Scene 2. _The Hall.

_Mrs. Hedelquiver._ “What do you want to say to me, dear?”

_Monde._ “I want to tell you--why, aunt, you see I want to write mornings, and then ride when I am tired of it--just as I have done all along. And I have been thinking that Mr. Cullen may feel that it belongs to him to--why, to see to me some, perhaps sometimes to ride with me. But it don’t, you know. I would rather attend to myself, and go alone, as I have done. So you wont let him think, will you, dear aunt, that it is necessary for him on any account, or at any time, to go with me any where.”

_Mrs. Hedelquiver._ “Why?”

_Monde._ “Because, if you do, aunt, it will put a disagreeable restraint upon him, and make me very unhappy. I have always been used, you know, to depending upon myself. I have never been a favorite of the gentlemen, or of anybody, except a few kind people who would see that there was something in me somewhere that deserved to be loved.”

_Mrs. Hedelquiver._ “And this has been a grief to you, dear, Monde? and is at this minute, as I know by the sound of your voice.”

_Monde._ “Sometimes it grieves me; and then again I am thankful. For it has made me self-reliant, and very loving toward Him who will always be near His child, and love her. Aunt, dear, you will promise not to hint it to him, in the remotest way, that he ought to ride with me, or wait on me at any time?”

_Mrs. Hedelquiver, dreamily, and as if again hopes were flying._ “Yes, I will promise. But I can’t see what objections you can have to his riding with you. There’s John almost always, you know, in the stable. There is nothing to hinder his going.”

_Monde._ “Nothing to hinder, if it is his own spontaneous will and wish; otherwise, every thing, in my way of thinking. Come, aunt, you are freezing.”