, to
aid you in getting a social position. Say what you like, I see now that you
dealt with me dishonestly. I can no longer be your friend in any sense, and I
shall do my best to have you excluded from my parents' house. My father will
re-read this essay - I have marked the significant passages throughout - and
will form his own judgment; I know what it will be.«
    »You are within your rights.«
    »Undoubtedly,« replied Buckland, with polished insolence, as he rose from
his seat. »I can't forbid you to go to the house again, but - I hope we mayn't
meet there. It would be very unpleasant.«
    Godwin was still pressing down the tobacco in the bowl of his pipe. He
smiled, and glanced about the room. Did Warricombe know how far things had gone
between him and Sidwell? Whether or no, it was certain now that Sidwell would be
informed of this disastrous piece of authorship - and the result?
    What did it matter? There is no struggling against destiny. If he and
Sidwell were ever fated to come together, why, these difficulties would all be
surmounted. If, as seemed more than likely, he was again to be foiled on the
point of success - he could bear it, perhaps even enjoy the comedy.
    »There is no possibility of arguing against determined anger,« he said,
quietly. »I am not at all inclined to plead for justice; one only does that with
a friend who desires to be just. My opinions are utterly distasteful to you, and
personal motives have made you regard me as - a scoundrel to be got rid of.
Well, there's an end of it. I don't see what is to be gained by further talk.«
    This was a dismissal. Godwin felt the necessity of asserting himself thus
far.
    »One question,« said Warricombe, as he put the periodical back into his
pocket. »What do you mean by my personal motives?«
    Their eyes met for an instant.
    »I mean the motives which you have spoken of.«
    It was Buckland's hope that Peak might reveal his relations with Sidwell,
but he shrank from seeming to know anything of the matter. Clearly, no light was
to be had from this source.
    »I am afraid,« he said, moving to the door, »that you will find my motives
shared by all the people whose acquaintance you have made in Exeter.«
    And without further leave-
