e home till late in the afternoon.

He was not in the house when she returned, and at dinner he refrained
from conversation till the servants had left the room.

"So it's--war," he said, then, speaking in a casual tone, and toying
with his wine-glass.

"I hope not, father," she answered, promptly, making no pretence not to
understand him. "It takes two to make a quarrel, and--"

"And you wouldn't be one?"

"I was going to say that I hoped you wouldn't be."

"But you yourself would fight?"

"I should have to. I'm fighting for liberty, which is always an
honorable motive. You're fighting to take it away from me--"

"Which is a dishonorable motive. Very well; I must accept that
imputation as best I may, and still go on."

"Oh, then, it is war. You mean to make it so."

"I mean to do my duty. You may call your rebellion against it what you
like."

"I'm not accustomed to rebel," she said, with significant quietness.
"Only people who feel themselves weak do that."

"And are you so strong?"

"I'm very strong. I don't want to measure my strength against yours,
father; but if you insist on measuring yours against mine, I ought to
warn you."

"Thank you. It's in the light of a warning that I view your action
to-day. You probably went to meet Mr. Wappinger."

In saying this his bow was drawn so entirely at a venture that he was
astonished at the skill with which he hit the mark.

"I did."

He pushed back his chair; half rose; sat down again; poured out a glass
of Marsala; drank it thirstily; and looked at her a second or two in
helpless distress before finding words.

"And you talk of honorable motives!"

"My motive was entirely honorable. I went to explain to him that I
couldn't see him any more--just now."

"While you were about it you might as well have said neither just
now--nor at any other time."

She was silent.

"Do you hear?"

"Yes; I bear, father."

"And you understand?"

"I understand what you mean."

"And you promise me that it shall be so?"

"No, father."

"You say that deliberately? Remember, I'm asking you an important
question, and you're giving me an equally important reply."

"I recognize that; but I can't give you any other answer."

"We'll see." He pushed back his chair again, and rose. He had already
crossed the room, when, a new thought occurring to him, he turned at the
door. "At least I presume I may count on you not to see this young man
again without telling me?"