Friar, the earl-no-earl shall come no more to my daughter."

"Very good," said the friar.

"It is not very good," said the baron, "for I cannot get her to say so."

"I fear," said Sir Ralph, "the young lady must be much
distressed and discomposed."

"Not a whit, sir," said the baron. "She is, as usual, in a most
provoking imperturbability, and contradicts me so smilingly that it
would enrage you to see her."

"I had hoped," said Sir Ralph, "that I might have seen her,
to make my excuse in person for the hard necessity of my duty."

He had scarcely spoken, when the door opened, and the lady
made her appearance.




CHAPTER IV


Are you mad, or what are you, that you squeak out your catches
without mitigation or remorse of voice? Twelfth Night.


Matilda, not dreaming of visitors, tripped into the apartment