I am young, uncle, and all the difficulties and miseries of my situation have kept it down, but I have been roused today beyond all endurance, and come what may, I WILL NOT, as I am your brother's child, bear these insults longer.' 'What insults, girl ?' demanded Ralph, sharply.
'Remember what took place here, and ask yourself,' replied Kate, colouring deeply.

'Uncle, you must--I am sure you will--release me from such vile and degrading companionship as I am exposed to now.

I do not mean,' said Kate, hurrying to the old man, and laying her arm upon his shoulder; 'I do not mean to be angry and violent--I beg your pardon if I have seemed so, dear uncle,--but you do not know what I have suffered, you do not indeed.

You cannot tell what the heart of a young girl is--I have no right to expect you should; but when I tell you that I am wretched, and that my heart is breaking, I am sure you will help me.

I am sure, I am sure you will!' Ralph looked at her for an instant; then turned away his head, and beat his foot nervously upon the ground.
'I have gone on day after day,' said Kate, bending over him, and timidly placing her little hand in his, 'in the hope that this persecution would cease; I have gone on day after day, compelled to assume the appearance of cheerfulness, when I was most unhappy.