hers. I
mean Briar and Patty. They are not a bit what they were."

"Now that you remark it, I have noticed that they are very grave; but
they always do their lessons well, and I have nothing to complain of with
regard to their conduct."

"Nor have you anything to complain of with regard to Paulie's conduct,"
said Verena. "It isn't that."

"Then what is it, my dear?"

"It is that they are not natural. There is something on their minds. I am
certain of it."

"Verena," said her aunt gently, "I wonder if I might confide in you."

Verena started back; a distressed look came over her face.

"If it happens to be anything against Paulie, perhaps I had better not
hear," she said.

"I do not know if it is for her or against her. I am as much in the dark
as you. I have not spoken of it yet to any one else, but I should like to
mention it to you. It seems to me that light ought to be thrown on some
rather peculiar circumstances or your sister will never get back her old
brightness and gaiety of heart."

"Then if you think so, please tell me, Aunt Sophy," said Verena.

She got up as she spoke and shut the door. She was a very bright and
pretty-looking girl, but her face sometimes wore too old a look for her
age. Her aunt looked at her now with a mingling of affection and
compassion.

"Come," she said, "sit on this sofa, darling. We can understand each
other better when we are close together. You know how much I love you,
Renny."

"There never, never was a better aunt," said the girl.

"I am not that. But I do love you. Now, dear, I will tell you. You
remember when first I came?"

"Oh, don't I? And how angry we were!"

"Poor children! I don't wonder. But don't you think, Verena, I was a very
brave woman to put myself into such a hornet's nest?"

"Indeed you were wonderful. It was your bravery that first attracted me.
Then I saw how good you were, and how kindly you meant, and everything
else became easy."

"But was it equally easy for Pauline?"

"I--I don't know. I am sure I do know, however, that now she loves you
very much."

"Ah! now," said Miss Tredgold. "But what about the early time?"

"I don't quite know."

"Verena, if I am to be frank with you, you must be frank with me."

"I think perhaps she was not won round to you quite as easily as I was."

"You are right, my dear. It was harder to win her; but she is worth
winning. I shall not rest until I bring her round altogether to my side.
Now, little