Page:The Semi-detached House.djvu/287

 "Suppose I stand upon the sea-beach now, Mine arms thus, and mine hair blown with the wind, Wild as the desert—and behind me— Make all a desolation—See! see!

"Aunt Rebecca.

Rachel knew that a good strong quotation always drove the Baroness out of the field, and her vivid delineation of Aspasia's misery had the desired effect. The Baroness was mystified into silence, and left the room merely saying, "Well, Moses is not likely to trouble you, at all events,"

"No, I suppose not, after what I said to him last week," said Rachel, who knew from her cousin, that his mother had urged him to weary her with constant proposals; and so they parted.

"Oh dear! how unamiable I am when I am with my uncle and aunt," thought Rachel, "thoroughly detestable I may say, and yet when I am with those girls, or little Charlie, I can be as good as gold, and so tame that that baby can lead me; I do believe evil qualities are more catching than measles."