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+Project Gutenberg's The Children of Wilton Chase, by Mrs. L. T. Meade
+
+This eBook is for the use of anyone anywhere at no cost and with
+almost no restrictions whatsoever.  You may copy it, give it away or
+re-use it under the terms of the Project Gutenberg License included
+with this eBook or online at www.gutenberg.org
+
+
+Title: The Children of Wilton Chase
+
+Author: Mrs. L. T. Meade
+
+Release Date: August 23, 2008 [EBook #26409]
+Last updated: March 3, 2009
+
+Language: English
+
+Character set encoding: ASCII
+
+*** START OF THIS PROJECT GUTENBERG EBOOK THE CHILDREN OF WILTON CHASE ***
+
+
+
+
+Produced by Sankar Viswanathan, Juliet Sutherland, and the
+Online Distributed Proofreading Team at https://www.pgdp.net
+
+
+
+
+
+
+
+
+        [Illustration: 'Let's come away,' whispered Marjorie.]
+
+
+
+                           The CHILDREN of
+
+                             WILTON CHASE
+
+
+
+                                  By
+
+                           MRS. L. T. MEADE
+
+                              AUTHOR OF
+
+              A GIRL IN TEN THOUSAND, A RING OF RUBIES,
+                       GIRLS NEW AND OLD, ETC.
+
+
+
+
+
+
+                               NEW YORK
+
+                           GROSSET & DUNLAP
+
+                              PUBLISHERS
+
+
+
+                            Copyright 1891
+
+                    BY CASSELL PUBLISHING COMPANY
+
+       *       *       *       *       *
+
+
+
+
+CONTENTS.
+
+
+CHAPTER                                               PAGE
+
+I.      MARJORIE'S WAY,                                 1
+
+II.     SHARK,                                         13
+
+III.    ERMENGARDE'S SIN,                              25
+
+IV.     THE DAY OF THE PICNIC,                         32
+
+V.      LOCKED IN THE CUPBOARD,                        62
+
+VI.     A STOLEN TREASURE,                             69
+
+VII.    A GOOD, BOYISH SORT OF GIRL,                   82
+
+VIII.   FATHER'S BIRTHDAY,                             97
+
+IX.     FIVE O'CLOCK IN THE MORNING,                  104
+
+X.      THE REIGN OF CHAOS,                           115
+
+XI.     AFTER THE FUN,                                133
+
+XII.    AFTER THE BIRTHDAY,                           150
+
+XIII.   BASIL'S OPINION,                              162
+
+XIV.    I SERVE,                                      175
+
+XV.     LILIAS,                                       187
+
+XVI.    THE BEAUTIFUL DRESS,                          199
+
+XVII.   THE MORE BEAUTIFUL FACE,                      210
+
+XVIII.  IN THE TOILS,                                 217
+
+XIX.    SOME PEOPLE WHO DID NOT FLATTER,              228
+
+XX.     WHAT DID BASIL MEAN?                          235
+
+XXI.    SUSY'S FEVERISH DESIRE,                       241
+
+XXII.   QUITE IN A NEW CHARACTER,                     250
+
+XXIII.  BLESSED AND HAPPY,                            261
+
+       *       *       *       *       *
+
+
+
+
+THIS STORY
+
+IS DEDICATED, WITH AFFECTION,
+TO
+
+MARJORY
+
+A CHILD WHO, POSSESSING THE SPIRIT OF LOVE AND SERVICE,
+HAS INSPIRED THE IDEA OF THAT OTHER MARJORY
+WHO APPEARS IN THESE PAGES.
+
+_August, 1891._
+
+       *       *       *       *       *
+
+
+
+
+THE
+
+CHILDREN OF WILTON CHASE
+
+CHAPTER I.
+
+MARJORIE'S WAY.
+
+
+"I don't care," said Ermengarde. "I won't do it! I won't obey her!"
+
+"What are you saying, Ermie?"
+
+Ermengarde was standing by the dressing-table in her room. She had
+been talking half to herself; she now turned quickly round, and
+confronted a plain little girl of between eleven and twelve.
+
+"Is that you, Marjorie? I didn't know you were listening. I had not an
+idea you were in the room."
+
+"But what _did_ you say, Ermie? Who is the person you won't obey?"
+
+Marjorie had puckered up her brows. Her small, shrewd, sensible face
+looked full of anxiety.
+
+"Now, look here," said Ermengarde, speaking with passion, "don't you
+interfere! You are always poking your finger into everyone's pie.
+Leave mine alone. I don't want you to meddle, nor to help me. I
+understand my own affairs. What is the matter? Are you going to cry?"
+
+"No, Ermengarde. I don't cry. I think it's babyish."
+
+Marjorie walked to the other end of the large bedroom, tied on a
+shabby brown hat, and prepared to leave the room. When she reached the
+door she turned again, and looked at her sister.
+
+"When Basil comes home----" she began.
+
+"Oh, don't. Why do you talk about Basil?" Ermengarde tossed her hat
+off her head as she spoke. "And just when I might have been happy!
+What are you lingering by the door for, Marjorie? Well, if you must
+know, I am not going to obey Miss Nelson any more. She went a little
+too far this morning, and I'll show her that I'm Miss Wilton, and that
+she's only the governess--and--and----Now, where's that child gone to?
+I do think Marjorie is a perfect nuisance. I don't see anything good
+in her. Paul Pry, I call her. Paul Pry, and a little busy-body. I
+suppose she'll go and make up to Miss Nelson now, and tell her what
+I've said. No, though, that isn't like her. She does try to stick up
+for one. Poor little plain mite. Well, I don't intend to obey Miss
+Nelson, Marjorie or no Marjorie. Basil is coming home from school, and
+I shall go in the carriage to meet him. I don't care what Miss Nelson
+said. She's not going to keep me from meeting my own Basil. Why, I was
+fourteen a month ago--a great many girls are grown up at fourteen. I
+don't mean English girls, of course, but foreigners, and I'm not going
+to be kept in surveillance, just as if I was an infant."
+
+Ermengarde was quite alone in her nice room. The house was still, for
+just now the children--there were a good many children at Wilton
+Chase--were out. The time was the end of July, and on this very day
+Basil and Eric, the two public-school boys, were coming home. The
+whole house, that is the nursery and schoolroom part of the house,
+were in a flutter of expectation and excitement. Nothing ever
+disturbed the other end of Wilton Chase, where father and Aunt
+Elizabeth, and the numerous visitors resided. But the nurseries and
+the schoolrooms were generally noisy apartments, and it was very
+unusual to have such a stillness as now reigned over the whole of this
+important portion of the house.
+
+Ermengarde and Marjorie slept in two pretty white beds, side by side,
+in this nice, large, cheerful bedroom. Ermengarde was completely
+mistress, but she did not object to Marjorie's company, for Marjorie
+was very plodding and useful and self-forgetful, and Ermie liked to be
+waited on, and her complaints listened to, and her worries sympathized
+with.
+
+In many ways she was a commonplace child. She had a handsome little
+face, and a proud, overbearing manner. She thought a great deal more
+highly of herself than she ought, and she was a constant trial to Miss
+Nelson, who was a most patient, long-suffering woman.
+
+Ermengarde had been directly disobedient that morning, and as a
+punishment Miss Nelson had decided that she was not to go in the
+carriage to meet her brothers at the railway station. The little girl
+had stared, bridled, drawn herself up in her haughtiest style, and
+determined openly to defy Miss Nelson.
+
+She had never gone to this length of rebellion before, and when the
+governess went down to the seashore, accompanied by two or three of
+the children, she imagined that Ermengarde would attend to her
+neglected lessons, and presently join them on the beach.
+
+"Marjorie," said the governess, as she suddenly met the little girl in
+the grounds, "I am deeply sorry, but I am forced to punish
+Ermengarde. She is not to go to meet your brothers; but would
+you--only, my dear child, you do look so dirty and untidy--would you
+like to go in the carriage? You are a good little girl; it would be a
+treat for you."
+
+"I could get cleaned in a minute," said Marjorie. "There's my brown
+Holland overall, and Hudson could brush my hair, and make it tidy."
+
+Then she flushed, and the wistful, eager expression went out of her
+eyes.
+
+"Perhaps I had better not," she said.
+
+"Why so, my dear child?"
+
+Marjorie was thinking of Ermengarde. She could not complain of her
+sister, but to sit by and witness her disobedience would destroy her
+own pleasure.
+
+"Ermie wouldn't like it, either," she whispered under her breath. "I
+wish I hadn't got honest eyes; Ermie says they look so horrid when I
+don't like a thing."
+
+"Well, Marjorie, are you going, or are you not?" said Miss Nelson.
+
+"I think not, Miss Nelson," said Marjorie, in a cheerful voice. "Nurse
+says Bob is sure to have another teething fit, so of course he'll be
+fractious, and she'll want me to pick up shells for him."
+
+"Well, dear, you must please yourself," answered Miss Nelson gently.
+
+She never praised Marjorie for being unselfish--no one did--they only
+said it was her way, and all the people with whom she came in contact
+took small kindnesses and small services from her as a matter of
+course.
+
+Ermengarde was alone in her room, and the house was delightfully
+still. She waited for another moment, and then going over to the
+fireplace rang a bell. In a few minutes the schoolroom maid, looking
+very cross and astonished, answered the summons.
+
+"Hudson, I am going out in the carriage. Please help me to dress,"
+said Ermengarde. "And give directions that I am to be told when the
+carriage is ready."
+
+"Are you going for the young gentlemen, Miss Ermengarde?"
+
+"Yes."
+
+"Then you must be quick, miss, for Macnab is bringing the horses round
+now."
+
+Ermengarde had thought of making a very effective toilet, but she had
+only time to put on a shady hat, her best one, snatch up her parasol
+and gloves, and run downstairs.
+
+Mr. Wilton was going himself to the station to meet his boys.
+Ermengarde was always a little afraid of her father. She stepped back
+now when she saw him, and slightly colored.
+
+"Come, Ermie," he said good-naturedly, "jump in! We must be off at
+once, or we shall not be in time. I suppose you have been a specially
+good girl this morning, as Miss Nelson has allowed you to come."
+
+Ermengarde murmured something which her father did not quite hear.
+
+"You have--eh?" he repeated. "Miss Nelson knows you are coming? It is
+all right, I suppose?"
+
+"Yes, father," said Ermengarde. She raised her eyes; then she got into
+the carriage with a curious sensation of being suddenly very shrunken
+and small. She was a rebellious, disobedient child, but she had not
+often sunk to deliberate falsehood.
+
+The drive through the summer country on this delightful afternoon was
+so invigorating, and Mr. Wilton was so little awe-inspiring, and such
+a genuinely pleasant, witty, affectionate father that Ermengarde's
+spirits rose. She forgot her disobedience, that horrible lie which
+fear had wrung from her lips ceased to trouble her, and she chatted
+quite gayly to her father.
+
+"Why, Ermie, what a big girl you are growing," he said presently, "and
+how well you express yourself! You will be quite a companion to me
+when you come out."
+
+Ermengarde lifted her handsome eyes, They sparkled with pleasure.
+
+"Well, puss, what is it?" said Mr. Wilton.
+
+"Only I do so wish I could come out now."
+
+"Now? How old are you?"
+
+"Fourteen--really, quite----"
+
+"We'll talk about it, Ermie, when you are seventeen. Eighteen is a
+better age, but as your poor mother is not living, and I--I--want a
+companion, I--we'll see about it."
+
+"Father, I do hate Aunt Elizabeth."
+
+"Pooh, what harm does she do you? You mustn't have such strong likes
+and dislikes, Ermie. You are exactly like me. I was awfully headstrong
+in my time. Your aunt is an excellent woman. I wonder what I should do
+without her. There must be some woman at the head of a house, you
+know, puss."
+
+"When I come out, you'll let me take care of your house for you, won't
+you, father?"
+
+"What a chit it is."
+
+"But won't you? Do say you will, father. I should so love to govern!"
+
+"I daresay. Here we are quite close to the station now. Easy, Macnab,
+don't force the horses up this steep bit. Well, puss, what are you
+looking so eagerly at me for? So you'd like to govern, eh?"
+
+"Oh, shouldn't I? Dearly, dearly! I'd send Aunt Elizabeth and Miss
+Nelson away."
+
+"Indeed! A nice household I'd be likely to have."
+
+"Father, I wish you would not laugh at me!"
+
+Mr. Wilton's face generally wore an expression of somewhat kindly
+sarcasm. Now a sudden look of tenderness came into his dark eyes. He
+turned and looked at the handsome, restless, dissatisfied girl at his
+side.
+
+"I don't want to laugh at you, Ermie," he said, "but the fact is, I
+don't profess to understand half-fledged creatures. If your mother
+were alive, all would be different. Well, child, well, I'll see what
+can be done when the time comes; I want you to help me, of course,
+when the time comes; that is, if you have the real stuff in you, if
+you are a true Wilton. All the women of our house are women of honor."
+
+"Honor?" repeated Ermengarde vaguely.
+
+"Yes. Truthful, and above-board, and brave. Marjorie is a Wilton,
+every inch of her. Hullo! the train is in, and there come my scamps.
+Well, Basil, here you are, sir--and Master Eric, too! Sorry to be
+home, eh? I make no doubt you are. Now, look here, you villains, you
+are not going to tear my place to pieces. How many more pets, I
+wonder?"
+
+"Only some rabbits, gov--father, I mean," said Basil.
+
+"That's right, Basil--you know I don't allow you to 'governor' me--I
+like the old-fashioned word best. So there are some rabbits, eh? How
+are they to get home?"
+
+"Oh, they can go with the pigeons and the ferrets," chimed in Eric, a
+small boy with a freckled face, and bright ruddy-gold hair.
+
+"Isn't the dogcart here, father?" asked Basil.
+
+"No, you're to come home in state in the family coach. A cart ought to
+be somewhere round for your luggage. The beasts can go in that."
+
+"Oh, not the ferrets," said Eric. "I think perhaps I had better walk
+home with the ferrets. They might eat through their basket, and get at
+my fantails."
+
+"Nonsense! stow them away under this seat, and jump in, lads. Do you
+see Ermie? She's all in a flutter to kiss you."
+
+"How do, Ermie?" said Eric. "Stick your legs well out in front, or the
+ferrets may bite 'em."
+
+Basil didn't say anything, but he clasped Ermengarde's slim fingers in
+his big brown hand. Basil's squeeze signified a good deal, and
+Ermengarde colored up, and her heart swelled with pride and pleasure.
+
+"Jolly weather, isn't it?" said Basil. "I say, aren't we going to have
+a time! How are all the others? How's Maggie? Are you going to have
+holidays, too, while we are having ours, Ermie?"
+
+Ermengarde's face flushed again.
+
+"It is unfair," she said. "I wish you'd speak to father about it,
+Basil. We are only to have half-holidays. Lessons all the morning, and
+the afternoons with you. I do call it a shame! It's Aunt Elizabeth's
+doing. She arranged it with Miss Nelson a week ago. I do wish, father,
+you'd interfere."
+
+"My dear, I never dream of interfering with your Aunt Elizabeth.--A
+pretty mess I'd get into if I did [_sotto voce_].--I make no doubt,
+Ermie, it's a very wise arrangement, and you fellows can have the
+mornings quite free for long expeditions or anything of that sort."
+
+"Oh, we'll have lots of the girls in the afternoon," said Eric. "I do
+hope that big ferret isn't making his way out. He _is_ a stunner, sir;
+why, he killed--Ermie, keep your legs away--he has teeth like razors,
+sir, and once he catches on, he never lets go. He'll suck you to death
+as likely as not. Now, what's up?"
+
+Ermengarde started from her seat. She felt slightly frightened, and
+very cross.
+
+"You bring home horrid pets, Eric," she said. "And you have no
+sympathy, not a bit, and you are selfish, too----"
+
+"Oh, he's a scamp," interrupted Basil; "never mind him."
+
+Again he stretched out his hand and took Ermengarde's.
+
+"Tell me all about the young'uns," he said. "How are the bees? Did you
+make a good sale of the honey? I want to buy out my share--come close,
+I've a secret to whisper to you."
+
+Ermengarde and Basil talked in low excited tones to one another all
+the rest of the way home. Eric entertained his father with the
+exploits of his favorite ferret, and the prodigious feats of prowess
+performed by a certain pouter-pigeon of rare lineage. Mr. Wilton
+laughed and encouraged the boy's chatter. The whole party were in high
+spirits when they drew up at the lodge gates.
+
+
+
+
+CHAPTER II.
+
+SHARK.
