your rank in life."

"A woman who lives in these rooms," said Mrs. Howland, "has no rank in
life."

"Well, dear mother, I cannot agree with you. However, as I said, I
breakfasted with him."

"Then you're coming round?" said Mrs. Howland. "You're going to be
good, and a comfort to us both?"

"No, mother, I haven't come round a bit. When I was breakfasting with
Mr. Martin I fully explained to him what a fearful trial I should be
to him; how, day by day and hour by hour, I'd annoy him."

"You did that! Oh you wicked child!"

"I thought it best to be frank, mother. I made an impression on him. I
did what I did as much for your sake as for mine."

"Then he'll break off the engagement--of course he will!" said Mrs.
Howland. She took a moist handkerchief from her pocket and pressed it
to her eyes.

"Not he. He is just devoted to you, mother; you need have no such
apprehension."

"What else did you say to him?"

"Well, mother darling, I said what I thought right."

"Oh, of course you won't confide in me."

"I think not. I will let him do that. He is coming to tea this
afternoon, and he has given me a sovereign"--how Maggie felt inclined
to kick that sovereign!--"to go and have some pleasure somewhere. So I
mean to take the train to Richmond, and perhaps get a boatman to take
me out on the river for a little."

"He is certainly more playful and amusing when you are not here," said
Mrs. Howland, a faint smile dawning on her face.

"I am certain of that," said Maggie; "and what's more, he is very fond
of good living. I mean to go out presently and get some excellent
things for his tea."

"Will you, Maggie? Will you, my child? Why, that will be quite sweet
of you."

"I will do it with pleasure, mother. But now I want you to do
something for me."

"Ah," said Mrs. Howland, "I thought you were coming to that."

"Well, it is this," said Maggie. "When he talks to you about me, don't
oppose him. He will most probably propound a scheme to you, as his own
perhaps; and you are to be quite certain to let him think that it is
his own scheme. And you might make out to him, mother, that I am
really very disagreeable, and that nothing in all the world would make
me anything else. And if you are a very wise little mother you will
tell him that you are happier alone with him."

"Which I am--I am," said Mrs. Howland. "He is a dear, quite a dear;
and so comical and amusing!"

"Then it's all right," said Maggie. "You know