had not wanted to stand any nonsense either. What in similar
circumstances could Farron do? Adelaide always resented his asking how
things were going, but how could he help being anxious? How could any one
rest content on a hillside who had once been blown up by a volcano?

He might not have been any more content if he had stayed to dinner at his
son-in-law's, as he had been asked to do. The Farrons were alone.
Mathilde was going to a dinner, with a dance after. She came into the
dining-room to say good night and to promise to be home early, not to
stay and dance. She was not allowed two parties on successive nights, not
because her health was anything but robust, but rather because her mother
considered her too young for such vulgar excess.

When she had gone, Farron observed:

"That child has a will of iron."

"Vincent!" said his wife. "She does everything I suggest to her."

"Her will just now is to please you in everything. Wait until she
rebels."

"But women don't rebel against the people they love. I don't have to tell
you that, do I? I never have to manoeuver the child, never have to coax
or charm her to do what I want."

He smiled at her across the table.

"You have great faith in those methods, haven't you?"