The Romance of a Water-Lily. 139

 

“Lord, save us!” cried the girl, half frightened.
“What is there to be in such a tantrum for ?”

“I’m in no tantrum,” replied the other, striving
hard to restrain herself; “but I'll have every one to
know that I brook no interference in my affairs. If
I choose to take a lad whose fortunes are fallen,
because it pleases me, I shall not ask the consent
of the village to do it, that is certain.”

“Oh, here’s a fine business!” cried Judith. ‘“So
thou dost mean to take him, then? Why, last night
thou wert ashamed of him for being such a coward,
and swore he was nothing at all to thee. That was
why thou madest the bargain, we all understood.”

“TI made no bargain,” retorted Salome, haughtily,
“and I know not to whom you allude; but be it
who it may, ’tis no affair but mine whether a lad is
anything to me or nothing to me, and I forbid you
to speak again on the matter.”

She moved to the door of the kitchen as she spoke,
and opened it, and Judith, cowed, was about to obey
the silent command and depart.