that the sooner you
leave this house the better I shall be pleased."

"Very well, sir. Of course I shall take my wife with me."

"That must be as she pleases."

"No, Mr. Wharton. That must be as I please. She belongs to me,--not
to you or to herself. Under your influence she has forgotten much of
what belongs to the duty of a wife, but I do not think that she will
so far have forgotten herself as to give me more trouble than to bid
her come with me when I desire it."

"Let that be as it may, I must request that you, sir, will absent
yourself. I will not entertain as my guest a man who has acted as you
have done in this matter,--even though he be my son-in-law."

"I can sleep here to-night, I suppose?"

"Or to-morrow if it suits you. As for Emily, she can remain here, if
you will allow her to do so."

"That will not suit me," said Lopez.

"In that case, as far as I am concerned, I shall do whatever she may
ask me to do. Good morning."

Mr. Wharton left the room, but did not leave the house. Before he did
so he would see his daughter; and, thinking it probable that Lopez
would also choose to see his wife, he prepared to wait in his own
room. But, in about ten minutes, Lopez started from the hall door
in a cab, and did so without going upstairs. Mr. Wharton had reason
to believe that his son-in-law was almost destitute of money for
immediate purposes. Whatever he might have would at any rate be
serviceable to him before he started. Any home for Emily must be
expensive; and no home in their present circumstances could be so
reputable for her as one under her father's roof. He therefore almost
hoped that she might still be left with him till that horrid day
should come,--if it ever did come,--in which she would be taken away
from him for ever. "Of course, papa, I shall go if he bids me," she
said, when he told her all that he thought right to tell her of that
morning's interview.

"I hardly know how to advise you," said the father, meaning in truth
to bring himself round to the giving of some advice adverse to her
husband's will.

"I want no advice, papa."

"Want no advice! I never knew a woman who wanted it more."

"No, papa. I am bound to do as he tells me. I know what I have done.
When some poor wretch has got himself into perpetual prison by his
misdeeds, no advice can serve him then. So it is with me."

"You can at any rate escape from your prison."

"No;--no. I have a feeling of pride which tells me