annoying me so. Why did you
go and take away poor darling Kitty? And what do you mean now, pray,
by coming here? I never was treated so unkindly in my life. I did not
think that _any one_ could be so very, very rude."

"Charming mees," said Girasole, with a deprecating air, "it pains me
to do any ting dat you do not like."

"It don't pain you," said Minnie--"it don't pain you _at all_. You're
_always_ teasing me. You _never_ do what I want you to. You wouldn't
even give me a chair."

"Alas, carissima mia, to-morra you sall haf all! But dis place is so
remote."

"It is _not_ remote," said Minnie. "It's close by roads and villages
and things. Why, here is Ethel; she has been in a village where there
are houses, and people, and as many chairs as she wants."

"Oh, mees, eef you will but wait an' be patient--eef you will but wait
an' see how tender I will be, an' how I lof you."

"You _don't_ love me," said Minnie, "one bit. Is this love--not to
give me a chair? I have been standing up till I am nearly ready to
drop. And you have nothing better than some wretched promises. I don't
care for to-morrow; I want to be comfortable to-day. You won't let me
have a single thing. And now you come to tease me again, and frighten
poor, dear, darling Ethel."

"Eet ees because she deceif me--she come wit a plot--she steal in
here. Eef she had wait, all would be well."

"You mustn't _dare_ to touch her," said Minnie, vehemently. "You
_shall_ leave her here. She _shall_ stay with me."

"I am ver pain--oh, very; but oh, my angel--sweet--charming mees--eet
ees dangaire to my lof. She plot to take you away. An' all my life is
in you. Tink what I haf to do to gain you!"

Minnie looked upon Girasole, with her large eyes dilated with
excitement and resentment.

"You are a horrid, horrid man," she exclaimed. "I _hate_ you."

"Oh, my angel," pleaded Girasole, with deep agitation, "take back dat
word."

"I'm sorry you ever saved my life," said Minnie, very calmly; "and I'm
sorry I ever saw you. I _hate_ you."

"Ah, you gif me torment. You do not mean dis. You say once you lof
me."

"_I_ did not say I loved _you_. It was _you_ who said you loved _me_.
_I_ never liked _you_. And I don't really see how I _could_ be engaged
to you when I was engaged to another man before. He is the only one
whom I recognize now. I don't know you at all. For I couldn't be bound
to two men; could I, Ethel dear?"

Ethel did not reply to this strange