t
with his loving preoccupation; she, too, was pensively thinking on poor
Dorothy, and at once abandoned the invalid flower to console and counsel
Richard.

"For you see," quoth Bess, as though a call had been made for the reason
of her interest in another's love troubles, "I feel responsible for
Dorothy. It was I who told you to love her."

This was not quite true, and gave too much blame or credit--whichever
you will--to Bess; but Richard made no objections, and permitted Bess to
define her position as best pleased her.

Bess laid out Richard's programme as though she were his mother or his
guardian; she told him what his conduct should be. He must write Dorothy
a daily letter; there ought to be a world of love in it, Bess thought,
in view of those conditions of present distress which surrounded
Dorothy.

"Her lot," observed Bess, "is much harder than yours, you know!"

Richard, being selfish, did not know; but he was for no dispute with
Bess and kept his want of knowledge to himself. Yes; Richard was to
write Dorothy every day; and she, for her sweet part, was likewise to
write Richard every day. The good Bess, like an angel turned postman,
would manage the exchange of tender missives.

Bess said nothing about Storri's coming visits to the Harley house or
that he would insist on seeing Dorothy. She and Dorothy had been of one
mind on that point of ticklish diplomacy. The bare notion of Storri
meeting Dorothy would send the fiery lover into a fury whereof the end
could be only feared, not guessed. Richard was to be told nothing beyond
the present impossibility of meeting Dorothy.

"And most of all," said Bess to Richard warningly, "you are not to
involve yourself with Storri. Remember, should you and he have
differences upon which the gossips can take hold, there will be a
perfect scandal, and Dorothy the central figure."

Richard was horrified at Bess's picture.

"And so," concluded Bess, "you must do exactly as Dorothy requests. Have
a little patience and a deal of love, and the cloud, be sure, will pass
away."

"While I am having patience and love, I would give my left hand if I
might bring that cobra Storri to account," said Richard.

What was written concerning the mouths of babes and sucklings? Mr.
Fopling sat with Bess and Richard while they considered those
above-related ways and means of interrupted love. Mr. Fopling was
experiencing an uncommon elevation of spirits; for he had stared Ajax
out