to the lips, at the remembrance, and her
voice sank almost to a whisper as she added:

"I shrieked aloud in my fear, and fled wildly from the room, meaning to
seek refuge with Olive and Ela in their rooms; but--they tell me I made
a mistake--and--and--disturbed you. I am very sorry. I hope you will
forgive me."

But his face was stern and cold, and his voice had a strained tone as he
answered:

"There was no disturbance. Pray don't mention it. I am only sorry that
some one has played a mischievous prank on you--a servant, doubtless.
Madame," sternly, looking at his step-mother. "I insist that you shall
investigate the matter, and discharge the offender."

He looked back, still gloomily, at Dainty, saying:

"Since you are so nervous over the parting from your mother, let one of
the maids sleep in your room at night; but pray do not give credence to
any silly stories that are told you by any one regarding the mythical
old monk. Ellsworth has never possessed a family ghost, and I am not
superstitious enough to believe in the existence of spirits at all. So
set your fears at rest. You doubtless dreamed it all, as your aunt
declares."

"Of course she did," averred Mrs. Ellsworth, smoothly. And then the
conversation turned to other things, while Dainty's heart sank like a
stone in her breast, for she felt a subtle premonition that Love
Ellsworth was displeased with her, and considered her weak and silly,
else why those cold, disapproving looks, so different from yesterday's
ardent glances, that told her throbbing heart so plainly that she was
tenderly and passionately beloved!

CHAPTER VI.

LOVE'S ROSY DAWN.

It's an era strange, yet sweet,
Which every woman's heart has known,
When first her young heart learns to beat
To the soft music of a tone--
That era when she first begins
To know, what love alone can teach,
That there are hidden depths within,
Which friendship never yet could reach.
--_Phebe Carey._

"Now," said Mrs. Ellsworth, while rising from the breakfast-table, "I
have invited some young people to come and spend the day and play golf;
so prepare yourselves for conquest, young ladies, as there will be
several eligibles among them."

They wandered out into the beautiful grounds, and the beauty of the day
and the scene made Dainty's sad heart brighter, until Ela, who had
pertinaciously clung to her ever since they came