I did not expect that she would have the audacity to say this to Ernest; but she did. I had never asked him to take me to places of public amusement, because I knew he did not wish it. Sometimes, when I saw in the morning papers that a celebrated actor was to appear in a fine drama, my heart throbbed with momentary desire, and my lips opened to express it. But delicacy and pride always restrained its expression. I waited for him to say,-- "Gabriella, would you like to go?" The morning after her arrival she ransacked the papers, and fastening on the column devoted to amusements, read its contents aloud, to the evident annoyance of Ernest. "Niblo's Garden, the inimitable Ravels--_La Fete champetre_,--dancing on the tight-rope, etc. Yes, that's it. We will go there to-night, Gabriella. I have been dying to see the Ravels. Cousin Ernest,--you did not know that you were my cousin, did you?--but you are. Our mothers have been climbing the genealogical tree, and discovered our collateral branches. Cousin Ernest, go and get us tickets before the best seats are secured. What an unpromising countenance! Never mind. Mr. Harland said he would be only too happy to attend Gabriella and myself to any place of amusement or party of pleasure. You are not obliged to go, unless you choose. Is he, Gabriella?" "I certainly should not think of going without him," I answered, vexed to discover how much I really wished to go. "But you wish to go,--you know you do. Poor, dear little soul! You have never been anywhere,--you have seen nothing,--you live as close and demure as a church mouse,--while this man-monster, who has nothing in the universe to do, from morning till night, but wait upon you and contribute to your gratification, keeps you at home, like a bird in a cage, just to look at and admire. It is too selfish. If _you_ will not tell him so, _I_ will. He shall hear the truth from somebody." "Margaret!" I said, frightened at the pale anger of Ernest's countenance. "You dare not look me in the face and say that you do not wish to go, Gabriella? You know you dare not." "I desire nothing contrary to my husband's wishes." "You are a little simpleton, then,--and I don't care what people say. It is a sin to encourage him in such selfishness and despotism." She laughed, but her lips curled with scorn. Ernest took up a pearl paper-cutter from the table, and bent it, till it broke like glass in his fingers. He did not know what he was doing. Madge only laughed the louder. She enjoyed his anger and my trepidation.