"
"Not a word," said the Colonel, marching off.
"But excuse me," said Walter, "I have another thing far more important to
speak to you about: this unhappy lawsuit."
"That's no business of yours, and I don't want your opinion of it;
there is no more fight in you than there is in a hen-sparrow. I decline
your company and your pacific twaddle; I have no patience with a muff;"
and the Colonel marched off, leaving his son planted there, as the
French say.
Walter, however, was not long alone; the interview had been watched
from a distance by Mary. She now stole noiselessly on the scene, and
laid her white hand upon her husband's shoulder before he was aware of
her. The sight of her was heaven to him, but her first question clouded
his happy face.
"Well, dear, have you propitiated him?"
Walter hung his head sorrowfully, and said hardly anything.
"He has been blustering at me all the time, and insists upon my
cutting out Percy whether I can or not, and marrying Julia whether she
chooses or not."
"Then we must do what I said.
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