the proposer of this mode of return,
and the guide of the party. Philip forgot everything, she declared, in
his fancy for these girls; it was always his fault that he was carried
away by the people he was with: he had got the name of a flirt by it,
and a flirt he was; but she had never known him so possessed as he
seemed to be by these strangers. She must speak to Mr Rowland about
it; the matter might really become serious; and if he should ever be
entrapped into marrying into the Grey connections, among people so
decidedly objectionable, it would be a terrible self-reproach to her as
long as she lived, that she had not interfered in time. She should
speak to Mr Rowland.

Meanwhile she kept a watchful eye on her brother's proceedings. She
found from the children that their Uncle Philip had fulfilled his
promise of going to see the schoolroom, and had been so much better than
his word, that he had been there very often. When he went, it was
always when the Miss Ibbotsons were there, learning German, or drawing,
or talking with Miss Young. It was impossible to pick a quarrel with
Miss Young about this; for she always sent her visitors away the moment
the clock struck the school hour. The summer-house was Mr Grey's
property, too; so that Mrs Rowland could only be angry at the studies
which went on in it, and had no power to close the doors against any of
the parties.

The rainy weather had indeed been very propitious to the study of
German. For a fortnight Margaret had spent some hours of each day with
Miss Young; and over their books they had learned so much of one
another's heart and mind, that a strong regard had sprung up between
them. This new friendship was a great event to Miss Young;--how great,
she herself could scarcely have believed beforehand. Her pupils found
that Miss Young was now very merry sometimes. Mr Grey observed to his
wife that the warmer weather seemed to agree with the poor young woman,
as she had some little colour in her cheeks at last; and Margaret
herself observed a change in the tone of the philosophy she had admired
from the beginning. There was somewhat less of reasoning in it, and
more of impulse; it was as sound as ever, but more genial. While never
forgetting the constancy of change in human affairs, she was heartily
willing to enjoy the good that befell her, while it lasted. It was well
that she could do so; for the good of this new friendship was presently
alloyed.

Sh