Therefore, Latisan decided to stay in Adonia and let Flagg make overtures; for their future relations the drive master would be able to lay down some rules to govern Flagg's language and conduct. Under that decision persisted the nagging consciousness that he wanted to be with the girl instead of on the drive and he was more and more ashamed of the new weakness in his character. And he was also ashamed of the feeling that he wanted to find out more about her. In the past his manliness had despised prying and peering. He had been able to bluster loyally to old Dick; he was more truthful to himself. What was she, anyway? He would not admit that he had been so completely tipped upside down in all his hale resolves, aims, and objects by a mere nonentity who looked no higher than a job as waitress at Brophy's tavern. Then he went into the tavern out of the darkness and blinked at the landlord, who called him to the desk and gave a letter into his hands. It was sealed, but there was no stamp on it. "Ordered by Mrs. Everett to hand it to you," reported Brophy, sourly. "She wanted to see you last time you were down, but it slipped my mind to tell you." Latisan read the note. The lady of the parlor entreated him to come to her on a matter of business, no matter how late the hour might be. He tore up the paper on his way to the fireplace and tossed the bits on the embers. "Same room for me?" he asked Brophy. "Yes, but Mrs. Everett said for me----" "Damn Mrs. Everett! I'm going to bed." It consoled him a little, as he walked upstairs, to reflect that he was not dominated by all the women in the world, even if he was in the way of making himself a fool over one. CHAPTER SIXTEEN Latisan, going to sleep, hoped that he would awake with a saner viewpoint. He did admit to himself in the morning that if Echford Flagg should show the right spirit of compromise the thing could be patched up on terms which would allow the drive master to be his own man instead of being a spanked youngster. The girl seized an opportunity to speak to him when she brought his breakfast. "Things look better this morning--I'm sure they do. Tell me. I worried half the night. I must not be the cause of trouble." "Yes, they look better." "And you're starting back to-day for the drive?" Her voice was low but eager. "Tell me that you are!" His smouldering suspicion! Red tongues of fire darted up from it! "I'm afraid you won't be able to get rid of me to-day. Business is keeping me here." Her entreating smile faded; she backed way from him as if she had received a rude thrust, and then she went about her work.