The White Rose of Memphis. William C. Falkner

which would tend to accomplish it. I thought then, and think yet, he was really an honest, conscientious man; but what will a man not do in order to gain his object, when he feels that in doing it he is performing his duty? More cruelties have been committed by men while doing what they believed to be their duty than ever were committed wantonly. I suppose that Jeffries, the bloody tool of a tyrant, thought he was performing his duty as an impartial judge when he was making all the air of England shriek with the cries of dying victims.

      “I left Mr. Rockland in his library. He rang a little bell, which was answered by a servant.

      “‘Tell Lottie I wish to see her in my library immediately.’

      “In a few moments she came in with an inquiring look on her face.

      “‘What is it, papa? Tell me quick—I am in a great hurry.’ She had come up behind his chair, and was running her fingers through his gray hair, every now and then pressing a kiss on his brow.

      “‘Oh, you dear old darling! why don’t you commence? can’t you see I am all attention? What made you let Eddie run off like a thief? Don’t you think when I called him back he shook his shaggy head and refused to come! Now, papa dear, what have you been doing to my Eddie?’

      “‘How came he to be your Eddie?’

      “‘Because he loves me, and I love him; now the cat’s out of the bag.’

      “‘Nonsense, child! I implore you not to talk so foolishly.’

      “‘No nonsense about it at all; pray where does the foolish part come in? Is it wrong, papa, to love such a dear fellow as my Eddie?’

      “‘It was wrong for a girl of your age to enter into an engagement without consulting any one; and that was what I wished to speak to you about.’

      “‘Oh, indeed! was it? Now, you dear old darling, you aren’t going to scold me about it, are you? No, of course you won’t; if you do, I’ll make your tea as weak as water, and I’ll put pepper in your toast till it shall burn you up, indeed I will!’

      “‘I couldn’t have the heart to scold my darling!’

      “As Mr. Rockland said this he threw his arms round her waist and drew her to his heart, covering her brow with a kiss. Mr. Rockland was vanquished; her charms were irresistible; and the great lawyer, with nerves of steel and an iron will, who could brow-beat witnesses, intimidate judges and over-ride facts, found himself confounded, vanquished and helpless—all done by a pretty face and two large, dreamy blue eyes. The truth of the matter is, Mr. Rockland loved Lottie so devotedly that he was unable to withstand her displeasure.

      “‘Take a seat, Lottie,’ he said, ‘and let us come to an understanding in this business at once; sit down, and we will talk the matter over dispassionately, like sensible people.’

      “Lottie took a chair on the opposite side of the table, and fixing her beautiful eyes on him, said:

      “‘I’ll hear what you have to say, papa.’

      “The man of iron returned the gaze with a cold, calm look. After a long silence he said:

      “‘Lottie, my dear child, you know I love you as I love life. The only aim I have is to promote your happiness; and I demand of you permission to cancel this foolish engagement which you have so imprudently entered into with Edward Demar. Have I your permission to cancel it?’

      “‘Only on condition that Eddie wishes it to be canceled.’

      “‘Mr. Demar did not say he wished the engagement canceled; but he agreed that it should be done if you were willing, and authorized me to say as much to you.’

      “The blood left her cheeks for a moment, then came back with a tremendous rush, yet she managed to keep calm.

      “‘Send for Eddie now, papa, and let me hear him say he is willing to annul our engagement.’

      “‘That is unnecessary, Lottie; you have my word that such is his wish, and you know me too well to suspect me of prevarication; again I command you to break off this most absurd and imprudent engagement; will you, or will you not, do it? I demand an answer, yes or no?’

      “Lottie’s bosom rose and fell with unusual emotion, while her eyes were fixed on Mr. Rockland.

      “‘Yes or no, Lottie?’ again demanded the man of iron.

      “‘Dear, dear papa, for Heaven’s sake don’t ask me to be false to the man I love! I’ll not marry him until he returns from Philadelphia; by that time I will be better able to make you a sensible answer, but I beseech you not to press me so now; you know how I love you—you know how much I appreciate your kindness to me; listen, therefore, to my entreaty—grant me time for reflection.’

      “‘Not another moment will I give you to make an answer to such a sensible request; any girl whose judgment was not choked with a foolish infatuation would be able to answer such a reasonable demand without a moment’s reflection. Do you wish to tie yourself to a man who is anxious to get rid of you?’

      “‘No, no! a thousand times, no, papa; and no one knows this better than you.’

      “‘Then, Lottie, for the last time, I demand authority from you to cancel this foolish engagement; will you, or will you not, give it?’

      “‘Not unless Eddie wishes it,’ was the calm reply.

      “At last the man of iron lost his temper:

      “‘Then, Miss Wallingford, you will oblige me by seeking a home elsewhere.’

      “‘Oh, papa, dear, darling papa! please unsay those cruel words! I am not afraid of hardships; neither am I afraid of poverty, but it is your displeasure that I dread more than all. I love you truly, earnestly, devotedly, as much as any child ever loved a parent. Oh, papa, revoke those cruel words!’

      “‘Leave me, leave me!’ thundered the lawyer, as he pushed Lottie away from him rather roughly. She retreated to the farther end of the room and stared at Mr. Rockland with astonishment, while a mysterious change came over her. She approached the table, took a seat, and hastily penned a note to Edward Demar: