resent
moment I hate my position. I like Mr. and Mrs. Merriman very well, and
some of the girls; but I can't stand that priggish Lucy. Perhaps that
is why I comprehend Irene--anyhow, if I may sometimes come to see her."

"Sometimes, dear! Sometimes! But I am going to see Mr. Merriman on that
very point this evening. I want you to be constantly with her."

"How can I be if I have to do all my lessons?"

"I will write to your mother. Something will have to be done. I can't
lose this one chance. It was Heaven directed me; and, oh, your face in
church--so like your mother's, and withal so spirited and so sweet! And
then I felt that if only my little darling were in any way like you! I
have had sorrow in my life; but no sorrow has been so great and terrible
as that which I have endured with regard to that poor child."

"She has a lovely face," said Rosamund; "but the fact is, she is
untamed. She wants some one to tame her; and no one can break her in.
She must be led, not driven."

"I know it; but then I cannot lead her, and she has got the whole house
so thoroughly in her power that she gloats over the position. But I must
not say any more."

"I am afraid Mr. and Mrs. Merriman will be very angry with me," said
Rosamund; "but, to tell the truth," she added, "I should not mind a bit
if I had not met Irene. But somehow, now, I would rather be good than
naughty, because I want really to help her."

They had now turned in at the avenue and were driving up to the house.
They could see several girls coming to meet them. Jane Denton was the
first to notice Rosamund. She went up to her at once.

"Oh, Rose," she said, "they are making such a fuss!" and then she
colored and glanced at Lady Jane.

"Don't say a word against Rosamund. Whether she has been disobedient or
not, she has done a splendid afternoon's work," said Lady Jane. Then she
added, "Introduce me to your young friend, my dear."

Rosamund did so. Jane was much pleased. She had heard a good deal about
Lady Jane in the course of the afternoon, and when Lucy and Mrs.
Merriman and one or two other girls were inveighing against Rosamund's
extreme naughtiness in going to see the great lady without permission,
Jane was envying her in her heart.

Now Rosamund jumped lightly from the carriage, put her hand inside
Jane's arm, and conducted Lady Jane into the house. She walked straight
toward the study, that sacred room which was seldom invaded, and opening
the door, ann