“Well,” said Ivanhoe to Scottie, “what was it you wished to say to me?”
“Oh, I was dying of curiosity, you see, and I thought maybe you could
save my life by telling me something. I declare, something strange is
going to happen; and you must tell me what it is.”
“It would be an easy task to tell you all about it, if I knew anything
about it myself; but as I happen to know nothing, how can I tell you
anything?”
“Pshaw! You are no true knight, Sir Ivanhoe, else you would not let a
lady die of sheer curiosity, without an effort to save her. You are not
like the brave knight of Ivanhoe of Sir Walter Scott’s creation.”
“Show me an enemy who fights with steel, face to face, and then you’ll
have cause to change your mind. By the by, what discoveries have you
made about the black domino?”
“Very little, I assure you--just enough to keep me on the rack. But have
you really unearthed no secret respecting the two seedy men?”
“Just enough to keep me on the rack, too.”
“Well, aren’t you going to tell me what it is?”
“I have been setting Greek against Greek, and you know what Byron says
will happen when Greek meets Greek.”
“Oh, bother Byron and his Greeks; tell me what you know?”
“I bribed the chamber-maid and set her on the track of the seedy men.”
“And, pray, what’s the result?”
“They are sure-enough detectives; that much I have discovered through my
spy.”
“Good! What else?”
“They are shadowing some one on this boat.”
“They are doing what to some one on this boat?”
“Shadowing him.”
“Oh, is that all? You mean that they are keeping some one out of the
sunshine.”
“No, no! I mean to tell you that they have spotted their man.”
“Spotted their man! Poor fellow! what color were the spots they put on
him?”
“Ah, Scottie, I perceive that you are not posted in regard to the
peculiar language usually employed by the police department; when a
detective officer sees a man who he thinks is the one he wishes to
catch, he begins to follow and watch him, and this is called shadowing
him.”
“Ah, indeed! then what is meant by spotting their man?”
“The same thing.”
“Yes, yes, I see now; but who have they been spotting or shadowing?”
“Ingomar.”
“Goodness gracious! Is it possible?”
“It is not only possible, but it is absolutely so.”
“I declare, that is too bad! If I were a man I’d pitch ’em both
overboard, so I would. They look like a brace of sneak thieves anyhow.
What can they want with Ingomar?”
“That I don’t know; but you may be sure I’ll find out ere long, for I
have got a clever detective on their track; in other words, I have got
them spotted.”
“If a hundred witnesses were to swear that Ingomar was a criminal, I
wouldn’t believe it.”
“Don’t believe anything unless you want to, but what would you think if
it should turn out after all that Ingomar has murdered his rival in
love?”
“Oh, horrible! Don’t speak so, I beseech you!”
“Such things have happened, and why not happen again?”
“Yes, but Ingomar is not a man of that sort; I’d risk my life on it.”
“Well, now, I have told you all I know, let’s hear about the black
domino.”
“I have found out scarcely anything, except the fact that she is very
sad, and is often found weeping in her state-room. I have been watching
her closely, though she seems to avoid me as much as she can. I think
the old gentleman with the white beard is her uncle, and I heard her say
to him this morning that she could not endure it much longer.”
“Endure what much longer?”
“That was all I heard; but she was weeping as if her heart would break,
and the old gentleman tried to comfort her, and I heard him say that the
matter should be settled in some way soon.”
“What matter did he say should be settled?”
“How should I know? I have told you all I heard.”
“I’ll put my detectives on her track, too, and I’ll unravel this
business, if it takes all the money I possess. See here, Scottie, did
you know that I am dying with curiosity to know your real name?”
“Indeed, I did not.”
“Well it’s so; and why not relieve me?”
“Because the queen would be offended if I were to do it.”
“Tell me your real name, and the queen shall never know of it.”
“You shall know me when I know you, and not before.”
“Very well; that is fair, at all events, and I am content. But I see the
queen beckoning us to come to our seats to listen to Ingomar’s story.”
As soon as the maskers were seated the queen ordered Ingomar to resume.
“The next morning after Lottie had promised to be my wife, I mentioned
the subject to Doctor Dodson, as I considered it my duty to do so.
“‘I am going to be married, sir,’ said I, ‘as soon as I get my diploma.’
“‘Ah, ha, indeed! and pray who’s to be the unlucky woman that you have
resolved to render miserable for life?’
“‘I don’t intend to make any woman miserable, neither do I expect to
marry any woman.’ I said this rather sharply, as I felt a little
ruffled.
