Besides, it could not be all true; it did not agree; the
ill-treatment was not consistent with the grandeur. For Kate had
taken to talking very big, as if she was an immensely important
personage, receiving much respect wherever she went; and though Armyn
once or twice tried putting in a sober matter-of-fact question for
the fun of disconcerting her, she was too mad to care or understand
what he said.
"Oh no! she never was allowed to do anything for herself. That was
quite a rule, and very tiresome it was."
"Like the King of Spain, you can't move your chair away from the fire
without the proper attendant."
"I never do put on coals or wood there!"
"There may be several reasons for that," said Armyn, recollecting how
nearly Kate had once burnt the house down.
"Oh, I assure you it would not do for me," said Kate. "If it were
not so inconvenient in that little house, I should have my own man-
servant to attend to my fire, and walk out behind me. Indeed, now
Perkins always does walk behind me, and it is such a bore."
And what was the consequence of all this wild chatter? When Mary had
seen the hot-faced eager child into bed, she came down to her brother
in the drawing-room with her eyes brimful of tears, saying, "Poor
dear child! I am afraid she is very much spoilt!"
"Don't make up your mind to-night," said Armyn. "She is slightly
insane as yet! Never mind, Mary; her heart is in the right place, if
her head is turned a little.
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