don't
expect it. There is nothing to bind him to me. If he doesn't come
to me I certainly shall not go to him. I have looked upon it as all
over between him and me; and as I have not troubled him with any
importunities, nor yet you, it is cruel in you to come to me in this
way. He is free to do what he likes--why don't you go to him? But
there would be no disgrace."

"Of course he is free. Of course such a marriage never can take place
now. It is quite out of the question. You say that it is all over,
and you are quite right. Why not let this be settled in a friendly
way between you and me, so that we might be friends again? I should
be so glad to help you in your difficulties if you would agree with
me about this."

"I want no help."

"Margaret, that is nonsense. In your position you are very wrong to
set your natural friends at defiance. If you will only authorise me
to say that you renounce this marriage--"

"I will not renounce it," said Margaret, who was still standing up.
"I will not renounce it. I would sooner lose my tongue than let
it say such a word. You may tell him, if you choose to tell him
anything, that I demand nothing from him; nothing. All that I once
thought mine is now his, and I demand nothing from him. But when he
asked me to be his wife he told me to be firm, and in that I will
obey him. He may renounce me, and I shall have nothing with which to
reproach him; but I will never renounce him--never." And then the
modern Griselda, who had been thus galvanised into vitality, stood
over her aunt in a mood that was almost triumphant.

"Margaret, I am astonished at you," said Lady Ball, when she had
recovered herself.

"I can't help that, aunt."

"And now let me tell you this. My son is, of course, old enough to
do as he pleases. If he chooses to ruin himself and his children by
marrying, anybody--even if it were out of the streets--I can't help
it. Stop a moment and hear me to the end." This she said, as her
niece had made a movement as though towards the door. "I say, even
if it were out of the streets, I couldn't help it. But nothing shall
induce me to live in the same house with him if he marries you. It
will be on your conscience for ever that you have brought ruin on the
whole family, and that will be your punishment. As for me, I shall
take myself off to some solitude, and--there--I--shall--die." Then
Lady Ball put her handkerchief up to her face and wept copiously.

Margaret stood stil