“‘Ah, ha! and you don’t mean to marry a woman, yet you say you are going
to be married. I suppose you expect to marry a wood-nymph or a fairy. I
guess you do not aspire to an angel.’
“‘That’s exactly the state of my case; it’s an angel sure enough.’
“‘When did she light on this part of the globe?’
“‘Seven years ago.’
“‘Ah, ha! here we come, you sly old rascal! I see how it is now. I have
suspected you of villainous designs against Lottie for some time, and I
see I was not mistaken; but look here, my boy, that dear girl is too
good for you; she’s worth a thousand such bundles of humanity as you;
and right here let me say a few words with the bark on them. If ever you
speak a cross word to that dear girl, or give her an unkind look, the
fact is, if you ever give her cause to regret her choice, I’ll--I’ll,
yes, I’ll, ah, ha! I’ll give you a dose of strychnine, which is
considered by the profession the most polite way of getting rid of mean
dogs; ah, ha! don’t you see, my boy?’
“He gave me a punch under the arm with his thumb. ‘Yes, ah, ha! I’ll
poison you as I would a rat or a dog, if ever you dare to cause my
little queen a moment’s pain.’
“‘I promise to swallow all the strychnine in the drug-stores if ever I
do an act willingly to give dear Lottie pain.’
“‘There! there! ah, ha! spoken like a man. Here we come; take my hand,
and my blessing with it, you rascal! Ah, ha! what a lucky scamp you are!
What on earth possessed the girl, to make her fall in love with such an
overgrown mushroom. Well, well, well! I can scarcely believe that Lottie
is in earnest; she has agreed to marry you out of pure pity, you
good-for-nothing scamp. Well, if Lottie is fool enough to marry you,
I’ll be fool enough to give her all my property in order to enable her
to support you; ah, ha! you see how it is, don’t you, my boy?’
“I was very glad to see that the good old doctor was really delighted
with the news of my engagement.
“‘Ah, ha! Eddie, here we come, my boy! go to work, go to work; you are
going to be the head of a family, you know, therefore you must have
something to support a family with.’
“‘What do you wish me to do, sir?’ I inquired.
“‘Take an inventory of these drugs, of course; ah, ha! my boy, take
stock, take stock; find out how the business stands. See how the
business stands; see what’s on hand, and mind that you don’t lose too
much time thinking about Lottie. Ah, ha! my boy, you see how it is
yourself, don’t you? Take stock, find out everything. How can a man
support a family without something to do it with? Ah, ha! my boy, tell
me how it can be done? Can’t tell? of course you can’t; neither can
I--impossible!--family can’t be supported on air, or gas--must have
bread--bread, of course. Well, how are you going to buy bread when you
have nothing to buy it with? Lottie must have bread--you know; therefore
go to work, take stock, take an inventory, then the business is half
yours; ah, ha! you see now, don’t you, Eddie, my boy? Full partner
signboard: Dodson & Demar, Druggists and physicians, etc., etc., etc.
Ah, ha! do you see, Eddie, my boy? Lottie’s a lady, you know; must have
nice clothes; must have bread; money buys bread, money buys clothes,
money buys nice home; where does the money come from? Drug-store, of
course--full partner. Ah, ha! Eddie, my boy, here we come, Dodson &
Demar; now go to work, fix things lively, let me see balance sheet with
nice figures; have everything done up in apple-pie order; think of
Lottie as much as you please, but mind you don’t take a dose of dog
poison by mistake. Do you know the reason why I like you, Eddie, my boy?
Ah, ha! of course you do; ’tis because you don’t play billiards. You
can’t play whist; you can’t play poker; you can’t play chess; you’re a
booby, that’s what you are, Eddie, my boy, ah, ha! therefore I like you.
I admire boobies, who can’t play billiards nor poker. I’m a booby
myself, you see, consequently I like ’em. Lottie likes boobies--that
accounts for her foolish love for you; she learned that from me; shows
her good sense. I told her that boobies were the best in the long run;
billiard players, poker players, chess players, perfumed pretty boys are
splendid fellows in a short race, but when it comes to long heats, they
are always left behind.’
“Doctor Dodson had the utmost contempt for idle young men, and usually
expressed his opinion in language by no means complimentary to that
class. I was highly pleased to know that I was to be admitted into the
firm as an equal partner--it would enable me to support my Lottie as a
lady in that station of life to which her accomplishments and beauty
entitled her. It was my duty to make known my engagement to Mr.