+
+
+"Hullo, here's Marjorie!" exclaimed Eric. He vaulted out of the
+carriage, and flung his arms round Marjorie's little squat figure,
+lifting her off the ground, and squeezing her in an ecstasy of
+delight. "Here I am, Mag, and there are two pouters in a cage, and
+four new fantails--they're coming with the luggage--and I've got a
+lop-eared rabbit with black spots, and my ferrets--there are two of
+them in the carriage. Wait until you see Shark's teeth--I call him
+Shark, he's such a good 'un at biting. We'll have some fun these
+holidays; don't you make any mistake!"
+
+"Yes, yes, of course we will! I'm delighted, Eric, delighted! Where
+are the ferrets? When can I see them? Oh, how are you, Basil? Have you
+on a tight boot to-day? Does your corn pinch you?"
+
+"No, I've got over those small ailments," said Basil. "What a
+roundabout you are, Marjorie," he continued, pinching her cheek.
+"Now, what's the matter? You are quite frowning."
+
+Marjorie's round good-humored freckled face wore an expression of
+consternation.
+
+"I made some slippers during the term for you," she said. "They're
+large, and I wadded them so that they are most comfortable. But--it
+isn't that--the slippers are in your room, I put them there--Ermie,
+won't you get out?"
+
+"No," said Ermengarde. "I'm going to drive down to the house."
+
+Marjorie frowned more than ever.
+
+"They are all coming up from the shore; Miss Nelson, and all of them;
+and they'll see the horses and they'll run. Even Miss Nelson will run,
+she's so fond of Basil, and----"
+
+Mr. Wilton, who still remained in the carriage by Ermengarde's side,
+now interposed.
+
+"We won't wait for the small fry," he said. "We'll drive on to the
+house at once. Oh, yes, Eric, you can go to meet the party from the
+shore of course, if you like, and Basil too."
+
+"I'll stay with Ermie," said Basil.
+
+He jumped into the carriage again, and they drove down the long
+winding avenue to the house.
+
+Great elm trees shaded the avenue, and Basil pushed back his cap and
+looked up into the green. He was a dark and handsome lad, and his
+expression was unusually thoughtful for his years.
+
+"How grand those old trees are!" he said. "Whenever I think of home
+while I'm away, I remember the old elm trees in the avenue, and the
+rooks' nests--I remember, too----" Here he stopped suddenly, and a
+wave of red mantled his cheeks. Ermengarde's bright eyes were fixed on
+him; she guessed his thoughts. Basil had often walked under those elm
+trees with his mother.
+
+Mr. Wilton had opened the _Times_, and was not attending to the
+chatter of the young folk.
+
+"You don't look quite the thing, Ermie," said Basil in a low voice.
+
+"I'm perfectly well," she replied.
+
+"But you turned quite white that time at the lodge. I noticed it. That
+time when Marjorie wanted you to get out. Have you been worrying
+yourself lately? You know you are such a girl to mope, and make
+mountains out of mole-hills. School would be the place for you."
+
+Mr. Wilton dropped his paper.
+
+"Are you recommending school for Ermengarde?" he said. "Sometimes I
+have thought of it, but your mother had a prejudice against
+school-life for girls, and Ermie does very well with Miss Nelson and
+the masters who come here to instruct her. Now here we are, and here's
+your Aunt Elizabeth."
+
+Miss Wilton was not a graceful woman. She was a feminine edition of
+her brother, and Mr. Wilton, although handsome as a man, had by no
+means the type of face which best lends itself to womanly graces.
+
+Miss Wilton was standing on the steps in a riding-habit. Her horse had
+just been taken round to the stables. She had her whip in her hand,
+and her masses of hair looked untidy--her face, too, was flushed.
+
+"Really, Roderick," she said to her brother, "that groom is past
+bearing. He had the impertinence---- Oh, is that you, Basil? So you've
+come back--how are you? Now one thing I do beg, and that is, that you
+never come into the house except by the side door, and that you and
+Eric keep your pets to yourselves. I don't mind what is done behind
+the schoolroom doors, but I will not--I cannot--permit messy lounging
+school-boys in my part of the house. Roderick, what is the matter? Are
+you laughing at me?"
+
+"I think I am, Elizabeth," replied Mr. Wilton. "Boys will be boys, and
+no one can accuse Basil of lounging."
+
+Miss Wilton had a very hearty loud laugh herself. She indulged in it
+now, and going up to Basil, hit him a blow on the shoulders.
+
+"You're a true Wilton," she said. "By and by I'll be proud of you--by
+and by I'll want your help. You shall ride with me, and keep those
+lazy intolerable grooms in some sort of order, but just at present
+your place is in the schoolroom part of the house. Ermengarde! You
+here? Has Miss Nelson promoted you to drive in the carriage? That is
+an honor only conferred on very good children."
+
+Ermengarde hated to be called a child. She disliked her Aunt
+Elizabeth's manner to her at all times, and now she flushed and
+frowned, and looked decidedly unamiable.
+
+"Come, Basil," she said, touching her brother on his arm.
+
+"No, miss, you're not to go with that cross face on," said her aunt.
+"Look pleasant, or I shall desire Miss Nelson on no account to permit
+you to drive with your father again. What is it, Roderick? What's the
+matter?"
+
+"Leave the poor child alone," said Mr. Wilton. "Run away, chicks, both
+of you; run off and be happy. Now, Elizabeth, what is this story about
+the groom?"
+
+Ermengarde slipped her hand within Basil's arm, and they both walked
+round to the other side of the house. High tea was spread in the
+pleasant schoolroom. Miss Nelson, who looked worried and over-tired,
+was desiring her pupils to take their places. All the nursery children
+were to sup in the schoolroom to-night, in honor of the boys' return,
+and nurse was bringing in toddling Ethel, and little Dick and Bobby,
+and placing them in their chairs, and then cutting bread-and-butter
+for them.
+
+Basil rushed down a side passage to a lavatory to wash his hands, and
+Ermengarde flew upstairs to dispose of her best hat. Miss Nelson had
+not noticed it.
+
+When the elder boy and girl came into the room the meal had commenced.
+Marjorie, as usual, was trotting from chair to chair, helping
+everyone, pushing the butter nearer to little Mollie, the youngest
+schoolroom child, stopping Bobby's rebellious lips with strawberries,
+and lugging a great jug of milk in her arms, and with a red face, and
+chubby hands that would tremble under their load, refilling mugs of
+milk as fast as they got empty.
+
+"That will do now, Marjorie; you can sit down," called out Miss
+Nelson.
+
+Marjorie subsided at once into a seat beside Eric.
+
+"Ermengarde," said her governess, glancing quickly at her eldest
+pupil; "you are late again for tea. You forfeit five marks."
+
+"Oh, I say," exclaimed Basil, "I'm late, too, Miss Nelson. And it
+wasn't Ermie's fault, her being late this time; she could not help
+herself. Why, what is the matter, Ermie?"
+
+Ermengarde had given him a shove under the table. He looked round at
+her, guessed that she did not wish him to say something, and instantly
+subsided into absolute silence.
+
+Basil was a favorite of Miss Nelson's. He was a kind-hearted lad; he
+had something of Marjorie's spirit, and was always willing to throw
+himself into breaches, to heal disputes, to be a sort of peacemaker
+and server all round. Miss Nelson dreaded beyond anything the long
+summer vacation when the boys were home from school, and the girls had
+only half work. These were the weeks for disputes, for quarrels, for
+disagreeables, for scrapes. During these weeks poor Miss Nelson's hair
+became more gray, and her face more wrinkled and anxious; but she
+dreaded the holidays, not because Basil was at home, but on account of
+Eric, who was a perfect imp of mischief, and because all the home
+children were more or less demoralized by his presence.
+
+Now Miss Nelson smiled into Basil's eyes, handed him a plate of the
+best strawberries, and after a pause, said: "You'd like me not to
+punish Ermengarde?"
+
+"Of course I should; she has done nothing to be punished for."
+
+Again Ermengarde kicked him under the table. He was lifting a cup of
+tea to his lips, and part of its contents were spilt on the white
+tablecloth, and over his own shirt-cuff. Basil hated messes and
+awkward ways of doing things. He gave Ermengarde a return kick of some
+force, murmured, "You're a perfect muff, Ermie," and then looked up,
+with his momentary annoyance gone, at Miss Nelson.
+
+"Thank you for excusing Ermengarde," he said. "She's under my command
+now. I'm her captain. I'll see that she's in good time in the future."
+
+"Well, Ermengarde, you may consider yourself excused," said the
+governess. "I hope you have thoroughly mastered your imposition. If
+so, as you must want fresh air, you may go out with Basil for an hour
+after tea."
+
+Basil glanced at his sister's blooming and blushing face. As he did
+not want to be kicked any more, however, he was silent. Marjorie had
+left her seat, and was bringing all the cups up to Miss Nelson to be
+refilled with tea. As the governess poured some hot water into the
+teapot she turned again to Ermengarde, "Do you know your piece of
+poetry, Ermie?"
+
+Ermengarde said "Yes." This happened to be true, for the poem selected
+for her punishment lesson was "Casabianca," which she admired very
+much, and had long ago committed to memory for pleasure.
+
+"Yes, I know it quite well, thank you, Miss Nelson," she said in a
+cheerful voice.
+
+The clouds had left her face; she was now in an excellent humor. To be
+with Basil was always delightful to her, and she sincerely hoped that
+her disobedience and open defiance of authority might never be
+discovered. If it was, she was prepared to defend her action, but she
+had an intuition that Basil would disapprove. His good opinion was of
+the utmost value to her: she loved Basil; she had no particular
+affection for any other human being, unless, perhaps, her father; but
+Basil's presence caused a warm satisfied glow to steal around her
+heart.
+
+Miss Nelson had supplied all the second cups of tea. She was again at
+liberty to ask her favorite a question.
+
+"Basil, I should like to ask you in confidence, has Eric brought home
+any strange pets this time?"
+
+Basil's eyes sparkled.
+
+"Only two ferrets," he said; "and two carrier pigeons, and two
+fantails, and a pouter (Eric is dead nuts on that pouter), and a
+lop-eared rabbit. I think that's all. I have some pups, too," he added
+modestly, "but they are coming by parcel-post to-morrow."
+
+"By parcel-post, Basil!" here almost screamed Marjorie. "Oh, I hope
+they won't be squashed."
+
+"Silence, children!" said the governess. A red spot had risen on both
+her cheeks. "I had hoped no more pets were coming. And ferrets! I
+dread ferrets. Now the pups----"
+
+"But they're of a very wicked breed," shouted Eric. "They're worse
+than my ferret Shark. They are young bloodhounds. Don't you deny it,
+Basil. You know you gave a sov. for them to Dandy Macjones."
+
+"But they are quite harmless at present," said Basil. "There are only
+two; they haven't arrived yet. They'll come by post, or train, or
+something to-morrow. When they do come, I'll promise to be careful."
+
+"Yes. Basil, I believe you are a boy to be trusted.--Eric!"
+
+"What is it, ma'am?"
+
+Eric put on a comical face, which set all the nursery children
+laughing.
+
+"Stand up, Eric. While you are at home, at least whenever you are in
+the schoolroom--in fact, I may say always--you have got to yield to my
+authority."
+
+"Thank you, ma'am. I didn't know it, ma'am."
+
+Eric pulled his forelock after the fashion of a charity school-boy.
+The nursery children clapped their hands with delight, and a wave of
+color swept over Miss Nelson's face.
+
+"I say, shut up and be respectful," growled Basil.
+
+Eric glanced at his brother. His whole funny face became rigid except
+his eyes, which still danced with mirth. He folded his hands on his
+breast, and said in a demure, mincing tone, "I beg your pardon, Miss
+Nelson."
+
+Even the governess had to smile.
+
+"It is granted, my dear boy. Now with regard to your pets. The rabbits
+are not to be in the house."
+
+"Oh, no, ma'am."
+
+"There's no rabbit-hutch."
+
+"I'll stow them somewhere, Miss Nelson."
+
+"See you do. The pigeons can share the dovecotes, I suppose."
+
+"Very well, Miss Nelson."
+
+"The ferrets----" here Miss Nelson almost shivered. "Dangerous,
+disgusting beasts!"
+
+"I say, don't," exclaimed Eric. "Shark's a stunner!"
+
+"Their teeth," continued the governess. "I have heard that their teeth
+can penetrate through any obstacle."
+
+"Shark's teeth!" pursued Eric. "Well, they ought to be strong; he has
+six rows; when he opens his mouth they start upright."
+
+"Six rows! Nonsense, Eric. Please don't talk in that silly way. And
+once for all understand that I cannot allow that animal to be kept on
+the premises."
+
+"But he's a stunner," said Eric. "Shall I bring him in for you to
+see?"
+
+"You must not attempt it, sir. It is awful to think of such a horrid
+creature being so close to one, and I forbid you to bring it into the
+house."
+
+"You shall see him, you shall see him," said Eric. "He's a perfect
+tip-topper. He'd kill anything. I paid five bob for him, and six
+ginger-beers, and ten and a half Betty cakes."
+
+"Silence, Eric; I shall have to speak to your father. Keep the ferret
+in his basket or box until I can have a word with Mr. Wilton."
+
+"But he'll starve, ma'am. He'd gnaw _you_ if he was starving."
+
+"That will do. Leave the table now, all children. I can let you know
+before bed-time, Eric, what is to be done with that monster."
+
+
+
+
+CHAPTER III.
+
+ERMENGARDE'S SIN.
+
+
+Late that evening, after the young folk had gone to bed, Miss Nelson,
+having attired herself in a very neat black silk dress, with ruffles
+of real lace round her neck and wrists, her best brooch at her throat,
+and a pretty little head-dress of lace and ribbon becomingly arranged
+over her iron-gray hair, went down past the schoolroom, past the heavy
+oak door which divided the children's part of the house from that
+portion where, according to Ermengarde, all the gay life and all the
+fun went on, and finally tapped at Mr. Wilton's study-door.
+
+It so happened that there were no visitors staying at Wilton Chase
+to-night; many friends were expected the following day, but to-night
+Miss Nelson knew that she would find Mr. Wilton and probably his
+sister disengaged.
+
+Her tap was responded to by a hearty "Come in!" She was right. Mr. and
+Miss Wilton were both in the study. Miss Wilton was seated at her
+davenport scribbling off letters at furious speed, and Mr. Wilton was
+indulging in a cigar by the open window.
+
+"Well, Miss Nelson," he said courteously; "I am glad to see you."
+
+He placed a chair for the governess, and waited for her to speak.
+
+"I have come----" said Miss Nelson.
+
+She cleared her throat, she felt a little nervous.
+
+"I have come about a--a shark----"
+
+"Oh! oh!" exclaimed Miss Wilton. She quite jumped, and the pen dropped
+from her hand. "You hear her, Roderick. How interesting! Has one been
+seen off the coast?"
+
+"I mean a ferret," said Miss Nelson. "Its name is Shark. I've got
+confused. Pray pardon me. One of the boys has brought it home."
+
+"Oh, Eric," said Mr. Wilton. "I heard him chattering about it, the
+little scamp. Well, Miss Nelson," he could not help laughing. "Has
+that young prodigy of mine tried to frighten you unnecessarily."
+
+"He did say the creature had six rows of teeth," said Miss Nelson; "of
+course that is nonsense; but is a ferret a safe animal to have in the
+house, with so many young children about, and nurse not too careful?"
+
+"Certainly not. Thank you for coming and telling us about it, Miss
+Nelson. Ferrets are not safe creatures to have near children, and
+Eric's shall be removed to the gamekeeper's to-morrow."
+
+Miss Nelson rose at once to leave the room.
+
+"Sit down, Miss Nelson," suddenly interrupted Miss Wilton. "As you are
+here I have just a word to say to you. Do you think it well to allow
+Ermengarde to drive in the carriage without your escort. It so
+happened that my brother was able to accompany her to-day but I--of
+course I don't like to interfere--still I should have thought that it
+was scarcely wise. Ermengarde is inclined to be too forward as it is."
+
+"Ermie in the carriage to-day!" exclaimed Miss Nelson. She forgot to
+keep her seat. She stood up, her pale face was deeply flushed.
+"Impossible, Miss Wilton! Pardon me, you must be mistaken. Ermengarde
+was not--not quite--she infringed some of my rules, and I was obliged
+to give her a detention lesson. She certainly did ask to go and meet
+her brothers, but I was obliged to refuse. Ermie spent the afternoon
+indoors."
+
+Miss Wilton sounded a gong by her side. A page appeared, to whom she
+gave some letters.
+
+"See they are posted at once," she said. Then the turned to the
+window. "Roderick, are you asleep, or did you hear what Miss Nelson
+said?"
+
+"I beg your pardon, my dear, I confess I was not attending. I thought
+you ladies were discussing some domestic matter."
