But the cup is broken; and all the king's horses and all the king's men cannot mend it.

There--put the fair side outwards on the mantelpiece, and the wound will not show." Again Madam Esmond looked at the lad, as he placed the fragments of the poor cup on the ledge where it had always been used to stand.

Her power over him was gone.

He had dominated her.

She was not sorry for the defeat; for women like not only to conquer, but to be conquered; and from that day the young gentleman was master at Castlewood.