y did not agree; and she did not like his jests. So time passed on,
till the third day.

"I'll ask him for it at dinner," she said to herself. "He is never so
provoking when father is there."

But a good opportunity occurred before dinner. Mr Sherwood was
standing in the hall, waiting for Mrs Seaton, whom he was to take into
town, when Miss Gertrude passed him on her way up-stairs.

"Mr Sherwood," she said, "you picked up a book in the garden the other
day. It was very careless in me to leave it there. Will you give it to
me now?"

"I ought to apologise to you for having kept it so long," he answered,
gravely. "I will get it for you this moment."

Miss Gertrude looked up to see whether there was not a smile upon his
face. She had no idea that her new "whim" for serious reading was to be
allowed to pass without remark. But his look was quite grave as he
turned into the library.

"Do you like this?" he asked, when he came out with the book in his
hand.

"I don't know. I have not read much of it," she answered, quickly,
moving towards him to take the book. He gave it to her without
speaking.

A glance at his face induced her to say, "Are you not well to-day,
Cousin Charles?"

It was one of Miss Gertrude's "whims" always to address him formally as
"Mr Sherwood"; and in his agreeable surprise at her familiarity, he
smiled brightly. But his face grew grave again as he said:

"Yes; I am quite well--only, perhaps, a little more indolent and
self-indulgent than usual."

About this time there came a letter from Effie, in which there was one
sentence that cost Christie many a wondering and anxious thought.

"My dear little sister, let your light shine, and who knows but you may
be the means of blessing to this household also?"

"Effie doesn't know," said Christie to herself. "She thinks I have
grown good and wise, but she is much mistaken. I am sure if I did any
good to Mrs Lee I don't know how it happened. And besides, she was ill
and in trouble, and had need of the little help and comfort I could give
her. But Miss Gertrude! She is the only one I come very near to here;
and she is so quick and beautiful and strong--so much above me in every
way. Oh, if Effie were to see her, she would never think of my being
able to influence her. Everybody admires Miss Gertrude; and I am but a
nursemaid, and hardly that."

And yet the humble little maid did influence Gertrude as the days and
months passed on