You wanted me to take a fancy to her?"

"Yes."

"To marry her?"

"Yes."

"And make her the mistress of Penreife?"

"Yes; and I mean to do it."

Trevor stared at her, in wonder at the effrontery displayed.

"And, in your foolish vanity, you thought such a thing possible?"

"Yes."

"Regardless of the poor girl's feelings?"

"Yes--yes--yes!" said Mrs Lloyd, slowly. "I know what is for her
good--and yours."

"Mrs Lloyd," said Trevor, coldly, "I would gladly keep to my promise
with you, that you should never leave Penreife. If harm to your
prospects comes of this, don't blame me. You had better go back to the
house."

He turned, as if to walk away; but she caught him sharply by the wrist.

"Stop!" she cried, angrily. "Tell me this. Have you been trying to
make an engagement with that wax doll up at Tolcarne?"

"You insolent old--There, go back, Mrs Lloyd," he cried, checking
himself. "You must be mad."

"Mad? Yes, enough to make me, you wild, ungrateful boy," she cried, her
fingers tightening round his wrist, so that it would have taken a
violent effort to free himself. "Stop, and listen to me."

Trevor looked at her, his anger cooling; for he thought the housekeeper
was suffering from mental excitement brought on by the disappointment
consequent upon the failure of her plans.

"What do you want to say?" he said, quietly.

"A great deal. Ah, you see, you must listen. Now tell me--that Miss
Rea, have you been talking to her father and mother?"

"Yes," said Trevor, thinking it better to humour her till he could get
her back to the house.

"Then go and break it all off--at once. Do you hear--at once."

"And why, pray?" said Trevor, smiling--the position, now that his anger
had passed, seeming ridiculous.

"Because you are to marry little Mary, as I wish," said Mrs Lloyd, in a
quick whisper.

"The parties, neither of them being agreed. Come, Mrs Lloyd, let's get
back to the house."

"Richard," cried the woman, shaking his arm--"listen. Do you hear me?
How dare you laugh at me like this?"

"Come, Mrs Lloyd--come, nurse, what are you thinking about?" said
Trevor, good-humouredly. But he was beginning to fret under the
opposition.

"Of your fixture--of your good, boy. Now, listen to me, Richard. I
have long planned this out. I have brought Mary here, educated her, and
prepared her for it."

"And now she has fallen in love with Humphrey, and they are going to
marry," said Trevor