"Stop one moment. Rose is coming back. We must all, every one connected with Rose, do our best to surround her with proper influences. Miss Alida helped to make the unfortunate marriage, and I shall expect her to countenance and stand by Rose." "You must tell her so. I am sure she will do all that she conceives to be right for her to do." "I want you to tell her that she ought, that she must, give a party to welcome Rose back. Indeed, she could get Madame Zabriski to be the hostess if she likes, and she should do so." "Why should she do so?" "Madame Zabriski's favor would silence all the false and ugly reports people have brought from the other side. I look to you, Adriana, to carry this point." "I prefer not to interfere with Madame Zabriski's entertainments." "You owe Rose something." "I owe Rose nothing but anger for the way she has treated my good brother. Poor Antony! My heart bleeds for him." "Poor Rose! It is Rose that is to be pitied. But you are an immensely cruel, selfish woman! It used to be Rose here, and Rose there, until you had stolen Rose's brother. Now you will not even say a word for Rose; though a few words from you might get her into the best society." "I do not think society is the best thing for Rose, at this time. Will you kindly excuse me? I hear the nursery bell. My son wants me." "My son! Yes! One day some woman will take him from you." "When that day comes, I pray God that I may have wisdom, and love, and justice enough, not to treat that woman as you have treated me." "Harry is my son yet." "Harry is my husband. And a man shall leave his father and his mother, and shall cleave to his wife. That is the Word of God." "I shall tell Harry of your temper! I shall!"--but she found herself talking to an empty room, and she picked up her fallen gloves and went away. It was evident, however, when Harry returned to his home in the evening, that she had told Harry many things that had annoyed him. He was silent, unresponsive, and had an air of injury or offence. Adriana was only too familiar with this particular mood. Her first thought was to defend herself; her second reminded her of the hopelessness of the effort, or at least of its imprudence. Mrs. Filmer was not above the common tactics of talebearers; and she had before accused Adriana of being the informant, when, on the contrary, she had been mercilessly subjugated to information she had no desire either to hear or to discuss.