e to. Horrid, affected
creatures! And then to see Carter's frightened eyes looking at me!
Haven't I seen them in my dreams until I am sick of the sight of them?
And Rosamund wants me to go and see them again! Why, Carter, poor thing!
would nearly die of fright, and every one of the Leaves would get into
their native trees and disappear from view! Oh, Rosamund is all very
well, but she isn't worth that! I wish I hadn't given those leeches back
to the chemist. He wasn't a bit grateful, either, and I spent a whole
pound on them. I can be just as obnoxious as ever. I know more than I
did, and that will help me to be even more wicked than I used to be. I
can clear the entire house now of every single servant, and I will, too,
if Rosamund goes."

If Rosamund goes! Rosamund with the bright, resolute eyes, the cheerful,
fearless face, the kind, soothing hand, and gentle manner; Rosamund, who
was not in any way goody-goody, and yet had exercised such a softening
influence on wild Irene!

"She will go. Of course she will go. She always keeps her word," thought
the child, and tears filled her bright eyes.

She ceased to paddle, bent slightly over the boat, and looked down at
her reflection in the water.

"She says I am beautiful, too. I wish I wasn't beautiful. I don't want
to be anything; only I like pleasing her. If Rosamund goes there'll be
nothing worth knowing or caring for in Irene. If Rosamund goes!"

The girl suddenly dashed the tears from her eyes. What did the Leaves
matter? Why shouldn't she endure a bad quarter of an hour looking at
Miss Carter's terrified eyes? She couldn't live without Rosamund!

Accordingly, she pulled rapidly back to the shore, moored her boat, and
rushed helter-skelter up to the house. Her mother met her in the hall.

"What is the matter, Irene dear?" she said.

"Nothing," said Irene. "Don't keep me. I want to speak to Rosamund."

Like a whirlwind, the wild little girl dashed through the house, up the
winding stairs, down the corridor, until she burst into Rosamund's room.
There she flung herself on the ground at her friend's feet, twined her
arms round her waist, laid her head on her knee, and burst into tears.

"I will do anything you wish, for I can't live without you!" sobbed
Irene.

CHAPTER XV.

A DRIVE TO THE RECTORY.

Rosamund was wonderfully wise for her years. She did not make a great
fuss over Irene's tears. She did not soothe or pet her overmuch; she
merely said,