teasing. He will lead you a life
of it, I can tell you; so I warn you beforehand.'

'But,' I said, flushing a little, though I tried to speak quietly, 'I
have no intention of setting up my will in opposition to your
father's--I wouldn't dream of it. What do you think me like, Nelly?'

Nelly laughed. 'I think you are a curiosity,' she said, 'and whether
we shall crush your originality out of you in a few weeks' time,
remains to be proved. I thought I would give you a friendly intimation
of what to expect. And now good-night!'

She left me, and, perplexed and troubled by her words, I went to my
window, and, opening the casement, leant out to cool my hot cheeks.
Such a soft, still night it was! As I raised my eyes to the
innumerable stars above, and felt the hush and solemnity of the
darkness, again the words came to me: 'Dwell deep.' What did it matter
if I found I should have a cross to take up, if I had to bear a little
teasing from others who did not think as I did? When I realized in the
depths of my heart the riches I had, and the stores of hidden wealth of
which they knew nothing, I could rest down upon it with such comfort,
feeling that my inner life would be sustained and strengthened by One
who never left me. And so I went to sleep that night at perfect peace
in my new surroundings.

CHAPTER II

TAKING A STAND

'Who is not afraid to say his say,
Though a whole town's against him.'--_Longfellow._

I was soon at home with the Forsyths. Nelly and Violet treated me as a
sister, and Constance was too much engrossed at present with her own
concerns to take much notice of me. Kenneth was the only one who was
continually bringing forward serious topics of conversation in my
presence, and requesting me to give him my views on them. He never let
me alone, and though I tried to keep out of his way, and say as little as
possible, I found it increasingly difficult. Captain Gates more than
once came to my rescue; but since I felt he had betrayed my confidence a
few evenings before, I could not talk with the same freedom to him.

I saw very little of General Forsyth. He spent the greater part of his
time out of doors, and it was only in the evening that he joined us all.
His children, though fond of him, never seemed to feel at ease in his
company, and I soon found that his will was law with all.

One afternoon soon after my arrival I went out for a stroll across the
fields at the back of t