"That is his look-out," laughed Adela. "My private belief is, if you care to know it, that my husband was thinking as much of Charley as of me when he took upon himself to lecture me just now. Of the consequences to Charley's vulnerable and boyish heart; though he did put it upon me and on what the world might say." "How grievously you must try your husband!" exclaimed Grace. "He's used to it." "You provoking woman! You'll never go to heaven, I should say, if only for your treatment of him. Adela, you made your vows before Heaven to love and honour him: how do you fulfil them?" "I heard the other day you had turned Methodist: Bessy Cust came in and said it. I am sorry I contradicted it," cried the provoking Adela. "You cannot set the world at defiance." "I don't mean to. As to Charley dancing attendance on me, or kissing my hand--what harm is there in it?" "That may be according to one's own notion of 'harm.' Even the most trifling approach to flirting is entirely unseemly in a married woman." "Are you quite a competent judge--not being married yourself?" rejoined Adela. "See here, Grace--if you never flirt more with any one than Charley flirts with me, you won't hurt." "I am afraid he has learnt to _love_ you, Adela." "Then more silly, he, for his pains. Why, I am oceans of years older than Charley is. He ought to think of me as his grandmother." "_Can't_ you be serious, child? I want you to see the thing in its proper--or, rather, improper--light. When it comes to a man, other than your husband, kissing you, it is time---- "Who said Charley kissed me?" retorted Adela, in a blaze of anger. "He has never done such a thing--never dared to attempt it. I said he kissed my hand sometimes--and then it has generally had a glove upon it." "Well, well, whatever the nonsense may be, you must give it up, Adela. There can be no objection on your part to doing so, as you say you do not care for Charles Cleveland." "Incorrect, Lady Grace. I do care for him; I enjoy his friendship amazingly. What I said was, that I did not love him. That would be too absurd." "Call it flirtation, don't call it friendship," wrathfully retorted Grace. "And he must be devoid of brains as a calf, to attach himself to you, if he has done it. I hope nothing of this will reach the ears of Mary or of his father. They would not believe him capable of such folly. From this hour, Adela, you must give it up." "Just what Mr. Grubb has been good enough to tell me; but 'must' is a word I do not understand," lightly rejoined Adela. "Neither you nor he will make me break off my flirtation with Charles Cleveland. I shall go into it all the more to spite you." "If I were Francis Grubb I should beat you, Adela."