stay with the Hallidays next week, when all of a sudden Newport came
into my mind, and it has been struggling there with Riverdale for two
hours--until I almost began to believe somebody was trying to compel
me to go to Newport. If it is your idea, and has been all along,
I'll go; but if Stuart Harley is trying to get me down there for
literary purposes, I simply shall not do it."

"You had better dismiss that idea from your mind at once, my dear,"
said Mrs. Willard. "Mr. Harley never compels. No compulsion is the
corner-stone of his literary structure; free will is his creed: you
may count on that. If he means to make you his heroine still, it
will be at Newport if you are at Newport, at Riverdale if you happen
to be at Riverdale. Do come with me, even if he does impress you as
endeavoring to force you; for at Newport I shall be your chaperon,
and I should dearly love to be put in a book--with you. Bob has
asked Jack Perkins down, and Mrs. Howlett writes me that Count
Bonetti, of Naples, is there, and is a really delightful fellow. We
shall have--"

"You simply confirm my fears," interrupted Marguerite. "You are to
be Harley's chaperon, Professor Perkins is his hero, and Count
Bonetti is the villain--"

"Why, Marguerite, how you talk!" cried Mrs. Willard. "Do you exist
merely in Stuart Harley's brain? Do I? Are we none of us living
creatures to do as we will? Are we nothing more than materials
pigeon-holed for Mr. Harley's future use? Has Count Bonetti crossed
the ocean just to please Mr. Harley?"

"I don't know what I believe," said Miss Andrews, "and I don't care