ach member of which was accustomed to respect
all his wishes and whims; and though he was always indulgent and kind,
none ever braved a temper which, when excited, was so violent. It
cannot, then, be surprising that Gertrude's heart should have failed her
when she stood, half-an-hour before breakfast-time, with the handle of
the dining-room door in her hand, summoning all her energies for another
meeting with the opposer of her plans. She paused but a moment, and then
went in. Mr. Graham was sitting in his arm-chair, and on the
breakfast-table lay the morning paper. It had been Gertrude's habit to
read that paper aloud to the old gentleman at this same hour, and it was
for that purpose she had now come. She advanced toward him with her
usual "Good morning."

The salutation was returned in a constrained voice. She seated herself,
and leaned forward to take the newspaper. But he placed his hand upon it
to prevent her.

"I was going to read the news to you, sir."

"And I do not wish to have you read, or do anything else for me, until I
know whether you have concluded to treat me with the respect I have a
right to demand from you."

"I certainly never intended to treat you otherwise than with respect,
Mr. Graham."

"When girls or boys set themselves up in opposition to those older and
wiser than themselves, they manifest the greatest disrespect they are
capable of; but I am willing to forgive the past, if you assure me, as I
think you will, after a night's reflection, that you have returned to a
right sense of your duty."

"I cannot say, sir, that I have changed my views with regard to what
that duty is."

"Do you mean to tell me," asked Mr. Graham, rising from his chair, and
speaking in a tone which made Gerty's heart quake, "do you mean to tell
me that you have an idea of persisting in your folly?"

"Is it folly, sir, to do right?"

"Right! There is a great difference of opinion between you and me as to
what is right in this case."

"But, Mr. Graham, I think if you knew all the circumstances, you would
not blame my conduct. I have told Emily the reasons that influence me,
and she----"

"Don't quote Emily to me!" interrupted Mr. Graham; "I don't doubt she'd
give her head to anybody that asked for it; but I hope I know a little
better what is due to myself; and I tell you plainly, Miss Gertrude
Flint, without any more words in the matter, that if you leave my house,
as you propose doing, you leave it with my