is at home. She was brought home by Antony Van Hoosen, in a cab.
He took her from that fellow Duval. They were taking wine together in
a restaurant. Now do you understand?" He spoke with gathering passion,
and Mrs. Filmer looked frightened and anxious, but she answered
scornfully:

"No, I do not. You must speak more plainly. Is Rose sick? Is she hurt?
Why should Mr. Van Hoosen interfere with Miss Filmer?"

"Mother, go and ask Rose 'why.' I cannot say what I intended to say. I
shall go to father; perhaps I can talk to him, if he will listen to
me."

Mr. Filmer was surrounded by slips of paper which he was arranging
with so much absorbing interest that he did not at once look up. But
as Harry remained standing before him, he said fretfully: "I have to
arrange these data while the facts are fresh in my mind. What do you
want, Harry?"

"I want to tell you about Rose, sir. You must put down your data and
listen to me. It is the most important duty you have."

Then the attitude of the elder gentleman changed as quickly as a flash
of light. He cast the slips of paper upon the table; his thoughtful
countenance became alert; he turned round, faced his son, and asked,
sharply: "What do you want to say about your sister?"

Then it was as if some seal had been taken off Harry's heart and lips.
He spoke from the foundations of his being; he said: "Sir, my dear
sister is on the way to mortal and immortal ruin; and both you and
mother shut your eyes to the fact. I also have refused to see what
others see. I have said to myself, when mother speaks, when father
speaks, it will be time enough for me to do my part. Sir, Rose takes
too much wine; she takes it at improper times, and with improper
people. This afternoon Mr. Van Hoosen found her with that nephew of
Folletts--you know the man."

"Richard Duval?"

"Yes, sir."

"Go on, Harry. Tell me all you know. What had Antony Van Hoosen to do
with the matter?"

"He saw that she was taking too much. And he loves Rose better than
his own life. So he invented an excuse to get her home."

Mr. Filmer bit his lips passionately, and Harry saw that he was
disposed to settle his anger upon the innocent. "Sir," he said,
"Antony did our family a great kindness. I met him on the avenue
afterwards, and we had a long conversation. He is coming to see you
in the morning. He is anxious to have the right to watch over Rose--to
protect her----"

"God in heaven! Has not Rose a father, and mot