The girl's words of finality made her erect and unyielding soul shiver in a sudden dreary blast of loneliness, that most tragic of all the storms that sweep the ways of life.

It was in the tone of the anger of love with the beloved that she cried, "How DARE you engage yourself to such a person!" "You served notice on me that I must marry," replied the girl, her own tone much modified.

"He was the chance that offered." "The chance!" Madam Bowker smiled with caustic scorn, "He's not a chance." "You ordered me to marry.

I am marrying.

And you are violating your promise.