I had thought that the very suggestion would make her faint; but instead, to my surprise, a rose of colour flew to her pale cheeks. “Yes,” she whispered. “If I only knew where!” O, fie on madam! She must have been a cruel task-mistress, indeed! “There!” I said, “you naughty little thing! But confess to me first what you have heard tell about your sister.” “What does that matter,” she murmured, hanging her head, “when nothing in the world can ever alter my love for you?” I took her in my arms, and touched her little simple toilette into shape here and there. “You are very desperate, in truth, child. What do you say--will you risk all, and come and be my duenna? You are older than I, sure, and shall defend your little sister from slander. I will get the earl to consent, if you will say yes.” She seemed beyond answering, but could only cling to me in a kind of frenzied rapture. “And I will make a fine bird of my Jenny Wren,” I said, still busy with her; “for she has a thousand pretty little modest graces which will do me a vast credit in the dressing. You shall keep your natural hair, miss, for powder, since the tax, is not _à la mode_ with the best; but a gentleman’s arm--_le cas échéant_--would never go round this waist by three inches.” I peeped, with a smile, into her face. “O, if I only dared!” she sighed. “Sir Benjamin,” I cried, rising instantly, “escort us to the gates, please, and call a coach.” An hour later I broke upon his lordship’s privacy. “Nunky,” I cried, “I want permission for a new toy, please.” He looked up askew. He was in the hands of his valet. “I have been taking thought for my reputation,” I said, “and desire a duenna.” He screwed out a laugh and an oath. “I’ll have no old hags about.” “’Tis a young hag but a little older than myself. Will you let me?” “No, I won’t.” “It will please me.” “No.” “It will spite Lady Sophia to death.” “Curse it, you viper! I’ll think about it.” “Very well. I’ll bring her to be introduced.” And, before he could remonstrate, I was gone. We found him in demi-toilette when I returned, dragging my reluctant baggage with me, like a lamb to the slaughter. She was as terrified as if ’twere for him I coveted her, and not for myself. He started, seeing her, and came and put his hand on her shoulder. “Well, I vow,” said he, “’tis a toy for a king. Whence come you, child? From my sister? She was wise to dismiss you, egad!” XXIII. I AM MADE FORTUNE’S MISTRESS I have ruled myself all my life to be none but Fortune’s mistress. Let who will question it, the gift of fine clothes has never bought my independence. Honesty, as the little plant of that name tells us, may go dressed in satin. And, as with me, so would I have it with my sister.