author, she intended that he should not ignore the proprieties, even
if in a sense the proprieties to which she referred did antedate the
period at which his story was to open. She was willing to appear,
but it seemed to her that Stuart Harley ought to see to it that she
was escorted to the scene of action with the ceremony due to one of
her position.

"What does he take me for?" she asked of Mrs. Corwin, indignantly, on
the eve of her departure. "Am I a mere marionette, to obey his
slightest behest, and at a moment's notice? Am I to dance when
Stuart Harley pulls the string?"

"Not at all, my dear Marguerite," said Mrs. Corwin, soothingly. "If
he thought that, he would not have selected you for his story. I
think you ought to feel highly complimented that Mr. Harley should
choose you for one of his books, and for such a conspicuous part,
too. Look at me; do I complain? Am I holding out for the
proprieties? And yet what is my situation? I'm simply dragged in by
the hair; and my poor children, instead of having a nice, noisy
Fourth of July at the sea-shore, must needs be put upon a great
floating caravansary, to suffer seasickness and the other discomforts
of ocean travel, so as to introduce a little juvenile fun into this
great work of Mr. Harley's--and yet I bow my head meekly and go.
Why? Because I feel that, inconspicuous though I shall be,
nevertheless I am highly honored that Mr. Harley should select me
from among many for the uses of his gifted pen."

"You are prepared, then," retorted Marguerite, "to place yourself
unreservedly in Mr. Harley's hands? Shall you flirt with the captain
if he thinks your doing so will add to the humorous or dramatic