Shehadbroughtallthismiseryonherselfandonherfatherbecauseshehadbeenobstinateinthinkingshecouldwithcertaintyreadalover’scharacter。Asforlove，——thatofcoursehaddiedawayinherheart，——imperceptibly，though，alas，soquickly！Itwasimpossiblethatshecouldcontinuetoloveamanwhofromdaytodaywasteachinghermeanlessons，andwhowaseverdoingmeanthings，themeannessofwhichwassolittleapparenttohimselfthathedidnotscrupletodivulgethemtoher。Howcouldsheloveamanwhowouldmakenosacrificeeithertohercomfortorherpride，orherconscience？Butstillshemightobeyhim，——ifshecouldfeelsurethatobediencetohimwasaduty。Coulditbeadutytosinagainstherfather’swishes，andtoassistinprofaninghishouseandabusinghishospitalityafterthisfashion？ThenhermindagainwentbacktothetroublesofMrsParker，andherabsoluteinefficiencyinthatmatter。Itseemedtoherthatshehadgivenherselfoverbodyandsoulandmindtosomeevilgenius，andthattherewasnoescape。
’Ofcoursewe’llcome，’saidMrsRobyhadsaidtoherwhenshewentroundthecornerintoBerkeleyStreetearlyintheday。
’Lopezspoketomeaboutitbefore。’
’Whatwillpapasayaboutit，AuntHarriet？’
’IsupposeheandLopezunderstandeachother。’