Rockland, and to ask his consent to our marriage; and this was a task
which I dreaded exceedingly; because I was not so sure that he would
sanction the union. Mr. Rockland was a first-class lawyer who had
accumulated a splendid fortune by his profession, and he was one of
those austere, cold-natured kind of men whose ambition had usurped many
of his good qualities; yet he loved Lottie with all his heart, and so
did his wife; but I had a strong suspicion that they were inclined to
encourage Mr. Heartsell in his suit for Lottie’s hand. The more I
thought the matter over, the more I dreaded to mention it to Mr.
Rockland; I had a high regard for him because he loved Lottie. He had
given her a home, a real happy home, where she had been surrounded with
all the comforts and luxuries that money could procure; he had given her
a first-class education--nay, more than that, he had educated Harry, who
was now preparing to enter the legal profession with brilliant
prospects. Mr. Rockland was always busy--in fact, he was injuring his
health by incessant labor, and I knew he would be annoyed if I should
attempt to seek an interview with him during business hours; I therefore
watched for an opportunity to speak to him when he should be passing
from his office to his residence. One evening, about three days after
Lottie had promised to marry me, I saw Mr. Rockland walking toward his
residence, with a large bundle of papers under his arm. He was looking
very pale and sad, and I felt my knees trembling as I approached him for
the purpose of speaking to him about Lottie.
“‘Are you in a great hurry, Mr. Rockland?’ I inquired timidly.
“‘Yes, Edward,’ was the solemn answer, ‘I am always in a hurry; but why
do you ask the question?’
“‘I was wanting to speak to you about a matter of great moment; but if
you are busy, I can wait.’
“‘Will it occupy much time, Edward?’
“‘No, sir.’
“‘Then walk with me to my residence, and I’ll hear what you have to
say.’
“I walked in silence by his side as he led the way to his home. Lottie
met us at the gate, and greeted Mr. Rockland with a kiss, then took my
arm.
“‘What is the matter with you, Eddie? you look as if you had been ill.’
“‘You must be mistaken, Lottie, for I never was in better health in my
life.’
“‘Come then with me into the garden; I wish to show you my new pet--it
is the prettiest one of all.’
“‘I beg you will excuse me just now; I have come to see Mr. Rockland on
a matter of importance; and he has kindly granted me an interview; when
that is attended to, I shall be more than pleased to see your pets.’
“She looked inquiringly up into my face: ‘Oh, very well, I will excuse
you on that plea. You know you men are always thinking of business.’
“I don’t think she had any idea of the nature of the business I had come
to attend to. She walked by my side till we arrived at the house; then
placing her mouth to my ear, she whispered:
“‘Don’t be long about the business--I am dying to be with you.’
“‘What’s that you are whispering to Edward about, Lottie?’ said Mr.
Rockland, with his low, solemn voice.
“‘Oh, never mind, papa! you go in and attend to your business, and don’t
be inquisitive; you are so much accustomed to cross-examining witnesses
in court that you wish to practice on me to keep from getting rusted.
You can’t pump me as you do other witnesses; so there now, go along
about your business.’ And as she finished the sentence she threw her
arms about his neck and gave him two or three kisses. ‘Now go, you dear
old darling you!’ Then she went capering off toward the garden, while
Mr. Rockland’s eyes followed her with an eager look of intense love.
“‘Ah, Mr. Demar,’ said he, as he stood and gazed at Lottie, ‘she is the
sweetest darling in the world; do you know that I love her just as much
as I could if she were my own child? She is the most extraordinary girl
I ever saw, sir; the most charming disposition; sings like a
nightingale. I have employed an eminent music teacher, and mean to bring
out her great genius. She has been taught music, but it was by ordinary
teachers; the one I have secured lately is of a different sort. The fact
of the business is, Mr. Demar, that girl has so wound herself about my
heart that it would kill me to lose her. My wife loves her dearly; but,
sir, the feeling I have for her goes beyond mere love--it is something
like idolatry--soul worship; something which one may feel, but which he
can’t describe. I mean to will all my property to Lottie; and I may be
permitted to say to you, Mr. Demar, confidentially, that it will be no
inconsiderable sum. She will be ahead of any girl in Memphis, so far as
wealth is concerned, and far beyond them in the way of accomplishments.
Be seated, Mr. Demar,’ said Mr. Rockland, at the same time taking his
seat at the table opposite to me. ‘I’ll hear you now.’
