er voice, for it seemed to her that she saw the very
opportunity she wished for in this unexpected absence of Rosamund.

"I shall probably only be away for a day. I cannot think there can be
anything seriously wrong with dear father," said Rosamund. "But, of
course, after mother's telegram I must go."

Accordingly, a reply stating the hour of Rosamund's arrival at
Paddington was wired back to London, and shortly afterwards the girl
went up to her own room to pack a few things. She was not depressed, for
her father was subject to sudden attacks, which, although distressful,
were not of a painful nature.

Presently Irene came and sat in the room with her. She sat down on the
edge of the bed.

"I should almost die here," she said, "if it were not for Agnes. As it
is, I feel dreadful. I feel quite frightened at the thought of your
going."

"But for my sake you will do your utmost to try to be good while I am
away, won't you, Irene? I shall probably only be in London one night, or
two at the very most; and Frosty is coming too. You won't mind that?
Miss Frost is coming back at once; she will return in time for to-morrow
evening."

"Oh! I suppose it will be all right," said Irene restlessly.

Rosamund went on putting a few things into her little trunk. Then she
went up to Irene, put her arm round her waist, and kissed her.

"I am proud of you, Irene," she said. "I shall always feel that I have
not lived in vain when I think how different you are from the child I
first saw only a few months ago."

"I feel different," said Irene. "I begin to have a sort of pleasure in
being--I mean in trying to be--good. It is you, of course--you and dear
little Agnes."

"Well, Agnes will be more than ever in your care now."

"Oh! I shall look after her, there's no fear of that. I shall be
terribly lonely without you, darling; but she and I will be all in all
to each other while you are away. If it wasn't for--for Lucy Merriman I
should be quite happy, for I think the other girls are inclined to be
nice; but I hate Lucy."

"Well, I must say, Irene, speaking honestly, I hate her too. But we must
both make up our minds not to mind her. She cannot really hurt us."

"Hurt us?" said Irene. "I'm sure I'm not afraid of her, if that is what
you mean."

"Well, that's all right. Now, let us go to bed."

"I believe I am very tired too. I will promise to be quite good while
you are away, so you need not have any anxiety on my account, da