ua had a family it would have been exactly
the same thing--though in that case surely the advantage was all on the
gentleman's side."

"We know none of the particulars in that case," said Mrs. Dennistoun,
calmly. "I have always thought it quite possible that the beggar maid
was a princess of an old dynasty and King Cophetua a _parvenu_. But in
your case, Elinor----"

"You know just as little," said the girl, impetuously.

"That is what I say. I don't know the man who has possessed himself of
my child's fancy and heart. I want to know more about him. I want----"

"For goodness' sake, whatever you want, don't be sentimental, mamma!"

"Was I sentimental? I didn't mean it. He has got your heart, my dear,
whatever words may be used."

"Yes--and for ever!" said the girl, turning round upon herself. "I know
you think I don't know my own mind; but there will never be any change
in me. Oh, what does John mean, sitting all by himself in that stuffy
room? He has had time to smoke a hundred cigarettes!"

"Elinor, you must not forget it is rather hard upon John to be brought
down to settle your difficulties for you. What do you want with him?
Only that he should advise you to do what you have settled upon doing.
If he took the other side, how much attention would you give him? You
must be reasonable, my dear."

"I would give him every attention," said Elinor, "if he said what was
reasonable. You don't think mere blind opposition is reasonable, I hope,
mamma. To say Don't, merely, without saying why, what reason is there in
that?"

"My dear, when you argue I am lost. I am not clever at making out my
ground. Mine is not mere blind opposition, or indeed opposition at all.
You have been always trained to use your own faculties, and I have never
made any stand against you."

"Why not? why not?" said the girl, springing to her feet. "That is just
the dreadful, dreadful part of it! Why don't you say straight out what
I am to do and keep to it, and not tell me I must make use of my own
faculties? When I do, you put on a face and object. Either don't object,
or tell me point-blank what I am to do."

"Do you think for one moment if I did, you would obey me, Elinor?"

"Oh, I don't know what I might do in that case, for it will never
happen. You will never take that responsibility. For my part, if you
locked me up in my room and kept me on bread and water I should think
_that_ reasonable; but not this kind of letting I dare not wa