The Point of View

An ideal one for lovers, and not at all the atmosphere for anger and strife. But these facts did

eeded to make havoc with the peace of the Reverend Canon and Mrs. Ebley. He sent up an urgent summons that they w

s distinctive appellation in her mind from "that dreadful man," but she had felt it more prudent not to comment upon her apprehensions to her n

with grave faces and too

version of the hated foreigner's communications. They were duly horrified and surprised and then Mrs. Eb

to the Thermes Museum with Martha, whom you know has proved by twenty-five years of faithful service that she can be completely trusted, ther

d listen to no more until Stella is here to defend hers

n was dispatched. Then the three somewhat uncomfortably tried to exc

be still in bed, at half past nine in the morning! The child must be ill!-or it was distinct rebellion. Mrs. Ebley prepared

e, "I have not my glasses with me, I came do

t, so they were obliged to enlist

ve of his body stiffened with renewed anger. And it is to

or the honor of an interview at whatever time would be most agreeable to C

icott said vehemently. "It is far better that we should al

uite ignorant of this foreigner's ravings, then there will be no necessity to alter our trip-we can m

, it made her feel as bold as a young lioness and ready to brave any attack. That her aunt had not been to see why she was

Aunt Caroline's voice saying sternly. "It

or and bounded back again, and a figure of

ice. "It is otherwise very strange that you should not

ry tired, and as I was making up my mind what I should say in my letter to Eusta

her knees tremble. It was true then-something had been going on under her very eyes and sh

soon as she could steady her voice. "But you cannot poss

have loved him; it was only because I thought it would please you and Uncle Erasmus that I ever became engaged to him,

id icily. "You cannot deceive me. You have been led astray, gir

remembered her lover's counsel to have no arguments whatsoe

one years old now and surely can judge for myself whether or no I wish to marry a man-an

trified with ange

who was presented to us at the Embassy, insulted him greatly, and told him that you had agreed to marry him as soon as Eustace should set you free! I almos

ything about Count Roumovski at present. Please believe me that I do not wish to annoy you, dear Aunt Carolin

tful and gentle, but perfectly firm. Mrs. Ebley could not get her to tell her anything about her acquaintance with this dreadful foreigner. Sh

the awful suspicions I have about this Russian, you will lay up for yourself a lifelong regret in

ncle Erasmus' and your consent to his marrying me-then I will tell you everything about him,-but now I do not wish to. Please

further words; their points

with anyone whatever until I can consult with your uncle and Eustace as to what is the

ind to her in a hard, cold way, and she was deeply grieved at their estrangement, but

the door firmly after her. And a few minutes afterward Martha was let in by the

her lover's note touch her and like a magic wand a thrill of comfort rushed through her. After all, he would settle things for her-and meanwhile she would clos

movski the night before. He was not a very accurate person and apt to color everything with his own prejudice, so Canon Ebley did not obtain a very clear idea of the Russian's arguments. They seemed to him to be very unorthod

we could go back to England immediately, for until our niece is yo

e Aunt Caroline entered the room and gradually disclosed the

and Stella shall be kept locked in her room until we can leave Rome," Mrs. Ebley said ste

e has been able to see this Russian. It is impossible that the present s

room, Count Roumovski entered it serenely and, comin

, addressing Canon Ebley, "but, as I have had no repl

nce before either of the others could speak. "I have informed Canon and Mrs. Ebley o

d his shoulders to the irate junior chaplain and looked Canon Ebley straight in the face. "I am here to ask for the hand of

if this person annoys us further we can complain to the manager of the hotel," then,

my request otherwise, but it is, after all, quite immaterial. I will wish you a good-day," and he bowed again as Canon Ebley an

le and direct. He had done what he considered was necessary in the affair, he had behaved with perfect openness and honor in his demand, and if the

and discomfited late betrothed evidently keeping watch and ward. Count Roumovski did not hesitate a second; he advanced to the door and knock

e occupant of the room to hear, and then he stood still for a second, as both men heard Stella jump from he

voice say haughtily, and then she called out, "Sasha

who stood as a spread-eagle in front of the d

liate in any way. He would bring scandal upon them all if waiters and other guests saw him guarding Miss Rawson's actual door,

iculate voice through the keyhole, he was so shaken with passion. "Op

u have no authority over me at all. I told Aunt Caroline I did not intend to continue my engagement with you-but even if I had not decided

t returned, "and must be controlled

ley further. She got back into bed, taking not the slightes

aiter or chambermaid came in answer to her summons she might be sure of extra help at hand. Then she was to walk out and down into the hall, where he, Sasha, would be watching for her and ready to take her to the Excelsior Hotel, where that same evening woul

, Stella got up and told Ma

woman answered sullenly. "I do wonder what has come over every

rself, and then sat down to read again the lette

ed no fault except the very human one of desiring to be the arbiter of her own fate, she

e in silence, until Stella suddenly burst into a merry peal of laughter, it was so grotesquel

u laugh, you old goose! and to think how sorry you will be, you were so horrid, when I

ersation with you, Miss," Martha said,

lt too upset to go down to the restaurant, so the two clergymen were there alone, and glanced wrathfully at the imperturbable face of Count Roumovski seate

ould leave the Grand and take the five o'clock tr

f been laboriously pa

and orders were whis

s letter slide to pack

n

almly bade him enter, which, of course, he was able to do with his key, and she told him in French, which Martha did not understand, to send the porters there immediately, and have her luggage consigned to the care of the servant who wo

before them," Stella t

on in ragefu

up and take the trunk

n give them what ord

artha said to the porters! So she calmly sat down by the window and folded her hands, while the elderly maid fumed with the uncertainty of what she ought to do. And in a few moments the men appear

m, and then there was silence for a while; and Stella half-dozed in her chair, it w

peared. Her face was grim. Had Stella been an outcast in

aid, "we are ready to go to the station. I will

door, which she threw open, and, like a fawn, rushed down the passage toward the staircase entrance side of the hot

t one astonished page, and arrived in the outer

rough the door of the hall

to be lost," she said

he whispered hurriedly in return. "The automobile i

or overcame her, making her cold. What lay in front of her? What new fate?-and then joy and life came back. She was going to freedom and love-away from Exminster a

f sight, she was obliged to retrace her steps and rejoin her husband and Mr. Medlicott, who were awaiting

"passed me without a word, and I suppose has gone down t

with a most unsaintly exclamation, hastened off by that staircase and arrived in the h

ss of the numbers of people b

on?" he asked furiously. "She has

a good-day, as I have an appointment," with which he rose quietly before the other could prevent him, and crossed the broad path of carpet whi

and hurried into the front vestibule, where

hastened. And the frantic young man rushed from the door, through the porte cochere, and so to the street, but all he saw in the

urn to the Ebleys, and with them go to the Embassy. There they cou

a Bishop's junior chaplain to be pl