y of receiving a knockdown blow astonished and charmed her.
She thought to herself, no wonder women look up to men. They _will_ have
their own way; they resist, _of course_. How sensible! We give in, right
or wrong. What a comfort I have got a man to back me, and not a poor
sorrowing, despairing, obeying thing like myself!

So she was comforted for the minute, and settled in her own mind that she
would be good and obedient, and Walter should do all the fighting. But
letters soon cease to satisfy the yearning hearts of lovers unnaturally
separated. Walter and Mary lived so near each other, yet now they never
met. Bartley took care of that. He told Mary she must not walk out
without a maid or ride without a servant; and he gave them both special
orders. He even obliged her with his own company, though that rather
bored him.

Under this severe restraint Mary's health and spirits suffered, and she
lost some of her beautiful color.

Walter's spirits were kept up only by anger. Julia Clifford saw he was in
trouble, and asked him what was the matter.

"Oh, nothing that would interest you," said he, rather sullenly.

"Excuse me," said she. "I am always interested in the troubles of my
friends, and you have been a good friend to me."

"It is very good of you to think so. Well, then, yes, I am unhappy. I am
crossed in love."

"Is it that fair girl you introduced me to when out riding?"

"Yes."

"She is lovely."

"Miss Clifford, she is an angel."

"Ha! ha! We are all angels till we are found out. Who is the man?"

"What man?"

"That she prefers to my good Walter. She deserves a good whipping,
your angel."

"Much obliged to you, Miss Clifford; but she prefers no man to your good
Walter, though I am not worthy to tie her shoes. Why, we are devoted to
each other."

"Well, you needn't fly out at _me_. I am your friend, as you will see.
Make me your confidante. Explain, please. How can you be crossed in love
if there's no other man?"

"It's her father. He has discovered our love, and forbids her to
speak to me."

"Her father!" said Julia, contemptuously. "Is that all? _That_ for her
father! You shall have her in spite of fifty fathers. If it had been a
lover, now."

"I should have talked to him, not to you," said Walter, with his
eyes flashing.

"Be quiet, Walter; as it is not a lover, nor even a mother, you shall
have the girl; and a very sweet girl she is. Will you accept me for
your ally? Women are wiser t