n, of those whose pictures have
come down to us, whose mouth could be at once so mischievous
and so sweet. You are aware the mouth is the index to the
character?'

Hazel answered with some reserve (direct compliments always
gave her a check)

'No--Yes. I have heard people say so.'

'And you know the woman I mean?'

'She is bound to be a witch!--but further than that--'

'The likeness is really remarkable,' said Stuart, seriously;
'you have the Mary Stuart brow exactly, and the mouth, as I
said; and I think, as far as difference of colour admits
similarity of effect, the eyes have the same trick of power. I
suppose you like power?'

'I suppose I should! Mr. Falkirk ties up all my power, and
labels it "Edge tools," ' said Wych Hazel.

'I suppose it cuts its way out, and so justifies him. Don't
you have your own way generally?'

'Well, between taking it, and coaxing it out, and refusing to
take any other, I do have it sometimes,' said Wych Hazel.

'Is Mr. Falkirk much of an ogre? I do not know him. Difficult
to manage?'

'He thinks I am,' said Wych Hazel. 'No, he is not an ogre at
all, except officially.'

'Does he pretend to exercise much supervision over your
doings?'

'Pretend?' she repeated. 'He has the right, Mr. Nightingale.
And did ever a man have a right and not give it an airing now
and then?'

Stuart laughed, and laughed again. 'Don't be hard on us!' he
pleaded.

'Truth is not slander.'

'But are not women as fond of power, and wont to exercise it
as ruthlessly, as ever men are?'

'It is not a strong power, if they do.'

'Take care,' said Stuart. 'Honour bright!--while Mr. Falkirk
thinks things go according to his will, don't they really go
by yours?'

'No,' said Wych Hazel, 'when he _thinks_ they do, they _do_,--when
they do not, he knows it.'

'Then you are _not_ free. That is hard!--hard upon you. A
mother's authority is one thing; a guardian's, I should think,
is something very different. Does he interfere with your
dancing?'

'No.'--Hazel herself hardly knew why words suddenly became
scarce.

'I thought you were very fond of it.'

'O, I am!'

'Then why will you not honour me and please yourself to-
night?'

' "Why" is safe, while "why" keeps hid. All women know that,'
said Wych Hazel.

'You best of all,' said Stuart. 'I dare say it is just to make
us miserable. But now I am coming to you with a more serious
request. Will you help us in some private theatricals?'

'