“I gasped for breath, and felt like one choking; I struggled
desperately to regain self-possession, and succeeded sooner than I
thought I should. The fact is, I became very angry at seeing the cold,
unfeeling expression that settled on Mr. Rockland’s face; and I began to
reason with myself: ‘Why should I tremble in this man’s presence? Why
should I be afraid of him? What right had he acquired that he should be
able to hold my fate in the hollow of his hand? What if he did love
Lottie--didn’t I love her more than he did? Why should I be compelled to
come as an humble suppliant to him, begging him to give Lottie to me?
What right had he to give her to anybody? How came she to be his
property? Who should dare dispute my superior claim to her?’
“‘Mr. Rockland,’ said I, ‘Lottie has promised to be my wife, and I
thought perhaps it was proper to tell you of it.’ I did not ask his
consent, which it was really my duty to do; but, as I have said, I was
angry at the austerity and coldness of his manner, and tried to assume
an independence which I now think was wrong. Mr. Rockland made a grab at
a chancery bill that lay near him, and commenced turning over the pages
as if he were looking in it for an answer to my words. I thought I saw a
slight tremulousness in his hand as he held the paper, while his face
turned a shade paler.
“‘It was very imprudent in Lottie, to say the least of it, and I must
say, Mr. Demar, that common courtesy should have induced you to mention
the matter to me before saying anything to Lottie. She is young and
inexperienced--much too young to think of matrimony.’
“‘I will wait, sir, until she is old enough,’ said I.
“Mr. Rockland patted the floor with his boot-heel, and tapped the table
with the chancery bill, and I thought he was viewing me with contempt.
The blood burned in my cheeks, and doubtless made them very red; he
remained silent for some time, as if undecided as to what he should say
next; at length he struck the table a sharp blow with the bill and said:
“‘Lottie is not my daughter, Mr. Demar; but she has been placed under my
protection, and I consider it to be my duty to act in this matter as if
she were my own child. Doubtless she imagines that she is in love with
you; young girls of her age always act foolishly, no doubt; but I
suppose it to be a mere childish fancy, and not, as you imagine, a real
love affair. Therefore, you will pardon me for suggesting the propriety
of canceling what you are pleased to call an engagement, leaving her
free to act as her best judgment may dictate when she arrives at an age
that will enable her to view things from a more matured standpoint.’
“‘If Lottie wishes to cancel the engagement, Mr. Rockland, it may be
done. But, sir, I think you are mistaken when you conclude that her love
for me is a mere girlish fancy. We have loved each other for many years,
and I assure you it is no common love either.’
“‘No doubt you think so, Mr. Demar; and your confidence in that respect
may help us to arrive at a proper understanding. If (as you think) she
really loves you with such a true devotion, you certainly will not
object to allowing the engagement to be canceled, with the understanding
that it may be remade when Lottie shall arrive at the age of twenty-one,
provided she then may wish it.’
“‘I can only repeat what I have said before, Mr. Rockland; if Lottie
wishes to be released, by all means let it be done; otherwise, I must
beg you to let the engagement remain undisturbed. But, sir, I am willing
that the marriage may be postponed until I shall have obtained my
diploma, and settled down to work in my profession; meantime understand
me, sir; if at any time Lottie shall intimate a wish to be released from
her engagement, I promise to raise no objections.’
“‘Very well, sir; if such is your decision I must acquiesce, of course;
therefore, you must promise not to mention the matter to Lottie any more
until I shall have interviewed her on the subject.’
“‘Certainly, I give you the promise most cheerfully.’
“‘You must promise further than that, Mr. Demar; you must pledge your
honor not to speak to Lottie at all until I have had a talk with her.
She is in the garden now. You will return to your place of business, and
allow me to make your excuse for leaving without seeing her.’
“I hesitated, because my suspicions were roused. I did not like the
cold, iron look that appeared on his face, nor the evasive expression
of his piercing dark eyes. I was afraid he intended to make Lottie
believe it was my wish that the marriage engagement should be broken
off--else why was he so anxious for me to go away without seeing her?
Noticing my hesitation, he evidently divined the cause, for he said:
“‘Oh, you need not fear to make the promise, Mr. Demar; I will do
everything openly and above board. I shall, of course, endeavor to
convince Lottie of the great error she has committed. No dishonorable
means shall be resorted to. I shall say nothing to her behind your back
that I would not say to your face; but I only wish to have a talk with
her alone, when she is not influenced by your presence; that’s all, I
assure you, Mr. Demar.’
