Dorothy said nothing in rebuke of Richard, and it is to be assumed that,
so flagrant an outrage left her without breath to voice her
condemnation. That she was disturbed to the heart is sure, for she went
instantly to her friend, the sibyl of the golden locks, for conference,
confidence, and consolation.

"Wasn't he wretchedly bold, Bess?" said Dorothy in an awe-stricken
whisper.

"Absolutely abandoned!" said Bess.

Then the two sat in silence for ten impressive seconds.

"Bess," remarked Dorothy tentatively, "suppose mamma were to forbid me
loving one whom I loved----" Here she broke down, aghast.

"My dear Dorothy," cried the other, surprised into deepest concern,
"your mother didn't see him kissing your fingers, did she?"

"Oh, no, Bess," said Dorothy hurriedly, "we were quite alone."

"You foolish girl," returned Bess. "You alarmed me!"

"But really, Bess," persisted Dorothy, "to put it this way: if your
mamma insisted, would you give way and marry a man you didn't love?"

"You mean Count Storri," replied Bess. "Now, Dorothy, listen to me. In
the first place, you are an arrant hypocrite. You pretend to be soft and
powerless and yielding, and to appeal to me for counsel. And all the
time you are twice as obstinate as I am, and much less likely to accept