She told her aunt that she was now nearly thirty, and that she had managed her own affairs, at any rate with safety, for the last ten years;--but it was to no purpose.

Kate would get angry; but Mrs Greenow never became angry.

Kate would be quite in earnest; but Mrs Greenow would push aside all that her niece said as though it were worth nothing.

Kate was an unmarried woman with a very small fortune, and therefore, of course, was desirous of being married with as little delay as possible.

It was natural that she should deny that it was so, especially at this early date in their mutual acquaintance.