'No one is ever too old to do a foolish thing,' began Lady Knollys.

'Nor to say a foolish thing, Monica. This has gone on too long. Don't you
see that little Maud here is silly enough to be frightened at your fun.'

So I was, but I could not divine how he guessed it.

'And well or ill, wisely or madly, I'll _never_ marry; so put that out of
your head.'

This was addressed rather to me, I think, than to Lady Knollys, who smiled
a little waggishly on me, and said--

'To be sure, Maud; maybe you are right; a stepdame is a risk, and I ought
to have asked you first what you thought of it; and upon my honour,' she
continued merrily but kindly, observing that my eyes, I know not exactly
from what feeling, filled with tears, 'I'll never again advise your papa to
marry, unless you first tell me you wish it.'

This was a great deal from Lady Knollys, who had a taste for advising her
friends and managing their affairs.

'I've a great respect for instinct. I believe, Austin, it is truer than
reason, and yours and Maud's are both against me, though I know I have
reason on my side.'

My father's brief wintry smile answered, and Cousin Monica kissed me, and
said--

'I've been so long my own mistress that I sometimes forget there are such