n, with flushed
cheek, and voice striving for firmness, she stood before him, saying,
'It is time to put an end to this. Will you let Lord St. Erme know that
it cannot be!'

'Now, Theodora!' exclaimed the much-astonished Lord Martindale, 'what is
the meaning of this?'

'It cannot be,' repeated Theodora. 'It must be put a stop to.'

'What has happened! Have you heard anything to change your mind?'

'My mind is not changed, but I cannot have this going on.'

'How is this? You have been encouraging him all this time, letting him
come here--'

'I never asked him to come here,' said Theodora, temper coming in, as
usual.

'Theodora! Theodora! did I not entreat you to tell me what you wished,
when I first heard of this in London? Could I get a reasonable answer
from you?'

Theodora was silent.

'Do you know what the world thinks of young ladies who go on in this
manner?'

'Let it think as it may, I cannot accept him, and you must tell him so,
papa--'

'No, indeed. I will not be responsible for such usage! It must be your
own doing,' said Lord Martindale, thoroughly displeased. 'I should be
ashamed to look him in the face!'

Theodora turned to leave the room.

'What are you going to do?' asked her father.

'I am going to write to Lord St. Erme.'

'Come back, Theodora. I must know that you are not going to carry
further this ill-usage of a most excellent man, more sincerely attached
to you than you deserve. I insist on knowing what you intend to say to
him.'

To insist was not the way to succeed with Theodora.

'I do not exactly know,' said she.

'I wish I knew what to do with you!' sighed Lord Martindale, in anger,
grief, and perplexity. 'You seem to think that people's affections are
made to serve for your vanity and sport, and when you have tormented
them long enough, you cast them off!'

Theodora drew her head up higher, and swelled at the injustice. It was
at that moment that Lord St. Erme entered the room. She went forward to
meet him, and spoke at once. 'I am glad you are here,' said she, proudly
pleased that her father should see her vindication from the charge of
trifling. 'You are come to hear what I had been desiring my father to
tell you. I have used you very ill, and it is time to put a stop to it.'

Lord St. Erme looked from her to her father in wonder and dismay.

'First understand,' said Lord Martindale, 'that this is no doing of
mine; I am heartily grieved, but I will leave you. Perh