I
ought not to leave him displeased with me a moment longer than
I can help. And besides, I couldn't be happy so. God gives
grace to the humble; I will humble myself."
To have a chance for executing this determination, she went
down-stairs a good deal earlier than usual; she knew Mr.
Lindsay was generally there before the rest of the family, and
she hoped to see him alone. It was too soon even for him,
however; the rooms were empty; so Ellen took her book from the
table, and being perfectly at peace with herself, sat down in
the window, and was presently lost in the interest of what she
was reading. She did not know of Mr. Lindsay's approach till a
little imperative tap on her shoulder startled her.
"What were you thinking of last night? what made you answer M.
Muller in the way you did?"
Ellen started up, but to utter her prepared speech was no
longer possible.
"I did not know what to say," she said, looking down.
"What do you mean by that?" said he, angrily. "Didn't you know
what I wished you to say?"
"Yes — but — do not speak to me in that way!" exclaimed Ellen,
covering her face with her hands. Pride struggled to keep back
the tears that wanted to flow.
"I shall choose my own method of speaking. Why did you not say
what you knew I wished you to say?"
"I was afraid — I didn't know — but he would think what wasn't
true."
"That is precisely what I wish him and all the world to think.
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