His eyes darted fire. "Come, girl; none of your insolence. I did not
come here to be insulted."

"No; you rather came to commit than to receive an insult."

"Paltry distinguisher! to jest with you, and not chide you for your
folly, is to insult you, is it? Leave off romance, and stick to common
sense, and you will never receive any thing but kindness from me. But
come; if I must humour you, let me hear how you have found yourself out to
be wiser than your father and brother."

"I do not imagine, brother, that any good will result from our
discussing this subject. Education, or sex, if you please, has made a
difference in our judgments, which argument will never reconcile."

"With all my heart. A truce everlasting let there be; but, in truth, I
merely came to caution you against inter-meddling in _my affairs_, to
tell you to beware of sowing jealousy and ill-will between the _old
man_ and me. Prate away on other subjects as much as you please; but on
this affair of Risberg's hold your tongue for the future."

"I thank you for your brotherly advice, but I am afraid I never shall
bring myself to part with the liberty of _prating_ on every subject
that pleases me; at least, my forbearance will flow from my own
discretion, and not from the imperious prohibition of another."

He laughed. "Well said, oddity. I am not displeased to see you act with
some spirit: but I repeat my charge; _be quiet_. Your interference
will do no good."