"Do you mean to say that you cannot have the privilege of receiving me sometimes as a visitor under your own roof?" he asked, more seriously then; but the girl suddenly uttered a low moan of alarm, and shrank from him, turning her eyes wildly upon an approaching grotesque form. Granny had worked herself into a fury over Liane's long stay, and at last hobbled forth to meet her, armed with a very stout cane, that would serve the double purpose of a walking stick and an instrument of punishment. And, in spite of her age, she was strong and agile, and Liane would have cause to rue the hour she was born when next they met. She strained her malevolent gaze all around for a sight of the truant, and when they lighted on Liane and Devereaux, arm in arm, a growl of fury issued from her lips. Before Liane could escape, she darted forward with surprising agility, and lifted her stout cane over the girl's shrinking head. A start, a shriek, and Devereaux saw, as suddenly as if the old hag had arisen from the earth by his side, the peril that menaced Liane. That descending blow was enough to kill the frail, lovely girl, the object of granny's brutal spite! Another instant and the stick would descend on the beautiful head! But Devereaux's upraised arm received the force of the blow, and that arm fell shattered and helpless by his side, but the other hand violently wrenched the old woman away from her victim, as he demanded: "You vile beast! What is the meaning of this murderous assault?" They glared at each other, and the old woman snarled: "I have a right to beat her! She disobeyed my orders, and she belongs to me. She's my granddaughter." "Heaven help me, it is true!" moaned Liane, as he looked at her for confirmation. "Let me get at her! Let me get at her!" shrieked granny, intent on punishing the girl, and writhing in Devereaux's clutch. But Devereaux, with one arm hanging helpless at his side, held her firmly with the other. "You shall not touch her!" he said sternly. "You shall go to prison for this outrage." At that both the old woman and the girl uttered a cry of remonstrance. Devereaux looked at Liane inquiringly, and she faltered: "The disgrace would fall on me!" "Yes, yes, she is my granddaughter," howled granny eagerly, seeing her advantage. Devereaux comprehended, too. He groaned: "But what can you do? You must not be exposed again to her fury!" Granny glared malevolently, while Liane bent her eyes to the ground, meditating a moment ere she looked up, and said timidly: "I think you are right. I cannot live with granny any more, for she would surely kill me some day. Let her go home, and I will go and spend the night with Dolly Dorr, who lives not far from here." "You hear what Miss Lester says? Will you go home peaceably, while she goes to her friend for safety?" demanded Devereaux, eager to close the scene, for he was faint from the pain of his broken arm.