Sidney scowled, and said nothing.

‘I thought I’d stay, as I was here,’ continued Joseph, unbuttoning his respectable overcoat and throwing it open.  ’There was something rather particular I had in mind.  Won’t you sit down?’

‘No, thank you.’

Joseph glanced at him, and smiled all the more.

’I’ve had a little talk with the old man about Jane.  By-the-by, I’m sorry to say he’s very shaky; doesn’t look himself at all.  I didn’t know you had spoken to him quite so—­you know what I mean.  It seems to be his idea that everything’s at an end between you.’

‘Perhaps so.’

’Well, now, look here.  You won’t mind me just—­Do you think it was wise to put it in that way to him?  I’m afraid you’re making him feel just a little uncertain about you.  I’m speaking as a friend, you know.  In your own interest, Kirkwood.  Old men get queer ideas into their heads.  You know, he might begin to think that you had some sort of—­eh?’

It was not the second, nor yet the third, time that Joseph had looked in and begun to speak in this scrappy way, continuing the tone of that dialogue in which he had assumed a sort of community of interest between Kirkwood and himself.  But the limit of Sidney’s endurance was reached.

‘There’s no knowing,’ he exclaimed, ’what anyone may think of me, if people who have their own ends to serve go spreading calumnies.  Let us understand each other, and have done with it.  I told Mr. Snowdon that I could never be anything but a friend to Jane.  I said it, and I meant it.  If you’ve any doubt remaining, in a few days I hope it’ll be removed.  What your real wishes maybe I don’t know, and I shall never after this have any need to know.  I can’t help speaking in this way, and I want to tell you once for all that there shall never again be a word about Jane between us.  Wait a day or two, and you’ll know the reason.’

Joseph affected an air of gravity—­of offended dignity.

’That’s rather a queer sort of way to back out of your engagements, Kirkwood.  I won’t say anything about myself, but with regard to my daughter—­’

‘What do you mean by speaking like that?’ cried the young man, sternly.  ’You know very well that it’s what you wish most of all, to put an end to everything between your daughter and me t You’ve succeeded; be satisfied.  If you’ve anything to say to me on any other subject, say it.  If not, please let’s have done for the present.  I don’t feel in a mood for beating about the bush any longer.’

‘You’ve misunderstood me altogether, Kirkwood,’ said Joseph, unable to conceal a twinkle of satisfaction in his eyes.

’No; I’ve understood you perfectly well—­too well.  I don’t want to hear another word on the subject, and I won’t.  It’s over; understand that,’

’Well, well; you’re a bit out of sorts.  I’ll say good-bye for the present.’

He retired, and for a long time Sidney sat in black brooding.