t. Petersburg. We have frequented the highest circle
in all these cities, and they have crowded our drawing-rooms, charmed
with the beauty, distinguished manners, tone of the world, of your
daughter."

"I beg of you to make but one subject the sole object of conversation,"
said Marie, harshly. "I have said that I will avail myself of the
privilege, as mistress of this house, of receiving no one whom I do
not wish to see, and no one can enter without consent. Is it clearly
understood, husband?"

"Yes," he answered, somewhat agitated; "it is the right of every
housekeeper--I understand you."

"It is also clear to me," cried Frau von Werrig, with difficulty
suppressing her wrath. "But I will await the decisive word, and see
whether it is possible for a daughter to have the insolent presumption
to drive he mother from her house!"

"I have already informed you that I have no mother, and that no one has
the right to call me daughter. If you await my decision, you shall now
hear it; you are not included among those that I wish to receive in my
house!"

"Ah, dear Marie, you are cruel!" cried her husband, quite frightened.

"She is a degenerate, good-for-nothing creature!" cried the mother.

"If I am so, who has caused it but you, both of you? Who broke my heart,
and crushed it under foot until it ceased to feel, and turned to stone?
Bear the consequences of your cruelty and heartlessness! I cannot change
it, and I repeat, Frau von Werrig has not the right to enter this house,
or to remain here any longer!"

Scalding tears fell from the mother's eyes as she shrieked, "She drives
me from her house!"

"I am only treating you as you behaved to one of the noblest and best
of men," replied Marie, voice and look betraying her deep feeling. "You
thrust from your door, with scorn and contempt, a man worthy of your
esteem and recognition, although you knew that my heart was breaking.
I am only following your example and exercising my just rights, and am
less guilty than you are, as neither of us has need of the respect or
esteem of the other."

"Can you suffer this, my son? Do you allow any one in your presence
to treat me so shamefully? After all, it is your house; do speak and
exercise your right as master here: tell your wife that I am her mother,
and you, my adopted son, who bears my name, and that I have the just
right to come here as often as it pleases me."

"Speak your mind to Frau von Werrig," said Marie, as Ebenst