y
to 'retire and take me with her'--calling me that 'demure little flirt'
in a tone that was very offensive. You should have seen father blaze
into anger at his words. He told Bryce to remember that 'Mr. Ben Denning
owned the house, and that Bryce had four or five rooms in it by his
courtesy.' He said also that the 'ladies present were Mr. Ben Denning's
wife and daughter, and that it was impertinent in him to order them out
of his parlor, where they were always welcome.' Bryce was white with
passion, but he answered in his affected way--'Sir, that sly girl with
her pretended piety and her sneak of a lover is my sister, and I shall
not permit her to disgrace my family without making a protest.'"

"And then?"

"I began to cry, and I put my arms around father's neck and said he must
defend me; that I was not 'sly,' and Basil was not 'a sneak,' and father
kissed me, and said he would settle with any man, and every man, who
presumed to call me either sly or a flirt."

"I think Mr. Denning acted beautifully. What did Bryce say?"

"He turned to Basil, and said: 'Mr. Stanhope, if you are not a cad, you
will leave the house. You have no right to intrude yourself into family
affairs and family quarrels.' Basil had seated mother, and was
standing with one hand on the back of her chair, and he did not answer
Bryce--there was no need, father answered quick enough. He said Mr.
Stanhope had asked to become one of the family, and for his part he
would welcome him freely; and then he asked mother if she was of his
mind, and mother smiled and reached her hand backward to Basil. Then
father kissed me again, and somehow Basil's arm was round me, and I know
I looked lovely--almost like a bride! Oh, Ethel, it was just heavenly!"

"I am sure it was. Did Bryce leave the room then?"

"Yes; he went out in a passion, declaring he would never notice me
again. This morning at breakfast I said I was sorry Bryce felt so hurt,
but father was sure Bryce would find plenty of consolation in the fact
that his disapproval of my choice would excuse him from giving me a
wedding present. You know Bryce is a mean little miser!"

"On the contrary, I thought he was very; luxurious and extravagant."

"Where Bryce is concerned, yes; toward everyone else his conduct is too
mean to consider. Why, father makes him an allowance of $20,000 a year
and he empties father's cigar boxes whenever he can do so without----"

"Let us talk about Mr. Stanhope he is far m