'She came in the beginning of February--nearly ten months ago--is not it?'

'And who sent her?'

'I really don't know; papa tells me so little--he arranged it all himself,
I think.'

Cousin Monica made a sound of acquiescence--her lips closed and a nod,
frowning hard at the bars.

'It _is_ very odd!' she said; 'how people _can_ be such fools!' Here there
came a little pause. 'And what sort of person is she--do you like her?'

'Very well--that is, _pretty_ well. You won't tell?--but she rather
frightens me. I'm sure she does not intend it, but somehow I am very much
afraid of her.'

'She does not beat you?' said Cousin Monica, with an incipient frenzy in
her face that made me love her.

'Oh no!'

'Nor ill-use you in any way?'

'No.'

'Upon your honour and word, Maud?'

'No, upon my honour.'