"A truce to this nonsense," said Wayland. "Gentlemen, what shall we do—accept the polite invitation of her royal highness?"
"Accept," said Ouida, in breathless indignation, "accept? Is there any doubt of it? Oh, well, there need not be. I withdraw it—"
"Seriously?" said Doane.
"I'll give a railroad," said the stock broker, "to make my peace with her."
"Now understand me," said Ouida, imperiously, "I am not offended at anything any one has said. This, above all other places, is Liberty hall. Law, ordinary social rules, have long been banished, but as we were talking, I was seized with a monstrous, overwhelming inspiration. I must be alone tonight. I felt as though I might carve the boldest stroke of 'A Modern Hercules.' Go! nor stay upon the order of your going."
No protest prevailed, and the trio left; nor did they stop on the street to offer consolation to each other.
CHAPTER X.
A LOVERS' QUARREL.
While this most interesting affair was taking place between Ouida and her three admirers in one part of the house, another scene was being enacted in the studio, no less absorbing to the participants. Marie Salmon and Milton Royle, the art student, so objectionable to her
