More than ever resolved against following her, I remained where I was, watching her as she marched fiercely away, swinging her basket as though in imagination knocking my head off with it.

She soon cooled, however, and looking over her shoulder, and seeing me still at the other side of the stile, she paused, and beckoned me grimly to follow her.  Seeing me resolutely maintain my position, she faced about, tossed her head, like an angry beast, and seemed uncertain for a while what course to take with me.

She stamped and beckoned furiously again.  I stood firm.  I was very much frightened, and could not tell to what violence she might resort in her exasperation.  She walked towards me with an inflamed countenance, and a slight angry wagging of the head; my heart fluttered, and I awaited the crisis in extreme trepidation.  She came close, the stile only separating us, and stopped short, glaring and grinning at me like a French grenadier who has crossed bayonets, but hesitates to close.

CHAPTER XVI

DOCTOR BRYERLY LOOKS IN

What had I done to excite this ungovernable fury?  We had often before had such small differences, and she had contented herself with being sarcastic, teasing, and impertinent.

’So, for future you are gouvernante and I the cheaile for you to command—­is not so?—­and you must direct where we shall walk.  Tres-bien! we shall see; Monsieur Ruthyn he shall know everything.  For me I do not care—­not at all—­I shall be rather pleased, on the contrary.  Let him decide.  If I shall be responsible for the conduct and the health of Mademoiselle his daughter, it must be that I shall have authority to direct her wat she must do—­it must be that she or I shall obey.  I ask only witch shall command for the future—­voila tout!’

I was frightened, but resolute—­I dare say I looked sullen and uncomfortable.  At all events, she seemed to think she might possibly succeed by wheedling; so she tried coaxing and cajoling, and patted my cheek, and predicted that I would be ‘a good cheaile,’ and not ’vex poor Madame,’ but do for the future ‘wat she tell a me.’

She smiled her wide wet grin, smoothed my hand, and patted my cheek, and would in the excess of her conciliatory paroxysm have kissed me; but I withdrew, and she commented only with a little laugh, and a ’Foolish little thing! but you will be quite amiable just now.’

‘Why, Madame,’ I asked, suddenly raising my head and looking her straight in the face, ’do you wish me to walk to Church Scarsdale so particularly to-day?’

She answered my steady look with a contracted gaze and an unpleasant frown.

’Wy do I?—­I do not understand a you; there is no particular day—­wat folly!  Wy I like Church Scarsdale?  Well, it is such pretty place.  There is all!  Wat leetle fool!  I suppose you think I want to keel a you and bury you in the churchyard?’