great deal.
But no matter how wicked she may be, you may defy her, simply by assuming
her to be so, and acting with caution; she is cunning and selfish, and
she'll do nothing desperate. But I would give her no opportunity.'

'Oh, dear! Oh, Cousin Monica, don't leave me.'

'My dear, I _can't_ stay; your papa and I--we've had a quarrel. I know
I'm right, and he's wrong, and he'll come to see it soon, if he's left to
himself, and then all will be right. But just now he misunderstands me, and
we've not been civil to one another. I could not think of staying, and he
would not allow you to come away with me for a short visit, which I wished.
It won't last, though; and I do assure you, my dear Maud, I am quite happy
about you now that you are quite on your guard. Just act respecting that
person as if she were capable of any treachery, without showing distrust or
dislike in your manner, and nothing will remain in her power; and write to
me whenever you wish to hear from me, and if I can be of any real use, I
don't care, I'll come: so there's a wise little woman; do as I've said, and
depend upon it everything will go well, and I'll contrive before long to
get that nasty creature away.'

Except a kiss and a few hurried words in the morning when she was leaving,
and a pencilled farewell for papa, there was nothing more from Cousin
Monica for some time.

Knowl was dark again--darker than ever. My father, gentle always to me, was
now--perhaps it was contrast with his fitful return to something like the
world's ways, during Lady Knollys' stay--more silent, sad, and isolated
than before. Of Madame de la Rougierre I had nothing at first particular to
remark. Only, reader, if you happen to be a rather nervous and very young
girl, I ask you to conceive my fears and imaginings, and the kind of misery
which I was suffering. Its intensity I cannot now even myself recall. But
it overshadowed me perpetually--a care, an alarm. It lay down with me at
night and got up with me in the morning, tinting and disturbing my dreams,
and making my daily life terrible. I wonder now that I lived through
the ordeal. The torment was secret and incessant, and kept my mind in
unintermitting activity.

Externally things went on at Knowl for some weeks in the usual routine.
Madame was, so far as her unpleasant ways were concerned, less tormenting
than before, and constantly reminded me of 'our leetle vow of friendship,
you remember, dearest Maud!' and she w