"If the Statute of Limitations acts in my favor, the property would be my own," answered the Squire coolly.
"Common sense! And I would not have used such an argument, but for your display of greedy selfishness."
"Me selfish. How dare you!" Mallien fumed and fretted, and made as though he would throw himself on his cousin.
Hendle held out one hand to keep him off. "None of that, Mallien. No violence or it will be the worse for you. If it comes to a physical tussle, it will not be difficult for me to lay you on your back."
Mallien knew this, so tried verbal bullying. "I order you not to address me in that insolent tone."
"Don't be a fool, man. And don't talk about insolence until you learn how to behave yourself. Everyone far and near considers you a most objectionable person."
"I am of the same opinion," replied Rupert, smoking placidly. "If you were not Dorinda's father, I should have thrashed you ages ago."
"You shall never marry my daughter," gasped the other, panting with rage.
"Dorinda and I can afford to do without your permission. See here, Mallien, don't you think it's time you stopped playing the fool. I said before, and I say again, that if the property is proved to be rightfully yours, as the descendant of Eunice Filbert, I shall not stand in the way. So the best thing you can do is to behave your silly self and help me to search for the will. We can leave the question of my marriage to Dorinda alone just now. Until the will is found, or is proved not to exist, you are well aware that no marriage can take place."
"And if the will is found, and I am put in possession of The Big House, no marriage shall take place," retorted the other, still fuming.
"On the other hand, if the will is found and proves to be illegal? What then will be your attitude?"
"Not you," broke in Rupert with a broad smile. "You are too anxious to buy that blue sapphire you were talking about. If you want the five hundred a year that my marriage with Dorinda will put into your pocket, you will have to put your pride in the same receptacle."
"We'll see about that!" snarled Mallien vindictively, but in a more subdued tone, for he did not wish to cross the Rubicon too soon. "The will has yet to be proved illegal."