“‘You will not try to make her believe that I wish the engagement
broken?’
“‘Certainly not; how could I do that when I know you don’t wish anything
of the sort?’
“His frank, candid manner re-assured me, and I made the promise, and
immediately took my leave. As I passed out through the gate Lottie saw
me, and called me to come to her. I shook my head and passed on.
Notwithstanding the distance that lay between us, I could plainly see
the look of astonishment that overspread her beautiful face. She had
started to meet me, almost in a run, but when she perceived that I was
avoiding her she came to a sudden halt, and the little basket she held
in her hand instantly fell to the ground, scattering the flowers round
her feet, while she appeared to be struck dumb with wonder. What could I
do? Had I not given my most solemn promise not to speak to her until Mr.
Rockland could have an interview with her? When I saw the painful
expression of her dear face I wheeled round and started toward her; then
recollecting the promise I had made, I hastened away. I began to snuff
danger in the breeze.
“Mr. Rockland was an honorable man--so were Cæsar’s assassins all
honorable men. Mr. Rockland thought it was his duty to prevent the
marriage between Lottie and me--the lean and hungry Cassius thought it
was his duty to kill Cæsar. Mr. Rockland did not think of this poor
heart of mine, or care how it would wither and die if he took Lottie
from me--Brutus did not think or care for the heart of his friend, as he
plucked away the bloody blade from Cæsar’s heart. If Mr. Rockland
thought it was his duty to have the engagement broken off, I felt
certain that he would leave no means unused which would tend to
accomplish it. I thought then, and think yet, he was really an honest,
conscientious man; but what will a man not do in order to gain his
object, when he feels that in doing it he is performing his duty? More
cruelties have been committed by men while doing what they believed to
be their duty than ever were committed wantonly. I suppose that
Jeffries, the bloody tool of a tyrant, thought he was performing his
duty as an impartial judge when he was making all the air of England
shriek with the cries of dying victims.
“I left Mr. Rockland in his library. He rang a little bell, which was
answered by a servant.
“‘Tell Lottie I wish to see her in my library immediately.’
“In a few moments she came in with an inquiring look on her face.
“‘What is it, papa? Tell me quick--I am in a great hurry.’ She had come
up behind his chair, and was running her fingers through his gray hair,
every now and then pressing a kiss on his brow.
“‘Oh, you dear old darling! why don’t you commence? can’t you see I am
all attention? What made you let Eddie run off like a thief? Don’t you
think when I called him back he shook his shaggy head and refused to
come! Now, papa dear, what have you been doing to my Eddie?’
“‘How came he to be your Eddie?’
“‘Because he loves me, and I love him; now the cat’s out of the bag.’
“‘Nonsense, child! I implore you not to talk so foolishly.’
“‘No nonsense about it at all; pray where does the foolish part come in?
Is it wrong, papa, to love such a dear fellow as my Eddie?’
“‘It was wrong for a girl of your age to enter into an engagement
without consulting any one; and that was what I wished to speak to you
about.’
“‘Oh, indeed! was it? Now, you dear old darling, you aren’t going to
scold me about it, are you? No, of course you won’t; if you do, I’ll
make your tea as weak as water, and I’ll put pepper in your toast till
it shall burn you up, indeed I will!’
“‘I couldn’t have the heart to scold my darling!’
“As Mr. Rockland said this he threw his arms round her waist and drew
her to his heart, covering her brow with a kiss. Mr. Rockland was
vanquished; her charms were irresistible; and the great lawyer, with
nerves of steel and an iron will, who could brow-beat witnesses,
intimidate judges and over-ride facts, found himself confounded,
vanquished and helpless--all done by a pretty face and two large, dreamy
blue eyes. The truth of the matter is, Mr. Rockland loved Lottie so
devotedly that he was unable to withstand her displeasure.
“‘Take a seat, Lottie,’ he said, ‘and let us come to an understanding in
this business at once; sit down, and we will talk the matter over
dispassionately, like sensible people.’
“Lottie took a chair on the opposite side of the table, and fixing her
beautiful eyes on him, said:
“‘I’ll hear what you have to say, papa.’
“The man of iron returned the gaze with a cold, calm look. After a long
silence he said:
“‘Lottie, my dear child, you know I love you as I love life. The only
aim I have is to promote your happiness; and I demand of you permission
to cancel this foolish engagement which you have so imprudently entered
into with Edward Demar. Have I your permission to cancel it?’
