Something crossed her like an angry breath--something rang in her ears, confused and echoing like the first drops of a thunder-shower; and Menie can see nothing in all the world but Miss Annie weeping upon her hand, and, like a culprit, steals away--steals away, not knowing where she goes--desolate, guilty, forsaken, feeling as if she had done some grievous wrong, and was for ever shut out from peace or comfort in this weary world. Yes--there is no one to see you. Lie down upon the ground, Menie Laurie--down, down, where you can be no lower, and cover your eyes from the cheerful light. How they pour upon you, these dreadful doubts and suspicions of yourself!--wisely--wisely--what should make it wise, this thing you have done? You yourself have little wisdom, and you took no counsel. If it was not wise, what then?--it is done, and there is nothing for it now but to be content. CHAPTER XXVII. “It must not be--I cannot permit it,” said Mrs Laurie. “Menie, is this all that your mother deserves at your hands? to take such a step as this without even telling me--without giving me an opportunity of remonstrance? Menie! Menie!” And with hasty steps Mrs Laurie paces backward and forward the narrow room. Beside the window, very pale, Menie stands with a half-averted face, saying nothing--very pale--and there is a sullen suffering in Menie Laurie’s darkened face. “I cannot have it--I will not permit it”--Mrs Laurie is much excited. “My own honour is compromised; it will be said it is I who have separated you. Menie! it is strange that you should show so little regard either to Randall or to me. I must do something--I must make an effort--I cannot have this.” “Mother, hear me,” exclaimed Menie. “No one shall do anything; I will not bear it either. In everything else you shall make of me what you will--here I am not to be swayed; I must decide this for myself--and I have decided it, mother.” With astonished eyes Mrs Laurie looked upon her daughter’s face. Flushed with passion, full of a fierce unrespecting will--was this Menie Laurie? but her mother turned aside from her. “I am sorry, Menie--I am very sorry--to see you show such a spirit; another time I will speak of it again.”