He has the key of the gates--we sent away the groom--and I was an hour alone with him--quite! There!" There was a defiant accent on the last word.

Annette shook her head.

She had been fifteen years in the Risboroughs' service, and remembered Connie when she was almost a baby.
"Whatever were you so silly for?
You know your mamma wouldn't have let you." "Well, I've not got my mamma," said Connie slowly.

"And I'm not going to be managed by Aunt Ellen, Netta.

I intend to run my own show." "Who is it ?" said Annette, knitting busily.
Connie laughed.
"Do you think I'm going to tell you ?" "You needn't.