Mr. Graham rose from his chair and flung out both arms in a manner peculiar to him when excited. "Now, now, now, Mildred!" he said impressively, "I have always said that you were a good woman, and I shall continue to assert the same; but you have powers of tormenting that could not be surpassed by the most heartless of your sex. It is perfectly clear, even to my darkened mind, that you have some plan for Hilda fully matured and arranged in that scheming little head of yours; so what is your object in keeping me longer in suspense? Out with it, now! What are you--for of course I am in reality only a cipher (a tolerably large cipher) in the sum--what are you, the commander-in-chief, going to do with Hilda, the lieutenant-general? If you will kindly inform the orderly-sergeant, he will act accordingly, and endeavor to do his duty." Pretty Mrs. Graham laughed again, and looked up at the six-feet-two of sturdy manhood standing on the hearth-rug, gazing at her with eyes which twinkled merrily under the fiercely frowning brows. "You are a very _dis_orderly-sergeant, dear!" she said. "Just look at your hair! It looks as if all the four winds had been blowing through it--" "Instead of all the ten fingers _going_ through it," interrupted her husband. "Never mind my hair; that is not the point. _What_--do--you--propose--to--do--with--your daughter--Hildegarde, or Hildegardis, as it should properly be written?" "Well, dear George," said the commander-in-chief (she was a very small woman and a very pretty one, though she had a daughter "older than herself," as her husband said; and she wore a soft lilac gown, and had soft, wavy brown hair, and was altogether very pleasant to look at)--"well, dear George, the truth is, I _have_ a little plan, which I should like very much to carry out, if you fully approve of it." "Ha!" said Mr. Graham, tossing his "tempestuous locks" again, "ho! I thought as much. _If_ I approve, eh, little madam? Better say, whether I approve or not."