THE COST MARK OF JOY Peace had been restored between Dorothy and her father.

At least an armistice had been tacitly declared.

But, owing to Dorothy's knowledge of her father's intention that she should marry Lord Stanley, and because of Sir George's feeling that Dorothy had determined to do nothing of the sort, the belligerent powers maintained a defensive attitude which rendered an absolute reconciliation impossible.

They were ready for war at a moment's notice.
The strangest part of their relation was the failure of each to comprehend and fully to realize the full strength of the other's purpose.

Dorothy could not bring herself to believe that her father, who had until within the last few weeks, been kind and indulgent to her, seriously intended to force her into marriage with a creature so despicable as Stanley.