I ask only witch shall command for the future--voila tout!' I was frightened, but resolute--I dare say I looked sullen and uncomfortable.

At all events, she seemed to think she might possibly succeed by wheedling; so she tried coaxing and cajoling, and patted my cheek, and predicted that I would be 'a good cheaile,' and not 'vex poor Madame,' but do for the future 'wat she tell a me.' She smiled her wide wet grin, smoothed my hand, and patted my cheek, and would in the excess of her conciliatory paroxysm have kissed me; but I withdrew, and she commented only with a little laugh, and a 'Foolish little thing! but you will be quite amiable just now.' 'Why, Madame,' I asked, suddenly raising my head and looking her straight in the face, 'do you wish me to walk to Church Scarsdale so particularly to-day ?' She answered my steady look with a contracted gaze and an unpleasant frown.
'Wy do I ?--I do not understand a you; there is _no_ particular day--wat folly! Wy I like Church Scarsdale?
Well, it is such pretty place.

There is all! Wat leetle fool! I suppose you think I want to keel a you and bury you in the churchyard ?' And she laughed, and it would not have been a bad laugh for a ghoul.
'Come, my dearest Maud, you are not a such fool to say, if _you_ tell me me go thees a way, I weel go that; and if you say, go that a way, I weel go thees--you are rasonable leetle girl--come along--_alons donc_--we shall av soche agreeable walk--weel a you ?' But I was immovable.

It was neither obstinacy nor caprice, but a profound fear that governed me.

I was then afraid--yes, _afraid_.