More than this, there was a tone of assurance about the man, quiet as he was, which exasperated Miss Carley beyond all measure.

He had the air of being certain of success, and on more than one occasion spoke of the day when Ellen would be mistress of Wyncomb Farm.
On his repetition of this offensive speech one evening, the girl took him up sharply:-- "Not quite so fast, if you please, Mr.Whitelaw," she said; "it takes two to make a bargain of that kind, just the same as it takes two to quarrel.
There's many curious changes may come in a person's life, no doubt, and folks never know what's going to happen to them; but whatever changes may come upon me, _that_ isn't one of them.

I may live to see the inside of the workhouse, perhaps, when I'm too old for service; but I shall never sleep under the roof of Wyncomb Farmhouse." Mr.Whitelaw gave a spiteful little laugh.
"What a spirited one she is, ain't she, now ?" he said with a sneer.

"O, you won't, won't you, my lass; you turn up that pretty little nose of yours--it do turn up a bit of itself, don't it, though ?--at Wyncomb Farm and Stephen Whitelaw; your father tells a different story, Nell." "Then my father tells a lying story," answered the girl, blushing crimson with indignation; "and it isn't for want o' knowing the truth.

He knows that, if it was put upon me to choose between your house and the union, I'd go to the union--and with a light heart too, to be free of you.