Thou shalt not hold any communication with the Manor, nor with the people inhabiting the Manor; nor with the guest sojourning beneath the roof of the Manor. Thou shalt not associate with any men outside the circle of thy aunt's acquaintances. Thou shalt walk abroad by thine aunt's side, on thine own legs, and comport thyself discreetly, as behoves a young gentlewoman of good family. Thou shalt remember that thou art a self-invited guest, and conform to the rules of the establishment, or else shalt promptly return to the place from whence thou camest. ... In a word, Miss Briskett lost her temper, and when a woman of mature years and grey hairs loses control of herself, and lets her tongue run amuck, it is a sorry spectacle. The flush on Cornelia's cheeks was not for her own humiliation, but for her aunt's. She lowered her lids, ashamed to look into the angry, twisted face. "Yes, I understand," she replied quietly, in answer to the final question. "I guess I understand quite a lot." "And you mean to obey?" There was a moment's hesitation, and then-- "No," drawled Cornelia, calmly. "I can't say as I do! Those people have been polite to me, and I'm bound to be civil in return. I never ran after any man that I know of, and I don't intend to begin, but when I _do_ meet 'em, I'm going to be as pleasant as I know how. It's a pity, Aunt Soph, but you don't understand girls! I've not been reared on tea-parties and cribbage, and I tell you straight that I've just _got_ to have a vent! You be wise not to try to shut me up, for I get pretty reckless if I'm thwarted." "Cornelia, do you dare to threaten me?" "No, Aunt Soph. I'm kind enough to warn you before it is too late!" Cornelia rose as she spoke, and walked upstairs to the square, prosaic room, which seemed the only bit of "home" she possessed in the whole big map of Europe; sat herself down, and reviewed the situation.