The Major tried to tower over Evan powerfully, as he put this query.  They were of a common height, and to do so, he had to rise on his toes, so that the effect was but momentary.

‘I think I am not bound to reply,’ said Evan.

‘Very well, sir; that will do.’  The Major’s fingers were evidently itching for an absent rattan.  ’Confess it or not, you are dismissed from your post.  Do you hear?  You are kicked in the street.  A beggarly tailor you were born, and a beggarly tailor you will die.’

‘I must beg you to stop, now,’ said Evan.  ’I told you that I was not bound to reply:  but I will.  If you will sit down, Major Strike, you shall hear what you wish to know.’

This being presently complied with, though not before a glare of the Major’s eyes had shown his doubt whether it might not be construed into insolence, Evan pursued: 

’I came to you and informed you that I could not reconcile the cash-accounts of the Company, and that certain of the later proceedings appeared to me to jeopardize its prosperity.  Your explanations did not satisfy me.  I admit that you enjoined me to be silent.  But the Duke, as a Director, had as strong a right to claim me as his servant, and when he questioned me as to the position of the Company, I told him what I thought, just as I had told you.’

‘You told him we were jobbers and swindlers, sir!’

’The Duke inquired of me whether I would, under the circumstances, while proceedings were going on which I did not approve of, take the responsibility of allowing my name to remain—­’

‘Ha! ha! ha!’ the Major burst out.  This was too good a joke.  The name of a miserable young tailor!’ Go on, sir, go on!’ He swallowed his laughter like oil on his rage.

‘I have said sufficient.’

Jumping up, the Major swore by the Lord, that he had said sufficient.

‘Now, look you here, young man.’  He squared his finger before Evan, eyeing him under a hard frown, ’You have been playing your game again, as you did down at that place in Hampshire.  I heard of it—­deserved to be shot, by heaven!  You think you have got hold of the Duke, and you throw me over.  You imagine, I dare say, that I will allow my wife to be talked about to further your interests—­you self-seeking young dog!  As long as he lent the Company his name, I permitted a great many things.  Do you think me a blind idiot, sir?  But now she must learn to be satisfied with people who ’ve got no titles, or carriages, and who can’t give hundred guinea compliments.  You’re all of a piece-a set of . . .’

The Major paused, for half a word was on his mouth which had drawn lightning to Evan’s eyes.

Not to be baffled, he added:  ’But look you, sir.  I may be ruined.  I dare say the Company will go to the dogs—­every ass will follow a Duke.  But, mark, this goes on no more.  I will be no woman’s tally.  Mind, sir, I take excellent care that you don’t traffic in your sister!’