She knew that she only wanted to amuse herself, and had no intention of wronging her nieces and nephew by playing with this charming babe.

Why, then, should William take such fancies in his head?
In this flash of temper she instantly decided on keeping little Hetty always with her.
Was there any reason in the world why she should not do just as she pleased?
Hetty should certainly stay with her and be as her own child from this day forth.
"What have _you_ to say about my adopting little Hetty ?" she said, turning to her sister-in-law with a slightly defiant and wholly triumphant smile.
"I shall say nothing," said Mrs.Enderby, "until I see how you treat her.

I trust it may turn out for the best." Thus, all in a moment, and merely because Mrs.Rushton would not be contradicted, was little Hetty's future in this world decided.

Before her brother had spoken, the lady of Amber Hill had had no intention of keeping Hetty for more than a week in her house.

And now she felt bound (by the laws of human perversity) to take her and bring her up as her own child.
In the meantime Mrs.Enderby's three children and Hetty Gray were standing by, gazing at one another.