he ought to know that I should never dream of marrying again."

"He ought, if he had any idea of what is right and noble in a woman,"
answered Vixen. "But he has not. He has no ideas that do not begin and
end in himself and his own advantage. He sees you here with a handsome
house, a good income, and he thinks that he can persuade you to marry
him."

"Violet, you must know that I shall never marry."

"I hope I do know it. But the world ought to know it too. People ought
not to be allowed to whisper, and smile, and look significant; as I saw
some of them do to-night when Captain Winstanley was hanging over your
chair. You ought not to encourage him, mamma. It is a treason against
my father to have that man here."

Here was a bull that required prompt and severe handling, but Mrs.
Tempest felt her powers inadequate to the effort.

"I am surprised at you, Violet!" she exclaimed; "as if I did not know,
as well as you, what is due to my poor Edward; as if I should do
anything to compromise my own dignity. Is it to encourage a man to ask
him to a dinner-party, when he happens to be visiting in the
neighbourhood? Can I forbid Captain Winstanley to take the Hawbucks'
cottage?"

"No, you have gone too far already. You gave him too much encouragement
in Switzerland, and at Brighton. He has attached himself to us, like a
limpet to a rock. You will not easily get rid of him; unless you let
him see that you understand and despise him."

"I see nothing despicable in him, and I am not going to insult him at
your bidding," answered the widow, tremulous with anger. "I do not
believe him to be a schemer or an adventurer. He is a gentleman by
birth, education, profession. It is a supreme insolence on your part to
speak of him as you do. What can you know of the world? How can you
judge and measure a man like Captain Winstanley? A girl like you,
hardly out of the nursery! It is too absurd. And understand at once and
for ever, Violet, that I will not be hectored or lectured in this
manner, that I will not be dictated to, or taught what is good taste,
in my own house. This is to be my own house, you know, as long as I
live."

"Yes; unless you give it a new master," said Violet gravely. "Forgive
me if I have been too vehement, mamma. It is my love that is bold. Whom
have I in this world to love now, except you? And when I see you in
danger--when I see the softness of your nature---- Dear mother, there
are some instincts that are st