For the Defence

by Fergus Hume

"No, no!" cried Isabella, with a shudder. "Don't tell me any more of those horrible things."

"Aha, dat de yaller-ha'r who makes you fear!" cried Dido, bitterly. "He hate Obi an' me. He will not marry you, missy!"

"Yes he will; we are engaged."

"Your mudder, she say no!"

"Nonsense! She likes Maurice herself," replied Isabella, uneasily. "Maurice wants our engagement kept quiet for the present, but when I do tell Major Jen and my mother, I am sure neither of them will object."

"H'm, we see, missy, we see," said Dido, darkly. "But why you marry dis man I no like?"

"Because I marry to please myself, not you," said Isabella, sharply. "Oh, I know your thoughts, Dido; you would like me to marry David Sarby. The idea; as if he can compare with Maurice!"

"Wrong, missy. I no wish dat man."

"Then Dr. Etwald--that horrid, gloomy creature!"

"Him great man!" said Dido, solemnly. "Him berry--berry great!"