“I shall remain at Hawkhurst,” she exclaimed haughtily. “If you desire to remove me, you must do so by process of law. If you think her father’s wife an unfit personal guardian for Miss Wynde, you can have Sir Harold’s will set aside, or take legal proceedings to obtain for her another guardian. I shall not relinquish my post, or the charge my dead husband reposed in me, until I am compelled to do so.” The young Lord Towyn’s face flushed, and he addressed Neva, in his clear ringing voice: “Miss Wynde, this matter concerns you above all others, and it is for you to have a voice in it. The proposed marriage of Lady Wynde completely vitiates your present relations to her. In becoming Mrs. Craven Black, I consider that Lady Wynde throws off all allegiance to Sir Harold Wynde, and ceases to be your step-mother. It is for you to decide if you will choose a new personal guardian in her stead.” All eyes turned upon the fair young girl. The young earl awaited her reply with a breathless anxiety. Sir John Freise and Mr. Atkins fixed their eager gaze upon her, and Lady Wynde regarded her sharply and with some uneasiness. “Before Neva comes to a decision,” said her ladyship hastily, “I have a word to say to her. Have I not treated you with all kindness and tenderness, Neva, since you came under this roof? Have I been guilty of one act of neglect, of step-motherly cruelty, or want of consideration? Have not your wishes been considered in all things?” Neva could not answer these questions in the negative. “There is no stipulation in Sir Harold’s will that I should not again marry,” continued Lady Wynde. “Sir Harold, without mention of the contingency of another marriage on my part, constituted me his daughter’s personal guardian, with the request that I make Hawkhurst my home until Neva marries or attains her majority. Not one word is said about or against my marriage, you will observe; and certainly Sir Harold Wynde was too sensible to expect me to remain a widow long--at my age too. My marriage, therefore, does not interfere with my relations toward Neva as her step-mother and personal guardian. Any court of law will confirm this decision. If you choose, Neva, to apply for a change of guardians, and to make a scandal, and to make your name common on every lip, I can only regret your ill-taste, and that you have yielded to such ill-guidance.” Mr. Atkins felt a sentiment of admiration mingle with his dislike for Lady Wynde. “She ought to have been a lawyer,” he thought. “She’s a mighty sharp woman, and we are sure to get the worst of it in a battle with her. Pity we made the attack, if it is only to put her on her guard.”