The general had listened in silence, not because he did not wish to interrupt, but because he could find no words suitable to the occasion. Now he made a choking sound in his throat, and waved his hands.

“You—you” —again he choked— “impudent young scoundrel! Confound your abominable cheek. You—you think you can keep me here?” He sprang up and stalked to the door. “You’ll drive me back to town at once. At once, I say!”

Kenneth sighed.

“Do come back, pater. It’s no good going out into the cold. You’ll only walk into the entanglements. Do be reasonable!”

“Reasonable! Reasonable! How—how dare you, sir? Is it reasonable to bring me down here? Is it?”

“Honestly, sir, I think it was an A 1 notion. But if you don’t like it—”

“Like it! Damme, who would like it? You young devil. When I get back home I’ll turn you out of the house. Impertinent puppy! I’ll—”

Kenneth made him come back to the fire.

“No, pater, don’t get annoyed. If you don’t like it, all you’ve got to do is to give your consent to my marrying Ursula. Then I’ll run you up to town at once.”

The general glared up at him under his bushy brows. “Trying to force my hand, are you?” he snapped.

Kenneth smiled a little, a smile of pure mischief.

“Well, that is about the size of it,” he admitted.

“Tricked me into coming with you! Said you wanted to take me out!”

Kenneth flushed slightly.

“It was absolutely true, sir. I did want you. I s’pose it was a trick; but, somehow, I didn’t think you’d come if told you what I was going to do with you.”

“And you think this is a proper way to treat me?”

“It’s not a very usual way,” Kenneth answered. “You must see that it’s your own fault.”

“My fault! How dare you! I suppose that bohemian put you up to it?”

“Which bohemian?” asked Kenneth sweetly.

“That damned girl! That Fenton girl!”

“Oh, Ursula! No, she doesn’t know anything about it. I don’t know that she’d altogether approve,” he added reflectively.

The general took him by the arm.

“Listen! You can do what you damn well like, but I won’t give my consent. Understand me?”

“I don’t think you quite understand, sir,” said Kenneth. “I shall have to keep you here till you do consent. I don’t mind much myself, because I rather like this place, but I should think you’d find it a bit dull.”

His father smiled grimly.

“My good youth, how long do you suppose it will be before Lorton discovers my absence?”

Lorton was his valet. Kenneth smiled, too.

“Well sir, I told Lorton that you and I were running down into the country for a few days. So I don’t think he’ll make any trouble.”

“You told L—” Words failed the general. He grew purple in his rage, and he strutted round the room shaking his fists and spluttering. When his fury had spent itself, he turned to Kenneth. “You’ll be sorry for this. I’d stay here for months rather than give in to you!”