"And see, Thompson, that Miss Anna Maria keeps on her gloves, and don't allow her to jump and play about. I particularly wish her to look delicate and ladylike at Court Herbert." "Oh yes, my lady; and then Hatton is so near, perhaps she will see Master Pynsent." "All in good time, Thompson. I thought I had something more to say--oh, don't let her drink large draughts of any thing, it swells the stomach; and keep her in your room altogether, for she may learn odd words from the nursery-maids, and that would distract me." "I will remove her from the nursery immediately, my lady," replied the obedient Thompson. "There now, take every thing away, and keep the door shut, that I may not hear the baby scream. I suppose the nurse is healthy, and all that, Thompson?" "I believe so, my lady." "Very well, I think I am going to sleep now, so do not come near me till I ring." Thompson departed with stealthy steps, and closed the scarlet baized doors which separated the nursery apartments from the wing which contained her lady's boudoir and sleeping chamber; but no precautions could deaden the piercing screams which issued from the unfortunate Anna Maria during the operation of transplanting her little person from the pleasures of companionship to the desolate advantages of Thompson's sitting-room. Rage crimsoned every feature, and swelled her little heart almost to bursting. In vain Thompson assured the angry girl how necessary the translation would prove towards her future establishment--how impossible it was for a young lady to succeed in after life if her hands were purple, and her nose red, with giving way to excessive emotion. Anna Maria became more intractable, and her three sisters advocated her cause. There was an "emeute" in the nurseries of Wetheral Castle. Anna Maria screamed violently, and the shrill sound was caught up and perpetuated by her party. Thompson was at fault, but she tried to gain time by the protocol system. "Listen, my dear Miss Anna Maria, while I explain to you the system your mamma wishes you to pursue." "I won't listen!" screamed Anna Maria. "We won't listen!" shouted her supporters. "Then you will never marry Master Pynsent," cried Thompson, with incautious indignation. This threat raised the defiance of the whole group, and the tumult became deafening. A bell rang violently. "There, young ladies!" exclaimed Thompson, "now you will get into a fine scrape!" Lady Wetheral was scandalized at the rude sounds which had penetrated into her chamber, and Thompson's statement utterly confounded her. "I am sure, Thompson, I do not know how to make arrangements for such conduct. I suppose they must have their own way, which is very disagreeable, but you know I cannot produce Miss Anna Maria at Court Herbert, with swelled features and a sulky face. Let her do as she likes then, Thompson; we can't help ourselves."