and she has asked me to go
to her after lunch to spend the rest of the day with her. May I go?"

"Not on Sundays, dear. We never allow our young people to pay visits on
Sundays," said the professor, just turning his head and glancing kindly
at Rosamund.

The smile vanished from her countenance. She colored high with
annoyance.

"But I promised her I would go, and she is an old friend of mother's,
and please may I go on this occasion?"

"I make a rule which cannot be broken, that no girls accept invitations
for Sunday. That is the end of the matter."

He turned to speak to his wife, without giving Rosamund any further
thought. He was feeling ill that day--worse than usual--and he did not
notice the consternation, rage, and also determination which filled
Rosamund's face. Lucy had not heard her words, but she exclaimed eagerly
when the girl returned to her place among her school-fellows, "Well,
what is it? What did Lady Jane say to you?"

"Oh, nothing--nothing particular."

"But you did seem so eager and pleased. You don't look at all pleased
now."

"She said nothing in particular, really. How nice that field looks, with
all that grass growing up so green after the haymaking."

"Oh, don't talk platitudes," said Lucy. She watched Rosamund narrowly.

By-and-by they reached the house. Rosamund went straight up to her own
room. There such a wave of passion, anger, and revolt swept over her
that she scarcely knew herself.

"I will go. I won't obey. Mother wrote to her about me. She is mother's
friend. I will slip off and spend the day with her, and take the
consequences, whatever they may be. I cannot stand those girls, and she
is delightful! I win go to her, come what may."

Jane Denton did not understand Rosamund as she brushed her long hair and
tidied herself for the early dinner.

CHAPTER VI.

VISIT TO LADY JANE.

Rosamund made herself altogether charming during the ensuing meal. She
was so clever that even Lucy's watchful eyes could detect nothing
unusual about her. The professor was charmed with her intelligent
remarks, her interest in the architecture of the very old church where
they had just enjoyed the service, and her eagerness to acquire a more
profound knowledge of church architecture in general. This was one of
his own special hobbies, and he promised to lend Rosamund books on the
subject, and even invited her to go into his library in the course of
the afternoon to look at some illus