and broke as she leaned forward and laid a
hand on his forehead.

"See me at your feet," he whispered, looking up into eyes divinely
dewy. "I am yours to teach: teach me, if you will, to be good."

They rose to their feet together--he but an inch or so the taller--
and for a moment, as he took her in his arms, she held back, her
palms against his shoulders, her eyes passionately seeking the truth
in his. Then with a sob she kissed him and was gone.

For a moment she skated nervelessly, with hanging arms. But,
watching, he saw her summon up her strength and shoot down the
glimmering ice-way like a swallow let loose from his hand. So swift
was her flight that, all unknowing, she overtook and passed the
travellers jogging parallel with her on the high road; and had
reached Kelstein and was putting her two small charges to bed, when
her father's knock sounded below stairs.

Mr. and Mrs. Grantham, though pompous, were a kindly pair: and Mrs.
Grantham, entering the library where Mr. Wesley and his daughter
awaited her, and observing that the girl seemed frightened or
depressed (she could not determine which), rang the bell at once and
sent a maid upstairs for Hetty.

Hetty entered with cheeks still glowing and eyes sparkling; went at
once to her father and kissed him, and running, threw her arms around
Patty, who responded listlessly.

"She needs Kelstein air," explained Mr. Wesley. "I protest it seems
to agree with _you_, Mehetabel."

"But tell me all the news, father," Hetty demanded, with an arm about
her sister's waist and a glance at Mrs. Grantham, which asked pardon
for her freedom.

"Your sister shall tell it, my dear," answered that good woman,
"while I am persuading your father to sup with us. I have given them
a room together," she explained to Mr. Wesley. "I thought it would
be pleasanter for them."

"You are kindness itself, madam."

Hetty led the way upstairs. "It is all strange at first, dear: I
know the feeling. But see how cosy we shall be." She threw the door
open, and showed a room far more comfortably furnished than any at
Wroote or Epworth. The housemaid, who adored Hetty, had even lit a
fire in the grate. Two beds with white coverlets, coarse but
exquisitely clean, stood side by side--"Though we won't use them
both. I must have you in my arms, and drink in every word you have
to tell me till you drop off to sleep in spite of me, and hold you
even then. Oh, Patty, it is good to