"Come, come, you must not talk like this." "Ah, now you're beginning to coax again, as you always did when you wanted your own way; but it's of no use, my dear, I don't like him, and I never shall. I'd rather you'd marry old Sir Gordon; he is nice, though he do dye his hair. I don't like him and there's an end of it." "Nonsense, Thisbe!" "No, it isn't nonsense. I don't like him, and I never shall." "But why? Have you any good reason?" "Yes," said Thisbe with a snort. "What is it?" "I told you before. He's so horrid handsome." "Why, you dear, prejudiced, silly old thing!" cried Millicent, whose eyes were sparkling, and cheeks flushed. "I don't care if I am. I don't like handsome men: they're good for nowt." "Why, Thisbe!" "I don't care, they arn't; my soldier fellow was that handsome it made you feel wicked, you were so puffed out with pride." "And so you were in love once, Thisbe?" "Why, of course I was. Think I'm made o' stone, miss? Enough to make any poor girl be in love when a handsome fellow like that, with moustache-i-ohs, and shiny eyes, and larnseer uniform making him look like a blue robin redbreast, came and talked as he did to a silly young goose such as I was then. I couldn't help it. Why, the way his clothes fitted him was enough to win any girl's heart--him with such a beautiful figure too! He looked as if he couldn't be got out of 'em wi'out unpicking." "Think of our Thisbe falling in love with a soldier!" cried Millicent, laughing, for there was a wild feeling of joy in her heart that was intoxicating, and made her eyes flash with excitement. "Ah, it's very funny, isn't it?" said Thisbe, with a vicious shake of her apron. "But it's true. Handsome as handsome he was, and talked so good that he set me thinking always about how nice I must be. Stuffed me out wi' pride, and what did he do then?" "I'm sure I don't know, Thisbe." "Borrered three pun seven and sixpence of my savings, and took my watch, as I bought at Horncastle fair, to be reggilated, and next time I see my gentleman he was walking out wi' Dixon's cook. Handsome is as handsome does, Miss Milly, so you take warning by me." "There, I will not be cross with you, Thisbe," said Millicent, smiling. "I know you mean well." "And you'll send an answer to Mr Bayle, miss?" "There is no answer required, Thisbe," said Millicent gravely. "And Mr Hallam, miss?" "Thisbe," said Millicent gravely, "I want you always to be our old faithful friend as well as servant, but--" She held up a warning finger, and was silent. Thisbe's lips parted to say a few angry words; but she flounced round, and made the door speak for her in a sharp bang, after which she rushed upstairs with the intent of having a furious encounter with a bed; but she changed her mind, and on reaching her own room, sat down, put her apron to her eyes, and had what she called "a good cry."