“But you must likewise obey my commands—however hard they may seem,” said Emmeline.

“I will cheerfully obey them all,” he replied.

“Then the first injunction I lay upon you is to become immediately reconciled to your stepmother.”

“Ah!” he exclaimed.

“Do you refuse?”

“No,” he replied. “You could not have imposed a harder condition. Nevertheless, I will obey you.”

“In all sincerity?”

“I promise to forgive her—if I can. At any rate, I will manifest no more resentment.”

“But accept your allowance like a rational being,” said Mildred.

“Yes; Sir Bridgnorth and Mr. Carteret have argued me out of my scruples.”