do. And whatever you
say, the lord likes you uncommon, and well you know it, ye hussy.'

'I know no such thing; and you don't think it, _you_ hussy, and I really
don't care who likes me or who doesn't, except my relations; and I make the
lord a present to you, if you'll have him.'

In this strain were we talking when he re-entered the room, a little sooner
than we had expected to see him.

Milly, who, you are to recollect, was only in process of reformation, and
still retained something of the Derbyshire dairymaid, gave me a little
clandestine pinch on the arm just as he made his appearance.

'I just refused a present from her,' said odious Milly, in answer to his
enquiring look, 'because I knew she could not spare it.'

The effect of all this was that I blushed one of my overpowering blushes.
People told me they became me very much; I hope so, for the misfortune was
frequent; and I think nature owed me that compensation.

'It places you both in a most becoming light,' said Lord Ilbury, quite
innocently. 'I really don't know which most to admire--the generosity of
the offer or of the refusal.'

'Well, it _was_ kind, if you but knew. I'm 'most tempted to tell him,' said
Milly.

I checked her with a really angry look, and said, 'Perhaps you have not
observed it; but I really think, for a sensible person, my cousin Milly
here talks more nonsense than any twenty other girls.'

'A twenty-girl power! That's an immense compliment. I've the greatest
respect for nonsense, I owe it so much; and I really think if nonsense were
banished, the earth would grow insupportable.'

'Thank you, Lord Ilbury,' said Milly, who had grown quite easy in his
company during our long visit at Elverston; 'and I tell you, Miss Maud, if
you grow saucy, I'll accept your present, and what will you say then?'

'I really don't know; but just now I want to ask Lord Ilbury how he thinks
my uncle looks; neither I nor Milly have seen him since his illness.'

'Very much weaker, I think; but he may be gaining strength. Still, as my
business was not quite pleasant, I thought it better to postpone it, and
if you think it would be right, I'll write to Doctor Bryerly to ask him to
postpone the discussion for a little time.'

I at once assented, and thanked him; indeed, if I had had my way, the
subject should never have been mentioned, I felt so hardhearted and
rapacious; but Lord Ilbury explained that the trustees were constrained by
the provisions of