ay that he had
fallen like a man.

About eleven his daughter came to him as he sat in the study. It can
hardly be said that he had ever been kind to Marie, but perhaps she
was the only person who in the whole course of his career had received
indulgence at his hands. He had often beaten her; but he had also
often made her presents and smiled on her, and in the periods of his
opulence, had allowed her pocket-money almost without limit. Now she
had not only disobeyed him, but by most perverse obstinacy on her part
had driven him to acts of forgery which had already been detected. He
had cause to be angry now with Marie if he had ever had cause for
anger. But he had almost forgotten the transaction. He had at any rate
forgotten the violence of his own feelings at the time of its
occurrence. He was no longer anxious that the release should be made,
and therefore no longer angry with her for her refusal.

'Papa,' she said, coming very gently into the room, 'I think that
perhaps I was wrong yesterday.'

'Of course you were wrong;--but it doesn't matter now.'

'If you wish it I'll sign those papers. I don't suppose Lord
Nidderdale means to come any more;--and I'm sure I don't care whether
he does or not.'

'What makes you think that, Marie?'

'I was out last night at Lady Julia Goldsheiner's, and he was there.
I'm sure he doesn't mean to come here any more.'

'Was he uncivil to you?'

'Oh dear no. He's never uncivil. But I'm sure of it. Never mind how. I
never told him that I cared for him and I never did care for him.
Papa, is there something going to happen?'

'What do you mean?'

'Some misfortune! Oh, papa, why didn't you let me marry that other
man?'

'He is a penniless adventurer.'

'But he would have had this money that I call my money, and then there
would have been enough for us all. Papa, he would marry me still if
you would let him.'

'Have you seen him since you went to Liverpool?'

'Never, papa.'

'Or heard from him?'

'Not a line.'

'Then what makes you think he would marry you?'

'He would if I got hold of him and told him. And he is a baronet. And
there would be plenty of money for us all. And we could go and live in
Germany.'

'We could do that just as well without your marrying.'

'But I suppose, papa, I am to be considered as somebody. I don't want
after all to run away from London, just as if everybody had turned up
their noses at me. I like him, and I don't like anybody else.'