"What do you mean," she said, "by always coming here and teasing, and worrying, and firing off pistols, and frightening people? I'm sure it was horrid enough for you to make me come to this wretched place, when you know I don't like it, without annoying me so. Why did you go and take away poor darling Kitty? And what do you mean now, pray, by coming here? I never was treated so unkindly in my life. I did not think that any one could be so very, very rude."
"Charming mees," said Girasole, with a deprecating air, "it pains me to do any ting dat you do not like."
"It don't pain you," said Minnie—"it don't pain you at all. You're always teasing me. You never do what I want you to. You wouldn't even give me a chair."
"Alas, carissima mia, to-morra you sall haf all! But dis place is so remote."
"It is not remote," said Minnie. "It's close by roads and villages and things. Why, here is Ethel; she has been in a village where there are houses, and people, and as many chairs as she wants."
"Oh, mees, eef you will but wait an' be patient—eef you will but wait an' see how tender I will be, an' how I lof you."
"You don't love me," said Minnie, "one bit. Is this love—not to give me a chair? I have been standing up till I am nearly ready to drop. And you have nothing better than some wretched promises. I don't care for to-morrow; I want to be comfortable to-day. You won't let me have a single thing. And now you come to tease me again, and frighten poor, dear, darling Ethel."
"Eet ees because she deceif me—she come wit a plot—she steal in here. Eef she had wait, all would be well."
"You mustn't dare to touch her," said Minnie, vehemently. "You shall leave her here. She shall stay with me."
"I am ver pain—oh, very; but oh, my angel—sweet—charming mees—eet ees dangaire to my lof. She plot to take you away. An' all my life is in you. Tink what I haf to do to gain you!"