entleman, and
I won't have him made a fool of." I walked up and down the room--I
looked Aunt Horsingham full in the face; she was quite cowed by my
vehemence. I felt I was mistress now, while the excitement lasted, and
she gave in; she even wrote a note to the Squire at my dictation--she
dispatched it by a special messenger--she did everything I told her,
and never so much as ventured on remonstrance or reproach; but she
will never forgive me to her dying hour. There is no victory so
complete as that which one obtains over a person who is always
accustomed to meet with fear and obedience. Aunt Horsingham rules her
household with a rod of iron; nobody ever ventures to disagree with
her, or so much as to hint an opinion contrary to those which she is
known to hold. Such a person is so astonished at resistance as to be
incapable of quelling it; the very hardihood of the rebellion ensures
its success. When I walked out of the drawing-room to-day I felt that
for once I had obtained the victory in a contest with my aunt; that in
future I should no longer be the "wild, troublesome Kate," the "black
sheep" of the family, the scapegoat on whom were laid the faults and
misdemeanours of all, but the master-spirit, the bold, resolute woman,
whose value others were able to appreciate, and who was ready and
willing to assert her own independence. In the meantime poor Aunt
Deborah had to be informed of what had taken place, and Cousin Amelia
to be undeceived in her groundless expectations. That the latter would
never forgive me I was well enough acquainted with my own sex to be
assured; but the task required to be done, notwithstanding. Flushed
with my triumph, with heightened colour and flashing eyes, I stalked
off towards my chamber and met Cousin John in the hall.

"Good heavens, Kate, what is the matter? What has happened?" exclaimed
John in obvious perturbation.

"A piece of news!" was my reply; "a conquest, John! What do you think?
Mr. Haycock has just been here, and _proposed_ for me!"

He flushed up all over his face and temples, and then turned deadly
pale; even his lips were quite white and wide apart. How they quivered
as he tried to speak unconcernedly! And after all he got out nothing
but, "Well, Kate?"

"And I have refused him, John," I said quietly, but in a tone that
showed him there was no mistake about it.

"God bless you, Kate!" was all he replied, and turned away muttering
something about "wet things" and his