+
+"We were; a very domestic matter. Roderick, kindly tell Miss Nelson
+who was your companion to the railway station this afternoon."
+
+"Why, Ermengarde, of course. And very pleasant she made herself. I was
+going to tell you, Miss Nelson, when I had the opportunity, how
+pleased I am with the progress of your pupil."
+
+"Thank you," said Miss Nelson. The flush on her face had changed to
+pallor.
+
+"You did not know of this?" continued Miss Wilton eagerly. "You are
+astonished!"
+
+Miss Nelson was silent for several seconds.
+
+"I will speak to Ermie," she said; then in a low voice, "there has
+been a misunderstanding."
+
+She did not add any more, and Mr. Wilton, thinking that the governess
+looked tired and ill, tried to engage her in some general
+conversation. She answered a question or two in a very abstracted
+manner, and presently left the room.
+
+Miss Nelson had a private sitting-room, which was not thrown open to
+her pupils. It was a tiny room, but the governess loved it very much.
+She kept her favorite photographs here, and her best prized books.
+Here she was absolutely her own mistress, and she sometimes called the
+little room "Home, sweet Home." Miss Nelson was a well-educated woman;
+she was between forty and fifty years of age; she had a staid and
+somewhat cold manner, but she was a good disciplinarian, and
+thoroughly conscientious. When Mrs. Wilton had died three years ago,
+Miss Nelson had come to the Chase. Mrs. Wilton on her deathbed had
+asked her husband to secure Miss Nelson's services, if possible, for
+the children, and this fact alone would have prevented his ever
+parting with the governess.
+
+Miss Nelson was all that was honorable and kind, but a sort of
+impenetrable reserve prevented her showing the real affection she felt
+for her pupils. Consequently Ermengarde disliked her, Lucy tolerated
+her, the nursery children were supremely indifferent to her, and
+Marjorie alone loved her. This latter fact did not raise Miss Nelson
+in anyone's estimation. It was Marjorie's fashion to love people; it
+would have been unnatural, uncanny to hear round, good humored
+Marjorie abusing people. Marjorie's affection was bestowed on all
+creatures, therefore being common, it was in Ermie's opinion at
+least, a rather worthless thing to secure.
+
+Miss Nelson went into her private room now, shut and locked the door,
+sat down in her easy-chair, and burst into tears. She was shocked at
+Ermengarde's disobedience; Ermie's open defiance of her authority
+almost terrified her. She loved all the children whom she taught, she
+would have done anything, gone to the length of any sacrifice, for
+their sakes. She wanted them to grow up good, honorable, worthy of
+their mother, whose memory she revered. It was easy to prophesy a
+bright future for Marjorie. Little Lucy, too, was a fairly amenable
+child; but Ermengarde, who was as proud and reserved as Miss Nelson
+herself--the governess trembled when she reflected how small was her
+power over this wayward child.
+
+She thought for a long time; three courses of action were open to her.
+She might go to Mr. Wilton, open her heart to him, tell him all her
+doubts and fears, and ask him to remove Ermengarde from her care. Or
+she might talk to the little girl, tell her that she would shield her
+from her father's anger, show her in gentle words how wrong her action
+had been, assure her of the deep love she really felt for her, and
+finally forgive her. Or again she might speak severely to Ermengarde,
+and her severe words might be followed by severe discipline. She could
+promise not to reveal her pupil's guilt to Mr. Wilton, but the
+punishment she would herself inflict would be a grave one.
+
+Miss Nelson thought far into the night, Before she went to bed, she
+decided to pursue the last idea which came to her, for it seemed quite
+plain to her own mind that Ermengarde's sin could not be expiated
+except through punishment.
+
+
+
+
+CHAPTER IV.
+
+THE DAY OF THE PICNIC.
+
+
+Early the next morning Marjorie stirred in her white bed, Then she
+opened her eyes, raised her head from her comfortable pillow, and
+gazed around her.
+
+Ermie was fast asleep. The sun was pouring into the room; the clock on
+the mantelpiece pointed to six.
+
+Softly, very softly, Marjorie poked her pink toes from under the
+bedclothes. Then the whole of her feet appeared, then she stood
+upright on the floor. No one should help her over her toilet this
+morning; she would dress, and go out into the garden. The boys were at
+home; it was going to be a brilliant day. Marjorie's contented heart
+danced within her. She washed and dressed herself with expedition. It
+was not necessary to be particularly quiet, for nothing ever disturbed
+Ermengarde's slumbers.
+
+Having dressed and plaited her thick hair as well as she could without
+aid, she knelt down by her bedside, clasped her hands over her plump
+face, and repeated her prayers. Once, long ago now, Mrs. Wilton had
+given the children, Marjorie among them, a little model prayer to
+repeat. One of the phrases in it was this: "Please make me a faithful
+servant of Jesus Christ."
+
+Marjorie remembered quite well the first time she had used this
+prayer. She recalled the expression on her mother's face, and could
+have told anyone who asked her her mother's explanation of the word
+servant.
+
+The other children had forgotten the model prayer, but Marjorie used
+it always. Every morning she asked God to make her a faithful servant.
+It was not at all difficult for this humble little girl really to
+pray. No one in the house guessed at Marjorie's prayer, or troubled
+their heads about her comforting, comfortable, unselfish ways. She was
+there, a plain child, useful enough, and obliging enough, but no one
+thanked her, or wondered if they should miss her if she were not in
+the house.
+
+She was leaving the room this morning, when Ermengarde stirred and
+opened her eyes.
+
+"Is that you, Maggie? oh, you're dressed. Don't go for a minute, I
+want to speak to you."
+
+Marjorie closed the door which she had half opened, and went and stood
+by Ermengarde's bed.
+
+"Well?" she said.
+
+"I'm sleepy; it's frightfully early. If I talk to you, I'll get
+wide-awake. Can't you just wait in the room for a little?"
+
+"I'm going into the garden, and I'll come back again, Ermie. Eric may
+be up, and he has promised to show me Shark. I don't believe he has
+got six rows of teeth."
+
+"How you chatter, Maggie! Now I'm quite woke up. I'll have a headache
+most likely this afternoon. I generally do when my first sleep is
+disturbed."
+
+"You have had a very long first sleep," said Marjorie. "It's half-past
+six o'clock."
+
+"Is it? It's all the same to me what the time is; I'm woke up now, and
+it's your fault. You might be considerate, Maggie; you're the most
+thoughtless child. If you had sat quietly by my bedside I wouldn't be
+wide-awake now."
+
+"Well, what can I do for you now that you are awake, Ermie?" asked
+Marjorie. "Please tell me quickly, for I can't keep Eric waiting."
+
+"Oh, it will be all Eric with you from this out. I might have guessed
+that."
+
+"No, it won't. It will be all everybody. Now, what am I to do for
+you?"
+
+Ermengarde laughed.
+
+"Maggie, don't put on that solemn face. Of course you are a good
+little thing. Now listen. Last night Basil and I made a plan."
+
+"O Ermie! Weren't you in luck that Miss Nelson never found out about
+your wickedness yesterday?"
+
+"My wickedness?"
+
+Ermengarde colored brightly.
+
+"Don't you remember, Ermie? Going in the carriage when Miss Nelson
+told you not. Of course you were dreadfully wicked, but I'm glad you
+were not found out. Now, what's the plan?"
+
+"You're so rude and frank, Maggie. It's a horrid habit you have. I had
+forgotten all about that drive. And now you remind me and spoil my
+pleasure. You are a tactless creature!"
+
+"Never mind about me. What's the plan?"
+
+"It's this. Dear, I hope the day is fine!"
+
+"Yes, Ermie, it's a lovely day."
+
+"Well, Basil thinks--are you sure the sky is not cloudy, Mag?"
+
+"No, perfect, not a flake anywhere; go on, Ermie."
+
+"Jolly! Basil thinks we ought to have a whole holiday to-day--we
+girls, I mean. He says we might have a picnic, and go up the lake, and
+land and dine on Pearl Island."
+
+"Lovely!" said Marjorie, clasping her hands. "Only Miss Nelson
+said----"
+
+"That's just it, you always will think first of Miss Nelson."
+
+"Ermie, you said I thought first of Eric a minute ago."
+
+"That's another of your horrid habits, casting one's words up to one."
+
+Marjorie clasped her hands in front of her, and closed her lips. Her
+round face looked stubborn.
+
+"I'm sure Eric is in the garden," she said.
+
+"I'll let you go in a minute, you impatient child. Of course Miss
+Nelson wants us to have lessons, but of course father is the person we
+must really obey. I know father is going to London to-day, and he will
+leave by the early train. And what I want you to do is this, Maggie;
+to wait about for father, and catch him, and get him to consent to
+give us a holiday to-day. If he says so, of course Miss Nelson has got
+to submit."
+
+"All right," said Marjorie. "I don't mind a bit. Eric and I can watch
+for the carriage, and perhaps Macnab will let us drive round to the
+house. Then we'll do our best to get father to consent."
+
+She did not wait to exchange any more words with her sister, but
+dashed out of the room.
+
+At eight o'clock the schoolroom party assembled for breakfast. Miss
+Nelson had decided not to say anything to Ermengarde until the meal
+was over. Her salutation of the little girl was scarcely more cold
+than usual, and Ermie sat down to the breakfast-table without the
+least idea that her delinquency of the day before had been discovered.
+
+Marjorie was the late one on this occasion. She rushed into the room
+with her hair un-plaited and her cheeks glowing.
+
+"A holiday! a holiday!" she cried. "Father has asked you to give us a
+holiday, please, Miss Nelson, in honor of the boys. A lovely whole
+holiday! Father has gone to London, but he scribbled you a message on
+this card. Here it is! You'll say yes, won't you, Miss Nelson? and oh,
+it is such a lovely day!"
+
+"Get your hair plaited properly, Marjorie, and come and sit down to
+breakfast," said her governess. She received Mr. Wilton's card without
+comment.
+
+Ermengarde and Basil, however, exchanged delighted glances, and Basil,
+bending forward in that courteous way which always won the heart of
+the governess, said, "You will let us all have the holiday together,
+as my father wishes it?"
+
+"You can go, of course, Basil," replied Miss Nelson.
+
+She laid a stress on the word "you," but neither Basil nor Ermengarde
+noticed it. They began to chat together over the delights of the day
+which lay before them. The holiday spirit was caught up by the younger
+children, and soon an uproar and excitement of delight arose, which
+even Miss Nelson could not stem.
+
+In the midst of the general hubbub, she touched Ermengarde on her
+shoulder.
+
+"I want a word with you, my dear. Come with me."
+
+In some astonishment Ermengarde rose to comply. The governess took her
+into her own little room.
+
+"Shut the door," she said.
+
+She sat down herself, and Ermengarde stood before her. Her face was
+pale, her voice shook.
+
+"Ermengarde, will you now repeat your imposition poem."
+
+"Casabianca," said Ermengarde. She had felt a vague sense of
+uneasiness at Miss Nelson's manner. Now her brow cleared. She recited
+the whole poem with scarcely a mistake, and with some show of feeling.
+
+"You have said it well," said the governess. "It relates the
+extraordinary exploit of a noble-hearted child. I grieve to say there
+are few such in the world. May I ask you when you learned this poem,
+Ermengarde?"
+
+"Yesterday----" began Ermengarde.
+
+"No, don't go on. I will save you, I must save you, poor child, from
+yourself. You would tell another lie. You would deceive again. Ermie,
+I have loved you. I--I--have suffered for you."
+
+"I don't know what you mean," said Ermengarde, in a voice which shook
+with anger. "Am I to be--are dreadful things to be said of me? Why do
+you accuse me of telling lies? Why?"
+
+"No more, my dear pupil. For, notwithstanding your refractory and
+rebellious state, you are still my dear pupil."
+
+"You are not my dear teacher, there!"
+
+"Hush, I cannot permit impertinence! Ermengarde, I did not look for
+open and direct disobedience from you. You are full of faults, but I
+did not think deceit was one of them. I have found out about your
+drive yesterday."
+
+"Oh!" said Ermie. Her face grew very pale. "Did--did Marjorie tell
+you? If I thought that----"
+
+"No matter who told me. Don't blame your sister. She's worth twenty of
+you. Think of your own sin. Ermengarde, you have hurt me deeply."
+
+"I don't care," said Ermengarde. "I said I'd go, and I went. I don't
+care."
+
+"Poor child! I can only be very sorry for you. I can only pray God to
+bring you to a different state of mind. You thought to hide your sin
+from me. God knew it all the time."
+
+Ermengarde shuffled from one foot to another. There was not a trace of
+repentance about her face or manner.
+
+"At one time I thought I must tell all to your father."
+
+Ermengarde started at this.
+
+"I resolved not to do so."
+
+Her face grew relieved.
+
+"But, Ermengarde," continued the governess, "it is my duty, my solemn
+duty, to punish you severely. The full extent of that punishment I
+have not yet determined on, but to-day you spend in this room, where
+your meals will be brought to you."
+
+"Oh, no, no; not that," said Ermengarde suddenly. "Not to-day, not the
+holiday! Let my punishment begin to-morrow, please, Miss Nelson. Do
+say yes, Miss Nelson. It would be terrible not to have the holiday
+with Basil, and for Basil to know the reason. Do yield on this point,
+please, Miss Nelson, please, please, and I'll try to be a better girl
+in future, I will truly."
+
+"No, Ermengarde; the punishment, being merited and severe, must begin
+on the day you feel it most. I am sorry for you, but I cannot, I dare
+not yield. God help you, poor child, to a sorrow which leads to
+repentance."
+
+The governess left the room, locking the door behind her.
+
+Ermengarde stood quite still for a moment, as if she was stunned. Then
+she rushed to the door and tried to open it.
+
+Miss Nelson went back to the schoolroom.
+
+"You can have your holiday, children," she said. "Ermengarde cannot
+come, nor am I at liberty to explain her absence. No, Basil; you must
+not ask me. You must be happy without your sister to-day, and trust
+that what is right is being done for her. Now, about the picnic.
+Maggie, come here, my love. You shall take a message to cook."
+
+"You'll come too, won't you, Miss Nelson?" asked Marjorie.
+
+"I must, my dear. I could not allow wild young creatures like you to
+embark on such an expedition without me."
+
+"And may all the babies come, Miss Nelson?"
+
+"Yes, if nurse can accompany them."
+
+"It seems a pity about poor Ermie."
+
+"Do not speak of her, Marjorie. You must trust your governess to do
+what is right."
+
+Marjorie's round face looked full of concern. She had a way of putting
+her finger to her lip when she was harassed about anything. This trick
+gave her the appearance of a great overgrown baby.
+
+"Go at once and see the cook, my dear," said the governess.
+
+Marjorie turned and left the room. In the passage she met Basil.
+
+"What is this about Ermie?" he said at once.
+
+"I think I know," said Marjorie. "I think I can guess."
+
+"You'll tell me, won't you, Maggie?"
+
+"I don't think I can, Basil. Ermie is a little--little--headstrong,
+and Miss Nelson, sometimes Miss Nelson is severe to Ermie."
+
+"I shan't like her if she is," said Basil. "I don't care a bit about
+the picnic without Ermengarde, and I do consider it provoking of Miss
+Nelson to keep Ermie at home on my very first holiday."
+
+"Oh, but you know she must maintain discipline," said Marjorie,
+putting her finger to her lip again.
+
+Basil burst out laughing.
+
+"Don't use such solemn words, Mag," he said. "You are only a baby;
+words of wisdom don't suit you a bit."
+
+"I'm eleven," said Marjorie, in a hurt voice.
+
+She ran off to the kitchen, and delivered her message. The cook, who
+was fond of good-humored little Marjorie, consulted her about the
+viands. She replied solemnly, and tried to look interested, but the
+zest had gone out of her voice. The first moment she had to spare she
+rushed to her school-desk, and scribbled a note.
+
+"Dear Ermie," she said, "I'm miserable that the wickedness is
+discovered. Don't be a bit frightened though, for Basil shan't guess
+anything. Your fond sister, MARJORIE WILTON."
+
+This note Marjorie inclosed in one of her favorite envelopes, with a
+forget-me-not wreath in blue on the flap, and before the schoolroom
+party started for the picnic, she pushed it under the door of Miss
+Nelson's sitting-room.
+
+Ermengarde had expended her first rage, and she was very glad to pick
+up Marjorie's note, and to read it. At first the contents of the note
+gave her a slight feeling of satisfaction, and a glow of gratitude to
+her little sister rushed over her. But then she remembered Miss
+Nelson's words, and the conviction once more ran through her mind that
+Marjorie must have been the one to tell.
