave, “I should much like to see how it will turn out.  I do believe that there is some difference in the colour of the ink in the middle and at the edge, and if those people are deceiving Rachel, who knows what they may be doing to the poor children?”