only too well how futile it would be to try to influence
Nannie. If this affair were ended it must be by Steve.

"Can you not see," she continued, emphasizing every word and speaking
in a hard, metallic tone, "that Nannie's position in society calls
for certain expenditures which are far beyond your means? As a woman
of fashion she will be obliged to keep a carriage and maintain a style
of living which would eat up your monthly salary in half a day. She
has a suitor of abundant means, a millionaire several times over--Mr.
Harding. He is infatuated with her and he will give her everything she
can desire."

"But he is a very bad man," said Steve simply.

"Oh, well--really, Mr. Loveland, please don't push me into a
discussion of such matters. Few men are saints, and I think he'll make
a good husband. He is very rich and he moves in the best circles."

"Does Nannie love him?" asked Steve, and his voice and manner had
changed. He spoke very firmly.

"Mr. Loveland, you _exhaust_ me! Some of us who have reached maturity
have the good sense to provide for material advantages and take the
rest for granted."

"If Nannie loves Mr. Harding and wishes me to withdraw in his favor, I
will do so."

"I don't!" said a curt voice, and looking around with a start, Mrs.
Lamont beheld her dutiful niece between the _portieres_.

For a moment nothing was said, but Nannie's appearance did not portend
peace. Her eyes looked out wickedly from beneath her curls, and her
impish mouth was pursed up in an expression already familiar to her
aunt.

"Leave the room instantly!" cried Mrs. Lamont at last with rising
anger.

"I won't!" said Nannie shortly.

"Then I will teach you that I also can be firm. I command you to break
off this foolish, insane affair at once."

"I won't!" said Nannie.

"Ungrateful minx!" cried Mrs. Lamont. "Here I have dressed you all
these years and gone to no end of other expense, and this is how you
repay me."

"It is," said Nannie.

Now, Mrs. Lamont was a shrewd, worldly woman, and she took in the
situation fully. She realized that Nannie would hold to her own
course. She also realized that arguments such as hers were without
weight with Steve. These two, then, would marry for all she could say
or do, for Nannie was just come of age. Now she had already strained
her means to provide for the fashionable necessities of Nannie's
_debut_ and society life, and she dreaded her wedding. Had the child
married well