not a whisper, not a
movement; eyes and ears were intent upon seeing and hearing all that
should pass.

Miss Diana, glancing from her father to Lulu, drew herself up haughtily
and replied, "Miss Raymond refuses obedience to orders."

"Indeed!" he said, his frown growing darker and expending itself entirely
upon the culprit. "How is that? What were the orders, and what reason
does she assign for refusing obedience?"

"The signor sent word that she had not finished her music-lesson, and
that he desired her to return and do so. I directed her to obey the
summons, and she flatly refused; giving as her only reason that he was
not a gentleman."

"Not a gentleman!" repeated the professor in accents of astonishment and
indignation--"not a gentleman! In making such an assertion, young miss,
you insult not the signor merely, but myself also; since it was I who
engaged him to give instruction in music to the pupils of this
establishment. Pray, miss, on what do you found your most absurd
opinion?"

"Upon his conduct, sir," replied Lulu, returning the man's stare
unblenchingly, while her cheeks reddened and her eyes flashed with anger;
"he has treated me to-day as no gentleman would ever treat a lady or a
little girl."

"How?"

"Scolding and storming when I was doing my very best, and going on to
actually strike me--me whom he was forbidden from the very first ever
to strike. Both Grandpa Dinsmore and Grandma Elsie--I mean Mrs.
Travilla--forbade it when they put me in his class; for I had told them I
wouldn't be taught by him if he was allowed to treat me so; and they said
he should not."

"Ah! he should not have done so; I do not allow girls to be punished in
that manner here. I shall speak to the signor about it. But you will go
and finish your lesson."

Lulu made no movement to obey, no reply except a look that said plainly
that she had no intention of obeying.

"Did you hear me, miss?" he asked wrathfully.

"I did; but I have already said several times that I would never be
taught by that man again."

He made a step toward her and a threatening gesture, but paused, seemed
to consider a moment, then saying, "We will see what your guardians have
to say about that," turned and left the room.

Every one seemed to draw a long breath of relief, and smiles, nods, and
significant glances were exchanged.

"The hour for the closing of school has arrived, young ladies, and you
are dismissed," said Miss Diana; and she al