CHAPTER XI. SINGLE COMBAT.

NEITHER Mr. nor Mrs. Leader could
speak a word. The former, from positive
consternation; the latter, from a sort of
fury which made her fearful of trusting
herself to open her mouth. She descended
from her barouche, swept by him into the
house, calling out, "Send Raper to me in
the library."

There arrived, she burst out: "What is
the meaning of this—how dare you disobey
my commands?"

"If you please, I could do nothing. This
Doctor drove up when I was out, and then
Mr. Cecil said he was going to his own old
room. And when he was there the Doctor
said it was too close for an invalid, and so
Mr. Cecil chose one of the large state
rooms, and——"

"What impertinence! They shall all
pack out, every one of them, this night. If
Mr. Leader has no spirit——"

"Oh, that Doctor, ma'am, is wonderful.
He leads and drives every one. But he
has really done Mr. Cecil good."

Cunning Doctor! He had been making
outlay of time and trouble to propitiate
this minor potentate, and had succeeded.
Here he was, entering with Mr. Leader,
explaining the whole thing:

"You see, my dear sir, all arrangements
were made. We came off at once, wanting
to give our malady the slip, and leave it
behind at Folkestone. Faith, we left it in
bed asleep; and, of course, when we got
here, into Cecil's own house and lands,
and Mrs. Leader's orders reached the
housekeeper, why the channel was so
unofficial, you know, that you couldn't blame
him for taking no notice."

"You needn't try to impose on us with
such stories," said Mrs. Leader, "attempting
to pass off your own share in these
matters. This is some low, vulgar scheme
which you have planned, and are accountable
for. And I tell Mr. Leader here to
your face, you and your pai'ty must leave
this night, or I shall——"

"Firstly," said the Doctor, very calmly,
"I must beg that no such words as
schemes be applied. It's uncalled for.
I'm your son's—I beg pardon, I mean Mr.
Leader's son's—medical adviser, and have
brought him through a dangerous illness.
That is my crime. Mrs. Leader quite
forgets her high position when she uses such
language."

"I say it was a scheme— you and your
daughter forcing yourselves into our——"

"Not a word about Katey to me, please!
As to forcing oneself into a family, that's
been done before now, and will be again.
As for turning your son out on the road in
his present state, that, of course, will be
according as you persuade Mr. Leader.
But, in either case, go or stay, my child
Katey does not separate from the bone of
her bone!"

She could not find words to reply. Mr.
Leader now interposed nervously.

"I think, my dear, it would be better
to settle this all to-morrow. We needn't
decide anything to-night. And really,
turning out Cecil in his present state——"

"Oh, it's unnatural—it's inhuman—why
the magistrates wouldn't allow it. Of
course," added the Doctor with a sneer,
"it's not Mrs. Leader's own son—who
may come to the front, maybe, by-and-bye,
and that makes the difference with her."
This ungenerous thrust on the part of the
Doctor went home. He knew well that
this was "a sore place."

In this fashion the enemy was routed,
and retreated. The Doctor went to see
his patient and report progress. Burning
with fury and mortification, Mrs. Leader
turned to seek Katey, an enemy to whom
she fancied she was more equal. She sent
for her to her boudoir. Then Mrs. Leader
accosted her abruptly:

"You have established quarrels in my
house, and have so far succeeded. How
long is it your purpose to remain?"

Katey gazed at her in wonder—she knew
nothing of what had gone on. "Why you
asked us here! Cecil is your son, or Mr.
Leader's——"

"I never asked you. You have forced
yourself in here against my wish or
consent; or your father has. But it is a
mistake, as your whole party shall find. I am
the wrong person to treat in that way. No
one ever took me in twice."

"I do not understand you, Mrs. Leader.
I am your son's wife; you should not speak
to me about taking you in. It is unjust—
unworthy."

"You shall not stay here. Your low
father shall not quarter himself on us!"

"He would disdain it," said Katey, her
lips trembling. "But your cruel words do
not affect us. There is no discredit in our
staying here. It is Cecil's home. He was
here before you were, Mrs. Leader. I am
his wife, and shall stay with him."

At this moment appeared Mary Leader.

"For Heaven's sake, let all this be
adjourned till the morning! It is only a
question of one poor bedroom. Let us have