"Ah! what of him?" exclaimed Cornelius, with a sudden start. "Nothing," I replied, sorry to have said so much. He gave me a look beneath which I felt myself reddening. "He too!" he said, biting his lip and folding his arms like one amazed, "he too! And I was going, actually going, actually leaving you to him." He laughed indignantly and rose; I eagerly caught hold of his arm. "Oh, I am not going," he exclaimed impetuously, throwing down his hat as he spoke. "Catch me going now. No, Daisy," he added, resuming his place by me, and laying his hand on my arm as he bent on me a fixed and resolute look, "though I was fool enough to let him have the picture, he shall not find it quite so easy to get the original." "Oh, Cornelius!" I exclaimed, feeling ready to cry with vexation and shame, "that is not at all what I mean." "Another," he continued with ill-repressed irritation, "it is the strangest thing, that young or old, boys in experience, or worn and wearied with the world, they all want you." "Cornelius, how can you talk so! it is Mrs. Langton whom Mr. Thornton likes." "Mrs. Langton!" "Yes, Mrs. Langton, the great beauty." "So much the better," he replied with a scornful and incredulous laugh, "for he shall not have you, Daisy." "He does not want me," I said desperately; "but if he did, it would be time lost. For I am sure I don't want him." "You do not like him!" observed Cornelius, calming down a little. "Very much as a cousin. Not at all, otherwise." "And you will not have him, will you, Daisy?" He spoke with lingering doubt and uneasiness. "I tell you I shall not have the chance," I replied impatiently. "Oh, Cornelius! will you never leave off fancying that everybody is in love with me?" I could not help laughing as I said it. "Yes, laugh," he said reproachfully, "laugh at me, because like the poor man of the parable told by the Prophet to the sinful King, 'I have but one little ewe lamb; I have nourished it up, it has eaten of my meat, drank of my cup, lain in my bosom, and been unto me as a daughter.' Laugh because I cannot help dreading lest the rich man's insolence should wrest her from me!" "No, Cornelius, I shall laugh no more; but indeed you need not fear that sort of thing at all. Neither for Mr. Thornton, nor for any other member of his sex do I care, and when I say that," I added, reddening a little, "you know what I mean." "Too well!" he replied, in a low, sad tone. "Good bye, Daisy. God bless you!" I remained motionless with surprise and grief. He rose; Kate entered the room. "Oh, Kate!" I cried desperately, "after all but promising to stay, he is going. Speak to him, pray speak to him!" She shook her head and stood a little apart, looking on with quiet attention. I silently placed myself before her brother, but he looked both sad and determined. "You cannot have the heart to do it: you cannot!" I exclaimed, the tears running down my face as I spoke; "you cannot!"