The Paradise Mystery | Page 6

means
another. That often happens. She isn't much better equipped at the
second time of asking. And there are women--young ones--who aren't
really certain of themselves at the third time. All that's common sense."
"I'll tell you what it is!" suddenly exclaimed Ransford, after remaining
silent for a moment under this flow of philosophy. "I'm not going to
discuss theories and ideas. I know one young woman, at any rate, who
is certain of herself. Miss Bewery does not feel any inclination to
you--now, nor at any time to be! She's told you so three times.
And--you should take her answer and behave yourself accordingly!"
Bryce favoured his senior with a searching look.

"How does Miss Bewery know that she mayn't be inclined to--in the
future?" he asked. "She may come to regard me with favour."
"No, she won't!" declared Ransford. "Better hear the truth, and be done
with it. She doesn't like you--and she doesn't want to, either. Why can't
you take your answer like a man?"
"What's your conception of a man?" asked Bryce.
"That!--and a good one," exclaimed Ransford.
"May satisfy you--but not me," said Bryce. "Mine's different. My
conception of a man is of a being who's got some perseverance. You
can get anything in this world--anything! --by pegging away for it."
"You're not going to get my ward," suddenly said Ransford. "That's flat!
She doesn't want you--and she's now said so three times. And--I
support her."
"What have you against me?" asked Bryce calmly. "If, as you say, you
support her in her resolution not to listen to my proposals, you must
have something against me. What is it?"
"That's a question you've no right to put," replied Ransford, "for it's
utterly unnecessary. So I'm not going to answer it. I've nothing against
you as regards your work--nothing! I'm willing to give you an excellent
testimonial."
"Oh!" remarked Bryce quietly. "That means--you wish me to go
away?"
"I certainly think it would be best," said Ransford.
"In that case," continued Bryce, more coolly than ever, "I shall
certainly want to know what you have against me--or what Miss
Bewery has against me. Why am I objected to as a suitor? You, at any
rate, know who I am--you know that my father is of our own profession,
and a man of reputation and standing, and that I myself came to you on

high recommendation. Looked at from my standpoint, I'm a thoroughly
eligible young man. And there's a point you forget--there's no mystery
about me!"
Ransford turned sharply in his chair as he noticed the emphasis which
Bryce put on his last word.
"What do you mean?" he demanded.
"What I've just said," replied Bryce. "There's no mystery attaching to
me. Any question about me can be answered. Now, you can't say that
as regards your ward. That's a fact, Dr. Ransford."
Ransford, in years gone by, had practised himself in the art of
restraining his temper--naturally a somewhat quick one. And he made a
strong effort in that direction now, recognizing that there was
something behind his assistant's last remark, and that Bryce meant him
to know it was there.
"I'll repeat what I've just said," he answered. "What do you mean by
that?"
"I hear things," said Bryce. "People will talk--even a doctor can't refuse
to hear what gossiping and garrulous patients say. Since she came to
yon from school, a year ago, Wrychester people have been much
interested in Miss Bewery, and in her brother, too. And there are a good
many residents of the Close--you know their nice, inquisitive
ways!--who want to know who the sister and brother really are--and
what your relationship is to them!"
"Confound their impudence!" growled Ransford.
"By all means," agreed Bryce. "And--for all I care--let them be
confounded, too. But if you imagine that the choice and select coteries
of a cathedral town, consisting mainly of the relicts of deceased deans,
canons, prebendaries and the like, and of maiden aunts, elderly
spinsters, and tea-table-haunting curates, are free from gossip--why,
you're a singularly innocent person!"

"They'd better not begin gossiping about my affairs," said Ransford.
"Otherwise--"
"You can't stop them from gossiping about your affairs," interrupted
Bryce cheerfully. "Of course they gossip about your affairs; have
gossiped about them; will continue to gossip about them. It's human
nature!"
"You've heard them?" asked Ransford, who was too vexed to keep back
his curiosity. "You yourself?"
"As you are aware, I am often asked out to tea," replied Bryce, "and to
garden-parties, and tennis-parties, and choice and cosy functions
patronized by curates and associated with crumpets. I have heard--with
these ears. I can even repeat the sort of thing I have heard. 'That dear,
delightful Miss Bewery--what a charming girl! And that good-looking
boy, her brother--quite a dear! Now I wonder who