ou wish," she said.

"I want you not to make a favorite of Rosamund Cunliffe. Already she has
begun to upset everything--last night all the drawing-room arrangements,
her own bedroom afterwards; then, to-day, the other girls have done
nothing but obey her. If this goes on, how is order to be maintained?"

Miss Archer looked thoughtful.

"From the little I have seen of Rosamund, she seems to be a very amiable
and clever girl," she said. "She evidently has a great deal of strength
of character, and cannot help coming to the front. We must be patient
with her, Lucy."

Lucy felt a greater ache than ever at her heart. She was certain that
Miss Archer was already captivated by Rosamund's charms. What was she to
do? To whom was she to appeal? It would be quite useless to speak to her
mother, for her mother had already fallen in love with Rosamund; and
indeed she had with all the young girls who had arrived such a short
time ago. Mrs. Merriman was one of the most affectionate people on
earth. She had the power of taking an unlimited number of girls, and
boys, too, into her capacious heart. She could be spent for them, and
live for them, and never once give a thought to herself. Now, in
addition to the pleasure of having so many young people in the house,
she knew she was helping her husband and relieving his mind from weighty
cares. The Professor could, therefore, go on with the writing of his
great work on Greek anthology; even if the money for this unique
treatise came in slowly, there would be enough to keep the little family
from the products of the school. Yes, he should be uninterrupted, and
should proceed at his leisure, and give up the articles which were
simply wearing him into an early grave.

Lucy knew, therefore, that no sympathy could be expected from her
mother. It is true that her father might possibly understand; but then,
dared she worry him? He had been looking very pale of late. His health
was seriously undermined, and the doctors had spoken gravely of his
case. He must be relieved. He must have less tension, otherwise the
results would be attended with danger. And Lucy loved him, as she also
loved her mother, with all her heart and soul.

When Miss Archer left her, having nothing particular to do herself and
being most anxious to avoid the strange girls, she went up the avenue,
and passing through a wicket-gate near the entrance, walked along by the
side of a narrow stream where all sorts of wild flowe