“You may interpret it as you like,” returned she. “I repeat that it is quite possible that your looks, your size, your manner, and your adventures might be very dazzling to a girl, who,” she added relentlessly, “did not know much about you.” “But every one here seems to know everything about me, to judge by their disapproving glances.” “I don’t believe that Louisa does. But I tell you frankly, Bob, if you go there again----” “Another threat, Nellie? I never knew any one who believed so completely in government by threat.” “How else can I treat you?” “Well, you might try being a little bit nice to me. Don’t you think that would be rather more likely to make me stay at home? But to be left alone in the garden, while you and Emmons----” “You do not need to be told that you were at liberty to join us.” “Ay, there’s a prospect to keep a man at home. Three of us, so congenial, sitting up making conversation. A dangerously alluring proposition, Nellie, upon my word!” “You can hardly expect me to refuse to see Mr. Emmons because you have come home.” “I do not say what I expect: I ask you to be a little more civil to me. I don’t make it a business proposition, and I don’t make it a threat, like you; but if you really want me to stay at home, and behave myself, there is only one way to do it.” Nellie looked very grave and then began to smile. “You know that sounds rather like a threat to me,” she said. “Then you see the force of bad example. I did not use to threaten my friends.” “I am not your friend,” she answered quickly. “What are you?” If he had expected to hear her reply “your enemy,” he was wrong. “It seems to me that for six years I have been your slave----” “I wish I had known it.” “And now I intend that you shall be mine.” He laughed. “Well, you are frank, at least. But let me tell you that it has never been found good commercial policy to treat even slaves too badly. Your whole position is based on the assumption that I shall always prefer this house to State’s Prison. But be careful. There is many a good criminal whom I should prefer to Emmons as a companion, and a warder is tender and human compared to you, Nellie. Have a little common sense, my dear girl. If I am to stay, you must be civil.”