'
'Thank you for the parallel, but you know that was not a happy union, even
for the fish, and there was a separation in a few days; not that I mean to
trust to that; but there's no one to throw me into the jaws of the monster,
and I've no notion of jumping there; and the fact is, Monica, there's no
monster at all.'
'I'm not so sure.'
'But I'm quite sure,' said my father, a little drily. 'You forget how old
I am, and how long I've lived alone--I and little Maud;' and he smiled and
smoothed my hair, and, I thought, sighed.
'No one is ever too old to do a foolish thing,' began Lady Knollys.
'Nor to say a foolish thing, Monica. This has gone on too long. Don't you
see that little Maud here is silly enough to be frightened at your fun.'
So I was, but I could not divine how he guessed it.
'And well or ill, wisely or madly, I'll _never_ marry; so put that out of
your head.'
This was addressed rather to me, I think, than to Lady Knollys, who smiled
a little waggishly on me, and said--
'To be sure, Maud; maybe you are right; a stepdame is a risk, and I ought
to have asked you first what you thought of it; and upon my honour,' she
continued merrily but kindly, observing that my eyes, I know not exactly
from what feeling, filled with tears, 'I'll never again advise your papa to
marry, unless you first tell me you wish it.
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