Page:Robert Barr - Lord Stranleigh Philanthropist.djvu/288

 face. He staggered back as if he had received the blow which Stranleigh professed to fear, and now, without invitation, he sank into the nearest chair.

Stranleigh seated himself more nonchalantly, and selecting a ripe peach, picked up a silver knife.

"Sure you won't have a peach? Some grapes, then?"

Mackeller made no reply.

"You see, I hope, how easily I might charge you with unfairness, but, of course, there's nothing unfair about the transaction. I told you, when I gave you the money, that it was philanthropy, and not business, so there could be no unfairness if you never paid me a penny for it."

"Then why, without warning to me, do you suddenly transform philanthropy into business?"

"Don't you see why? In the first place, I wished to bring you here, which I've done. In the second place, I desire you shall make friends with Alexander Corbitt."

Mackeller sprang to his feet, and a red flush of anger chased the pallor from his countenance.

"Before asking a favour of Alexander Corbitt, I'll see him damned, and cast into the lowest and hottest corner of"

Stranleigh raised his hand.