+
+"She is a canting little thing," said Ermengarde in a passion, "_My_
+wickedness, indeed! Who else would call an innocent drive wickedness?
+Oh, yes; she let out the whole story to Miss Nelson, and now she wants
+to come round me with this letter, after her horrid tell-tale way.
+Little monkey! Horrid, ugly little thing, too. Tell-tale-tit, your
+tongue shall be slit. No, no, Miss Marjorie; you need not suppose that
+this note blinds me! I know what you've done to me, and I'll never
+forgive you--never, as long as I live!"
+
+Ermengarde now tore up the poor little letter, and opening the window
+scattered the tiny fragments to the breeze. Once again her anger
+scarcely knew any bounds. They were away, the whole happy party, and
+she was shut up in a dull room, compelled to endure solitary
+confinement all through this glorious August day. It was insufferable,
+it was maddening, and it was all Marjorie's fault!
+
+It is astonishing how soon the mind, when angry, can establish within
+itself a fixed idea. Miss Nelson had said nothing to really draw
+suspicion on Marjorie, and yet Ermengarde was now thoroughly convinced
+that the little girl had been the one to tell of her misdemeanor. She
+did not trouble herself to examine proofs. All Marjorie's amiable and
+good-natured ways were as nothing to Ermengarde then. She had
+certainly told, and as long as she lived Ermie would never forgive
+her.
+
+Just then, while her anger was at its height, she heard a low whistle
+under the open window. She rushed over to it, and popped out her head.
+Basil was standing underneath.
+
+"Don't, Basil," said Ermengarde; "do go away, please. I hate you to
+find me here a prisoner."
+
+"Oh, stuff, Ermie, don't be tragic over it. It's only for a day at the
+most, and what's a day?"
+
+"What's a day? One of your holidays--the first of your holidays!"
+
+"Well, there are lots more to follow. Bear it with a good grace. It
+will soon be over."
+
+"Basil, I thought you had gone with the others."
+
+"I wasn't ready, and Maggie has promised to send the boat back for
+me."
+
+"Maggie! As if she could give orders."
+
+"She can remind other people though. I'd back Maggie any day never to
+forget what a fellow wants."
+
+"Oh, yes, she's first with everyone. It's a very nasty stifling hot
+day."
+
+"Poor Ermie, you're cross, so you see everything distorted. You know
+whose pet you are, as well as possible--and the day is perfect,
+superb."
+
+"Am I really your pet, Basil?"
+
+"You conceited puss, you know you are. So is Maggie, too. She's a
+little darling."
+
+The latter part of Basil's speech brought the cloud once again to
+Ermengarde's face.
+
+"Oh, of course Maggie is everyone's pet," she said.
+
+Her brother interrupted her. "Don't begin that nonsense over again,
+Ermie; it's too childish. You are under punishment, I don't know for
+what. Of course I'm awfully vexed. But why abuse poor little Mag? I
+say, though, do you like apples?"
+
+"Apples? Pretty well."
+
+"You mean awfully. I have brought you some beauties."
+
+"How can I get them? I'm a prisoner here."
+
+"Oh, rot about your being a prisoner. Well, fair lady, you see if your
+knight can't come to your assistance. Now, catch!"
+
+He threw up a small piece of cord which he had weighted with lead.
+Ermengarde secured it.
+
+"Pull, pull away! You will soon be in possession of the spoil."
+
+Ermengarde pulled, and presently a dainty basket, which she recognized
+as Marjorie's most treasured receptacle for her working things, was
+grasped by her willing hands.
+
+"Now, good-by, Ermie. I'm off. The boat will be back by now. Of course
+I shan't botanize without you to-day, never fear. By-by; eat your
+apples, and reflect on the shortness of a single day."
+
+Basil bounded across the lawn, cleared the haha at the end, and
+disappeared from view.
+
+His interview with Ermengarde had both a soothing and a tonic effect
+on her. She felt almost cheerful as she sat by the open window, and
+munched her apples. That basket contained more than apples. There was
+one large peach, and two slices of rich plumcake were stowed away
+under the fruit. Then, perhaps dearest possession of all, Marjorie's
+own special copy of "Alice in Wonderland" lay at the bottom of the
+basket.
+
+After making a hearty meal of the fruit and cake, Ermengarde drew Miss
+Nelson's own easy-chair in front of the window, and taking up
+Marjorie's book began to read. She felt almost comfortable now; the
+punishment was not so unbearable when a brother sympathized and a
+sister lent of her best. The precious little copy of "Alice" had
+received a stain from the juice of the peach, and Ermengarde tried to
+wipe it out, and felt sorry for its owner.
+
+After all Marjorie was good-natured, and if she had been base enough
+to tell, she had at least the grace to be sorry afterward. Ermengarde
+thought she would ask Marjorie when she had told, how she had told,
+and where. She felt that she must believe her little sister, for no
+one had ever heard even the semblance of an untruth Marjorie's honest
+lips.
+
+Ermengarde sat on, and tried to lose herself in Alice's adventures.
+She was not at all sorry for her disobedience of the day before, but
+she was no longer in a state of despair, for her punishment seemed
+finite, and but for the thought of the wild happiness of the others,
+her present state was scarcely unendurable.
+
+Just then, raising her eyes, she saw a little girl walking down one of
+the side-paths which led round to the kitchens. She was a girl
+scarcely as tall as herself, neatly dressed in a pink cotton frock and
+white sun-bonnet. Her legs were encased in nice black stockings, and
+her small dainty feet wore shining shoes with buckles. Ermengarde
+instantly dropped her book, leaned half out of the window, and called
+in a loud voice, "Susy--Susy--Susan Collins! come here!"
+
+Little Susan raised an extremely pretty face, blushed, laughed, and
+ran gayly forward.
+
+"Is that you, Miss Ermengarde?" she said. "I thought you were away
+with the others. Father has helped to take them up to Pearl Island,
+better than two hours ago now."
+
+"Did they look happy, Susy? Tell me about them. Did you see them go?"
+
+"Yes, miss, I was standing behind the rose-hedge. Miss Maggie, she did
+laugh wonderful, and Master Eric, he just dashed in to give us his
+ferrets to take care of for him, miss."
+
+"And was Basil there, Susy?"
+
+"No, miss, they went off without him. I heard father say he'd bring
+back the boat for Master Basil, and I thought for sure you'd be going
+with him, miss. I hope, Miss Ermengarde, you ain't ill."
+
+"I'm not ill in body, Susan. But I've been most basely treated. I've
+been betrayed."
+
+"Oh, my word!" said Susan Collins. She pushed back her sun-bonnet, and
+revealed her whole charming curly golden head. She was a beautiful
+little girl, and Ermengarde had long ago made a secret friend of her.
+
+"I've been betrayed, Susy," continued Ermie. "But I can't tell you by
+whom. Only _some one_ has told tales about me, and so I have been
+punished, and have been locked up in this room. I'm locked up now; I
+can't get out. I'm a prisoner!"
+
+Ermengarde felt her woes all the more keenly as she related them.
+Susy's blue eyes grew bright with pity.
+
+"Ain't it cruel?" she said. "I call it base to punish a lady like
+you, Miss Ermengarde, and you one of the best of created mortals."
+
+"It's Miss Nelson," said Ermengarde. "She's dreadfully prejudiced; I
+find it almost impossible to endure her."
+
+"I never did think nothing of that governess," said Susan with vigor.
+"It ain't for me to say it, but she don't seem fit company for the
+like of you, Miss Ermengarde. If I was you, I'd pay her out, that I
+would."
+
+"Oh, I have more than her to pay out," said Ermengarde. "I have been
+very unkindly treated."
+
+"That you have, miss, I'm sure."
+
+Susy's sympathy was very sweet to Ermengarde. She leaned farther out
+of the window, and looked down at the pretty little girl.
+
+"I'm glad you were passing, Susy," she said.
+
+"I'll stay for a bit, if you like, miss. I'm in no sort of a hurry."
+
+"I wish you could come and sit with me, Susy; I can't shout to you
+from the window. People who are passing may hear us."
+
+"That they may, miss. There never was a truer saying than that trees
+have ears."
+
+Ermengarde looked round her apprehensively. She had been many times
+forbidden to have any intercourse with Susan Collins, whose father,
+although he retained his post as gamekeeper, was regarded by Mr.
+Wilton as a somewhat shady character. Ermengarde fancied she liked
+Susy because of the little girl's remarkable beauty, but the real
+reason why her fancy was captivated was because Susy was an adroit
+flatterer.
+
+When she spoke about trees having ears, Ermengarde glanced to right
+and left.
+
+"Perhaps you had better go," she said. "I have got into one scrape. I
+don't want to get into a second."
+
+"There's no one round yet, miss. The men are all at their dinners."
+
+"Well, but some of the house-servants."
+
+"There are none of them in sight, Miss Ermengarde. Do you think I'd
+get you into trouble on my account? Oh, dear, I wish I could come up
+and sit with you for a little."
+
+"I wish you could, Susy."
+
+"Well, miss, it's easy done, if you'll only say the word."
+
+"What do you mean? This door is locked. Hudson has to bring me my
+meals, and no one in all the world can bribe Hudson to open the door."
+
+"I don't want her to, miss. Oh, Miss Ermengarde, you are treated
+'ard."
+
+"Yes, Susy, I am treated very hard. Well, as you can't come and keep
+me company, you had better go away."
+
+"But I can come to you, miss. A locked door won't keep me out. I'll
+hide my basket of eggs behind that laurel bush, and then I'll be with
+you in a jiffy."
+
+"Can you really come? What fun! You are a clever girl, Susy."
+
+"You wait and see, miss."
+
+Susan Collins rushed off, adroitly hid her basket, and returning,
+climbed up an elm tree which happened to grow a few feet from the
+window, with the lightness and agility of a cat. When she reached a
+certain bough she lay along it, and propelled herself very gently
+forward in the direction of the window.
+
+"Now stretch out your two hands, miss."
+
+Ermengarde did so, and in a moment Susy was standing by her side in
+Miss Nelson's pretty little room.
+
+"My word!" she exclaimed. "I never see'd such a lot of grand things
+before. Tell me, Miss Ermengarde, do all these fine books and pictures
+belong to the governess?"
+
+"Oh, yes; those are pictures of Miss Nelson's friends."
+
+"Dear me, what a queer-looking young lady that is, that one in the
+white dress, and long legs, and the hair done old-fashioned like."
+
+"That?" said Ermengarde. She went over and stood by the mantelpiece,
+and looked at a large, somewhat faded miniature which held a place of
+honor among a group of many other pictures and photographs.
+
+"Ain't she a queer-looking child?" said Susy. "Why, she has a look of
+Miss Nelson herself. Do you know who she is, Miss Ermengarde?"
+
+"No," said Ermengarde. "But I think there's a story about that
+picture. Marjorie knows. Marjorie has a way of poking and prying into
+everything. She's awfully inquisitive. I don't interest myself in
+matters in which I have no concern. Now come over and sit by the
+window, Susy. You must sit back, so that no one can see us from the
+grounds; and when Hudson brings my dinner, you must dart into that
+cupboard just behind us."
+
+"Oh, yes, miss. Hudson won't catch me poaching on these preserves."
+
+Susy was fond of using expressions which belonged to her father's
+profession. She was a very imaginative child; and one secret of her
+power over Ermengarde was her ability to tell long and wonderful
+stories. Horrible, most of these tales were--histories of poachers,
+which she had partly heard from her father, and partly made up
+herself. Ermengarde used to hold her breath while she listened.
+Between these thrilling tales, Susan artfully flattered. It was not
+necessary to make her compliments too delicate. She could say the same
+thing every time they met. She could tell Ermengarde that never, since
+the world was created, was there to be found such another beautiful,
+clever, and noble little girl as Ermengarde Wilton. Ermie was never
+tired of hearing these praises.
+
+She was very glad to listen to them now. By the time Susan Collins had
+been half an hour in the room, Ermie was once more certain that
+Marjorie had betrayed her, that Miss Nelson was the most tyrannical of
+mortals, and that she herself was the most ill-used of little girls.
+
+At the end of half an hour Hudson unlocked the door, and brought in
+some dinner for Ermie. When the key was heard in the lock, Susan hid
+herself in a deep cupboard which stood behind a screen.
+
+Hudson laid down the tray with Ermengarde's dinner, told her to eat
+plenty, and retired. As she left the room she said she would return
+for the tray in half an hour. She did not say any word of sympathy to
+Ermengarde. Hudson was always on the side of discipline; she thought
+that the children of the present day sadly needed correction; and when
+one of the young Wiltons was punished, she generally owned to a sense
+of rejoicing. That did not, however, prevent her supplying the culprit
+with an excellent meal, and Ermengarde now raised the covers from a
+plump duck done to perfection, some green peas, and delicious floury
+new potatoes. A greengage tart, with a little jug of cream, also
+awaited the young lady's pleasure.
+
+She called Susy out of her cupboard with a glad voice.
+
+"Come, Susan," she said, "there's plenty for us both. As there are
+only plates and knives and forks for one, I'll eat first, of course,
+but you can wash the things up, and have a good meal after me. We must
+be quick about it though, for Hudson will be back in half an hour."
+
+"Oh, yes, miss, that we will. I'm wonderful hungry, Miss Ermengarde,
+and your nice dinner do look enticing."
+
+At the appointed time Hudson returned. She brought in a couple of
+peaches and a bunch of grapes for Ermengarde.
+
+"Miss Ermengarde!" she said in consternation, "you don't mean to say
+you've eaten up all the duck! And the tart, too! Well, I do call that
+greedy. Where's the sorrow that worketh to repentance when there's
+such an appetite? You'll be ill, miss, and no wonder."
+
+"But I didn't eat all the duck, really, Hudson--I didn't truly!"
+
+"My dear, what's left of it? Only a little bit of the back. Why, this
+plump bird ought to have dined three people. Miss Ermengarde, you
+certainly will be very ill, and you deserve it. No, I won't leave
+these peaches and grapes--I'd be afraid. Good-afternoon, miss, I'll
+look in at tea-time. But don't you expect nothing but dry toast then."
+
+Hudson took her tray down to the kitchen, where she remarked on
+Ermie's enormous appetite.
+
+"A whole duck!" she said. "I didn't think any young lady could eat so
+much. And most times Miss Ermie picks at her food."
+
+Upstairs, in Miss Nelson's pretty little sitting-room, Ermengarde was
+scolding Susy for eating so much duck. Susy was retorting with some
+passion that she had not had more than her share, and over this
+dispute the two friends came almost to a quarrel.
+
+Susy, however, had no wish not to keep on the sunny side of Miss
+Ermengarde's affections, and after her momentary irritation had cooled
+down, she adroitly changed the subject. Once more she administered
+broad flatteries; and impressed upon Ermengarde the fact that she was
+a long-suffering and ill-used martyr.
+
+"I wouldn't stand it," said Susy. "No, that I wouldn't. I ain't a lady
+like you, Miss Ermie, but I wouldn't stand what you do."
+
+"What would you do, Susy? How would you help yourself?"
+
+"What would I do? Well, I'd go to my pa', and I'd have a talk with
+him. I'd let him know that--obey that old horror of a governess?"
+
+"You mustn't speak about her like that, really, Susy."
+
+"Miss, I'm open; that's what I am. I says what I means, and when I see
+a poor dear put upon, and treated worse than a baby, and punished as
+if we were back in feudal ages, I say that the one who does it is a
+horror. You think the same, Miss Ermie, though you're too proud to say
+it."
+
+"We don't express ourselves in that way in our class," said
+Ermengarde, with a slow distinguished sort of smile which always
+abashed Susy. "Yes, Miss Nelson is very suitable with the children,
+but I do think I am beyond her. I am old for my years, and no one can
+call fourteen young."
+
+"It's a noble age, miss," said Susy, in a tone of rapture. "I'm only
+twelve, but I aspires to fourteen continual."
+
+"Oh, you," said Ermengarde. "You're different; girls in your class
+don't come out. You are not presented, you have no future. It is quite
+a different matter with me. I shall be in society in a few years at
+latest. What I should like my father to do is----"
+
+"To send you to a select seminary, miss--I know!"
+
+"You don't know, Susan, A select seminary! the very word is vulgar.
+No; I should like my father to allow me to pursue my own education
+under the control of masters who are specialists in each branch."
+
+"Miss, you talk very learned."
+
+Susan suppressed a yawn, and going to the window looked out.
+
+"I know what I'd do," she said. "I'd pay that fine lady governess of
+yours out. It would be tit for tat with me. Couldn't you do something
+as would put her in a fret, Miss Ermie?"
+
+"I don't know what to do," said Ermengarde. "Miss Nelson is not easily
+fretted."
+
+"Well, I'd find a way. Certainly I'd do something; see if I wouldn't."
