s than you. I plan and plan, and go to the most expensive
dressmakers so that you will be well dressed, and just as soon as I
dare to express the desire to see you appear like a gentlewoman, I get
it thrown in my face. And why do I do it? I'm sure I don't know. It's
because I'm a poor weak, foolish, indulgent sister. I've given up the
idea of ever being loved by you; but I do insist on being respected."
Laura rose, stately, severe. It was the "grand manner" now,
unequivocally, unmistakably. "I do insist upon being respected," she
repeated. "It would be wrong and wicked of me to allow you to ignore
and neglect my every wish. I'll not have it, I'll not tolerate it."

Page, aroused, indignant, disdained an answer, but drew in her breath
and held it hard, her lips tight pressed.

"It's all very well for you to pose, miss," Laura went on; "to pose as
injured innocence. But you understand very well what I mean. If you
don't love me, at least I shall not allow you to flout
me--deliberately, defiantly. And it does seem strange," she added, her
voice beginning to break, "that when we two are all alone in the world,
when there's no father or mother--and you are all I have, and when I
love you as I do, that there might be on your part--a little
consideration--when I only want to be loved for my own sake, and
not--and not--when I want to be, oh, loved--loved--loved--"

The two sisters were in each other's arms by now, and Page was crying
no less than Laura.

"Oh, little sister," exclaimed Laura, "I know you love me. I know you
do. I didn't mean to say that. You must forgive me and be very kind to
me these days. I know I'm cross, but sometimes these days I'm so
excited and nervous I can't help it, and you must try to bear with me.
Hark, there's the bell."

Listening, they heard the servant open the door, and then the sound of
Jadwin's voice and the clank of his cane in the porcelain cane rack.
But still Laura could not be persuaded to go down. No, she was going to
bed; she had neuralgia; she was too nervous to so much as think. Her
gown was "Dutchy." And in the end, so unshakable was her resolve, that
Page and her aunt had to sit through the dinner with Jadwin and
entertain him as best they could.

But as the coffee was being served the three received a genuine
surprise. Laura appeared. All her finery was laid off. She wore the
simplest, the most veritably monastic, of her dresses, plain to the
point of severity. Her hands we