"I insist. What did you say her name is? Stephanie? Then her name is to remain Stephanie Quest."
"If you insist——"
"I do! And that's flat! And you need not settle an income on her——"
"I shall do so," he interrupted firmly. "I have ample means to provide for the future of anybody dependent on me, Madame."
"Do you presume to dictate to me what I shall do concerning my own will?" she demanded; and her belligerent eyes fairly snapped at him.
"Do what you like, Madame, but it isn't necessary to——"
"Don't instruct me, Mr. Cleland!"
"Very well, Madame——"
"I shall do as I always have done, and that is exactly as I please," she said, glancing at him. "And if I choose to provide for the child in my will, I shall do so without requesting your opinion. Pray understand me, Mr. Cleland. If I let you have her it is only because I am self-distrustful. I failed with Harry Quest. I have not sufficient confidence in myself to risk failure with his daughter.
"Let the matter stand this way until I can consult my attorney and investigate the entire affair. Take her into your home. But remember that she is to bear her own name; that the legal guardianship shall be shared by you and me; that I am to see her when I choose, take her when I choose.... Probably I shall not choose to do so. All the same, I retain my liberty of action."