expectations, besides, respecting her will. I felt rather angry at his
submitting to this sort of tutelage, knowing nothing of its motive; I was
also disgusted by Cousin Monica's tyranny.

So soon as he had left the room, Lady Knollys, not minding me, said briskly
to papa, 'Never let that young man into your house again. I found him
making speeches, this morning, to little Maud here; and he really has not
two pence in the world--it is amazing impudence--and you know such absurd
things do happen.'

'Come, Maud, what compliments did he pay you?' asked my father.

I was vexed, and therefore spoke courageously. 'His compliments were not to
me; they were all to the house,' I said, drily.

'Quite as it should be--the house, of course; it is that he's in love
with,' said Cousin Knollys.

''Twas on a widow's jointure land,
The archer, Cupid, took his stand.'

'Hey! I don't quite understand,' said my father, slily.

'Tut! Austin; you forget Charlie is my nephew.'

'So I did,' said my father.

'Therefore the literal widow in this case _can_ have no interest in view
but one, and that is yours and Maud's. I wish him well, but he shan't put
my little cousin and her expectations into his empty pocket--_not_ a bit of