ish Milly would come,' said I peevishly, looking toward the door.

'Well, I'll tell you how it is, Maud. I may as well have it out. I like
you better than any lass that ever I saw, a deal; you're nicer by chalks;
there's none like ye--there isn't; and I wish you'd have me. I ha'n't much
tin--father's run through a deal, he's pretty well up a tree, ye know; but
though I baint so rich as some folk, I'm a better man, 'appen; and if ye'd
take a tidy lad, that likes ye awful, and 'id die for your sake, why here
he is.'

'What can you mean, sir?' I exclaimed, rising in indignant bewilderment.

'I mean, Maud, if ye'll marry me, you'll never ha' cause to complain; I'll
never let ye want for nout, nor gi'e ye a wry word.'

'Actually a proposal!' I ejaculated, like a person speaking in a dream.

I stood with my hand on the back of a chair, staring at Dudley; and
looking, I dare say, as stupefied as I felt.

'There's a good lass, ye would na deny me,' said the odious creature,
with one knee on the seat of the chair behind which I was standing, and
attempting to place his arm lovingly round my neck.

This effectually roused me, and starting back, I stamped upon the ground
with actual fury.

'What has there ever been, sir, in my conduct, words, or looks, to
warrant this unparalleled audacity? But that you are as stupid as you are
impertinent, brutal, and ugly, you must, long ago, sir, have seen how I
dislike you. How dare you, sir? Don't presume to obstruct me; I'm going to
my uncle.'

I had never spoken so violently to mortal before.

He in turn looked a little confounded; and I passed his extended but
motionless arm with a quick and angry step.

He followed me a pace or two, however, before I reached the door, looking
horridly angry, but stopped, and only swore after me some of those 'wry
words' which I was never to have heard. I was myself, however, too much
incensed, and moving at too rapid a pace, to catch their import; and I had
knocked at my uncle's door before I began to collect my thoughts.

'Come in,' replied my uncle's voice, clear, thin, and peevish.

I entered and confronted him.

'Your son, sir, has insulted me.'

He looked at me with a cold curiosity steadly for a few seconds, as I stood
panting before him with flaming cheeks.

'Insulted you?' repeated he. 'Egad, you surprise me!'

The ejaculation savoured of 'the old man,' to borrow his scriptural phrase,
more than anything I had heard from him bef