’We have not come to an understanding yet on the subjects of my last visit,’ he said grimly. ’But I daresay you know me too well to believe that I have been inactive in the matter. I have taken measures to prevent the visits of a certain unsuitable person to your house.’ ’Indeed!’ said Nancy, meekly, gathering up her forces for the fray, and rapidly coming to the conclusion that meekness would suit her best; if feeble as a weapon, it would at least be baffling to her adversary. Herries continued— ’If you have no sense of what is fitting or unfitting for a young woman in your peculiarly delicate circumstances, others must exercise it for you. That such a man as Burns should visit your house as an intimate is worse than unfitting—it is a slur upon your reputation. He is openly a profligate, and his _bonnes fortunes_ with women everywhere are become a bye-word. If you cannot protect yourself against the danger of his society, you must be protected.’ Nancy had cast down her eyes and looked the image of innocence. ’You are too much the master here, Archie,’ she meekly said, ’and I and my poor infants are too directly dependent on your bounty for your word to be questioned. No doubt you are wise. If you have forbidden Mr. Burns my house, of course he will be forbidden.’ Herries looked suspiciously at the smooth, downcast face of his cousin. He did not believe a word she said—he never did. But she baffled him. ’Have you no conscience,’ he said angrily, ’that you have subjected to the influence of Mr. Burns a girl like that one yonder—your guest—an inexperienced young creature committed to your charge, and for whom you are responsible? Has no thought of her ever troubled you?’ Nancy assumed a little troubled air of guilt, fidgeting with the fringes of her apron. ’La, Archie,’ she said, ’poor Alison! Well, ’tis her sweet voice that has attracted the poet here, I may tell you that. And if she is—may be, for I’ve no certain knowledge of it, mind you—a little smit, what harm? Girls love these soft sensations—’tis their life. But lud, Archie! fancy talking of such things to you,’ and she gave a little amused laugh. Herries looked at her with a helpless dislike. His eyes were full of a dumb and angry pain that could not get itself spoken. He had always despised this little woman—an error of judgment, for such little women are full of power, and have swayed kingdoms in their day. Now, with callous little hands, she turned the dagger in his heart. Heavens! how she made him suffer—unconsciously, it was true, but he had a bitter feeling that the will was there. ’Is Miss Graham gone out?’ he asked uneasily.