_five hundred_ of this sacred treasure, bestowed on me for very
different purposes, without her knowledge? It was useless to acquaint her
with my brother's request and solicit her permission. She would never
grant it.

My brother, observing me hesitate, said, "Come, Jane; make haste.
Surely this is no such mighty favour, that you should stand a moment.
'Twill be all the same to you, since I return it to-morrow. May I perish
if I don't!"

I still declined the offered pen:--"For what purpose, brother, surely I
may ask?--so large a sum?"

He laughed:--"A mere trifle, girl;'tis a bare nothing. But, much or
little, you shall have it again, I tell you, to-morrow. Come; time flies.
Take the pen, I say, and make no more words about the matter."

"Impossible, till I know the purpose. Do not urge me to a wrong
thing."

His face reddened with indignation. "A wrong thing! you are fool enough
to tire the patience of a saint. What do I ask, but the loan of a few
dollars for a single day? Money that is absolutely idle; for which you
have no use. You know that my father's property is mine, and that my
possessions are twenty times greater than your own; yet you refuse to lend
this paltry sum for one day. Come, Jane, sister; you have carried your
infatuation far enough. Where a raw girl should gain all these scruples
and punctilios I can't imagine. Pray, what is your objection?"

In these contests with my brother, I was never mistress of my thoughts.