Page:The time spirit; a romantic tale (IA timespiritromant00snaiiala).pdf/278

 point of hauling down the flag. His hurry to do so was a little absurd, but it was so like him to throw up the sponge at the mere threat of publicity. This indecent haste to come to terms deepened a contempt which had lent a grim enjoyment to a long hostility.

However, the reception in store for her ladyship in the smaller library did much to modify her views. She was received by her brother with an air of menace which almost verged upon truculence.

"Charlotte"—there was a boldness of attack for which she was by no means prepared—"the time has now come to make an end of this comedy."

She fully agreed, yet the sixth sense given to woman found occasion to warn her that she didn't know in the least to what she was agreeing.

"You would have it so, you know."

He was asked succinctly to explain.

"Well, it's a long story." Already there was a note in the mordant voice which his sister heard for the first time. "A long, a strange, and if you will, a romantic story. And let me say that it is by no wish of my own that I tell it. However, Fate is stronger than we are in these little matters, and no doubt wiser."

"No doubt," said Charlotte drily. But somehow that note in his voice made her uneasy, and the look in his face seemed to hold her every nerve in a vise. "You are speaking in riddles, my friend," she added with a little flutter of impatience.

"It may be so, but before I go on I want you clearly to understand that it is you, not I, who insist on bringing the roof down upon us."

Charlotte's only reply was to sit very upright, with