"From your father again," she said, addressing the girls conjointly. "I am sure he wears me out. This is worse than the last. 'The fact of the matter is, I must warn you very seriously that I can't supply you with as much as I have been doing. I repeat that I am serious this time. It's a horrible bore, and a good deal worse than a bore. If I could keep your remittances the same by doing on less myself, I would, but there's no possibility of that. I shall be in Alexandria in ten days, and perhaps Colossi will have some money for me, but I can't count on it. Things have gone deuced badly, and are likely to go even worse, as far as I can see. Do think about getting less expensive quarters. I wish to heaven poor little Mad could get married! Hasn't Marsh any prospects yet?'" "That's all at an end," remarked Madeline, interrupting. "We've just come to an understanding." Mrs. Denyer stared. "You've broken off?" "Mr. Marsh's allowance is to be stopped. His prospects are worse than ever. What's the good of keeping up our engagement?" There was a confused colloquy between all four. Barbara shrugged her fair shoulders; Zillah looked very gravely and pitifully at Madeline. Madeline herself seemed the least concerned. "I won't have this!" cried Mrs. Denyer, finally. "His step-father is willing to give him a position in business, and he must accept it; then the marriage can be soon." "The marriage will decidedly _not_ be soon, mother!" replied Madeline, haughtily. "I shall judge for myself in this, at all events." "You are a silly, empty-headed girl!" retorted her mother, with swelling bosom and reddening face. "You have quarrelled on some simpleton's question, no doubt. He will accept his step-father's offer; we know that well enough. He ought to have done so a year ago, and our difficulties would have been lightened. Your father means what he says." "Wolf!" cried Barbara, petulantly. "Well, I can see that the wolf has come at last, in good earnest. My girl, you'll have to become more serious. Barbara, _you_ at all events, cannot afford to trifle." "I am no trifler!" cried the enthusiast for Italian unity and regeneracy. "Let us have proof of that, then." Mrs. Denyer looked at her meaningly. "Mother," said Zillah, earnestly, "do let me write to Mrs. Stonehouse, and beg her to find me a place as nursery governess. I can manage that, I feel sure." "I'll think about it, dear. But, Madeline, I insist on your putting an end to this ridiculous state of things. You will _order_ him to take the position offered." "Mother, I can do nothing of the kind. If necessary, I'll go for a governess as well." Thereupon Zillah wept, protesting that such desecration was impossible. The scene prolonged itself to midnight. On the morrow, with the exception of Mrs. Denyer's resolve to subdue Marsh, all was forgotten, and the Denyer family pursued their old course, putting off decided action until there should come another cry of "Wolf!" CHAPTER IV