you, Mrs. Jersey. You have cleared up the mist for me."

"I hear it in your voice," said her friend, smiling. "It has got its
clear, sweet ring again. Is _all_ the trouble disposed of?"

"Oh no!" said Dolly, a shadow crossing her face anew; "but I am
relieved of one great perplexity. That was not all my trouble;--I
cannot tell you all. I wish I could! One thing,--I want to see my
father dreadfully, to talk to him about mother's going travelling; and
I cannot get sight of him. He stays in London. And time is flying."

"Write," said the housekeeper.

"Oh, I have written. And I have sent messages. I would go up to London
myself, but I cannot go alone."

"Miss Dolly," said the housekeeper, after a minute's thought, "perhaps
I can help here too. I have to go up to London for a few days, and was
thinking to go next week. If you will trust yourself to me, I will take
you, and take care of you."

Dolly was overjoyed at this suggestion. A little more conversation to
settle preliminaries and particulars, and Dolly set off on her way home
with a much lightened heart.

"Ah me!" thought the housekeeper, as she stood at the door looking
after her, "how hard we do make it for each other in this world!"

CHAPTER XV.

THE CONSUL'S OFFICE.

Before Dolly had reached home she was joined by Mr. St. Leger. He was
still in the park.

"Have you been for a walk?" said he in astonished fashion.

"I suppose that would be a natural conclusion," said Dolly. She spoke
easily; it rejoiced her to find how easily she could now meet Mr. St.
Leger. Yet the game was not all played out, either.

"Why didn't you let me know, that I might go with you?" he went on.

"That was not in my purpose," rejoined Dolly lightly.

"That is very unkind, Dolly."

"Truth is never unkind."

"Yes, indeed, it may be; it is now."

"Would you like falsehood better?"

"You need not be false."

"I must be either false or true, must I not? Which would you rather
have, Mr. St. Leger?"

"It would be no good, my choosing," said he, with a half laugh; "for
you would never give me anything but absolute truth, I know. I believe
that is one of your attractions, Dolly. All other girls put on
something, and a fellow never can tell what he is served to, the dish
is spiced so cleverly. But you are like a piece of game, with no
flavour but your own; and that is wild enough, and rare enough too."

"Mr. St. Leger," said Dolly gravely, "you ought to study rhetoric