“Stop, Hugh!” Marjorie commanded. “You seem to forget one thing, and that is, that they are your children as well as mine.” “On the contrary,—I have not forgotten it. I am simply trying to impress upon them that I am not to blame for their misfortunes.” “Then you believe that I alone am entirely responsible for this awful calamity?” “Entirely and absolutely,” he answered. “And you call yourself a man!” Marjorie turned upon him, her eyes ablaze with anger. “You inspire me only with contempt! Last night I thought because of the children I could never leave you! But now, for the very same reason, I refuse to remain or to allow them to remain with you another day!” This was rather more than the angry man had bargained for. In his way he loved Howard and Elinor, and his pride, too, was at stake. “Do you mean,” Hugh endeavored to conceal his anxiety but it was nevertheless poignant, “that you will take Elinor and Howard away from me?” “That is precisely what I mean to do!” “We shall see about _that_.” He strode forward angrily. “I think the children themselves are the ones to choose between us.” “Do you imagine for a moment,” Marjorie replied haughtily, “you could persuade them to leave their mother?” “Elinor and Howard,” Hugh began suddenly, “I want you both to listen to me for a moment.” Elinor sat up in her chair, dabbing at her eyes with her handkerchief, while Howard turned and stood with his back to the fireplace, staring sullenly in front of him. “Children, your mother and I have come to the parting of the ways. As you heard her remark a few minutes ago—you are _mine_ as well as hers. I love you both, and—I want you—but you are old enough to decide for yourselves.” Silence, distressing in its intensity, followed the father’s brutal ultimatum. “Oh—I—I don’t know what to say?” Elinor was filled with confusion. Her wail was faltering. “This is all so sudden—so strange!” “You know, dear,” Hugh strode to her chair, and stood looking down upon her, “I am willing to do anything for you—I will take you abroad until this nasty scandal has a chance to blow over, and when we return, should you have any enemies you will find that the best weapon with which to fight them is your father’s money.” “Elinor, darling,” Marjorie pleaded, “all that I can do is to offer you my love and devotion—and when it comes to protection, you will find that there isn’t a weapon in the world to compare with your mother’s love.” “Oh, mother—I—I don’t know what to say!” Once more the girl’s frail body was racked with sobs as she sought to see the light—what best to do. “Dad has always been wonderful to me! Ever since I can remember, he has granted my every wish! I don’t know how to answer! Oh, what shall I say?” “This is a question that your heart must answer for you, dear.” Marjorie’s reply was faint but her voice told of the heart yearning behind the simple reply. “I—I didn’t believe,” she caught her breath sobbingly, “you would hesitate an instant.”