e
dares to do that."

Presently her father came into the room.

"Oh, papa," said she, "I have discovered who the lady is whom you got to
bring me the flowers. And see! she has given me this strange little
locket. Look at the inscription--'_From Natalie to Natalushka_.'"

Lind only glanced at the locket. His eyes were fixed on the girl.

"Where did you see the--the lady?" he asked, coldly.

"In the Park. But she did not stay a moment, or speak; she hurried on,
and Anneli thought she was crying. I almost think so too. Who was it,
papa? May I speak to her, if I see her again?"

Mr. Lind turned aside for a moment. Brand, who was narrowly watching
him, was convinced that the man was in a passion of rage. But when he
turned again he was outwardly calm.

"You will do nothing of the kind, Natalie," he said in measured tones.
"I have warned you before against making indiscriminate acquaintances;
and Anneli, if she is constantly getting such stupidities into her head,
must be sent about her business. I do not wish to hear anything more
about it. Will you ring and ask why tea has not been sent up?"

The girl silently obeyed. Her father had never spoken to her in this
cold, austere tone before. She sat down at a small table, apart.

Mr. Lind talked for a minute or two with his guests; then he said,

"Natalie, you have the zither there; why do you not play us something?"

She turned to the small instrument, and, after a second or two, played a
few notes: that was all. She rose and said, "I don't think I can play
this afternoon, papa;" and then she left the room.

Mr. Lind pretended to converse with his guests as before; and tea came
in; but presently he begged to be excused for a moment, and left the
room. George Brand rose, and took a turn or two up and down.

"It would take very little," he muttered--for his teeth were set--"to
make me throw that fellow out of the window!"

"What do you mean?" Lord Evelyn said, in great surprise.

"Didn't you see? She left the room to keep from crying. That miserable
Polish cutthroat--I should like to kick him down-stairs!"

But at this moment the door opened, and father and daughter entered,
arm-in-arm. Natalie's face was a little bit flushed, but she was very
gentle and affectionate; they had made up that brief misunderstanding,
obviously. And she had brought in her hand a mob-cap of black satin:
would Lord Evelyn allow her to try the effect of twisting those
beautiful golden t