'A fine statement that! Then what are you going to do? Incite them to
more outrages? Because, if that's your intention, you certainly won't
come; and I must say, Sarah, you don't show a very nice spirit in taking
this tone.'

'What tone?' demanded Sarah, looking rather defiant.

'Why, rejoicing in your father's loss, and openly taking the part of his
enemies,' said Mr Howroyd.

'I'm not rejoicing in it; I'm awfully sorry. I would have given anything
to have prevented it; and it's just to prevent any more that I am going
down to Ousebank,' replied Sarah.

William Howroyd turned and continued his way towards Ousebank. As it was
evident that Sarah meant to go to the town, it was better that she should
go with him than alone, which he was convinced she would do if he did not
let her come with him; so he only said testily, 'I never did pretend to
understand women, but you beat every one of them. I don't know what you
do mean; but I'm glad to hear you are not so undutiful as I thought you
were. Not that you'll do any good by going to Ousebank, because you'll
not turn these people.'

'If you think I'm going to try to turn Jane Mary because I want to save
papa's property for him you are mistaken, because I don't care a fig if
it is destroyed or not; but I do care about Jane Mary, and I don't want
her to get into trouble, and that's why I am going to see her.'

'You're a queer girl, Sarah; but I think you'll be sorry one of these
days for the part you're acting now. Why, that little schoolfellow of
yours has a more friendly feeling for your father than his own daughter,'
observed Mr Howroyd, as the two walked hurriedly along the path through
the park, which was a short-cut to the town.

'Oh Horatia! You say you don't understand me; but I think I'm much
easier to understand than Horatia. She came up here to be my friend and
companion, and sympathise with me, and, lo and behold! she goes and makes
friends with father, and cares much more for father and mother than for
me,' complained Sarah.

'And I don't blame her,' said Mr Howroyd.

Sarah laughed. 'I wonder you don't follow her example; but you don't, and
you know, Uncle Howroyd, it's no use your pretending to champion my
father, because you don't really care for him a bit except from duty, and
you like me much better,' she announced coolly.

'I don't like you at all to-night, and I disapprove of your behaviour to
your parents very strongly. As I told you before, yo