"I think we can be ready by to-morrow evening."

"Are you a woman, that you can thus try to sacrifice the motherless
girl committed to your charge?"

"So far from sacrificing you, I am trying to further your best
interests, and at the same time carrying out the wishes of my
husband and your guardian. These are solemn times, in which you need
every safeguard and protection. We should be faithless, indeed, to
our trust did we not give a brave soldier the best right in the
world to shield and care for you."

"Bah!" cried the girl, now almost furious. "Where's uncle?"

"In his office, I suppose."

Whately had preceded her thither, and had already made known to Mr.
Baron the nature of his interview with his cousin, adding: "Our best
policy will be just to take our course as a matter of course, in a
genial, friendly way. We certainly are the girl's best friends, and
it won't be long before she acknowledges the fact. All we do is to
secure her safety, welfare and happiness. She will be as skittish as
a blooded filly over it all at first--a feature in the case which
only increases my admiration and affection. She doesn't and can't
realize the need of the step, how it's best for all concerned in
general and herself in particular. The thing to do, therefore, is to
go right straight along. Mother will be here this evening, and will
do much toward talking her into it. Lou's anger and revolt will
probably be well over by to-morrow, and all--"