"Madame Socani should be nowheres." "And I also will be nowheres. Pray remember that in making all your little domestic plans. If you live in the Fifth Avenue, I will live in 350 Street; or perhaps I should like it better to have a little house here in Albert Place. Father, don't you think Mr. Moss might go away?" "I think you have said all that there is to be said." Then Mr. O'Mahony got up from his chair as though to show Mr. Moss out of the room. "Not quite, Mr. O'Mahony. Allow me for one moment. As the young lady's papa you are bound to look to these things. Though the theatre would be a joint affair, Miss O'Mahony would have her fixed salary;--that is to say, Mrs. Moss would." "I won't stand it," said Rachel getting up. "I won't allow any man to call me by so abominable a name,--or any woman." Then she bounced out of the room. "It's no good, you see," said Mr. O'Mahony. "I by no means see that so certain. Of course a young lady like your daughter knows her own value, and does not yield all at once." "I tell you it's no good. I know my own daughter." "Excuse me, Mr. O'Mahony, but I doubt whether you know the sex." The two men were very nearly of an age; but O'Mahony assumed the manners of an old man, and Mr. Moss of a young one. "Perhaps not," said Mr. O'Mahony. "They have been my study up from my cradle," said Mr. Moss. "No doubt." "And I think that I have carried on the battle not without some little _eclat_." "I am quite sure of it." "I still hope that I may succeed with your sweet daughter." "Here the battle is of a different kind," not without a touch of satire in the tone of his voice, whatever there might be in the words which he used. "In tournaments of love, you have, I do not doubt, been very successful; but here, it seems to me that the struggle is for money." "That is only an accident." "But the accident rises above everything. It does not matter in the least which comes first. Whether it be for love or money my daughter will certainly have a will of her own. You may take my word that she is not to be talked out of her mind." "But Mr. Jones is gone?" asked Moss. "But she is not on that account ready to transfer her affections at a moment's notice. To her view of the matter there seems to be something a little indelicate in the idea." "Bah!" said Mr. Moss. "You cannot make her change her mind by saying bah." "Professional interests have to be considered," said Mr. Moss. "No doubt; my daughter does consider her professional interests every day when she practises for two hours." "That is excellent,--and with such glorious effects! She has only now got the full use of her voice. My G----! what could she not do if she had the full run of Moss's Theatre! She might choose whatever operas would suit her best; and she would have me to guide her judgment! I do know my profession, Mr. O'Mahony. A lady in her line should always marry a gentleman in mine; that is if she cares about matrimony."