+
+"Hush!" said Ermengarde. "Listen! What is that?" She put her head out
+of the window. Susy prepared to follow her example, but Ermie pushed
+her back.
+
+"I hear Basil's voice," she said. "They are coming back--yes, they are
+all returning. Susy, you had better get into the cupboard. Hide as
+fast as you can. Miss Nelson is certain to come up here, the very
+first thing. O Susy, do get into the cupboard at once! I shall be
+ruined if you are discovered up here."
+
+Ermengarde's tone had risen to one of piteous entreaty. Susy, a little
+loath--for she could scarcely believe that her fun was so nearly
+over--was dragged and almost pushed into the cupboard. When she had
+got her captive, Ermengarde took the precaution to lock the cupboard
+door and put the key in her pocket.
+
+"Oh, Miss, don't go away and leave me locked in," called the poor
+prisoner through the keyhole. "Don't you go a-forgetting of me, Miss
+Ermie, or I'll be found a moldified skeleton here, by and by." Susy's
+tone was tearful, and Ermie's piteous entreaties to her to hush were
+scarcely listened to. Footsteps were heard coming down the corridor.
+
+"She's coming! I shall be betrayed. Do be quiet, Susy!" whispered
+Ermengarde in an agony.
+
+At that moment the room door was unlocked, and Miss Nelson came in.
+
+"I thought I heard you talking to some one, my dear," she said.
+
+"I was only repeating some poetry over," said Ermengarde, raising her
+delicate brows.
+
+She hated herself for telling this lie. She had yet to learn that one
+act of deceit must lead to another.
+
+"I am glad you are improving your mind, Ermie," said the governess.
+
+She went up to the little girl, took one of her cold hands, and kissed
+her.
+
+"Well, my dear, we have all come back, and on your account. Basil
+pleaded very hard for you. He certainly is a dear fellow; I don't
+wonder you love him, my dear. He pleaded for you, Ermengarde, and
+I--my love, I have yielded to his request. I have come back to say
+that I forgive you, Ermie. You will try to obey me in future, my dear
+child, and this punishment, owing to Basil's intercession, may be
+considered at an end. We are all going to have tea in the hay-field,
+and you are to join us there. Run up to your room, dear, and put on
+your brown holland frock. I will wait for you here. Kiss me, Ermie,
+before you go."
+
+Ermengarde went up to her governess. She went slowly, for she had the
+greatest possible difficulty in keeping her tears back. But for Susy's
+presence in the cupboard this sudden forgiveness and deliverance
+would have set her dancing for joy. As it was, her heart felt like
+lead, and she hated herself for her meanness.
+
+"Kiss me, Ermie," said Miss Nelson. "There, my child. My dear, you
+need not look down-hearted any more. I was obliged to punish you, but
+I don't think you will willfully and deliberately disobey me again.
+Cheer up now, Ermengarde; the past is past. You must ask God to give
+you strength to do better in the future, my dear. And--one thing--I
+want you to believe in my love, Ermie; I don't show it much. It is one
+of my trials that I can't show all that I feel, but--your mother's
+child is beloved by me, Ermengarde."
+
+"Oh, don't speak of mother," said Ermengarde, with a little sob. She
+rushed out of the room. When she came back her governess was standing
+by the window.
+
+"I cannot make out what I did with the key of my cupboard," she said.
+"I thought I left it in the door."
+
+"Perhaps you have it in your pocket," said Ermengarde.
+
+"No, I have felt in my pocket. Well, we can't wait now. The children
+will be starving for their tea. I promised to show Basil some
+photographs which I have in the cupboard, but they must wait for
+another time. Come, Ermengarde."
+
+
+
+
+CHAPTER V.
+
+LOCKED IN THE CUPBOARD.
+
+
+Punishment has many degrees, and the sense of humiliation which
+Ermengarde felt, when that morning she had been left prisoner in Miss
+Nelson's sitting-room, was nothing indeed to the agony which she
+endured when, supposed to be free and pardoned, she walked with her
+governess to the hay-field.
+
+Every moment she expected to hear Susy's piercing yells following her.
+Susy was a child with little or no self-control. She hated dark rooms;
+her imagination was unhealthy, and fostered in her home life in the
+worst possible way. Ermengarde knew that she could hear Miss Nelson's
+conversation, and every moment she expected her voice to arise within
+the cupboard in protest.
+
+When no sound came, however, a dreadful idea took possession of poor
+Ermie's brain. The cupboard was not large; suppose Susy had been
+suffocated. This terror became so insupportable that several times the
+miserable child was on the point of confessing all. What kept her
+back from doing this was the thought of Basil. While the ghost of a
+chance remained she must avert the possibility of Basil looking down
+on her. For Basil to despise her would have been the bitterest cup
+which life at present could hold out to poor Ermengarde.
+
+Miss Nelson and her pupil reached the hay-field, and then ensued a
+scamper, a rush. Marjorie, Eric, Basil, Lucy, all crowded round their
+sister. They were unfeignedly delighted to have her with them, and
+Ermie could not but reflect how happy she would now be but for Susy.
+
+"We are going to have such a time," said Marjorie. "After tea we are
+going to build a hayrick, quite in a new way. It's to be hollow
+inside, like a room, and pointed at the top, with a hole to let the
+air in, and--why, what's the matter, Ermie? You look as white as
+anything. We thought you'd be so fresh, for you have done nothing all
+day. Now, I am tired, if you like. Oh, haven't I run?"
+
+Marjorie stopped talking to mop her heated forehead.
+
+"But it was glorious fun," she began, the next minute. "I thought Eric
+would have capsized the boat, he laughed so. Only Basil was a bit
+mopy. He's not half himself when you're away, Ermie, Now, hadn't you
+better sit down? You do look white."
+
+Ermengarde glanced round her. At that moment she and Marjorie were a
+few feet away from the others. Basil was trotting meekly up and down
+with a small sister aloft on each broad shoulder. Eric was sending all
+the small fry whom he could reach into screams at his superabundant
+wit and spirits. Miss Nelson went over to help nurse to get the tea
+ready. For a brief moment the two sisters were alone.
+
+In an instant Marjorie would be called. She was never long left to
+herself in any group. Ermie had not a second to lose. She clasped
+Marjorie's hand convulsively.
+
+"Maggie, I want you to help me."
+
+"Of course I will, Ermie. What is it? Coming, Eric! What's the matter,
+Ermie?"
+
+"Oh, do get those children away for a minute."
+
+"Maggie, Maggie, Maggie!" shouted several voices, headed by Eric's.
+
+"Coming, Eric. Keep back, all of you. I'm talking to Ermie for a
+minute. Now, Ermie, quick. What is it?"
+
+"I want to go back to the house, without any one noticing. Help me to
+go back at once."
+
+"How can I help you! How queer you look."
+
+"O Maggie, it's so important! Don't question me. Only help me."
+
+"Poor Ermie, you do look in a state!"
+
+"And no one must know. Maggie, I did think you'd be clever enough to
+find an excuse for me. I trusted to you. Don't fail me, Maggie."
+
+"Let me think," said Marjorie. "You'll come back again?"
+
+"Yes, I won't be gone any time."
+
+"I'll fly across to nurse. Stay where you are--I'll be with you again
+in a minute."
+
+Marjorie ran across the hay-field, stooped down by old nurse's side,
+had a short and eager colloquy, and returned to Ermengarde.
+
+"Ermie, nurse wants those rusks which baby always has with his tea.
+She says you'll find the box in the nursery cupboard. Will you fetch
+them in a hurry? Baby is so hungry."
+
+"Oh, what nonsense!" said Basil, who had now come up. "The idea of
+sending Ermie! Where's the nursemaid?"
+
+"Alice went to the house with another message. You had better go,
+Ermengarde; nurse is in a hurry."
+
+"I don't mind going a bit," said Ermengarde. She looked ready to fly.
+Her lips were trembling.
+
+"You look as tired as anything now, Ermie," said Basil. "I'll go, if
+it comes to that. Where are those wretched rusks to be found, Maggie?"
+
+"You can't go, Basil. You are to light the fire for the gypsy tea."
+
+"It's lighting."
+
+"Well, it's going out again. I know it is; or the kettle is sure to
+boil over, or something. Do be on the spot, and let Ermie make herself
+useful for once in a way."
+
+Ermengarde ran off; the tension of her feelings would permit of no
+further delay. She heard Basil scolding Marjorie as she hurried across
+the hay-field. Ermengarde had never run so fast in her life. What
+should she find when she got back to that sitting-room. Would Susy be
+dead? If so----But her terrified thoughts would take her no further.
+
+She was not a particularly active little girl, and her quick running
+soon deprived her of breath. Oh, what a distance lay between that
+hay-field and the house! At last the lawn was gained, then the gravel
+sweep, then the side-door. She could only totter upstairs, and by the
+time she reached Miss Nelson's room she was really almost fainting.
+
+She managed to stagger across to the cupboard, unlocked it, and then
+sank down in a chair. Susy instantly made her appearance; she was not
+dead, but she was extremely red in the face and very angry.
+
+"You did serve me a trick, Miss Ermie! Oh, my word, I didn't think as
+you'd treat me as bad as that! Why, I might have been--I thought I was
+to be suffocated, miss."
+
+"Never mind now," said Ermengarde. "I'm ever so sorry; I----" Her
+voice faltered. In her relief and thankfulness at finding Susy alive
+and well, she went up to the little girl and kissed her. Then she
+burst into tears.
+
+"Miss Ermie!"
+
+If Susan Collins was fond of anyone, it was Ermengarde.
+
+"Don't you take on, miss," she said affectionately.
+
+Ermie's tears touched her so much that she felt she would have endured
+another half-hour of the cupboard to help her.
+
+"Don't cry, please, Miss Ermie," said Susy. "I know you couldn't help
+yourself. I didn't want you to have a scolding; no, that I didn't; so
+it's all right, miss; I'm none the worse. I was a bit choky in the
+cupboard, but I'm as well as ever now."
+
+Ermengarde soon dried her tears.
+
+"I must go back to the hay-field at once," she said, "I'll leave you
+now, Susy. Don't be long here. Run downstairs while there's no one
+about. Good-by, Susy. I'm glad you are not hurt."
+
+Ermengarde nodded to Susan Collins, and with a light heart left the
+room. She went to the nursery, secured the baby's rusks, and returned
+to the hay-field.
+
+During the rest of that evening no one seemed happier, or laughed more
+often than Ermengarde. She thought herself safe, and it never occurred
+to her as possible that the doings of that day could ever be known.
+
+
+
+
+CHAPTER VI.
+
+A STOLEN TREASURE.
+
+
+When Ermengarde left the room, Susy looked round her. She was a
+thoroughly comfortable young person; her nature had plenty of daring
+in it, and she was not prone to timidity. She was not much afraid of
+being caught, and she did not feel at all inclined to hurry out of the
+governess's room.
+
+Susy was one of those unfortunate little mortals whose pretty face,
+instead of bringing with it a blessing, as all beauty ought, had quite
+the reverse effect upon her. It made her discontented. Like many other
+foolish little maids, she longed to have been born in a higher station
+than Providence intended; she longed to be rich and a lady.
+
+Susy was an only child, and her mother, who had once been a
+lady's-maid, always dressed her neatly and with taste. Susy spoke with
+a more refined accent than most children of her class; her dress, too,
+was better than theirs; she thought a very little would make her what
+she most desired to be, a lady. And when Ermengarde began to take
+notice of her, she felt that her ambition was all but fulfilled.
+
+Ermie had often met Susy in the grounds, and, attracted by her
+beautiful little face, had talked to her, and filled the poor child
+with conceit. Mr. Wilton had once seen Ermengarde and Susy chatting in
+a very confidential manner together. He at once separated the
+children, told Ermie she was not to make a friend of Susan Collins,
+and told Susan Collins that she was to mind her place, and go back to
+her mother. These instructions he further reiterated to Miss Nelson
+and to Susan's father. The children were forbidden to speak, and
+Ermengarde, proud, rebellious, without any real sense of right or
+honor, instantly contrived to evade her father's commands, and saw
+more of Susy than ever.
+
+Not until to-day, however, had Susan Collins been inside Wilton Chase.
+Over and over she had longed to see the interior of what her mother
+was pleased to call the 'noble pile.' But not until to-day had this
+longing been gratified. In a most unexpected way she at last found
+herself at the Chase. She had enjoyed a good dinner there. That dinner
+had been followed by nearly an hour of great misery and terror. Still,
+she had been there, and she reflected with pride that, in
+consequence, she could now hold up her head higher than ever.
+
+She was certainly not in a hurry to go away. Miss Nelson's room seemed
+a magnificent apartment to Susy. She was sure no one could come into
+it at present, and she walked round and round it now, examining its
+many treasures with a critical and somewhat envious spirit.
+
+Once again, in the course of her wanderings, she came opposite the
+picture of the old-fashioned child--the child whose hair was curled in
+primitive and stiff ringlets, whose blue eyes looked out at the world
+with a somewhat meaningless stare, and whose impossible and rosy lips
+were pursed up in an inane smile.
+
+Susy gazed long at this old-world portrait. It was set in a deep frame
+of blue enamel, and inside the frame was a gold rim. Susy said to
+herself that the picture, old-fashioned though it was, had a very
+genteel appearance. Then she began to fancy that the blue eyes and the
+lips of the child resembled her own. She pursed up her cherub mouth in
+imitation of the old-world lady. She smiled into the pictured eyes of
+the child of long ago.
+
+In short Susy became fascinated by the miniature; she longed to
+possess it. With the longing came the temptation. Why should she not
+take it? The theft, if it could be called by such an ugly name, could
+never be traced to her. Not a soul in the place would ever know that
+she had been shut up in Miss Nelson's room. Only Ermengarde would
+know, and Ermie would not dare to tell.
+
+Susy looked and longed and coveted. She thought of the pleasure this
+picture would give her in her own little attic-room at home. How she
+would gaze at it, and compare her face with the face of the
+old-fashioned child. Susy hated Miss Nelson, and if that good lady
+valued the picture, she would be only the more anxious to deprive her
+of it.
+
+Miss Nelson had often and often snubbed Susy; she had also been cruel
+to Ermengarde. Susy could avenge Ermie as well as herself, if she took
+away the miniature.
+
+Susan was not the child long to withstand any sudden keen desire. She
+stretched up her hand, lifted the little miniature from its hook on
+the wall, and slipped it into the pocket of her pink frock.
+
+Its place looked empty and deserted. Susy did not want its loss to be
+discovered too soon. She looked around her, saw another miniature on
+the mantelpiece; without waiting even to look at it, she hung it in
+the place where the child's picture had been, and then, well pleased,
+turned to go. First of all, however, she performed an action which she
+thought particularly clever and praiseworthy.
+
+Poor Ermengarde had left the cupboard open when she rushed from the
+room, but Susy took the precaution to lock it, and taking out the key,
+threw it carelessly on the floor behind a chair. Then, satisfied that
+she had done her best both for Ermie and herself, she left Miss
+Nelson's room, running fearlessly down the now deserted back-stairs,
+and out into the courtyard.
+
+She went round to the laurel bush behind which she had concealed her
+basket of eggs, picked it up, delivered its contents to the cook, and
+ran home singing a gay song.
+
+Her mother remarked on Susy's long absence, but when the little girl
+said she had been tempted to linger in the meadows, Mrs. Collins did
+not question her any further. She hastened to prepare an extra good
+tea for her darling, for of course Susy's dinner with Ermengarde could
+not be mentioned.
+
+Meanwhile all went merrily in the hay-field. Eric excelled himself in
+his rare power of story-telling. Basil and Ermie sat side by side, and
+whispered together. Miss Nelson had seldom seen a softer look on her
+elder pupil's face than now. She determined that Basil and his sister
+should be together as much as possible during the holidays.
+
+Presently the little ones went home, and by and by the elder children
+followed their example. Miss Nelson saw that Marjorie was tired--that
+Ermie, too, looked pale--and she made them both go to bed early.
+
+It was rather late when the governess returned to the schoolroom. She
+only went there to fetch one of her pupils' exercise-books, but seeing
+Basil reading on one of the sofas, she stopped to talk to him. She was
+a very direct person, and in conversation she always went straight to
+the point.
+
+"It is a great comfort to me to have you at home, Basil," she said.
+
+Basil looked up at her. Then he dropped his book and started to his
+feet.
+
+"Won't you sit down?" he said politely.
+
+"No, I am going into my own room directly. I repeat that I am glad you
+are at home, Basil. There was a talk of your going north instead, was
+there not?"
+
+"Yes. Uncle Charlie wanted me to fish with him."
+
+"It is on Ermengarde's account that I am glad," pursued the governess.