“‘Only on condition that Eddie wishes it to be canceled.’
“‘Mr. Demar did not say he wished the engagement canceled; but he agreed
that it should be done if you were willing, and authorized me to say as
much to you.’
“The blood left her cheeks for a moment, then came back with a
tremendous rush, yet she managed to keep calm.
“‘Send for Eddie now, papa, and let me hear him say he is willing to
annul our engagement.’
“‘That is unnecessary, Lottie; you have my word that such is his wish,
and you know me too well to suspect me of prevarication; again I
command you to break off this most absurd and imprudent engagement; will
you, or will you not, do it? I demand an answer, yes or no?’
“Lottie’s bosom rose and fell with unusual emotion, while her eyes were
fixed on Mr. Rockland.
“‘Yes or no, Lottie?’ again demanded the man of iron.
“‘Dear, dear papa, for Heaven’s sake don’t ask me to be false to the man
I love! I’ll not marry him until he returns from Philadelphia; by that
time I will be better able to make you a sensible answer, but I beseech
you not to press me so now; you know how I love you--you know how much I
appreciate your kindness to me; listen, therefore, to my entreaty--grant
me time for reflection.’
“‘Not another moment will I give you to make an answer to such a
sensible request; any girl whose judgment was not choked with a foolish
infatuation would be able to answer such a reasonable demand without a
moment’s reflection. Do you wish to tie yourself to a man who is anxious
to get rid of you?’
“‘No, no! a thousand times, no, papa; and no one knows this better than
you.’
“‘Then, Lottie, for the last time, I demand authority from you to cancel
this foolish engagement; will you, or will you not, give it?’
“‘Not unless Eddie wishes it,’ was the calm reply.
“At last the man of iron lost his temper:
“‘Then, Miss Wallingford, you will oblige me by seeking a home
elsewhere.’
“‘Oh, papa, dear, darling papa! please unsay those cruel words! I am not
afraid of hardships; neither am I afraid of poverty, but it is your
displeasure that I dread more than all. I love you truly, earnestly,
devotedly, as much as any child ever loved a parent. Oh, papa, revoke
those cruel words!’
“‘Leave me, leave me!’ thundered the lawyer, as he pushed Lottie away
from him rather roughly. She retreated to the farther end of the room
and stared at Mr. Rockland with astonishment, while a mysterious change
came over her. She approached the table, took a seat, and hastily penned
a note to Edward Demar:
“‘DEAR EDDIE--Come to me as quickly as you can. I wish to consult
you on important business. Yours,
“‘LOTTIE.’
“Then she touched a little silver bell that lay on the table and a
man-servant bowed himself in at the door.
“‘Did you ring, miss?’ inquired the servant.
“‘Take this note to Mr. Edward Demar without delay; you’ll find him at
Doctor Dodson’s drug-store. Tell Burley to come to me instantly.’
“‘The man servant had scarcely passed the veranda when Burley, a mulatto
woman, appeared at the door.
“‘Did you send for me, miss?’
“‘Pack my clothes in the large trunk, Burley; then get Archie to help
you bring it down; set the trunk on the front portico; tell Archie to
put my parrot in his cage, and to bring all my pets and place them by my
trunk. Tell him to tie a string round old Bob’s neck, so I can lead the
poor blind friend along while I am seeking a new home. Old Bob and I
have been tramps many days together, and we’ll not part now.’
“‘Oh, Lottie, my darling, come to your old cruel papa’s arms! I give
up--I surrender--I take back all I have said. Marry Eddie if you will,
but don’t leave me--I can’t live without you; you shall have your own
way in everything.’
“Lottie, of course, went into Mr. Rockland’s arms, and covered his brow
with kisses. That was what I call a triumph of woman’s rights. Here was
a lawyer who commanded money, influenced courts, directed banks,
intimidated witnesses, cleared guilty clients, compelled judges to bow
to his great talent; and then in comes a weak little girl and rules him,
the same as a raw recruit is ruled, by the commanding general. She bids
him go, and he goes--she commands him to come, and he comes. Talk about
woman’s rights! What on earth do women want with any more rights than
they have? They have complete control of the world--because they control
man, and through him the world.”
“There is the gong for lunch,” observed the queen, “and you may suspend
until it is over. It is our wish, though, that our friends re-assemble
here immediately after luncheon, to hear more of the story.”