e Duke, and in answer to a word or two
from him explained that she could not take upon herself to debar her
guest from the use of the post. "But she will write nothing without
letting you know it."

"She ought to write nothing at all."

"What she feels is much worse than what she writes."

"If there were no intercourse she would forget him."

"Ah; I don't know," said the Countess sorrowfully; "I thought so
once."

"All children are determined as long as they are allowed to have
their own way."

"I mean to say that it is the nature of her character to be
obstinate. Most girls are prone to yield. They have not character
enough to stand against opposition. I am not speaking now only of
affairs like this. It would be the same with her in any thing. Have
you not always found it so?"

Then he had to acknowledge to himself that he had never found out
anything in reference to his daughter's character. She had been
properly educated;--at least he hoped so. He had seen her grow up,
pretty, sweet, affectionate, always obedient to him;--the most
charming plaything in the world on the few occasions in which he had
allowed himself to play. But as to her actual disposition, he had
never taken any trouble to inform himself. She had been left to her
mother,--as other girls are left. And his sons had been left to their
tutors. And now he had no control over any of them. "She must be made
to obey like others," he said at last, speaking through his teeth.

There was something in this which almost frightened Lady Cantrip. She
could not bear to hear him say that the girl must be made to yield,
with that spirit of despotic power under which women were restrained
in years now passed. If she could have spoken her own mind it would
have been to this effect: "Let us do what we can to lead her away
from this desire of hers; and in order that we may do so, let us tell
her that her marriage with Mr. Tregear is out of the question. But if
we do not succeed,--say in the course of the next twelve months,--let
us give way. Let us make it a matter of joy that the young man
himself is so acceptable and well-behaved." That was her idea, and
with that she would have indoctrined the Duke had she been able. But
his was different. "She must be made to obey," he said. And, as he
said it, he seemed to be indifferent as to the sorrow which such
enforced obedience might bring upon his child. In answer to this she
could only shake her head. "What do you