the piano-stool came down upon the floor with a crash,
upset by her in whirling round to reach him, and before he knew what had
happened she was out of the room, slamming the door behind her.

Never had she been in a greater fury of passion. She rushed out into the
grounds and paced rapidly to and fro for several minutes, trying to
regain sufficient calmness to dare venture into the schoolroom; not
caring to appear there either for some minutes, as the hour for her
music-lesson had not yet fully expired.

When she thought it had, she went quietly in and took her accustomed
seat.

Miss Diana was busy with a recitation and took no notice; but Evelyn,
glancing at Lulu's flushed face and sparkling eyes, perceived at once
that something was wrong with her.

The rules of the school, however, forbade questioning her then, and she
could only wait to do so until they should be dismissed.

Another pupil had gone to Signor Foresti a moment before Lulu's entrance
into the school-room.

When her hour had expired she came back with a face full of excitement
and curiosity. She glanced eagerly, inquiringly at Lulu, then turning to
Miss Diana said, "Signor Foresti says Miss Raymond did not finish her
lesson, and he wishes her to come back and do it now."

"Singular!" remarked Miss Diana, elevating her eyebrows. "Do you hear,
Miss Raymond? You can go."

"I do not wish to go, Miss Diana," replied Lulu, steadying her voice with
some difficulty.

"Indeed! that has nothing to do with it, and you will please go at once."

Lulu sat still in her seat with a look of stubborn determination on her
face.

"Do you hear, Miss Raymond?" asked the teacher, raising her voice to a
higher key.

"Yes, ma'am; but I shall never take another lesson from that man."

"And why not, pray?"

"Because he is not a gentleman."

Miss Diana looked utterly astonished. "Well, really!" she exclaimed at
length. "I shall not discuss that point with you at present, but it has
nothing to with the matter in hand. Will you be pleased to go and finish
your music-lesson?"

"No, ma'am; I have said I shall never be taught by him again; and I am
not one to break my word," concluded Lulu, loftily.

"Very well, miss; we will see what my father has to say to that."

She stepped to the door and summoned him.

He came, marching in with his most pompous air, and glancing frowningly
around, inquired what was wanted.

A great hush had fallen on the room; there was