"But it is not my intention to trouble you with matters that concern
me alone," he pursued, without varying his intonations. "As I
anticipated, Mr. Chilton declines explaining the ugly story relative
to his eariier career of dissipation and deceit, which I forwarded
to you. He indulges, instead, in a tirade of personal abuse touching
my right to control you, declaring his purpose to pursue you with
letters and attentions until he shall be discarded by yourself. We
will not stay to discuss the gentlemanliness and delicacy of his
behavior in this regard. I merely declare, that, having had a fair
opportunity of honest confession or denial of statements detrimental
to his principles and pursuits, and having shirked both, he has
placed himself outside the pale of respectful consideration. Has he
written to you since his receipt of my letter?"

"No!"

Mabel was staring at a figure in the carpet, on a line with her
feet. Had she regarded her brother never so attentively, she would
have detected no change in his countenance. He did not prepare
questions without also studying how to deliver them.

"I am glad he has the moral decency to forbear carrying out his
threat of persecution."

He could say it with the greater hardihood in the remembrance that
the "persecution" had been attempted.

"I wish he had written!" rejoined Mabel, abruptly, but without
passion. "He was right to protest against accepting his dismissal
from any other than myself."