 Mulberry, with a sneer.
    »Perfectly well.«
    »Then take that for an answer, in the devil's name,« replied Sir Mulberry,
»and ask me for no other.«
    Such was the ascendancy he had acquired over his dupe, and such the latter's
general habit of submission, that, for the moment, the young man seemed
half-afraid to pursue the subject. He soon overcame this feeling, however, if it
had restrained him at all, and retorted angrily:
    »If I remember what passed at the time you speak of, I expressed a strong
opinion on this subject, and said that, with my knowledge or consent, you never
should do what you threaten now.«
    »Will you prevent me?« asked Sir Mulberry, with a laugh.
    »Ye-es, if I can;« returned the other, promptly.
    »A very proper saving clause, that last,« said Sir Mulberry; »and one you
stand in need of. Look to your own business, and leave me to look to mine.«
    »This is mine,« retorted Lord Frederick. »I make it mine; I will make it
mine. It's mine already. I am more compromised than I should be, as it is.«
    »Do as you please, and what you please, for yourself,« said Sir Mulberry,
affecting an easy good humour. »Surely that must content you! Do nothing for me;
that's all. I advise no man to interfere in proceedings that I choose to take. I
am sure you know me better than to do so. The fact is, I see, you mean to offer
me advice. It is well meant, I have no doubt, but I reject it. Now, if you
please, we will return to the carriage. I find no entertainment here, but quite
the reverse. If we prolong this conversation, we might quarrel, which would be
no proof of wisdom in either you or me.«
    With this rejoinder, and waiting for no further discussion, Sir Mulberry
Hawk yawned, and very leisurely turned back.
    There was not a little tact and knowledge of the young lord's disposition in
this mode of treating him. Sir Mulberry clearly saw that if his dominion were to
last, it must be established now. He knew that the moment he became violent, the
young man would become violent too. He had, many times, been enabled to
strengthen his influence, when any circumstance had occurred to weaken it,
