fan indolently to and fro. A sudden
impulse came over Daisy to turn and run away, but by a great effort
she controlled her feelings.

"Step forward, if you please, Miss Brooks. I can not observe you well
at such a distance; do not tread on the poodle on the rug or brush
against the bric-a-brac placed indiscriminately about the room."

"Oh, dear, if there were only a light," thought Daisy, in dismay. She
was afraid of taking a single step for fear some of the bric-a-brac
mentioned, either at the right or left of her, should come crashing
down under her blundering little feet.

"I always exclude the broad glare of early morning light, as I find it
especially trying."

As she spoke she threw back one of the shutters with the end of her
fan, and a warm flood of invigorating sunshine poured into the room.

"Dear me," she cried, staring hard at the beautiful little face before
her. "Why, you are a child, scarcely older than my Eve. What could
that stupid brother of mine mean by sending you to me? I have a notion
to send you back again directly."

"Oh, please do not, madame," cried Daisy, piteously. "Only try me
first; I will do my very best to please you."

"But I did not want a young person," expostulated Mrs. Glenn.

"But you sent for Alice, his daughter, and--and he thought I would do
as well," faltered Daisy, timidly.

"Alice Jet is over forty, and you are not more than sixteen, I should
judge. How did you happen to think you could do as well as she?"

The color came and went on Daisy's pretty flower-like face, and her
heart throbbed pitifully.

"I am not so very wise or learned," she said, "but I should try so
hard to please you, if you will only let me try."

"I suppose, now that you are here, we will have to make the best of
it," replied Mrs. Glenn, condescendingly.

The fair beauty of the young girl's face did not please her.

"I have always dreaded fair women," she thought to herself, "they are
the most dangerous of rivals. If she stays at Glengrove I shall see
she is kept well in the background."

While in the morning-room below the three girls were discussing the
new turn of affairs vigorously.

"I am determined she shall not remain here," Bessie Glenn was saying.

"I heartily indorse your opinion," said Gertie, slowly.

And for once in her life the tongue of reckless Eve was silent. She
looked thoughtfully out of the window.

CHAPTER XVIII.

The first week of Daisy's stay at Gleng