brain.

"Give me that letter this minute, Stella," he said in an almost
inarticulate voice through the keyhole, he was so shaken with
passion. "Open the door and let Martha hand it to me. You are
disgracing us all."

"It is you who are doing that, Eustace," Stella said from beyond
the panel, lifting the slide that her voice might be heard
distinctly. "You have no authority over me at all. I told Aunt
Caroline I did not intend to continue my engagement with you--but
even if I had not decided to break it off, this conduct of yours
would now be sufficient reason. How dare you all treat me as
though I were a naughty child or insane!"

"Because you are both," Mr. Medlicott returned, "and must be
controlled and compelled into a proper behavior."

Stella was silent--she would not be so undignified as to parley
further. She got back into bed, taking not the slightest notice of
the maid, and then proceeded to read her letter.

Her lover had explained in it the situation and advised her to
dress at once, and then if menaced in any way to ring the bell.
Ivan would be waiting outside to obey her slightest orders, and to
warn his master if any fresh moves were made, so that when the
waiter or chambermaid came in answer to her summons she might be
sure of extra help at hand. Then she was to walk out and down into
the hall, where he, Sasha, would be watching for her and ready to
take her to the Excelsior Hotel, where that same evening would