reject, without acquainting Mrs. Murray with the fact that she had
overheard the conversation; and yet she could not endure the
prospect of living under the same roof with a man whom she loathed
and feared. The memory of the blacksmith's aversion of this stranger
intensified her own; and as she pondered in shame and indignation
the scornful and opprobrious epithets which he had bestowed on
herself, she muttered through her set teeth:

"Yes, Grandy! he is cruel and wicked; and I never can bear to look
at or speak to him! How dared he curse my dear, dear, good grandpa!
How can I ever be respectful to him, when he is not even respectful
to his own mother! Oh! I wish I had never come here! I shall always
hate him!" At this juncture, Hagar entered, and lifted her back to
her couch; and, remarking the agitation of her manner, the nurse
said gravely, as she put her fingers on the girl's pulse:

"What has flushed you so? Your face is hot; you have tired yourself
sitting up too long. Did a gentleman come into the room a while
ago?"

"Yes, Mrs. Murray's son."

"Did Miss Ellen--that is, my mistress--tell you that you were to
live here, and get your education?"

"Yes, she offered to take care of me for a few years."

"Well, I am glad it is fixed, so--you can stay; for you can be a
great comfort to Miss Ellen, if you try to please her."