"Just at your own pace, papa, whatever that may be. Besides, you can only try her; she's easily sent away if you and mamma don't like her. And then think, she is a poor clergyman's daughter; and it would be quite a kind action." "A poor parson's! It would have been more to the purpose if you had said a poor officer's. I pay tithes enough to the black coated gentlemen, without being bothered with their children, and who ever pays tithes to us, I wonder? I don't see what right parsons have to marry at all; and then, forsooth, come and ask other people to take care of their brats!" "Ah! but she's not to be taken care of for nothing; only think what a comfort she'll be." "To your mamma, perhaps, but not to me. And _she's_ always the first person to be considered in this house, I know very well; and I know very well who it is that dresses the poor old soldier's wounds, and studies his comforts--and he'll study hers; and I won't have her vexed to please any of you." "But why should she be vexed? It's nothing to _her_. _She's_ not to live with Lettice. And I must say, if Randall sets herself against this measure, she behaves in a very unreasonable and unworthy manner, in my opinion." "Hoity toity! _To_ be sure; and who's behaving in an unreasonable and unworthy manner now, I wonder, abusing her behind her back, a worthy, attached creature, whose sole object it is to study the welfare of us all? She's told me so a thousand times." "I daresay. Well, now, papa, listen to me. I'm going away from you for good--your little Catherine. Just for once grant me this as a favor. Only try Lettice. I'm sure you'll like her; and if, after she's been here a quarter of a year, you don't wish to keep her, why part with her, and I'll promise not to say a word about it. Randall has her good qualities, I suppose, like the rest of the world; but Randall must be taught to keep her place, and that's not in this drawing-room. And it's _here_ you want Lettice, not in your dressing-room. Randall shall have it all her own way _there_, and that _ought_ to content her. And besides, papa, do you know, I can't marry Edgar till you have consented, because I can not leave mamma and you with nobody to keep you company." "Edgar and you be d----d! Well, do as you like. The sooner you're out of the house the better. I shan't have my own way till you're gone. You're a sad coaxing baggage, but you _have_ a pretty face of your own, Miss Catherine." * * * * * If the debate upon the subject ran high at the Hazels, so did it in the little humble apartment which the two sisters occupied. "A humble friend! No," cried Myra, "that I would never, never be; rather die of hunger first."