"Scold her! That I will, and whip her, too, if you say so! I will do anything to please you, beautiful lady," whimpered granny, moving closer to Roma, and furtively stroking her rich dress with a skinny, clawlike hand, while she looked at the girl with eager eyes. Roma frowned a little at this demonstration of tenderness, but she was glad the old woman took it so calmly about Liane, and answered coolly: "So that you keep them apart, I do not care how much you whip her, for her boldness deserves a check, and I suppose that you cannot restrain her, except by beating." She was surprised and almost shocked as granny whispered hoarsely: "I would beat her--yes; I would kill her before she should steal your grand lover, darling!" CHAPTER XV. "A DYING MOTHER." Even Roma's cruel heart was somewhat shocked at granny's malevolence toward her beautiful young granddaughter, but she did not rebuke the old hag; she only resolved to make capital of it. So she said: "I don't want you to kill her, but I wish you could take her away from here, where Jesse Devereaux can never find her again. She is in my way, and I want her removed!" "It would be worth money to you to get her out of your way," leered granny cunningly: Roma hesitated a moment, then answered frankly: "Yes, but I could not promise to pay you much. Papa makes me a very small allowance." The old woman crept nearer to the beautiful, cruel creature, and gazed up into her face with an expression of humble adoration, while she murmured wheedlingly: "I would take her away from here--far away--where she could never trouble you again, pretty lady, for a reward that even you could afford to bestow." "What is that?" cried Roma eagerly, and she was startled when granny answered nervously: "A kiss!" "A kiss!" the girl echoed wonderingly. Granny was actually trembling with excitement, and she added pleadingly: "You are so pretty, Miss Roma, that I have fallen in love with you, and for my love's sake I would like to kiss you once. If you grant my wish, I will be your slave for only one kind look and kiss!" She was softened and agitated in a strange fashion, but she could not help seeing that Roma recoiled in surprise and disgust. "Really, this is very strange! I--I am not fond of kissing old women. I scarcely ever kiss even my own mother. I would much rather pay you a little money!" she exclaimed. Granny's face saddened with disappointment, and she muttered: "So proud; so very proud! She could not bear a downfall!" Roma flushed with annoyance, and added: "You seem so very poor that even a small sum of money ought to be acceptable to you!" "I am miserably poor, but I love you--I would rather have the kiss."