such tyranny as
that? And surely it's much better to find out before than after. I hate
masterful men, Sybil. I am quite sure I could never have been happy with
him."

The girl's young step-mother looked across at the pretty, mutinous face
and sighed.

"It wasn't a nice way of telling him so, I'm afraid, dear," she said.
"Your father is very vexed."

"But it was beautifully conclusive, wasn't it?" laughed Hilary. "As to
the poor old pater, he won't keep it up for ever, bless his simple heart,
that did want its daughter to be a viscountess. So while the fit lasts
I propose to judiciously absent my erring self. It's a nuisance to have
to miss all the fun this season; but with the pater in the sulks it
wouldn't be worth it. So I'm off to-morrow to join Bertie and the
house-boat at Riverton. As Dick has taken a bungalow close by, we shall
be quite a happy family party. They will be happy; I shall be happy; and
you--positively, darling, you won't have a care left in the world. If it
weren't for your matrimonial bonds, I should quite envy you."

"I don't think you ought to go down to Riverton without someone
responsible to look after you," objected Mrs. St. Orme dubiously.

"My dear little mother, what a notion!" cried her step-daughter with a
merry laugh. "Who ever dreamt of the proprieties on the river? Why, I
spent a whole fortnight on the house-boat with only Bertie and the Badger
that time the poor old pater and I fell out over--what was it? Well, it
doesn't matter. Anyhow, I did. And no one a bit the worse. Bertie is
equal to a dozen _duennas_, as everyone knows."

"Don't you really care, I wonder?" said Mrs. St. Orme, with wondering
eyes on the animated face.

"Why should I, dear?" laughed the girl, dropping upon a hassock at her
side. "I am my own mistress. I have a little money, and--considering
I am only twenty-four--quite a lot of wisdom. As to being Viscountess
Merrivale, I will say it fascinated me a little--just at first, you know.
And the poor old pater was so respectful I couldn't help enjoying myself.
But the gilt soon wore off the gingerbread, and I really couldn't enjoy
what was left. I said to myself, 'My dear, that man has the makings of a
hectoring bully. You must cut yourself loose at once if you don't want to
develop into that most miserable of all creatures, a down-trodden wife.'
So after our little tiff of the day before yesterday I sent the notice
off forthwith. And--you observe--it has tak