+
+Basil nodded.
+
+"I came back on account of Ermie," he said. Then he colored, and added
+quickly, "But I like being at home best."
+
+"Yes, my dear boy, I understand. You are unselfish. You and Marjorie
+are remarkably unselfish. Basil, you have a great influence over your
+eldest sister; oh yes, I can see. In many respects Ermengarde is a
+difficult child; I want you to use your influence well, and----Will
+you come into my room, Basil?"
+
+Basil picked up his book. Of course he would go. He did not want to;
+he thought it was rather fudge talking about his influence; and as to
+his being unselfish, he liked his own way as well as any one else. Had
+he not almost blubbered about not going to Scotland, and although he
+had thought of Ermie, still he had given up his desires with a pang.
+He hated Miss Nelson to think better of him than he deserved, but he
+did not know how to explain himself, and he followed her in rather a
+limp fashion into her private sitting-room.
+
+"By Jove!" he exclaimed, when he got there, "what a tiny room! Do they
+put you off with this? Oh, I say, I call it a shame!"
+
+Miss Nelson loved her private sitting-room, and hated to hear it
+abused. She also particularly disliked the expression with which Basil
+had commenced his speech.
+
+"I don't wish to interfere, my dear boy, but those words--you will
+excuse me--I am shocked."
+
+"Do you mean 'by Jove'?"
+
+"Yes; don't repeat the expression. It sounds like a calling upon false
+gods."
+
+"Oh, I say, all our fellows do it."
+
+"Does that make it right?"
+
+Basil fidgeted, and wished himself back in the schoolroom.
+
+"You were going to speak about Ermie," he said.
+
+Miss Nelson seated herself by the open window. It was a warm and very
+beautiful summer's night. A gentle breeze came in, and fanned the
+governess's tired brow.
+
+"What about Ermie?" said Basil. He wanted to get back to his book, and
+to the unrestraint of the dear old schoolroom.
+
+"I think you have a good influence over Ermengarde," said Miss Nelson,
+raising her face to his.
+
+"Yes, yes," he answered impatiently; "more than one person has said
+that to me. I have a good influence, but why should I have a good
+influence? I mean, why is it necessary? Ermie isn't worse than other
+people. It sounds as if you were all abusing her when you talk of my
+good influence. I hate humbug. I'm no better than other fellows. I'm
+fond of Ermie I suppose, and that's about the beginning and end of my
+influence."
+
+"Exactly," said Miss Nelson. She was not listening to all the boy's
+words. Her thoughts were far away.
+
+"Ermie is difficult," she began. Then she stopped and uttered an
+exclamation.
+
+"Look, Basil, is that a key at your feet?"
+
+Basil stooped, and picked up the key of Miss Nelson's cupboard.
+
+"Put it in the lock of the cupboard behind you, my boy. I am glad it
+is found--truly glad. I thought I could not have put it away. And yet
+Ermengarde seemed so sure that it was not in the lock when she was in
+the room."
+
+"Oh, it fell out, I suppose," said Basil. He was not interested in the
+key, and he stood up now, prepared to go.
+
+"Those photographs I spoke about are in the cupboard, Basil. I could
+not bring them to you because I could not find the key. Would you like
+to see them now?"
+
+"Thanks," said Basil. "Perhaps, if you don't mind, I had better look
+at them by daylight."
+
+When Basil said this, Miss Nelson also stood up. He looked at her,
+being quite sure now she would wish him good-night and let him go. Her
+eyes had a peculiar, terrified, staring expression. She rushed to the
+mantelpiece; then she turned and grasped the boy's arm.
+
+"Basil," she said, "the picture is gone!"
+
+"What picture?" he asked. He was really frightened at the anguished
+expression in Miss Nelson's matter-of-fact face.
+
+"Mine," she answered, clasping his hand tighter. "My treasure, the
+picture of my----" here she broke off. "It is gone, Basil--see, and
+another put in its place! My miniature is gone! it has been stolen!"
+
+"No, no," said Basil. "It couldn't have been. People don't steal
+pictures at the Chase. There are no thieves. Let me look for it for
+you."
+
+"My miniature--my portrait. I don't speak of it--I can't!" Her voice
+shook. "No, no; it is gone. You see, Basil, it always hung here, and
+now another has been put on the same hook. That shows that the deed
+was intentional; the miniature is stolen!"
+
+She sat down and clasped her hands over her face; her thin long
+fingers trembled.
+
+"I'm awfully sorry for you," said Basil. He could not understand such
+emotion over any mere picture, but he had the kindest of hearts, and
+distress of any sort always moved him.
+
+"I'm awfully sorry," he repeated.
+
+Miss Nelson looked up at his tone.
+
+"Basil," she said, "when you have very few things to love, you value
+the few intensely. I did--I do. You don't know, my boy, what it is to
+be a lonely woman. May you never understand my feelings. The miniature
+is gone; it was stolen, purposely."
+
+"Oh, we'll find the thief," said Basil. "If you are sure the picture
+was taken, we'll make no end of a fuss, and my father will help. Of
+course you must not lose anything you value in this house. You shall
+have it back; we'll all see to that."
+
+"Thank you, Basil; I'm sure you'll do your best."
+
+Miss Nelson's face looked as unhappy as ever.
+
+"You must try and cheer up, Miss Nelson," said the school-boy. "You
+shall have your picture, that I promise you."
+
+Miss Nelson was silent for a minute.
+
+"Perhaps I shall get it back," she said after a pause. "But it won't
+be the same to me again. No, nothing can be the same. I've got a
+shock. Basil, I have worked for you all. When your mother died, I
+came--I came at her request. A more brilliant governess could have
+taught your sisters, but I can truly say no one more conscientious
+could have ministered to them, and no one on the whole could have
+loved them more faithfully. I have, however, been misunderstood. Only
+one of your sisters has responded to me. Marjorie has been sweet and
+true and good; the others--not that I blame little Lucy much--a child
+is always led by her elders--but----"
+
+"What does all this mean?" said Basil, almost sternly. He knit his
+brows. He felt that he was going to be somebody's champion, and there
+was fight in his voice.
+
+"This is what it means, Basil," said Miss Nelson. "I am sorry to pain
+you, but I believe Ermengarde has taken my miniature."
+
+"Ermie a thief? What do you mean? She's my sister--she's a Wilton! How
+can you say that sort of thing, Miss Nelson? No wonder poor Ermie does
+not quite get on with you."
+
+"She never gets on with me, Basil. She is disobedient, she is
+unresponsive. I have taken more pains for her than for the others.
+To-day I was obliged to punish her for two offenses of a very grave
+character. She took my miniature out of revenge; I am sure of it."
+
+"No, I am certain you are mistaken. You have no right to accuse her
+like this."
+
+"I wish I could think I was mistaken, Basil, but all circumstances
+point to the fact that Ermengarde in revenge took away my portrait. I
+locked her into this room as a punishment, as a severe punishment for
+a most grave offense. She was very angry and very defiant. The
+picture was in its usual place when I locked her into the room. She
+spent the greater part of the day here. When I come here to-night the
+portrait has been exchanged for another."
+
+"Yes; your room has been empty for hours. Some one else has come in
+and done the thing, if indeed it has been done at all."
+
+"What do you mean? The picture is gone!"
+
+"The housemaid may have been dusting, and put another in its place."
+
+"No, Basil, the housemaid would not touch my private possessions; I
+dust them and arrange them myself. I dusted my miniature only this
+morning, and this white rosebud and maidenhair I placed under it. I
+always put fresh flowers under my portrait; I did so to-day as usual.
+No, as you say, there are no thieves at Wilton Chase. Ermie has taken
+the miniature out of revenge. She knew I valued it."
+
+"You are mistaken," said Basil, "and I think you are cruel!"
+
+He left the room in a great rage.
+
+
+
+
+CHAPTER VII.
+
+A GOOD, BOYISH SORT OF GIRL.
+
+
+The next day was Saturday. The lessons done this morning by
+Ermengarde, Marjorie, and Lucy were little more than nominal. A master
+came to give the little girls instruction in music at eleven o'clock,
+and after their half-hour each with him, they were considered free to
+spend the rest of the day as they pleased.
+
+Rather to Basil's surprise Miss Nelson said nothing whatever to Ermie
+about the loss of her miniature. The governess's face was very pale
+this morning, and her eyes had red rims round them, as though she had
+wept a good deal the previous night. She was particularly gentle,
+however, and Basil, who alone knew her secret, could not help being
+sorry for her.
+
+He was still angry, for he thought her idea about Ermengarde both
+unjust and cruel; but her softened and sad demeanor disarmed him, and
+he longed beyond words to give her back the miniature.
+
+Ermie was in excellent spirits this morning. She thought herself well
+out of yesterday's scrape, and she looked forward to a long and happy
+afternoon with her brothers. She was particularly bright and attentive
+over her lessons, and would have altogether won Miss Nelson's
+approval, had not her sad mind been occupied with other matters.
+
+Marjorie was the first to go to her music lesson this morning. She
+returned from it at half-past eleven, and then Ermengarde went to
+receive Mr. Hill's instructions.
+
+Basil was standing in the passage, sharpening a lead pencil as she
+passed.
+
+"I'll be free at twelve, Basil," she called to him. "Where shall I
+find you?"
+
+"I'll be somewhere round," he replied, in a would-be careless tone.
+"Maggie, is that you? I want to speak to you."
+
+He seemed anxious to get away from Ermengarde, and she noticed it, and
+once more the cloud settled on her brow.
+
+"Come out, Mag; I want to speak to you," said Basil. "You are free at
+last, I suppose?"
+
+"Oh, yes; I'm free. What were you so chuffy to Ermie, for? You seemed
+as if you didn't care to have her with you!"
+
+"Oh, don't I care? I'm thinking of her all the time. It's about her I
+want to speak to you, Maggie, But, first of all have you heard of
+Miss Nelson's loss?"
+
+"No, what loss?"
+
+"Some one has taken a miniature out of her sitting-room."
+
+"A miniature? Which--which miniature? Speak, Basil."
+
+"You needn't eat me with your eyes, Maggie. I don't know. I didn't do
+it!"
+
+"Oh, no; but what miniature is it, Basil?"
+
+"I tell you, I didn't see it, Maggie. It hung over her mantelpiece,
+and she kept flowers under it. She seemed to prize it a great lot."
+
+"Not the picture of a rather silly little girl with blue eyes and a
+smile? Not that one? Don't tell me it was that one, Basil."
+
+"Then you do know about it. I suppose it was that one. She was in an
+awful state."
+
+"No wonder. Oh, poor Miss Nelson!"
+
+"Do talk like a reasonable being, Maggie. What was there so
+marvelously precious in the picture of a silly little girl?"
+
+"Yes, but _that_ silly little girl was her own--not her child, but her
+sister, and she loved her beyond all the world, and--the little sister
+went to the angels. Once she told me about her--only once. It was on a
+Sunday night. Oh, poor Miss Nelson!"
+
+"Well, don't cry, Mag--she must have the picture back. She has got a
+horrid thought in her head about it, though."
+
+"A horrid thought? Miss Nelson has a horrid thought? Oh, Basil, don't
+you begin to misunderstand her."
+
+"Shut up!" said Basil. "Who talks about my misunderstanding her? She
+has got a wrong notion into her head about Ermie, that's all. She
+thinks Ermie took the miniature out of revenge. There! Is not that bad
+enough? Now, what's the matter, Maggie? You are not going to tell me
+that you think Miss Nelson is right?"
+
+"No," said Marjorie, shaking her fat little self, after an aggravating
+habit of hers when she was perplexed. "Of course I don't think
+anything of the kind, still----" She was remembering Ermengarde's
+agitation of the day before--her almost frantic wish to return alone
+to the house.
+
+Marjorie grew quite red as this memory came over her.
+
+"Well, won't you speak?" said Basil. "Miss Nelson must get back her
+miniature."
+
+"Of course she must, Basil."
+
+"She believes that Ermengarde took it."
+
+"Yes; of course she is mistaken."
+
+"She is very positive."
+
+"Oh, that's a way of hers. She's quite obstinate when she gets an idea
+into her head."
+
+"A fixed idea, eh?" Basil laughed.
+
+Marjorie did not join in the laugh, she was feeling intensely solemn.
+
+"Miss Nelson is very angry, and in dreadful trouble," Basil went on
+presently. "I quite thought she would speak to Ermengarde this
+morning."
+
+"She has not said a word, Basil."
+
+"I know that."
+
+"Basil, let me speak to Ermie."
+
+"But now, you're not going to accuse her, or any rubbish of that sort,
+Maggie?"
+
+"As if I would, Basil!"
+
+"Then I wish you would speak to her. I'm uncomfortable enough about
+the whole thing, I can tell you. I hate to have anybody think such
+thoughts of Ermie."
+
+"I'll tell her," said Marjorie eagerly. "I'll tell her the miniature
+is lost."
+
+She ran off, and Basil took another pencil out of his pocket and began
+to sharpen it. He did not like the aspect of affairs at all. His
+interview with Marjorie had given him no real satisfaction. Marjorie
+had not thrust the idea of Ermie's guilt from her with the horror he
+had expected. Of course she had agreed with him, but not with that
+emphasis he had desired. He felt rather sickened. If Ermengarde could
+be mean and shabby, if by any possibility, however remote, Ermengarde
+had stooped to theft for the sake of a petty and small revenge, then
+he was very sorry he had not gone to Scotland, that was all. He'd give
+up Ermie if she was that kind, but of course she wasn't. It was horrid
+of him to lend even half credence to such a belief. He would go and
+have a game of cricket with Eric, and get such a monstrous idea out of
+his head.
+
+When they were preparing for dinner, Marjorie told her sister about
+the stolen miniature. She told the story in her own characteristic
+way. She was determined to take no unfair advantage of Ermie, and so,
+while washing her hands, and purposely splashing the water about, and
+with her back so turned that she could not get a glimpse of Ermie's
+face, she burst forth with her news. When she turned round, Ermengarde
+was calmly combing out her long hair.
+
+"It's dreadful, isn't it?" said Marjorie.
+
+"Dreadful," echoed Ermengarde, but her voice did not sound excited.
+
+"And she was so fond of that little sister," continued Marjorie.
+
+"I never heard of any sister," said Ermengarde in a profoundly
+uninterested voice. "Let us come down to dinner, Maggie; the gong has
+sounded."
+
+Marjorie gave vent to a very heavy sigh. She had got no satisfaction
+out of Ermengarde, and yet her manner gave her a sense of insecurity.
+She recalled again Ermie's strange excitement of the evening before,
+and wondered in vain what it all meant.
+
+At dinner-time Miss Nelson's face was paler than ever. It was noticed
+now by the three people who shared her secret. Eric and Lucy were
+perfectly comfortable and easy in their minds, but the older children
+felt a sense of constraint. After dinner Eric asked Marjorie to come
+with him to visit his ferrets.
+
+"They are at Collins's, you know," he said. "I hope Collins is
+treating them properly. If he does not, Shark will pay him out; that's
+a certainty. Come along, Mag."
+
+"I will presently," said Marjorie.
+
+"Oh, no; you must come at once. I have a lot to do this afternoon; you
+can't keep me waiting."
+
+A good-humored smile played over Marjorie's sunny face. "Other people
+have a good deal to do too," she said. "I'll come soon, Eric. You can
+wait for me outside. I won't keep you long; but I have something
+_important_ to do first."
+
+Eric went away feeling very cross. If Marjorie took to giving herself
+airs, the world might as well stop at once. What use was Marjorie
+except to be at everybody's beck and call; and more especially at
+his--Eric's--beck and call. He kicked his heels into the gravel,
+thrust his hands into his trousers pockets, and put on all the airs of
+an ill-used mortal.
+
+Meanwhile Marjorie, whose important business made her round face look
+intensely solemn, was trotting down the corridor to Miss Nelson's
+sitting-room. She guessed that she would find the governess there. To
+her gentle little tap Miss Nelson replied at once, and the little girl
+came in and stood before her.
+
+"What is it, Marjorie?" said her governess. "Have you anything to say
+to me? I am busy. Why don't you go out with your brothers?"
+
+"I wanted to give you a kiss," said Marjorie, "and to tell you--to
+tell you--that if the other little girl loved you, so do I. I thought
+I'd tell you; I know it won't be a real comfort, but I thought perhaps
+you ought to know."
+
+"It is a real comfort, Marjorie," said Miss Nelson in a softened
+voice. "Give me that kiss, dear. Thank you, my love. You are a good
+child, Marjorie--a dear child. Now run away and play."
