"Well, you English are the closest-mouthed people. They’ve had a row. Haven’t you any curiosity to know how it ended?" "I’m burning to find out," answered Lord Stafford, calmly. "There’s nothing burning about you—except your cigar," said Mrs. Bunker, contemptuously, "and that’s going out." "So it is—thank you." "Let me hold the match, your hand is trembling, mine is as firm as a rock." "Ah, I’m getting on—but you have discovered the secret of eternal youth." "We had a time getting her home," said Mrs. Bunker, in a low voice, ignoring this last remark. "Do you think her mother and father had any influence with her? Not a bit. Grandma Chazy did it. I sent the poor, deluded parents to bed, and I put on a wrapper and fussed about my room, while she sat by herself in the parlor, working herself up into a rage about her husband’s tyranny, and rushing to the window, every time a cab passed, to see if he was coming. Well, I grew tired of this, so I went to bed. When she had worn herself out, she put her head into my room. ’Grandma Chazy, where shall I sleep?’ ’On the sofa, dear. Throw your cloak over you. I’ve only a single bed, or I would offer you half.’ She slammed the door, in a rage. About a half hour later, ’Grandma Chazy, I guess I’ll go home.’ ’Is that so, dear? Going—good night.’ And I fell asleep, apparently." "Mrs. Bunker," remarked Lord Stafford, "if I ever marry, it shan’t be an American." "Oh yes, you will, because you say you won’t." "Oh, then I shan’t marry at all—that’s the safest way." "The most dangerous," assured Mrs. Bunker, mockingly. "A man is never safe from marriage until he is married." "Ha, ha, ha! Very good. Mrs. Bunker, you are really the liveliest woman I have ever met." "Well, I’m not going to waste my day here," said Mrs. Bunker, decidedly. "I want to see the shops and take Indiana along. Thurston," advancing into the room, "I’m dying to see Indiana." Thurston looked at her gravely. "My dear Mrs. Bunker, I have plans for the future, which it is best you should know before you see Indiana." Mr. and Mrs. Stillwater looked anxious, but Mrs. Bunker took his words lightly. "Don’t make any plans, Thurston. And don’t look so serious. You’ve made up your mind to something—I can see that—but she’ll upset it all in a jiffy. You don’t know Indiana." "No," answered Thurston, without relaxing his gravity of expression, "and I never shall. Mr. Stillwater, your daughter is very anxious to go with you to Paris—and I have consented." "Thurston, how good of you to let her!" cried Mrs. Stillwater, innocently. "It is the only thing to complete my happiness." "I don’t approve of it," said Mrs. Bunker. "I am about making arrangements for a long trip—for scientific purposes," continued Thurston, in a slow, mechanical voice. "I will be away from England for some time, and I think it advisable your daughter should go home with you—until my mission is over."