been settled long ago." She shrugged her shoulders. "But that's
past and done. I'm going to do my best. Only--I warn you, don't
try to drive me! I'll not be driven!"

"What do you think of Grant Arkwright?" asked her grandmother.

"I intend to marry him," replied Margaret.

The old lady's stern eyes gleamed delight.

"But," Margaret hastened to add, "you mustn't interfere. He
doesn't like you. He's afraid of you. If you give the slightest
sign, he'll sheer off. You must let me handle him."

"The insolent puppy," muttered Madam Bowker. "I've always detested
him."

"You don't want me to marry him?"

"On the contrary," the old lady replied. "He would make the best
possible husband for you." She smiled like a grand inquisitor at
prospect of a pleasant day with rack and screw. "He needs a firm
hand," said she.

Margaret burst out laughing at this implied compliment to herself;
then she colored as with shame and turned away. "What frauds we
women are!" she exclaimed. "If I had any sense of decency left,
I'd be ashamed to do it!"

"There you go again!" cried her grandmother. "You can't be