command."

Then, striking a pose that was almost tragic, Mrs. Hanway-Harley told
Dorothy she _must_ marry Storri.

"As your mother, I command it!" said Mrs. Hanway-Harley, lifting her
jeweled hand finely, as though the thing were settled and the conference
at an end.

"And I tell you," said Dorothy, catching her breath and speaking with
bitter slowness, "that I shall not marry him!"

"This to me!--your mother!--in my own house!"

"You shall not drive me!" cried Dorothy passionately, her eyes roving
savagely, like the eyes of a badgered animal. "Am I to have no voice in
disposal of myself? I tell you I shall marry whom I please! And since he
makes his proffer through you, tell the creature Storri that I loathe
him!"

"Have a care, child!"

This last was also from the magazine, and Mrs. Hanway-Harley got it off
superbly. It missed fire, so far as Dorothy was concerned--Dorothy,
strung like a bow, and now in full rebellion.

"It is you to have a care!" retorted Dorothy. "Papa and Uncle Pat shall
hear of this!"

"They will say as I say!" observed Mrs. Hanway-Harley, who believed it.

"And if they should," cried Dorothy, "I have still a resource!"

"Flight?" said Mrs. Hanway-Harley, not without contempt.

"Marriage!" replied Dorothy, now as dry of eye as she was defiant. Bess
Marklin was assuredly right in her estimate of formalities, and their
saving and securing worth.

"Marriage!" repeated Dorothy, and her voice rang out in a composite note
of love and triumph as she thought of Richard.

"Marriage!" Mrs. Hanway-Harley was staggered. Here was a pathway of
escape she had not counted on. "Whom would you marry?"

"You shall not know," said Dorothy.

Mrs. Hanway-Harley saw truth in Dorothy's red cheek--she had been snow
till now--saw it in her swimming eye and heaving bosom. Before she could
phrase further question Dorothy had left the room, and Mrs.
Hanway-Harley was beaten.

Somewhere in the unknown dark behind Dorothy's stubborn will stood a
man; and that man loved Dorothy. She would draw on his love and his
loyalty and his courage to make her war! Mrs. Hanway-Harley felt her
defeat, and sighed to think how she had walked upon it blindfold. But
she was not without military fairness; she must make her report.

Mrs. Hanway-Harley wrote Storri a note, saying that, for reasons not to
be overcome, the honor of his hand must be denied her house. While Mrs.
Hanway-Harley was writing Storri, Dorothy the bait