It is more simple." "But, my dear child--a young girl--" "Do not call me a child, and do not call me a young girl, Bianca," said Veronica.

"I am neither, in the sense of being a thing to be kept under a glass case and fed on rose leaves.

I am a woman, and as I do not think that I shall ever marry, I refuse to be chaperoned all the way to old-maidhood.

I know that you feel responsible for me, in a sort of way, because you are married, and I am not.

It is really absurd, dear.