_Constance._--"Why, don't you know? Several times after I had been surprised that he didn't like this thing, and hadn't that habit and the other, he noticed it, and pretended that it was an attempt at mind-reading, and then all at once he turned and said I must try once more, and he asked, 'Do I like smoking?' and I said instantly, 'Oh, yes!' Why, it was like having a whole tobacconist's shop in the same room with you from the moment he came in; and of course he understood what I meant, and blushed, and then felt for his handkerchief, and pulled it out, and discharged a perfect volley of pipes and tobacco, that seemed to be tangled up in it, all over the floor, and then I began to laugh--so silly, so disgusting; so perfectly flat! and I thought I should _die_, it was so ridiculous! and-- Oh, dear, I'm beginning again!" She hides her face in her handkerchief and leans her head on the back of the sofa: "Say something, _do_ something to stop me, mother!" She stretches an imploring left hand toward the elder lady, who still remains apparently but half convinced of any reason for mirth, when General Wyatt, hastily entering, pauses in abrupt irresolution at the spectacle of Constance's passion. IV. GENERAL WYATT, CONSTANCE, _and_ MRS. WYATT. _Constance._--"_Oh_, ha, ha, ha! Oh, _ha_, ha, ha, ha!" _General Wyatt._--"Margaret! Constance!" At the sound of his voice, Constance starts up with a little cry, and stiffens into an attitude of ungracious silence, without looking at her father, who turns with an expression of pain toward her mother. _Mrs. Wyatt._--"Yes, James. We were laughing at something Constance had been telling me about Mr. Bartlett. Tell your father, Constance." _Constance_, coldly, while she draws through her hand the handkerchief which she has been pressing to her eyes.--"I don't think it would amuse papa." She passes her hand across her lap, and does not lift her heavy eye-lashes. _Mrs. Wyatt_, caressingly.--"Oh, yes, it would; I'm sure it would." _Constance._--"You can tell it then, mamma." _Mrs. Wyatt._--"No; you, my dear. You tell it so funnily; and"--in a lower tone--"it's so long since your father heard you laugh." _Constance._--"There was nothing funny in it. It was disgusting. I was laughing from nervousness." _Mrs. Wyatt._--"Why, Constance"-- _General Wyatt._--"Never mind, Margaret. Another time will do." He chooses to ignore the coldness of his daughter's bearing toward himself. "I came to see if Constance were not strong enough to go out on the lake this morning. The boats are very good, and the air is so fine that I think she'll be the better for it. Mr. Bartlett is going out to the island to sketch, and"-- _Constance._--"I don't care to go." _Mrs. Wyatt._--"Do go, my daughter! I know it will do you good." _Constance._--"I am not strong enough." _Mrs. Wyatt._--"But you said you were better, just now; and you should yield to to your father's judgment." _Constance._--"I will do whatever papa bids me."