esenting my Cousin Knollys' officious recommendation of
matrimony. Nothing I dreaded more than a step-mother. Good Mrs. Rusk
and Mary Quince, in their several ways, used to enhance, by occasional
anecdotes and frequent reflections, the terrors of such an intrusion. I
suppose they did not wish a revolution and all its consequences at Knowl,
and thought it no harm to excite my vigilance.

But it was impossible long to be vexed with Cousin Monica.

'You know, my dear, your father is an oddity,' she said. 'I don't mind
him--I never did. You must not. Cracky, my dear, cracky--decidedly cracky!'

And she tapped the corner of her forehead, with a look so sly and comical,
that I think I should have laughed, if the sentiment had not been so
awfully irreverent.

'Well, dear, how is our friend the milliner?'

'Madame is suffering so much from pain in her ear, that she says it would
be quite impossible to have the honour--'

'Honour--fiddle! I want to see what the woman's like. Pain in her ear, you
say? Poor thing! Well, dear, I think I can cure that in five minutes. I
have it myself, now and then. Come to my room, and we'll get the bottles.

So she lighted her candle in the lobby, and with a light and agile step
she scaled the stairs, I following; and having found the remedies, we
approached Madame's room together.

I think, while we were still at the end of the gallery, Madame heard and
divined our approach, for her door suddenly shut, and there was a fumbling
at the handle. But the bolt was out of order.

Lady Knollys tapped at the door, saying--'we'll come in, please, and see
you. I've some remedies, which I'm sure will do you good.'

There was no answer; so she opened the door, and we both entered. Madame
had rolled herself in the blue coverlet, and was lying on the bed, with her
face buried in the pillow, and enveloped in the covering.

'Perhaps she's asleep?' said Lady Knollys, getting round to the side of the
bed, and stooping over her.

Madame lay still as a mouse. Cousin Monica set down her two little vials
on the table, and, stooping again over the bed, began very gently with
her fingers to lift the coverlet that covered her face. Madame uttered
a slumbering moan, and turned more upon her face, clasping the coverlet
faster about her.

'Madame, it is Maud and Lady Knollys. We have come to relieve your ear.
Pray let me see it. She can't be asleep, she's holding the clothes so fast.
Do, pray, allow me to see i