I dare say what you tell me of the cause of your engagement
here is true, and I suppose we must travel, as you say, in company; but
you must know that the less we see of each other while in this house the
better.'

'I am not so sure of that, my sweet little _bete_; your education has been
neglected, or rather entirely abandoned, since you 'av arrive at this
place, I am told. You must not be a _bestiole_. We must do, you and I, as
we are ordered. Mr. Silas Ruthyn he will tell us.'

All this time Madame was pulling on her stockings, getting her boots on,
and otherwise proceeding with her dowdy toilet. I do not know why I stood
there talking to her. We often act very differently from what we would
have done upon reflection. I had involved myself in a dialogue, as wiser
generals than I have entangled themselves in a general action when they
meant only an affair of outposts. I had grown a little angry, and would
not betray the least symptom of fear, although I felt that sensation
profoundly.

'My beloved father thought you so unfit a companion for me that he
dismissed you at an hour's notice, and I am very sure that my uncle will
think as he did; you are _not_ a fit companion for me, and had my
uncle known what had passed he would never have admitted you to this
house--never!'

'Helas! _Quelle disgrace_! And you really think so, my dear Maud,'
exclaimed Madame, adjusting her wig before her glass, in the corner of
which I could see half of her sly, grinning face, as she ogled herself in
it.

'I do, and so do you, Madame,' I replied, growing more frightened.

'It may be--we shall see; but everyone is not so cruel as you, _ma chere
petite calomniatrice_.'

'You shan't call me those names,' I said, in an angry tremor.

'What name, dearest cheaile?'

'_Calomniatrice_--that is an insult.'

'Why, my most foolish little Maud, we may say rogue, and a thousand other
little words in play which we do not say seriously.

'You are not playing--you never play--you are angry, and you hate me,' I
exclaimed, vehemently.

'Oh, fie!--wat shame! Do you not perceive, dearest cheaile, how much
education you still need? You are proud, little demoiselle; you must
become, on the contrary, quaite humble. Je ferai baiser le babouin a
vous--ha, ha, ha! I weel make a you to kees the monkey. You are too proud,
my dear cheaile.'

'I am not such a fool as I was at Knowl,' I said; 'you shall not terrify me
here. I will tell my uncle the whol