+
+"You have a headache, I know," said Marjorie, "and see how the sun
+does stream in at this window. May I pull down the blinds? And will
+you lie on the sofa? Do, and I will bathe your head with eau de
+Cologne. I wish you would let me."
+
+"No, dear, the others are waiting for you."
+
+"Let them wait. Eric wants me to see his ferrets. I'd much rather stay
+with you."
+
+Miss Nelson knew that Marjorie adored Eric, and that whatever pets of
+his happened to be in vogue had the strongest fascination for her.
+Nevertheless she did lie down on the sofa, and her little pupil's
+gentle hand felt all that was delightful and soothing as it touched
+her brow. When Marjorie stole out of the room, Miss Nelson had dropped
+asleep.
+
+Eric was still waiting. He was amusing himself peeling an early autumn
+apple, eating it in a discontented sort of way, for he was not very
+hungry, and watching the windows for Marjorie to appear. He was
+delighted when he saw her, but he would not show his pleasure.
+
+"Come on," he said, in a gruff voice. "I don't know why I waited for
+you. Half the evening is gone already. Do be quick, Mag; how you
+loiter!"
+
+"I've an apple in my pocket for Shark," said Marjorie.
+
+She tucked her hand comfortably through Eric's arm. She was feeling
+very sunshiny and happy, and soon managed to bring back the
+ever-bubbling humor to the little boy's lips.
+
+About a quarter of an hour later, a sort of bundle rolled rather than
+walked into the Collinses' neat little cottage. Mrs. Collins uttered
+an exclamation and darted forward. She did not at once recognize that
+the bundle consisted of Marjorie and Eric, who, with peals and bursts
+of laughter, had in this style intruded themselves into her modest
+dwelling.
+
+"Let go, Mag, don't throttle me!" screamed Eric.
+
+"Well, leave the apple in my pocket; I'm going to feed Shark."
+
+Mrs. Collins conducted her two little visitors to the yard, where
+Shark and his companion ferret resided in their wire cage. Marjorie
+sank down in front of the cage, and gazed at the ferrets quite as long
+and as earnestly as Eric could desire.
+
+"They are beautiful," she said at last. "More especially Shark."
+
+Eric felt that if it were not undignified, he could have hugged his
+sister. They left the yard, and re-entered Mrs. Collins's house the
+dearest of friends.
+
+They were going into the kitchen to beg for a piece of brown cake,
+which they knew Mrs. Collins could make to perfection, when, hearing
+voices raised in dispute, Marjorie drew Eric back.
+
+"Let's come another time for the cake," she whispered. "The
+passage-door is open, we can go out that way."
+
+"Wait a second, Mag. I forgot to take a squint at Lop-ear. Just stay
+where you are, I'll be with you in a twinkling."
+
+Marjorie stood still; Eric departed. The following words fell on
+Marjorie's ears:
+
+"It's all very well to talk, Susy, but I'm quite sick of you and your
+mysteries, and I _will_ know what you're hiding under your apron."
+
+"I can't tell you, mother. It's a secret between Miss Ermengarde and
+me."
+
+"Well, show it to me, anyhow. _I_ don't mind your talking to miss,
+though the family make such a fuss about it. If it's anything she gave
+you, you might as well show it to your mother, Susy."
+
+"Yes, she did give it to me; she gave it to me yesterday."
+
+"Well, show it to me."
+
+"No, no; that I won't."
+
+"What is it? you might tell me that."
+
+Marjorie distinctly heard Susy's pleased childish laugh.
+
+"Oh, you'll never guess," she said; "it is so pretty--all sorts of
+color, blue and pink and white, and--and----But you _shan't_ see, that
+you shan't."
+
+Before Marjorie could hear more Eric hurried back.
+
+"Now we'll have a game of cricket," he said to his sister.
+
+Marjorie followed him without a word. She was a very good cricketer
+for a little girl, and she and Eric often had a jolly game together.
+The two went to the cricket-field, and the game began.
+
+On Eric's side it was vigorously played; but had Marjorie's arm lost
+its cunning? Her bowling went wide of the mark, Eric proposed that he
+should bowl, and she should bat. This made matters no better. Finally
+he stopped the game in disgust.
+
+"You're awfully changed, Mag," he said, half between sorrow and anger.
+And then he marched out of the field. He felt an intense pity for
+Marjorie. "She always was a good, boyish sort of a girl," he said to
+himself, "but she's getting like the rest of them. Girls are a poor
+lot, and she's like the rest."
+
+At another time Marjorie could not have borne to see Eric look at her
+sorrowfully. She took no notice now, however, but the moment her
+brother left the field, she turned on her own heel and went back to
+the Collinses' cottage. Mrs. Collins had gone out, but Susy was
+standing by the door. Susy wore a blue cotton frock to-day, and her
+curly hair was pushed back from her fair and pretty face. She was
+standing in the porch talking to the canary. He was pouring out a
+flood of song, and Susy was looking up at him, and trying to bring
+notes something like his from her rosy lips.
+
+On ordinary occasions Marjorie, remembering the home mandate, would
+not have entered into any prolonged conversation with Susy. She forgot
+all this now in her eagerness and desire for information.
+
+"Susy!"
+
+"Yes, Miss Marjorie."
+
+Susy had no particular love for Marjorie. Marjorie was downright in
+manner, plain in face, no flatterer. Susy came out of the cottage
+slowly, looking behind her, as she did so, at the singing canary.
+
+"Come here, Susy, come quickly; I want to say something to you."
+
+"Yes, Miss Marjorie, what is it?"
+
+"What were you saying to your mother just now? I overheard you in the
+passage. What was it all about?"
+
+"I don't remember, miss, I'm sure."
+
+Susy's color had changed from red to white.
+
+"Where were you, miss, when I was talking?" she said after a pause.
+
+"I was in the passage, waiting for Eric. You must remember what you
+said. Your mother was asking you to show her something. Something you
+said Ermengarde had given you."
+
+"Oh, I remember now, miss. Miss Ermie do give me things now and then."
+
+"But you said she gave you this, whatever it was, yesterday."
+
+"I couldn't have said yesterday, Miss Marjorie."
+
+"You did, Susy; I heard you."
+
+"I couldn't have said yesterday, really, miss."
+
+"But you did, Susy; you said yesterday as plain as possible. You said
+'she gave it to me yesterday'; those were your very words."
+
+"I must have meant another day, miss; I'm careless in my words, often
+and often."
+
+"What did she give you, Susy? Do tell me."
+
+"Only a yard of blue stuff to make a frock for my doll."
+
+"But how could a yard of blue stuff be pink white and all sorts of
+colors?"
+
+"Well, miss, I suppose I meant my doll. She's pink and white enough,
+I'll show her to you, if you like, and then you'll believe me. Shall I
+run and fetch her to show you, miss?"
+
+"Oh, if you are as sure as all that, you needn't trouble," said
+Marjorie.
+
+She left the cottage without even waiting to bid Susy good-by. Eric
+was still lounging about, waiting for her, and Marjorie ran up to him,
+all her usual spirits once more shining in her face.
+
+
+
+
+CHAPTER VIII.
+
+FATHER'S BIRTHDAY.
+
+
+The great event of the year at Wilton Chase came in the summer. It
+came just at the time when all the children could enjoy it--when they
+were all at home and together.
+
+This event was Mr. Wilton's birthday. It had been his custom, as long
+as any of the children could remember, to devote this day to them. He
+was their willing slave, their captive to do what they pleased with
+during the long hours of that summer day.
+
+Aunt Elizabeth, who hated being brought into close contact with what
+she termed "unfledged creatures," generally left the house for that
+occasion. The oak doors which divided the schoolroom from the grown-up
+portion of the building were thrown open, and happy rioters might have
+been seen darting about in all directions. In short, during this day
+Chaos reigned instead of order. Each child did as he or she liked
+best, with a reckless disregard to all future consequences.
+
+In preparation for the feasting which went on during father's
+birthday, nurse was wont to see that all the useful unpleasant nursery
+bottles were well filled. She sent them to the chemist a week before,
+and when they were returned, put them grimly away in the cupboard.
+
+"These," she would remark, "have nothing to do with father's birthday,
+but they come in handy the day after."
+
+Miss Nelson also made preparations for the after effects of this day
+of unrestraint. She laid in a good store of clean manuscript paper,
+for she knew many impositions would have to be written, and she looked
+well through the poetry books and books of French selections, to see
+which on an emergency would be suited to the capacities of the
+delinquents, who would be certain to have to learn them amidst tears
+and disgrace.
+
+The children's maid, too, laid in stores of buttons and hooks, and
+tapes and ribbons, for the repairing of the clothes which must come to
+grief in the general riot.
+
+Thus all that the careful elders could do was done, but the children
+cared for none of these things. To the children the day itself stood
+before them in all its glory, and they gave no thought or heed to any
+after-time of reckoning.
+
+Mr. Wilton's birthday arrived in the beginning of the second week of
+the summer holidays. The first exuberance of joy, therefore, at having
+the boys at home again, was past, and all the young folk could give
+themselves up to the ecstasy which the day itself afforded.
+
+"Good-by, Roderick," said Miss Elizabeth Wilton to her brother. She
+came in in her neat traveling-dress, and surprised him over a late
+breakfast.
+
+"Why, where are you off to?" he asked.
+
+"Where am I off to? I'm going to town, of course."
+
+"To town, in August! What do you mean, Lizzie?"
+
+"You may well shrug your shoulders, and ask me what I mean. _You_,
+Roderick, are the cause. Your birthday comes to-morrow."
+
+"Good gracious! And I had forgotten all about it."
+
+"Well, the children remember it, and so do I. Good-by, Roderick. I'll
+be home again on Friday evening. I don't want to stay longer in that
+stifling London than I can help."
+
+Miss Wilton took her departure, and Mr. Wilton stretched out his hand
+to the toast-rack, took a piece of toast which he absently broke in
+two, and once more buried his head in his _Times_. There were a good
+many interesting items of intelligence this morning, and Mr. Wilton
+was a keen politician. Between him, however, now, and the clearly
+printed type of the paper, came the vision of to-morrow.
+To-morrow--his birthday, and the day when everything was turned
+topsy-turvey, and the children and Chaos reigned supreme.
+
+Mr. Wilton was a very affectionate father, but no one must think the
+worse of him for shrinking at this moment from the ordeal which lay
+before him. When the day came, he would throw himself into the fun,
+heart and soul--he would be the life of the rioters, the ringleader of
+the pleasure-seekers. He would do this, and he would enjoy himself,
+but in anticipation the prospect was not cheerful. He had forgotten
+all about his birthday; he had further made arrangements for
+to-morrow--he was to see a friend in the neighboring town; they were
+to lunch together, and discuss the autumn shooting. Afterward he had
+intended to ride some miles farther on and visit a lady, a certain
+Mrs. Gray, who had been a great friend of his wife's, and whom he had
+rather neglected of late. He had made all his plans; they were none of
+them vital, of course, and they could be postponed, but it was
+disagreeable to have to do this.
+
+Mr. Wilton pushed his _Times_ aside, rose from the breakfast-table and
+went out. He must order his horse and ride over at once to
+Quarchester, and put his friend off. How ridiculous if would sound to
+have to say, "My dear Furniss, the young ones are celebrating my
+birthday to-morrow, so I can't come."
+
+Mr. Wilton stood on the gravel sweep, called a groom, gave the
+necessary directions, and looked around him. He was glad none of the
+children were about--he did not want to discuss the birthday until he
+felt in a better humor. What a good thing the children were employed
+elsewhere!
+
+Just then, however, he heard a shrill childish laugh, and the next
+moment little Lucy, hotly pursued by fat Marjorie, dashed into view.
+Lucy rushed up to her father, clasped her arms round his legs and
+looked up into his face.
+
+Marjorie panted up to her. "No, no, Lucy, you are unkind," she said.
+"It is wrong of you to run away like this, and when Miss Nelson is so
+sad, too."
+
+"Hullo, Maggie, have you no word of greeting for me?" asked her
+father.
+
+"Oh, father, I beg your pardon; I wanted to catch Lucy and bring her
+back to prayers. She's quite wild this morning; I expect it's because
+of the birthday being so near, but it does tease Miss Nelson so when
+the children don't come in quietly to prayers."
+
+"Run into the house this moment, Lucy," said Mr. Wilton, in a tone
+which all the children immediately obeyed. "You stay, Maggie."
+
+Lucy trotted off.
+
+"Was I right in hearing you say, Maggie, that Miss Nelson was ill?"
+
+"Not exactly ill, father, but she's fretting."
+
+"Fretting? What about?"
+
+Marjorie edged up to her father in the confidential way which made
+people take to her at once.
+
+"It's her little sister's picture," she said. "A miniature, and
+it's--it's lost. It--it can't be found."
+
+"I never knew Miss Nelson had a sister."
+
+"Oh, yes; only she's dead--a dear little girl--she died a long time
+ago, and Miss Nelson is very fond of her miniature, and it's--it's
+lost!"
+
+Just at this moment the groom appeared, leading Mr. Wilton's spirited
+bay mare.
+
+"What a tragic face, Maggie," said her father, chucking her under the
+chin. "We must only trust that the picture is mislaid, not lost. Now,
+good-by, my dear, I am off to Quarchester."
+
+As Mr. Wilton rode down the avenue he thought in a slightly
+contemptuous way of Marjorie's information.
+
+"I do trust Miss Nelson is not too sentimental," he murmured. "Poor
+Maggie looked absolutely tragic over her governess's loss. I really
+was prepared to hear of some recent bereavement; but the loss of a
+miniature, and of course it is only mislaid! I do trust Miss Nelson is
+the right person to bring up a tender-hearted little thing like
+Maggie. Now, Ermengarde----Hullo! there _is_ Ermengarde!"
+
+Yes, just ahead of him, and quite unconscious that she was observed,
+walked Ermengarde in close confabulation with Susan Collins.
+
+Mr. Wilton's brow darkened as he saw the two together.
+
+"This is absolute carelessness on Miss Nelson's part," he said to
+himself. "She knows my wishes, and it is her business to _see_ that
+Ermengarde obeys. I must have a very serious talk with Miss Nelson
+when I return home this afternoon, but I have no time to attend to the
+matter now. If I don't hurry, I shall miss seeing Furniss."
+
+Mr. Wilton galloped quickly away, found his friend at home, and in
+conversation with him forgot all home worries. He forgot them so
+absolutely that he accepted an invitation to spend the day and dine.
+In consequence it was near midnight when he returned to Wilton Chase,
+and the fact that to-morrow was his birthday again absolutely escaped
+his memory.
+
+
+
+
+CHAPTER IX.
+
+FIVE O'CLOCK IN THE MORNING.
+
+
+"Maggie, Maggie, wake up, I say!"
+
+"Yes, who's there. I'm so sleepy. Oh, it's you, Eric. What do you
+want?"
+
+"It's father's birthday, and the clock has just struck four. You
+promised you'd get up at four."
+
+"Yes; but, oh dear me, I _am_ so sleepy."
+
+Marjorie yawned, and twisted about on her pillow.
+
+"Are you sure it wasn't three that struck, Eric?"
+
+"No, four; I counted the strokes. I thought you liked getting up
+early."
+
+"So I do, but don't talk so loud, or you'll wake Ermie."
+
+"Catch me wanting her to get up, cross old thing!"
+
+"Eric, you are unkind, and Basil wouldn't like it."
+
+"Bother Basil! what do I care? I say, Mag, are you going to pop out of
+bed?"
+
+"I suppose so. Go outside the door and wait for me, Eric, and _do_ be
+quiet."
+
+Eric departed, whistling under his breath, and kicking his heels so
+restlessly that only the soundest sleeper could still remain in the
+land of dreams.
+
+Marjorie rubbed her eyes, stretched herself, yawned, and finally,
+stimulated by threatening knocks of Eric's on the other side of the
+door, managed to tear herself away from her warm snug bed. She saw the
+sunlight streaming in through the closed window-curtains, but August
+though it was, this early hour of the morning was chilly, and Marjorie
+shivered as she tumbled not too tidily into her clothes. Eric would
+not give her time to take her usual cold plunge-bath, and she was
+decidedly of opinion that plans which looked delightful the night
+before are less alluring when viewed by the candid light of morning.
+
+Marjorie was a hearty child in every way, hearty at work and at play,
+hearty, too, at sleep, and it was hard to be debarred of quite a third
+of her usual allowance. She dipped her face and neck, however, in cold
+water, which effectually woke her up, and when she had brushed out her
+thick hair, and knelt for a moment or two at her little bed to say her
+usual morning prayers, she felt quite cheerful, and joined Eric with
+her usual sunny good humored face.
+
+"That's right," said Eric, clasping her hand. "Isn't the morning
+scrumptious? Not a bit of a cloud anywhere. Now let's be off to wake
+father."
