Presentations at Court, diamonds, French frocks, balls, races, the command of a large establishment--Cara felt that her head was swimming! What were her mother and Oldcourt in comparison to such dazzling temptations? Of course, she was behaving badly; but in this world everyone must play for their own hand. The Mum had made terrible mistakes, and ‘revoked,’ so to speak. Because she had spoiled her life, why should she, Cara, do likewise? She felt confident, that she could get on all right with this burly, rough sort of father, and was not the least afraid of him. “Yes, by Jove, you and I will make a bolt; give your mother the slip, and pay her out in her own coin, ha! ha! She’s given to running away.” “If I come to live with you, you must never say a word against the Mum.” “The word ‘_must_’ is never to be used to me,” he answered savagely. “But why not?” demanded Cara, looking up at him with twinkling eyes, and an enchanting smile. What cheek she had! and what teeth! Absolutely perfect. Slightly mollified, he resumed: “If you are a good girl, I think we shall pull along together all right, and I’ll say this for your mother, she had a snaffle mouth,--though she _did_ bolt. Of course, you are inexperienced in English customs and housekeeping, but you have the cut of a girl who will soon know the ropes.” “If I go with you to-day, what am I to do for clothes? All my things are up at Les Plans.” “I can lend you a motor-coat to travel in, and you will be in Paris in the early morning. We’ll start at six, and dine on the train.” “Very well,” she said gravely; “so be it.” “All right, that’s settled, Cara,” and he gripped her hand with a gesture of possession. “Give me a kiss on the bargain!” She glanced round apprehensively--they were alone in the lounge, then offered her square jaw, to his lips. “By Jove, I’m glad to have you, my girl!” he said with hearty satisfaction. “When a man is getting on a bit, he feels the want of someone about him--someone _belonging_ to him--and that he--er--can be proud of.” As Cara and her father stood side by side, the five o’clock boat moved slowly from her moorings, and came out into the lake, exactly opposite to where they were stationed. “It’s the _Stadthof_. There goes mother!” said Cara with a slight catch in her breath, “wondering what has become of me; that is her I am sure--the figure at the end. She expects to see me tearing along the Quai. Don’t you see the lady with the blue sunshade--looking back?” “No, my sight is not as young as yours,” he answered gruffly. “She may look and look, but you have done with her, you know, and have, what is called, burned your boats! Now, come along with me, and I’ll buy you a little souvenir of the occasion!”