'Mr. Hay, the cool effrontery you display in sitting quietly smiling--don't try to hide it, sir!--while the woman you profess to love throws to the winds all respect for herself and her betters, actually and openly defying her aunt----' Muriel had risen, and was approaching the bell-pull. Her hand was almost on it, when her aunt, with surprising agility, intercepted her. 'Not while I live!' she cried, almost hysterically. Frank rose, and began, 'I shall not----' 'You shall!' cried Muriel. 'Leave the room, Muriel!' said Miss Jane, collecting her dignity, and posing again as a tower. Muriel's hand slipped back to her pocket, and she looked straight into her aunt's eyes. Once more she changed her purpose, and left the room with a smile, and an airy nod to Frank. 'Did that girl wink just now, sir?' said Miss Jane. 'I didn't observe.' The excited lady pulled a chair before Frank, and sat down opposite him. 'Mr. Hay,' she said, 'I wish to be reasonable. I know myself what it is to be young. Indeed, putting other circumstances aside, I can almost sympathise with you in your infatuation for Muriel. She is really a very good-looking girl; but this scene must have convinced you that her nature is wholly unregenerate, and I hope----' What she hoped can only be guessed, for Muriel re-entered the room. Miss Jane rose, this time in cathedral-like grandeur. Alas! she was a very weak-tempered woman. The cathedral brought forth a cat. 'What brings you back?' she cried. 'You are a disgrace to your sex: you are no lady; you are a shameless minx!' Muriel came close to her, her hand clutched in her pocket. 'Aunt,' she said, 'you are carrying this a little too far. Did you really suppose that I had gone at your command?' 'I certainly did; and I repeat it. Go!' 'When I leave this room, Frank goes with me. Supper will be served in a minute for him and me in my sitting-room.' 'Is it you or I that's dreaming, girl?' 'You have been dreaming, but you're wakening now. You thought you could mistress me; you can't.' 'If I can't mistress yon, as you vulgarly say, we'll see whom the servants will obey.' Miss Jane rang the bell violently. Muriel's hand was again half-out of her pocket, but a whimsical expression came over her face, and she returned it. 'They shan't get the chance of disobeying you,' she said, going out of the room and holding the door shut. Her aunt tried to pull it open, but did not prosecute her attempt. It was too like a school-girl. She appealed to Frank tacitly. He shook his head. To tell the truth, the young man enjoyed it rather than not. Shortly, a housemaid's voice was heard saying, 'Supper's just ready, Miss Muriel.' The answer came, 'Very well; that's all,' and Muriel re-entered. She put her back against the door in a blaze of triumph, and said mock-heroically, 'No one shall leave this room till supper's served.'