‘But his way is such a good way,’ said Sir Marmaduke.  ’He will be such a good guide for the girls!’

‘But Emily likes her way too,’ said Lady Rowley.

Sir Marmaduke argued the matter no further, but thought, no doubt, that such a husband as Louis Trevelyan was entitled to have his own way.  He probably had not observed his daughter’s temper so accurately as his wife had done.  With eight of them coming up around him, how should he have observed their tempers?  At any rate, if there were anything amiss with Emily’s temper, it would be well that she should find her master in such a husband as Louis Trevelyan.

For nearly two years the little household in Curzon Street went on well, or if anything was the matter no one outside of the little household was aware of it.  And there was a baby, a boy, a young Louis, and a baby in such a household is apt to make things go sweetly.

The marriage had taken place in July, and after the wedding tour there had been a winter and a spring in London; and then they passed a month or two at the sea-side, after which the baby had been born.  And then there came another winter and another spring.  Nora Rowley was with them in London, and by this time Mr Trevelyan had begun to think that he should like to have his own way completely.  His baby was very nice, and his wife was clever, pretty, and attractive.  Nora was all that an unmarried sister should be.  But but there had come to be trouble and bitter words.  Lady Rowley had been right when she said that her daughter Emily also liked to have her own way.

‘If I am suspected,’ said Mrs Trevelyan to her sister one morning, as they sat together in the little back drawing-room, ’life will not be worth having.’

‘How can you talk of being suspected, Emily?’

’What does he mean then by saying that he would rather not have Colonel Osborne here?  A man older than my own father, who has known me since I was a baby!’

’He didn’t mean anything of that kind, Emily.  You know he did not, and you should not say so.  It would be too horrible to think of.’

’It was a great deal too horrible to be spoken, I know.  If he does not beg my pardon, I shall I shall continue to live with him, of course, as a sort of upper servant, because of baby.  But he shall know what I think and feel.’

‘If I were you I would forget it.’

’How can I forget it?  Nothing that I can do pleases him.  He is civil and kind to you because he is not your master; but you don’t know what things he says to me.  Am I to tell Colonel Osborne not to come?  Heavens and earth!  How should I ever hold up my head again if I were driven to do that?  He will be here today I have no doubt; and Louis will sit there below in the library, and hear his step, and will not come up.’

‘Tell Richard to say you are not at home.’

’Yes; and everybody will understand why.  And for what am I to deny myself in that way to the best and oldest friend I have?  If any such orders are to be given, let him give them and then see what will come of it.’