"For Heaven's sake, Peter," he whispered, "say you wrote the beastly thing; I'm ruined if you don't."
Then Peter spoke up like a man, and accepted the blame of "To Lalage."
"But your initials aren't A. P.," objected Mr. Pottles.
"To avoid suspicion, I reversed the order; mine are P. A."
"James," said Mr. Pottles to the footman, "pack Mr. Allison's bag."
But Dora gave Peter the kindest and most admiring glance as she murmured softly to Adrian, "They're lovely! Oh, don't you wish you could write verses, Mr. Pottles?"
Adrian started. He had not bargained for this; but Peter had overheard, and interposed:
"I am more than consoled by your approval, Miss Chatterton."
Mr. Pottles called to Adrian, and he had to go in, leaving Dora and Peter in close conversation, and to assure his uncle solemnly that he had been entirely disappointed and deceived in Peter, and, worse still, in Dora, and that he never wished to see either of them again. Mr. Pottles shook him by the hand and forgave him.
Adrian passed a wretched week. In several newspapers he saw it openly stated that Peter now admitted he was the author of "To Lalage." Peter wrote that the fifty pounds were most convenient, and that he had had a most charming letter from Dora, and that all the literary world was paying him most flattering attentions. Adrian ground his teeth, but he had to write back, thanking Peter for all his kindness.
Meanwhile Mr. Pottles grew restless. Every paper he took up was full of the praises of "To Lalage." The author was becoming famous, and Mr. Pottles began to doubt whether he had done well to drive him forth with contumely.
"Adrian," he said suddenly one morning, "I don't know that I did justice to young Allison. I shall have another look at that book. I shall order it at Smith's."
"I--I happen to have a copy," said Adrian timidly.
"Get it," said Mr. Pottles. Mr. Pottles read it--first with a deep frown, then with a judicial air, then with a smile, lastly with a chuckle.
"Ask him to dinner," he said. "Oh, and, Adrian, we'll have the Chattertons. I wish you could do something to get your name up, my boy."
"Yes, and I like the manly way he owned to it. If he had prevaricated about it, I'd never have forgiven him."