t you rather been perplexing and
distressing, and harassing her with your wilful selfishness, refusing to
do the least thing to assist her in the care of your own brother, after
she has been wearing herself out in watching over your mother? And now,
when her strength and spirits are exhausted by the exertions she
has made for you and yours, and I have been obliged to insist on her
resting, you fancy her example an excuse for you! Is this the way your
mother would have acted? I see arguing with you does you no good: I have
no more to say."

He got up, opened the door, and went out: Henrietta, dismayed at the
accusation but too well founded on her words, had but one thought, that
she should not deem her regardless of his kindness. "Uncle Geoffrey!"
she cried, "O, uncle--" but he was gone; and forgetting everything else,
she flew after him down the stairs, and before she recollected anything
else, she found herself standing in the hall, saying, "O uncle, do not
think I meant that!"

At that moment her grandpapa came out of the drawing-room. "Henrietta!"
said he, "I am glad to see you downstairs."

Henrietta hastily returned his kiss, and looked somewhat confused; then
laying her hand entreatingly on her uncle's arm, said, "Only say you are
not angry with me."

"No, no, Henrietta, not if you will act like a rational person," said
he with something of a smile, which she could not help returning in her
surprise at finding herself downstairs after all.

"And you do not imagine me ungrateful?"

"Not when you are in your right senses."

"Ungrateful!" exclaimed Mr. Langford. "What is he accusing you of,
Henrietta? What is the meaning of all this?"

"Nothing," said Uncle Geoffrey, "but that Henrietta and I have both been
somewhat angry with each other; but we have made it up now, have we not,
Henrietta?"

It was wonderful how much good the very air of the hall was doing
Henrietta, and how fast it was restoring her energy and power of turning
her mind to other things. She answered a few remarks of grandpapa's
with very tolerable cheerfulness, and even when the hall door opened
and admitted Uncle and Aunt Roger, she did not run away, but stayed to
receive their greetings before turning to ascend the stairs.

"You are not going to shut yourself up in your own room again?" said
grandpapa.

"No, I was only going to Fred," said she, growing as desirous of seeing
him as she had before been averse to it.

"Suppose," said U