intend to bring the friends whom I wish to have with me. I can only
regard your present course as the act of a thoroughly infatuated man.
You have had things all your own way thus far, and seem to have come to
regard this place as yours, and never to have counted upon any thing but
acquiescence on my part in your plans."

Wiggins fastened his solemn eyes upon her, and murmured,

"True."

"It is useless, therefore," said Edith, loftily, "for you to make any
opposition. It will only be foolish, and you will ultimately be ruined
by it."

Wiggins rose to his feet.

"It is only a waste of time," said he. "I confess you are different from
what I anticipated. You do not know. You can not understand. You are
too rash and self-confident. I can not tell you what my plans are; I
can only tell you my wishes."

Edith rose to her feet, and stood opposite, with her large eyes flaming
from her white face.

"This insolence," said she, "has lasted too long. It is you who must
obey me--not I you. You speak as though there were no such thing as
law."

"I said nothing about obedience," said Wiggins, in a mournful voice,
which, in spite of herself, affected Edith very strangely. "I spoke of