"But why may I not?" Ideala asked.
"Because I object. Do you hear? I will not have it, and you must
withdraw."
"I must decline to obey any such arbitrary injunction," she answered,
quietly.
He detained her on the doorstep until the carriage had driven round to
the stables.
"Now, are you going to obey me?" he asked.
"Yes, if you give me a reason for what you require," she answered,
wearily.
"Oh, you are obstinate, are you?" he rejoined, in a jeering tone.
"Well, stay in the garden and think it over. Perhaps reflection will
make you more dutiful. I shall tell your maid you will not want her
to-night. When you have made up your mind you can ring." And so saying
he walked into the house and shut the door upon her.
It was a summer night, but Ideala felt chilly with only a thin shawl
over her ball dress. She walked about as long as she could, but fatigue
overcame her at last, and she was obliged to lie down on one of the
garden seats. She wrapped the train of her dress round her shoulders,
and lay looking up at the stars. The air was heavy with the scent of
flowers.
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