"You were wrong, then. I have known Marian, and—liked her; but I think no human being can answer for another's likes and dislikes."
"Perhaps so." She looks down thoughtfully. "When is your mother coming?"
"To-morrow. I shall run up to town and meet her, and bring her on."
"You will be back to-morrow night?"
"Well, she seems to think so; but I expect she will be tired, and stay in town until next morning. In the meantime," smiling at her, "I leave the house and the guests and everything in your charge."
"How delightful!" cries Tita, clapping her hands.
Rylton turns away.
CHAPTER IV.
HOW TITA'S SOUL AT LAST IS STIRRED; AND HOW HER HAPPINESS IS THREATENED AND HERSELF SET AT NAUGHT; AND HOW MINNIE HESCOTT SPEAKS.
"Such a day to go out on the lake!" says Mrs. Bethune, with a contemptuous curve of her lip. "Really, that old woman must be as mad as she is disagreeable."