"Insolent woman!" cried Lossie, with flashing eyes, but Min merely nodded in a maddening way, and said:
"You always hated Miss Gay because all the men loved her—what one man likes, the rest mostly do, and perhaps if you could have got hold of one, Miss Lossie, others might have come along too. At present it looks as if you'll have to put up with poor Mr. Frank after all, for you can't live without plenty of money!"
Having produced her effect, if the Professor's terror-struck face were to be trusted, Min proceeded to the discussion of the matter really in hand.
"You want Miss Gay to give up Trotting," she said, addressing Frank quietly, "and now she hasn't Mr. Mackrell to help her, I think perhaps she'll be willing. But if you bully her, Mr. Frank, she'll go on with it just to defy you, for Miss Gay has got a temper and a will of her own, for all that she's the sweetest, and best, and prettiest little lady in the world."
"What do you advise?" said the Professor quaveringly, for Min's reckless unveiling of Lossie's secret intentions towards himself (failing anyone else) had half-frightened him out of his senses.
"I advise you to let her alone, Mr. Frank," said Min, "and make that poke-nose"—she pointed an accusing finger at Lossie—"stop at home, and not come here meddling and interfering, for if Miss Gay wants advice, Mr. Rensslaer'll be the one to give it, and settle what's to be done about her horses. And now, Mr. Frank, I'll say good-night, as I'm going to put my lamb to bed, and if you want me at any time, why, you know where to find me, and any hospitality Toplady and me can show you, (one eye closed in an almost imperceptible wink) we'll be proud and happy, I'm sure."
"Good-bye, Min," said Frank hurriedly, as he opened the door for her to go upstairs, then skipping out with her, closed it behind him—and ran.
Min stood, shaking with laughter, as in the distance she heard the laboratory door shut, and the key turned.