"I want a word with you and your father, Milbrey." The two joined the elder Milbrey and the three strolled out to the flower-bordered walk, while Psyche Bines went, wondering, back to her mother. "What's all the row?" inquired Fred Milbrey. "You've been imposed upon. This woman--this Mrs. Brench Wybert--there can be no mistake; you are sure that's the name?" "Of course I'm sure; she's the widow of a Southern gentleman, Colonel Brench Wybert, from New Orleans." "Yes, the same woman. There is no doubt that you have been imposed upon. The thing to do is to drop her quick--she isn't right." "In what way has my family been imposed upon, Mr. Bines?" asked the elder Milbrey, somewhat perturbed; "Mrs. Wybert is a lady of family and large means--" "Yes, I know, she has, or did have a while ago, two million dollars in cold cash." "Well, Mr. Bines--?" "Can't you take my word for it, that she's not right--not the woman for your wife and daughter to meet?" "Look here, Bines," the younger Milbrey spluttered, "this won't do, you know. If you've anything to say against Mrs. Wybert, you'll have to say it out and you'll have to be responsible to me, sir." "Take my word that you've been imposed upon; she's not--not the kind of person you would care to know, to be thrown--" "I and my family have found her quite acceptable, Mr. Bines," interposed the father, stiffly. "Her deportment is scrupulously correct, and I am in her confidence regarding certain very extensive investments--she cannot be an impostor, sir!" "But I tell you she isn't right," insisted Percival, warmly. "Oh, I see," said the younger Milbrey--his face clearing all at once. "It's all right, dad, come on!" "If you insist," said Percival, "but none of us can meet her." "It's all right, dad--I understand--" "Nor can we know any one who receives her." "Really, sir," began the elder Milbrey, "your effrontery in assuming to dictate the visiting list of my family is overwhelming." "If you won't take my word I shall have to dictate so far as I have any personal control over it." "Don't mind him, dad--I know all about it, I tell you--I'll explain later to you." "Why," exclaimed Percival, stung to the revelation, "that woman, this woman now waiting with your wife and daughter, was my--" "Stop, Mr. Bines--not another word, if you please!" The father raised his hand in graceful dismissal. "Let this terminate the acquaintance between our families! No more, sir!" and he turned away, followed by his son. As they walked out through the grounds and turned up the street the young man spoke excitedly, while his father slightly bent his head to listen, with an air of distant dignity. "What's the trouble, Perce?" asked his sister, as he joined the group on the piazza. "The trouble is that we've just had to cut that fine old New York family off our list." "What, not the Milbreys!" exclaimed Mrs. Drelmer.