you ask me that?" said she, with a look of her clear, womanly eyes,
which it was not very pleasant to meet.

"Well, of course, if people misuse the thing,"---- he began.

"Do they often misuse it, Mr. St. Leger?"

"Well, yes; perhaps they do."

"Go on. What are the consequences, when they misuse it?"

"When people drink too much bad brandy of course--but wine like _this_
never hurt anybody."

Dolly thought, it had hurt _her_ that day; but she could not trust her
voice to say it. Her lips trembled, her beautiful eyes filled, she was
obliged to wait. And how, there before her father whom the fruit of the
vine had certainly hurt grievously, and before Mr. St. Leger who knew
as much and had seen it, could she put the thing in words? Her father
had chosen his time cruelly. And where was his promise? Dolly fought
and swallowed and struggled with herself; and tried to regain command
of voice.

"It's a narrow view, ray dear," said Mr. Copley, filling his glass
again, to Dolly's infinite horror; "a narrow view. Well-bred people do
not hold it. It is always a mistake to set yourself against the world.
The world is generally right."

"O father, do you think so?"

"Not a doubt of it," said Mr. Copley, sipping the wine and looking from
one to another of the faces in the little group. "Dolly is a foolish
girl, Rupert; do not let her persuade you."

"It certainly is not the wine that is to be condemned," said Lawrence,
"but the immoderate use of it. That's all."

"What do you call immoderate use of it?" Rupert asked now, putting the
question in Dolly's interest.

"More than your head can bear," said Lawrence. "Keep within that limit,
and you're all right."

"Suppose your neighbour cannot bear what you can?" said Dolly, looking
at him. "And suppose your example tempts him?"

"It's his business to know what he can take," said Lawrence. "It isn't
mine."

"But suppose he is drawn on by your example, and drinks more than he
can bear? What follows, Mr. St. Leger?"

Dolly's voice had a pathetic clang which touched Rupert, and I think
embarrassed Lawrence.

"If he is so unwise, of course he suffers for it. But as I said, that
is his business."

"And not yours?"

"Of course not!" Mr. Copley broke in. "Dolly, you do not understand the
world. How can I tell St. Leger how much he is to drink? or he tell me
how much I must? Don't be absurd, child! You grow a little absurd,
living alone."

"Father, I think the world migh