e tea with the Singletons. Even Rosamund was interested in this visit. She did not say much about it. She had been ra

e little school. Of Irene Ashleigh she absolutely refused to speak. With regard to her adventure on Sunday she also kept a profound silence. No one, not even Jane Denton, could induce her to alter her mind with regard to this particular. Jane was anxious about her

s of the entire school-for every single one was invited-headed by L

daughters; but she wanted to watch Miss Carter, and if possible to get a word with her, and to induce her to tell her some

ifferent circumstances she might have been glad to make friends with them. Maud, the eldest girl, had very straight, well-formed features. She was intensely fair, with large, clear blue eyes; and her hair, golden, with warm shades in it, hung below her waist. Her little mouth was small and rosy and very firm. She had a pretty cl

taking the lead, and finally attaching herself to Rosamund; for she guessed, in some sort of instinctive w

roduce you to dear Miss Carter. She is longing to see you. S

pale just for a moment: then

ak about Sunday, if you

is, if you would really rather not," she continued after a pause. "We know a g

ou would have hated her,

reat treat, we get her to tell us about this wild, this formidable little Irene. She could not do it at first, poor thing! for, yo

unliffe," s

so plucky and went on the lake with

m voice. "It was, I regret to say, otherwise with me. I could

ts you, doesn't it? Let us talk of something else. Y

s, and Maud slipped her hand affecti

e. She saw that she was naturally extremel

shall be mine. I mean to help her. I mean, whatever happens, to save her. But I don't m

wo were spent wandering through the pleasant gardens, while laug

y disappearing from our English life, known as "high tea." Eggs, boiled ham, chickens, stewed fruits, fresh ripe fruit of every

quite a hundred and fifty or two hundred years old; and the study, or schoolroom, as the girls called it, where they invariably partook of tea, was a low-roofed apartmen

e suddenly turned to her and said, "I quite understand now w

mean," said Maud,

This kick was highly resented by that young person, who, as she said to herself,

red by that horrid Lucy, c

sorbed pouring out coffee at the other end of the table, never thinking once of herself, attending to the wants of every one else. She was one of those retiring people who may come and go in a crowd without any one specially noticing them; but if a kind office is wanted to be done in the m

re to talk to Miss Carter, and talk to her I will. The week is coming to a close, and I have to giv

the grounds, some to play tennis, some croquet, and some to wander away, two

voted herself, turned sud

e said. "You are longing to

of the champion players of the neighborhood, and coul

king in a low tone. "Now, I want to have a little talk with Miss Carter. Won't y

Irene. I doubt if she will. Do, please, be merciful. She is very nervous. When she came to us she was almost

ld very

uncture all about Maud's

one at the time-and I used to teach the little children, and things were rather at sixes and sevens. Not that father ever minde

at effect," said Rosamund, trying to su

ly. Her rule was such a very simple one. She never punished us; all she ever said was, 'Do it because it is right. You cannot quite understand why it is right while you are very young; but, nevertheless, do it because it is right and because you love me.' And when God took her, and we thought our hearts would b

de. She looked so forlorn, and her eyes were red with crying. We did not know her; b

ng back to London to try to get another situation. She said that she had sent on her trunks by a porter to the station, and she meant to walk, for Lady Jane was very, very angry with her. She could not go on. She broke down, poor dear! an

made up in the room and slept with her at night. We fed her up, didn't we just? and petted her; and when we found she liked it we took to calling her 'Cartery love,' and she did not mind it a bit. Then she got better, and said she must seek another situation, and father said she sho

so much," said Rosamund

is still exceedingly nervous. And no wonder. What she lived through at The Follies w

to her, and I will certainly

few minutes Miss Carter was seen coming d

friend of mine, and I will go and have a good, romping game of tennis. O

-blue eyes followed her with an e

nd of her," said

have done without her. She s

en you very great distress," said Rosamund after a

rter, beginning to tremb

r Irene

her in that terrible boat? She actually took you into the current

a mere nothing. You see, I am stronger t

aid Miss Carter. "I could tel

something nice about her. Every one seems to speak again

ing her tone and looking fixedly at Rosamund. "The

rself rather good in taking up Irene's cause; although, of cou

the child. Such courage, such animal spirits, such daring cannot be meant for nothi

r was young she was her great friend, and s

Follies. She begged and implored of me to stay; but, of course, you know the story. I was under a promise to go, and I could not let out that Irene had wrung it from me at the risk of my life. So

were you

e with some of my earnings; and Lady Jane offered a very big salary-over a hundred a year-and there was only one child to teach, and I thought it would be so delightful. She mentioned the charms of the country-house, and that she did not require a gre

er began

are not suited to it. But do tell me what you think

hool-boy who ever walked. She would suddenly come into the drawing-room in her gymnasium clothes, and turn somersaults up and down the room in the presence of Lady Jane's distinguish

with her, although at the present moment I am forb

ve a very bad opinion of

daughter of my mother's dearest frie

t school at Mr

is t

ed in a puzzled

speaking in a rather lofty tone; "but now I want to k

s at her sometimes and smothers her with kisses, she seems to have no real affection for her. If I could be sure that she was absolutely affectionate I think something could be done for her. Now, that is all I can tell you. You can scarcely believe how this subject distresses me and causes that terribl

d Miss Carter, glancing at her, saw t

mire you, and admire your bravery beyond words. To be as brave as you are woul

ever I want your help, and if I can assure you that you can give

t right I wil

me," said Rosamund;

tty voice was heard

ild!" said Miss Carter, her eyes brightening. "Yes, dea

orner, and the silliest and youn

id she belonged to that group, and Rosa