I have a right to play the fool alone; but I have no business to
drag my sister into it. We will go somewhere else. There are lots of
things to see. I give up the Klosking."
Zoe stared at him a moment, and then answered, with cold decision, "No,
dear; you must allow me to call on her, now I am here. She won't bite
_me."_
"Well, but it is a strange thing to do."
"What does that matter? We are abroad."
"Come, Zoe, I am much obliged to you; but give it up."
"No, dear."
Harrington smiled at her pretty peremptoriness, and misunderstood it.
"This is carrying sisterly love a long way," said he. "I must try and
rise to your level. I won't go with you."
"Then I shall go alone."
"What if I forbid you, miss?"
She tapped him on the cheek with her fingers. "Don't affect the tyrant,
dear; you can't manage it. Fanny said something that has mortified me. I
shall go. You can do as you like. But, stop; where does she live?"
"Suppose I decline to tell you? I am seized with a virtuous fit--a
regular paroxysm."
"Then I shall go to the opera and inquire, dear. But" (coaxingly) "you
will tell me, dear."
"There," said Harrington, "you wicked, tempting girl, my sham virtue has
oozed away, and my real mania triumphs.
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