this, for wanting, or, say, even demanding a meeting? Haven't I
the right? Come, now!"

Carlisle made no immediate answer, and was about to turn on his
heel, finding it hard to restrain himself. He paused, however.

"Very good, then. To show how little you know me, and how much you
wrong both this lady and myself, you shall meet her, as you say.
Not that you have earned the right."




CHAPTER III

THE QUESTION

The _Mount Vernon_, favored by a good stage of water, soon cleared
the narrow Monongahela channel, passed the confluence, and headed
down under full steam, all things promising well for a speedy and
pleasant run. The sky was blue and cloudless, and the air fresh
with the tang of coming autumn. Especially beautiful were the
shores which they now were skirting. The hues of autumn had been
shaken down over mile after mile of wide forest which appeared in a
panorama of russet and gold and red, to grow the more resplendent
when they should arrive opposite the high bluffs which line the
stream almost to the town of Wheeling.

Below these upper reaches, then the least settled and wildest
portion of the country along the Ohio, the river flattened and