n say what I should say if he
were any other than my father. His sin was unpardonable; perhaps his
temptation was great; I cannot tell. The Great Judge knows best. I will
tell my miserable story just as it happened.

The day following--another bright, sunny, warm morning, all sunshine,
song and perfume, the birds singing so sweetly and the fair earth
laughing. It was so bright and beautiful that when I went out into the
grounds my troubles seemed to fade away. I hastened to gather some
flowers for my mother; the mignonette was in bloom, and that was her
favorite flower. I took them to her, and we talked for a few minutes
about the beauty of the day. She seemed somewhat better, and asked me to
get through my studies quickly, so that we might go through the grounds.
I hastened to the school-room. Miss Reinhart was not there. I took my
books and sat down by the window waiting for her. As I sat there, one
after another the servants looked in the room, as though in search of
something, then vanished. At last I grew tired of waiting, and rang to
ask if Miss Reinhart was coming to give me my lessons. Emma came in
reply.

Miss Reinhart would not be there yet, she said, and it would be better
for me to go out now with my lady and to attend to my books afterward.

It struck me that every one seemed in a hurry to get us out of the
house. Patience King was not to be seen, and Emma did not like to come
near us because of her tear-stained face. Just as we were leaving the
house my mother turned to the footman, who was at the back of her chair:

"John," she said, "go and ask Sir Roland if he will come with us."

I saw the man's face flush crimson, but he went away and returned in a
few minutes, saying that his master was not in.

My mother repeated the words in some wonder.

"Have you seen papa this morning, Laura?"

"No; Emma brought my breakfast to me."

"I have not seen him either," she said. "He has not been to say
good-morning to me yet. John, leave word that when Sir Roland comes in
we shall be on the grass plot near the sun-dial!"

Why did they all look at us with such scared faces, with such wondering
eyes? And I felt sure that I heard one say to the other:

"I have sent for the rector."

We went--as unconscious of the doom that hung over us as two
children--went my mother's rounds. She looked at all the flowers, but
turned to me once or twice and said, uneasily:

"I wonder where Sir Roland is? It seems strange