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“You think it a joke, do you? I tell you, it’s a wicked, cruel thing; you’ve told a lie; you’ve broken August’s heart, and made me so angry that I’ll never forgive you as long as I live. What do you know about my feelings? and how dare you take it upon yourself to answer for me? You think because we are the same age that I am no older than you, but you’re mistaken, for a boy of eighteen is a boy, a girl is often a woman, with a woman’s hopes and plans; you don’t understand this any more than you do August’s love for me, which you listened to and laughed at. I said I didn’t like him, and I didn’t find out till afterward that I did; then I was afraid to tell you lest you’d twit me with it. But now I care for no one, and I say I do like him,–yes, I love him with all my heart and soul and might and I’d die this minute if I could undo the harm you’ve done, and see him happy. I know I’ve been selfish, vain, and thoughtless, but I am not now; I hoped he’d love me, hoped he’d see I cared for him, that I’d done trifling, and didn’t mind if he was poor, for I’d enough for both; that I longed to make his life pleasant after all his troubles; that I’d send for the little sister he loves so well, and never let him suffer any more; for he is so good, so patient, so generous, and dear to me, I cannot do enough for him. Now it’s all spoilt; now I can never tell him this, never comfort him in any way, never be happy again all my life, and you have done it.”

As Dolly stood before her brother, pouring out her words with glittering eyes, impetuous voice, and face pale with passionate emotion, he was scared; for as his scattered wits returned to him, he felt that he had been playing with edge tools, and had cut and slashed in rather a promiscuous manner. Dazed and dizzy, he sat staring at the excited figure before him, forgetting the indignity he had received, the mistake he had made, the damage he had done, in simple wonder at the revolutions going on under his astonished eyes. When Dolly stopped for breath, he muttered with a contrite look,–

“I’m very sorry,–it was only fun; and I thought it would help you both, for how the deuce should I know you liked the man when you said you hated him?”

“I never said that, and if I’d wanted advice I should have gone to mother. You men go blundering off with half an idea in your heads, and never see your stupidity till you have made a mess that can’t be mended; we women don’t work so, but save people’s feelings, and are called hypocrites for our pains. I never meant to tell you, but I will now, to show you how I’ve been serving you, while you’ve been harming me: every one of those notes from Fan which you admire so much, answer so carefully, and wear out in your pocket, though copied by her, were written by me.”

“The devil they were!” Up flew Dick, and clapping his hand on the left breast-pocket, out came a dozen pink notes tied up with a blue ribbon, and much the worse for wear. He hastily turned them over as Dolly went on.

“Yes, I did it, for she didn’t know how to answer your notes, and came to me. I didn’t laugh at them, or make fun of her, but helped her silly little wits, and made you a happy boy for three months, though you teased me day and night, for I loved you, and hadn’t the heart to spoil your pleasure.”

“You’ve done it now with a vengeance, and you’re a pair of deceitful minxes. I’ve paid you off. I’ll give Fan one more note that will keep her eyes red for a month; and I’ll never love or trust a girl again as long as I live,–never! never!”