nwholesome cakes and sweetmeats, and made her worse and worse
every day of her life.

Lady Thetford saw all this with inward apprehension. If her ward was
completely beyond her power of control at four, what would she be a
dozen years hence.

"Her father was right," thought the lady. "I am afraid she _will_ give
me a great deal of trouble. I never saw so headstrong, so utterly
unmanageable a child."

But Lady Thetford was very fond of the fairy despot withal. When her son
came running to her for succor, drowned in tears, and bearing the marks
of little May's claws, his mother took him in her arms and kissed him
and soothed him--but she never punished the offender. As for Sir Rupert,
he might fly ignominiously, but he never fought back. Little May had
the hair-pulling and face-scratching all to herself.

"I must get a governess," mused Lady Thetford. "I may find one who can
control this little vixen; and it is really time that Rupert began his
studies. I will speak to Mr. Knight about it."

Lady Thetford sent that very day to the rector her ladyship's
compliments, the servant said, and would Mr. Knight call at his earliest
convenience. Mr. Knight sent in answer to expect him that same evening;
and on his way he fell in with Dr. Gale, going to the manor-house on a
professional visit.

"Little Sir Rupert keeps weakly," he said; "no constitution to speak of.
Not at all like the Thetfords--splendid old stock, the Thetfords, but
run out--run out. Sir Rupert is a Vandeleur, inherits his mother's
constitution--delicate child, very."

"Have you seen Lady Thetford's ward?" inquired the clergyman, smiling:
"no hereditary weakness there, I fancy. I'll answer for the strength of
her lungs at any rate. The other day she wanted Lady Thetford's watch
for a plaything; she couldn't have it, and down she fell flat on the
floor in what her nurse calls 'one of her tantrums.' You should have
heard her, her shrieks were appalling."

"I have," said the doctor with emphasis; "she has the temper of the old
demon. If I had anything to do with that child, I should whip her within
an inch of her life--that's all she wants, lots of whipping. The Lord
only knows the future, but I pity her prospective husband."

"The taming of the shrew," laughed Mr. Knight. "Katharine and Petruchio
over again. For my part, I think Lady Thetford was unwise to undertake
such a charge. With her delicate health it is altogether too much for
her."

The two ge