he advent of
these two young people had been kept from her, and was not specially
mollified when her mother came into the room and told her that her
father wished to speak to her for a minute or two in his study.

The girl ran off without a moment's delay, and entering the study, went
straight up to the Professor, who, gentle, patient as of old, laid his
hand on her shoulder.

"Well, Lucy," he said, "and so school begins, and the old things resume
their sway."

"I don't think they do," retorted Lucy. "It seems to me that they are
giving place to new. Why is it, father, that a girl whom you expelled
has come back again to our dear little select, very private school? And
why has she brought the very naughtiest girl in the whole neighborhood
to be her companion?"

"I can only tell you this in reply, Lucy: Rosamund, although she was
naughty, was also noble."

"That is impossible," said Lucy, with a toss of her head.

"It is difficult for you to understand; but it is the case. She was
actuated by a brave motive, and has done a splendid work. I confess I
was very angry with her at the time; but dear Mr. Singleton--such a
Christ-like man as he is--opened my eyes, and told me what a marvelous
effect Rosamund was having on little Irene Ashleigh, whom every one was
afraid of, and who was in consequence being absolutely ruined. It was at
Singleton's request that I reinstated Rosamund in the school, and it was
further at his request and that of Lady Jane Ashleigh that I decided not
to part the two girls, but to allow them to come here for at least a
term. So Rosamund and Irene are both members of the school, and I desire
you, Lucy, as my daughter, not to repeat to any of your fellow-pupils
the stories you may have heard in the past with regard to Irene. I
desire you to be kind to her, and if you cannot be friends with her, at
least to leave her alone. You have your own friends, Laura Everett"----

"Oh, Laura has already gone over to the enemy," said Lucy. "Why, she was
talking and preaching as hard as ever she could just now, when mother
came in and said that you wanted me."

"Well, my dear, I did want to speak to you. I wanted to say just what I
have said. You will attend to my instructions. You understand?"

"I understand, father," said Lucy; and she left the study with her fair
head slightly bent.

There was a puzzled expression on her face. What was the meaning of it
all? Never in her life, which would soon extend t