fter you are proved guilty."

"Well, you are pretty hard on a fellow. But you needn't punish Hartman
for my fault. Thrash me all you like, but give him a chance. I give you
my word of honor, Clarice, he is a finished gentleman, and very
different from me. You needn't fear awkwardness in him. I knew you would
like him."

"How do _you_ know what I would like? If this Mr. Hartman wants to see a
little of the world, I have no desire to prevent his being reclaimed
from barbarism. Mabel and Jane can do that, without my aid. To tell you
the truth, Robert, I don't care to meet the man, after the disgusting
complications which you have introduced."

I groaned--I couldn't help it. "Princess, please God, I will never
interfere with you again. You shall be safe from any meddling of mine.
If you will kindly say what you want, and say it slow, so that my
limited faculties can take it in, I will try to act accordingly. But, if
I may make so bold as to inquire, what are you up to now?"

"I shall go away. O, you need not feel so badly about it, Bob: I am not
tied to you and Mabel. I was in the South all winter, you know, and only
returned while you were at your fishing. I have a dozen invitations for
the summer: I think I will join Constance."

"Not if I can help it, you won't. This is your natural home, Clarice,
and you shall not be driven from it. Nobody shall enter here who is not
acceptable to you: if anything about the house don't suit you, name it
and it shall be corrected. You know Jane and Mabel worship you; so do
the children, if you count them. I'll not have Hartman; or I can
entertain him at the club while you are all at Newport."

"That will be hospitality indeed. Would you desert your friend for me?"

"I would not desert you for all the friends under the canopy. You have
always ruled the house when you deigned to be in it, and you always
will. I may be low in your books, but it does not follow that you are
not high in mine. We can't do without you, Princess; you must stay. Name
your price, and I'll pay it if it breaks me."

"Very well then; I will remain, and meet your Mr. Hartman. But one thing
must be distinctly understood: there must be no more crossing of my
will. I must be absolutely free and unhampered, to plan and carry out
what I see fit. I may possibly be wrong at times; but you will not know
when, and it is not for you to judge. No more interference or
opposition, remember. Do the terms suit you?"

"O Lo