case, he would have given an instant, unhesitating consent to the union. But he also knew that it was this match my uncle and aunt were bent upon,—not the other; and that if it could be brought about without the trouble of forcing me into that, they might be very well inclined to spare themselves any more trouble in that; having had,—poor Lady Crawdour, at least, quite enough already in it. But by pronouncing the one absolutely and irrevocably dependent on the other, he trusted to stimulate them to further exertions.

And it had that effect.

Oh, but," said Lady Crawdour, looking imploringly at me, as she made a last despairing effort; "Lilla is not going to make any fuss or difficulty, Mr. Duchesne. She's a very sensible girl. This was only some foolish flirtation she was led into, very wrong, no doubt; but young people will be young people; and she will be steadier in future; and we will all forgive it and

forget it. Speak to your uncle now, my dear; and say you intend to be a good girl, and obey him; and everything will go right, and we shall be all happy and comfortable."

I shook my head, determinately, in the negative.

"Hold your tongue!" said Sir John Crawdour to his wife, seeing that she was about to speak again; “you have muddled this business enough already. Now leave it to me." Which was hard upon the poor woman; for she had taken twice the trouble in it that he had, and done her best; though she was a fool.

There's but one way left now to settle it," said Sir John Crawdour.

"Lilla, come here."

I advanced from the end of the room where I had remained since my entrance, and stood before him.

Now," said my uncle, " I am not going to ask you any questions about this young scoun

drel you've picked up with. I don't care who he is or what he is, whether a crossingsweeper, or a duke; but there is Mr. Duchesne,” -pointing to that individual, “and I desire you to marry him. Do you intend to obey me?" "No, uncle," I said; "I will not marry Mr. Duchesne."

"Well, now,

"You won't," said Sir John. just listen to me, Miss Crawdour, while I say what I'd have said to you long ago, but for Mr. Duchesne's notions about soft measures, and 'gaining affections,' and bosh. Do you know how old you are?"

"Yes. I was twenty-one last October."

"Quite accurate. Now, you are not a very learned young lady; but I dare say you know quite enough of the laws of England to be aware that, as you are over twenty-one, you are of age, and independent of me, and that I cannot prevent your marrying any one you please?"

"I do know that,” I said.

Oh, I had no doubt of it at all. But do you know, likewise, that I have no further responsibility about you; that I am not bound to keep you here, or maintain you one hour longer than I like; and that if you don't obey

Stop, sir," said Mountiford interrupting him; "let me say one word.

Drop this business of Mr. Duchesne; she never will consent; and it's been a wretched affair from the beginning. Then she will promise to do nothing in the other without your knowledge. He's a mere boy, sir, without a penny; and it's a hundred to one that it ever comes to anything."

"Mountiford," said Sir John, "you are an ass. She," pointing to me, "is an impudent, obstinate hussy; but she's the only one of the whole pack of you that's got an ounce of brains. I told you before, sir, that I don't care a dump

whom she marries, if she doesn't marry Mr. Duchesne; and marry him she shall, or quit this house to-'

"Stop," said Mountiford, interrupting him again; "I must say one word more. It is no use driving Lilla to extremities; for I will not marry Miss Duchesne, under any circumstances whatsoever, now."

What do you mean by this, sir ?" cried his father, starting from his seat. "What fresh insolence is this?" While Lady Crawdour clasped her hands, and exclaimed, "O Mountiford, Mountiford!" And the evil frown more deeply overspread Mr. Duchesne's face as he muttered something about " a new dodge."

"I mean what I say," said my cousin. "I was willing to marry Miss Duchesne, if it could be done by fair means; but these are not fair. A consent wrung from Lilla by threats—'

"No threats will wring a consent from me, Mounty."