, I fancy. But I'll ha' a fistful jist now, and
no thanks to he. Them executors, you know, owes me a deal o' money. Very
honest chaps, of course; but they're cursed slow about paying, I know.'

I made no remark upon this elegant allusion to the executors of my dear
father's will.

'An' I tell ye, Maud, when I git the tin, I know who I'll buy a farin' for.
I do, lass.'

The odious creature drawled this with a sidelong leer, which, I suppose, he
fancied quite irresistible.

I am one of those unfortunate persons who always blushed when I most
wished to look indifferent; and now, to my inexpressible chagrin, with its
accustomed perversity, I felt the blush mount to my cheeks, and glow even
on my forehead.

I saw that he perceived this most disconcerting indication of a sentiment
the very idea of which was so detestable, that, equally enraged with myself
and with him, I did not know how to exhibit my contempt and indignation.

Mistaking the cause of my discomposure, Mr. Dudley Ruthyn laughed softly,
with an insufferable suavity.

'And there's some'at, lass, I must have in return. Honour thy father, you
know; you would not ha' me disobey the Governor? No, you wouldn't--would
ye?'

I darted at him a look which I hoped would have quelled his impertinence;
but I blushed most provokingly--more violently than ever.

'I'd back them eyes again' the county, I would,' he exclaimed, with a
condescending enthusiasm. 'You're awful pretty, you are, Maud. I don't know
what came over me t'other night when Governor told me to buss ye; but dang
it, ye shan't deny me now, and I'll have a kiss, lass, in spite o' thy
blushes.'

He jumped from his elevated seat on the sideboard, and came swaggering
toward me, with an odious grin, and his arms extended. I started to my
feet, absolutely transported with fury.

'Drat me, if she baint a-going to fight me!' he chuckled humorously.

'Come, Maud, you would not be ill-natured, sure? Arter all, it's only our
duty. Governor bid us kiss, didn't he?'

'Don't--_don't_, sir. Stand back, or I'll call the servants.'

And as it was I began to scream for Milly.

'There's how it is wi' all they cattle! You never knows your own mind--ye
don't,' he said, surlily. 'You make such a row about a bit o' play. Drop
it, will you? There's no one a-harming you--is there? _I_'m not, for
sartain.'

And, with an angry chuckle, he turned on his heel, and left the room.

I think I was perfectly right to resist