"But you might not help yourself. Suppose it had been a father's or a mother's command? that anybody might come up and have you, for the finding—if they could pitch upon the right box of jewelry?"
"My father or mother would never have put such a command on me," said
Faith looking amused.
"But you may suppose anything," said the doctor leaning forward and smiling. "Suppose they had?"
"Then you must suppose me different too," said Faith laughing. "Suppose me to have been like Portia; and I should have done as she did."
The doctor shook his head and looked gravely at her.
"Are you so impracticable?"
"Was she?" said Faith.
"Then you wouldn't think it right to obey Mrs. Derrick in all circumstances?"
"Not if she was Portia's mother," said Faith.
"Suppose you had been the Prince of Arragon—which casket would you have chosen?" said Mr. Linden, as he came from his table, letter in hand.