d or an empty world, life with joy or life without it--that is
all the difference. Which some people think very small, and that does
not matter; and perhaps it does not--to many people. But it does to
some, and I incline to put in that category Miss Williams and Mr. Roy.

They stood by the laurel bush, having just shaken hands more hastily than
they usually did; but the absence of the children, and the very unusual
fact of their being quite alone, gave to both a certain shyness, and she
had drawn her hand away, saying, with a slight blush:

"Mrs. Dalziel desired me to meet you and tell you that you might have a
holiday today. She has taken her boys with her to Elie. I dare say you
will not be sorry to gain an hour or two for yourself; though I am sorry
you should have the trouble of the walk for nothing."

"For nothing?"--with the least shadow of a smile, not of annoyance,
certainly.

"Indeed, I would have let you know if I could, but she decided at the
very last minute; and if I had proposed that a messenger should have been
sent to stop you, I am afraid--it would not have been answered."

"Of course not;" and they interchanged an amused look--these
fellow-victims to the well-known ways of the household--which, however,
neither grumbled at; it was merely an outside thing, this treatment of
both as mere tutor and governess. After all (as he sometimes said, when
some special rudeness--not himself, but to her--vexed him), they were
tutor and governess; but they were something else besides; something
which, the instant their chains were lifted off, made them feel free and
young and strong, and comforted them with comfort unspeakable.

"She bade me apologize. No, I am afraid, if I tell the absolute truth,
she did not bid me, but I do apologize."

"What for, Miss Williams?"

"For your having been brought out all this way just to go back again."

"I do not mind it, I assure you."

"And as for the lost lesson--"

"The boys will not mourn over it, I dare say. In fact, their term with
me is so soon coming to an end that it does not signify much. They told
me they are going back to England to school next week. Do you go back
too?"

"Not just yet--not till next Christmas. Mrs. Dalziel talks of wintering
in London; but she is so vague in her plans that I am never sure from one
week to another what she will do."

"And what are your plans? _You_ always know what you intend to do."

"Yes, I think so," answer