famous man whom everybody is afraid of has to come
and go just as humble me wants him to; and it
makes me hug myself with pride. It's as if I had a
string tied round his little finger, which I can
pull now and then. I don't pull it much; but I do
sometimes."

"MARCH 30, 1877.--Gouverneur Hildreth is dead. I
shall never be his victim, at any rate. Shall I
ever be the victim of anybody? I don't feel as if
I cared now. For one kiss I would sell my life and
die happy.

"There is a young Gouverneur, but it will be years
before he will be old enough to make me afraid of
him."

"NOVEMBER 16, 1878.--I should think that Tremont
would be lonely in that big house of his. If he
had a heart he would. They say he reads all the
time. How can folks pore so over books? I can't.
I'd rather sit in my chair and think. What story
in all the books is equal to mine?"

"APRIL 23, 1879.--I am growing very settled in my
ways. Now that Tremont comes in almost every day,
I'm satisfied not to see any other company. My
house affairs keep me busy too. I like to have it
all nice for him. I believe I could almost be
happy if he'd only smile once in a while when he
meets my eye. But he never does. Oh, well, we all
have our crosses, and he's a very great man."

"JANUARY 18, 1880.--He went to a ball last night.
What does it mean? He never seemed to care for
things like that. Is there any girl he is after?"

"FEBRUARY 6, 1880.--Oh, he has been riding with a
lady, has he? It was in the next town, and he
thought I wouldn't hear. But there's little he
does that I don't know about; let him make himself
sure of that. I even know her name; it is Selina
Pratt. If he goes with her again, look out for a
disturbance. I'll not stand his making love to
another woman."

"MAY 26, 1880.--My marriage certificate is
missing. Can it be that Tremont has taken it? I
have looked all through the desk where I have kept
it for so many years, but I cannot find it. He was
left alone in the house a few minutes the other
day. C