er practice, and his
fine face at once assumed a look of undisguised disapproval, even though
Violet glanced up and bade him a smiling good-morning.

"My dear Miss Huntington, this will not do at all," he said, gravely;
"you are not to try your strength or take up your regular duties until
your arm is entirely well, and you have fully recovered from the effects
of your injury."

"But, I assure you, I am feeling nicely. If this left hand of mine was
only at liberty, I should be wholly myself again," Violet replied,
bending a regretful look upon the helpless member in its sling.

"That may be; but I am nevertheless going to prohibit all lessons, at
least until you can dispense with this," the gentleman replied, as he
softly touched the spotless handkerchief suspended about her neck.

"What shall we do with ourselves, Bertha, if papa is going to be so
tyrannical?" asked Violet, in a tone of mock despair, but bestowing at
the same time a grateful glance upon her patron for his consideration.

"The days are very long, papa, when I don't attend to my lessons with
Miss Huntington," Bertha said, with a sigh; "but I love her so well that
I do not want her to do anything to make herself ill."

"That is my good girl," Mr. Lawrence replied, heartily; "but I imagine
we can arrange everything satisfactorily. Suppose we begin by seeing
what we can do with the two hours between now and lunch-time," and he
drew a new book from one of his pockets as he spoke; "I think I have
something nice here for you both."

He wheeled an easy-chair into the bay-window, where the sun shone in
most invitingly, and made Violet occupy it; then, with Bertha on a
hassock at his feet, he began to read a recent and extremely interesting
story.

The two hours slipped by on magic wings and then, as Mary appeared with
a tray of tempting viands, Mr. Lawrence invited himself to lunch with
them, and they had a right merry time together as they ate.

A little later he ordered the carriage, and they all went for a drive,
returning just in time to prepare for dinner.

Violet had not dined with the family since her injury, for, having only
one hand at her command, she was sensitive about appearing awkward. But
to-day Mr. Lawrence particularly requested that she would favor them
with her presence again, if she felt able to come down.

She flushed.

"I am so helpless----" she began, when he interrupted her, saying, with
a strange note in his voice, which sh