"It was prison of a sort, but one was at least free to choose one's friends." "If," he suggested, "you could make up your mind that I was a person at any rate to be tolerated, I think that I could make things easier for you.

Your stepmother is always inclined to follow my advice, and I could perhaps get her to take you to quieter places, where you could lead any sort of life you liked." "Thank you," she answered.

"Before very long I shall be my own mistress.

Until then I must make the best of things.

If you wish to do something for me you can answer a question." "Ask it, then," he begged at once.