"Who cares if we do?" retorted Sheppard, with a look of defiance.
"Jack," said the other, sternly; "don"t provoke me further, or I"ll give you a thrashing."
"Two can play at that game, my blood," replied Sheppard, rising, and putting himself into a posture of defence.
"Take care of yourself, then," rejoined Thames, doubling his fists, and advancing towards him: "though my right arm"s stiff, I can use it, as you"ll find."
Sheppard was no match for his opponent, for, though he possessed more science, he was deficient in weight and strength; and, after a short round, in which he had decidedly the worst of it, a well-directed hit on the _n.o.b_ stretched him at full length on the floor.
"That"ll teach you to keep a civil tongue in your head for the future,"
observed Thames, as he helped Jack to his feet.
"I didn"t mean to give offence," replied Sheppard, sulkily. "But, let me tell you, it"s not a pleasant sight to see the girl one likes in the arms of another."
"You want another drubbing, I perceive," said Thames, frowning.
"No, I don"t. Enough"s as good as a feast of the dainties you provide.
I"ll think no more about her. Save us!" he cried, as his glance accidentally alighted on the drawing, which Winifred had dropped in her agitation. "Is this _her_ work?"
"It is," answered Thames. "Do you see any likeness?"
"Don"t I," returned Jack, bitterly. "Strange!" he continued, as if talking to himself. "How very like it is!"
"Not so strange, surely," laughed Thames, "that a picture should resemble the person for whom it"s intended."
"Ay, but it _is_ strange how much it resembles somebody for whom it"s _not_ intended. It"s exactly like a miniature I have in my pocket."
"A miniature! Of whom?"
"That I can"t say," replied Jack, mysteriously. "But, I half suspect, of your father."
"My father!" exclaimed Thames, in the utmost astonishment; "let me see it!"
"Here it is," returned Jack, producing a small picture in a case set with brilliants.
Thames took it, and beheld the portrait of a young man, apparently--judging from his attire--of high rank, whose proud and patrician features certainly presented a very striking resemblance to his own.
"You"re right Jack," he said, after a pause, during which he contemplated the picture with the most fixed attention: "this must have been my father!"
"No doubt of it," answered Sheppard; "only compare it with Winny"s drawing, and you"ll find they"re as like as two peas in a pod."
"Where did you get it?" inquired Thames.
"From Lady Trafford"s, where I took the box."
"Surely, you haven"t stolen it?"
"Stolen"s an awkward word. But, as you perceive, I brought it away with me."
"It must be restored instantly,--be the consequences what they may."
"You"re not going to betray me!" cried Jack, in alarm.
"I am not," replied Thames; "but I insist upon your taking it back at once."
"Take it back yourself," retorted Jack, sullenly. "I shall do no such thing."
"Very well," replied Thames, about to depart.
"Stop!" exclaimed Jack, planting himself before the door; "do you want to get me sent across the water?"
"I want to save you from disgrace and ruin," returned Thames.
"Bah!" cried Jack, contemptuously; "n.o.body"s disgraced and ruined unless he"s found out. I"m safe enough if you hold your tongue. Give me that picture, or I"ll make you!"
"Hear me," said Thames, calmly; "you well know you"re no match for me."
"Not at fisticuffs, perhaps," interrupted Jack, fiercely; "but I"ve my knife."
"You daren"t use it."
"Try to leave the room, and see whether I daren"t," returned Jack, opening the blade.
"I didn"t expect this from you," rejoined Thames, resolutely. "But your threats won"t prevent my leaving the room when I please, and as I please. Now, will you stand aside?"
"I won"t," answered Jack, obstinately.
Thames said not another word, but marched boldly towards him, and seized him by the collar.
"Leave go!" cried Jack, struggling violently, and raising his hand, "or I"ll maul you for life."
But Thames was not to be deterred from his purpose; and the strife might have terminated seriously, if a peace-maker had not appeared in the shape of little Winifred, who, alarmed by the noise, rushed suddenly into the room.
"Ah!" she screamed, seeing the uplifted weapon in Sheppard"s hand, "don"t hurt Thames--don"t, dear Jack! If you want to kill somebody, kill me, not him."
And she flung herself between them.
Jack dropped the knife, and walked sullenly aside.
"What has caused this quarrel, Thames?" asked the little girl, anxiously.
"You," answered Jack, abruptly.
"No such thing," rejoined Thames. "I"ll tell you all about it presently.
But you must leave us now, dear Winny, Jack and I have something to settle between ourselves. Don"t be afraid. Our quarrel"s quite over."
"Are you sure of that?" returned Winifred, looking uneasily at Jack.