+
+"To wake father! at four o'clock in the morning! What do you mean,
+Eric?"
+
+"It's twelve minutes past four, if it comes to that," said Eric. "You
+were an awful time getting into your clothes, Mag. And why shouldn't
+we wake father? It's his birthday. He will like us to wake him!"
+
+Marjorie, however, judging from her own too recent experience, thought
+differently.
+
+"It really _is_ too early," she said. "He wouldn't like it a bit, and
+why should we vex father because it's his birthday?"
+
+"You forget that he never is vexed with anything we do on his
+birthday," said Eric. "It's our day, and we couldn't be scolded,
+whatever we did. _Do_ come along, Maggie; I have it all planned so
+jolly. Father is to come with us, and unmoor the boat, and help us to
+gather the water-lilies. Do come on, and don't waste the precious
+time. I tell you, father will like it."
+
+Marjorie was very unselfish, but she was also easily persuaded,
+particularly by her chosen and special chum, Eric. Accordingly, after
+a little further demur, she consented to go with her brother to their
+father's room.
+
+It was very still in the house, for not a servant as yet had thought
+of stirring. Eric pushed back the oak doors, which so effectually
+divided the nursery people from the grown ups.
+
+"There you stay, you nasty things!" he said, hooking them back with an
+air of great triumph. "This is our day, and you can't keep us
+prisoners. Come along, Mag, I've broken the prison-bars."
+
+Marjorie's own spirits were rising fast. After all, it was delicious
+to be up in the early morning. She was glad she had taken the trouble
+to get out of bed now.
+
+The children ran down the wide corridor into which the best bedrooms
+opened. They paused at length outside their father's door. Here
+Marjorie once again grew a little pale, but Eric, with a look of
+resolution, turned the handle of the door and went in.
+
+Marjorie followed him on tiptoe. Father's room was very large, and to
+the culprits who stood just inside the door, looked solemn and
+awe-inspiring. Even Eric felt a little subdued; the chamber seemed so
+vast, and the great four-poster, away by itself in an alcove, had a
+remote and unapproachable aspect. It was one thing to have a
+rollicking, merry, good-humored father to romp about with all day, and
+another to approach the solemn personage who reposed in the center of
+that bed.
+
+"Let's come away," whispered Marjorie.
+
+"Fudge!" retorted Eric. "It's father's birthday! It's _our_ day! Come
+along--he can't be angry with us even if he wished."
+
+Thus exhorted, but with many misgivings at her heart, Marjorie
+followed her brother across the big room and up the two steps which
+led to the alcove.
+
+A picture of the children's mother hung over the mantelpiece. It was a
+very girlish picture, and represented a slim figure in a white dress,
+with a blue sash round her waist. The face was a little like
+Ermengarde's, but the eyes which looked down now at the two children
+had Marjorie's expression in them. There were other portraits of Mrs.
+Wilton in the house, later and more matronly portraits; but Marjorie
+liked this the best--the girlish mother seemed in touch with her
+youthful self.
+
+"Do come away, Eric," she said again, and tears almost sprang to her
+eyes. It seemed cruel to wake father just to add to their own
+pleasure.
+
+Eric, however, was not a boy to be lightly turned from his purpose.
+He had very little sentiment about him, and had stern ideas as to what
+he termed his rights. Father's birthday was the children's lawful day:
+on that day they were one and all of them kings, and the "king could
+do no wrong."
+
+Accordingly this little king, with a somewhat withering glance at his
+sister, stepped confidently up to the big bed, raised himself on
+tiptoe, so as to secure a better view, and looked down with his chubby
+expectant face on his slumbering father.
+
+It is all very well for the little folk, who are in bed and asleep as
+a rule between eight and nine in the evening, to feel lively and
+larky, and quite up to any holiday pranks at four o'clock on a
+summer's morning; but the older and less wise people who sometimes do
+not close their eyes until the small hours, are often just enjoying
+their deepest and sweetest slumbers about the time the sun likes to
+get up.
+
+This was the case with Mr. Wilton. He had not arrived home until
+midnight--he had found some letters before him which must be replied
+to--he had even dipped into a book in which he was specially
+interested. Then his favorite spaniel Gyp had begun to howl in his
+kennel, and Mr. Wilton had gone out to see what was the matter.
+
+So, from one cause or another, he had not laid his tired head on his
+pillow until one and two o'clock in the morning.
+
+Therefore Mr. Wilton was now very sound asleep indeed, and not Eric's
+buzzing whispers nor Marjorie's cautious repentant "Hush--hush, Eric!"
+disturbed him in the very least.
+
+"How _lazy_ of father!" pronounced Eric in a tone of withering scorn.
+"He has not even stirred. Oh, you needn't go on with your
+'hush--hush!' Mag--he's as sound as a button. Look here, I must speak
+a little louder. Fa--ther! oh, I say, father, open your eyes!"
+
+Eric's voice became piteous, but the eyes remained closed, the face
+peaceful and immovable.
+
+"We might both of us jump on the bed at the same moment," said Eric.
+"That ought to shake him a good bit, and perhaps he'd begin to yawn.
+Oh, jolly, it's a spring mattress; we can give him a great bounce if
+we jump on together. Now then, Mag, be sure you jump when I do."
+
+Marjorie, still looking rather terrified, but led on by Eric's
+indomitable spirit, did spring on the bed, and so heavily that she
+rolled on to Mr. Wilton's leg. He started, groaned, said "Down, Gyp!"
+in a very angry voice, and once more pursued his way in dreamland,
+without any idea that two little imps were perched each on one side
+of his pillow.
+
+"It's too bad," said Eric. "The whole morning will go at this rate; it
+will soon be five o'clock. Oh, I say--pater--father--gov! do wake!"
+
+"You shouldn't say pater or gov," said Marjorie. "Father doesn't like
+it."
+
+"Much he cares! He doesn't hear anything. He's stone deaf--he's no
+good at all!"
+
+"Well, we shouldn't say words he doesn't like, even if he is asleep,"
+said Marjorie in her properest tones.
+
+"I like that," said Eric. "And why mayn't I say pater, I wonder? Pater
+is the Latin of father. It's a much nicer word than father, and all
+our fellows say it. You think it isn't respectful because you're an
+ignorant girl, Maggie, but Julius Caesar used to say pater when he was
+young, so I suppose I may."
+
+"Father looks very handsome in his sleep," said Marjorie, turning her
+head on one side, and looking sentimentally at her parent.
+
+"He doesn't," said Eric. "He looks much better with his eyes open. Oh,
+I say, I can't stand this! The morning will go, and we'll never get
+our water-lilies. Father, wake up! Father, it's your birthday! Don't
+you hear us? Here, Mag, let's begin to jump up and down again on the
+bed. Couldn't you manage to hop on his leg by accident? You're heavier
+than me."
+
+Marjorie and Eric joined hands, the fun entered into their souls, and
+they certainly jumped with energy.
+
+Mr. Wilton began to have a very bad dream. Gyp, his favorite spaniel,
+seemed suddenly to have changed into a fiend, and to have seized him
+by the leg. Finally the dream dissolved itself into a medley of
+laughter and childish cries. He opened his eyes: two little figures
+with very red faces and very disordered hair were tumbling about on
+his bed.
+
+"Eh--what? Is the house on fire?" he gasped.
+
+"Oh, father! At last!" exclaimed Marjorie. She flung herself upon him,
+and began to kiss him all over his face.
+
+"My dear child--very affectionate of you, no doubt, but why this
+sudden rush of devotion in the middle of the night?"
+
+"It isn't!" exclaimed Eric in a voice of awful emphasis. "It's nearly
+five o'clock!"
+
+"And it's your birthday," said Marjorie, beginning to kiss him again.
+
+"Yes," continued Eric, "it's your birthday, father. _Our_ day, you
+know."
+
+The victim in the bed lay quite still for a moment. That much grace
+he felt he must allow himself to recover from the shock of the
+announcement. Then he said, as cheerfully as he could speak, "What did
+you say the hour was?"
+
+"Close on five o'clock--awfully late," answered both children,
+shouting their words into his ears.
+
+"All right; what do you want me to do?"
+
+"To get up at once, and come with us to gather water-lilies."
+
+"Oh!"
+
+"Isn't it a delightful plan?"
+
+"Very. Are you sure the morning isn't wet?"
+
+"The morning wet, father! The sun is shining like anything. Run to the
+window, Mag, and pull the blind up. Now you can see, can't you,
+father?"
+
+"I can, thanks, Eric."
+
+"Well, aren't you getting up?"
+
+"I will, if you will both favor me by retiring into the corridor for
+five minutes. And listen, even though it is my birthday, it isn't
+necessary to have any more vic----I mean, we need not wake the rest of
+the house."
+
+"Oh, we'll be as quiet as mice," retorted Marjorie. "_Dear_ father,
+you'll promise to be very quick?"
+
+"_Dear_ Maggie, I promise; I am your devoted and humble servant for
+the rest of the day."
+
+"Isn't father delicious?" said Marjorie, as they waited in the
+passage.
+
+"Delicious!" retorted Eric; "what a girl's expression! One would think
+you were going to eat him. I tell you what it is, pater ought to be
+very much obliged to us for waking him. He was lazy, but he'll have a
+time of it for the rest of the day."
+
+
+
+
+CHAPTER X.
+
+THE REIGN OF CHAOS.
+
+
+A cold bath and a rapid toilet afterward effectually removed all
+traces of sleep from Mr. Wilton's eyes.
+
+"I feel like a sort of knight putting on my armor," he said to
+himself. "I am going on a crusade for the rest of the day. A crusade
+against all my established customs, against all my dearly loved order,
+against my newspaper, my books, my quiet pleasant meals. Well, it is
+for the sake of the children; and their mother, bless her"--here he
+glanced at the picture of the girl over the mantelpiece--"would smile
+at me if she could. Oh, yes, I buckle on my armor cheerfully enough.
+Hey, for Chaos! Hey, for wild Mirth and childish Frivolity! Here I
+come, Eric and Maggie--poor patient little mice that you are! Here's
+father at last. Give me your hand, Mag: you may jump on my shoulder,
+if you like. Now for a race downstairs to the garden, and then you can
+tell me what you got me out of my bed in the middle of the night
+for."
+
+Miss Wilton was quite right when she left the Chase the day before.
+She certainly would not have enjoyed being awakened from her early
+morning slumbers by the wild raid which now took place through the old
+house. There was a scamper, a rush, some shouts, not only from
+childish throats, but from a manly and decidedly bass voice. The poor
+respectable old house would have looked shocked if it could, but who
+cared what anything looked or felt when Chaos was abroad?
+
+About three hours later a somewhat draggled-looking party might have
+been seen approaching the Chase. They were all dead tired, and all
+very untidy, not to say disreputable in appearance. The little girl's
+brown Holland frock was not only torn, but smeared with mud and some
+sort of green mossy stuff which produces a deep stain very difficult
+for laundresses to remove. The little boy was also in a sorry plight,
+for he had a scratch across his cheek, and his knickers were cut
+through at the knees; while the big boy, in other words, the man,
+looked the most untidy, the most fatigued, the most travel-stained of
+all.
+
+Ermengarde, in her neat white cool frock, with a green sash tied round
+her slim waist, and her long fair hair streaming down her back, came
+out to meet this party. She was accompanied by Lucy, who was also neat
+and fresh and trim. The two had stepped out of the house to gather a
+few flowers to put on the breakfast-table, and now they assumed all
+the virtuous airs of those good moral people who do _not_ get up to
+catch the early worm.
+
+"_What_ a figure you are, Maggie! and what a disgraceful noise you and
+Eric made this morning," she began, in her most grown-up and icy
+tones.
+
+"Oh, please don't scold us, Ermengarde," said Mr. Wilton. "Look at our
+water-lilies, gaze well at them, and be merciful."
+
+Yes, the water-lilies were superb--each jaded conqueror was laden with
+them--buds and blossom and leaf, all were there--_such_ buds, such
+blossoms, heavy and fragrant with richness.
+
+Ermie adored flowers. She uttered a little shriek of delight when her
+father held up a great mass of enormous waxen bells for her to bury
+her face in.
+
+"Oh, delicious!" she exclaimed, "but how tired you all are!"
+
+"Yes, yes, yes," exclaimed Victor No. 1, "tired and starving,
+absolutely starving. Get us some breakfast, good Ermie, and put the
+lilies in water as quickly as you can."
+
+Miss Nelson presided at the breakfast-table, and as this meal was
+eaten in the comfortable old schoolroom, and as Miss Nelson looked
+just as usual, just as orderly, just as neat and prim as she did
+yesterday, and as she would again to-morrow, her presence had a
+certain calming effect upon the rioters. They ate their meal with some
+decorum, and not more than three children spoke at the same moment.
+
+There was a grand consultation immediately after breakfast as to the
+proceedings of the day, and here it must be confessed Chaos once more
+mounted his throne, and held a most determined sway.
+
+After ten minutes of babel, Marjorie suddenly squatted herself on the
+floor, and began to write furiously.
+
+This was her programme: "Rush upstairs and dress as fast as
+possible--don't be long on account of keeping the carriages waiting.
+Put on our oldest, but we must be neat on account of father not liking
+dirty hands, and smuts on the top of the nose, and smears anywhere--we
+had better wear our best, perhaps--tumble into the carts and carriages
+and wagons, and drive to Bee's Head, that's ten miles away. Eric wants
+to go, the others don't; Lucy and I are for Salter's Point, on account
+of the shells, and that's in the other direction. I think it's quite
+eleven miles. Ermengarde votes for the Deep Woods, although I hate
+midges. Well, we'll all go somewhere, and we'll take every scrap of
+food that the house holds, even if there is to be a famine afterward;
+well, perhaps we oughtn't to take every scrap, for the servants at
+home will be hungry, and we'll want supper ourselves; we'll be
+starving for it, I expect. Eric says the ferrets must come with us,
+for they ought to have fun like the rest of us on father's birthday,
+particularly Shark, who has a great sense of humor. Ermie is nearly
+crying, for she's afraid Shark will bite her, and Basil is winking at
+her, and trying to comfort her, and he's frowning at Eric with the
+other side of his mouth, and Eric is putting out the tip of his tongue
+when he thinks no one is looking at him, which is vulgar, even though
+it is father's birthday. What was I saying? I do get cramped and
+mixed, huddled up on the floor, scribbling. We're to go for a long
+drive, to Bee's Head, or somewhere, and the horses and the carriages
+and the servants and the ferrets and the children and father and all
+the food are to come too, and we are to have a great ball--no, that's
+in the evening--and supper, and the fireworks will go off. Dear, dear,
+where are the fireworks to be squeezed? it's a most confusing sort of
+day."
+
+"Maggie!" suddenly exclaimed Basil.
+
+She raised a flushed face.
+
+"What are you doing, huddled up on the floor like a ball; and what's
+that queer squiggly bit of paper in your hand?--it looks all over
+hieroglyphics. Here, I must see!" he snatched at the paper, held it
+aloft, and read Marjorie's programme aloud amid the roars of the
+company.
+
+"I was only trying to make what we said less confusing," answered
+Marjorie. "I was getting it down as hard as I could, and I said I was
+mixed; anyone else would have been mixed too, I think."
+
+"I should rather think they would," said Basil. "So that's the
+nonsense we have been talking all this time. Thank you, Maggie, for
+showing us ourselves. Now, sir," here Basil turned round and addressed
+his father. Mr. Wilton looked at him with the greatest admiration; he
+felt years younger than his son at the moment.
+
+"Now, sir," proceeded Basil, "we cannot go to Bee's Head, and Salter's
+Point, and the Deep Woods all in the same morning, as the three places
+happen to be in totally different directions, and as each of them also
+happens to be from ten to twelve miles from here. We must make a
+choice, and we must abide by it. It's your birthday, father, and you
+ought to choose. Which shall it be?"
+
+"Thank you, my boy, but I would not have the responsibility of a
+choice for the world--I don't feel equal to it. You young folks must
+make the selection among you."
+
+"I'm for Bee's Head and the lighthouse!" screamed Eric; "there's a man
+at the lighthouse of the name of Bolster, and he promised to get me
+some crabs, and I know he'd like to have a good stare at Shark. I'm
+for Bee's Head and the lighthouse; that's what I'm for!"
+
+"I think the Deep Woods would be best," said Ermengarde. "It's sure to
+be grilling in the sun to-day, and I expect there'll be a good deal of
+dust, and the dust and the sun together do make your face feel so
+horrid and smarty. Don't they, Basil?"
+
+"I don't know," said Basil, whose eyes were trying to interpret
+whether his father had any unspoken choice which might guide his own.
+
+"Whereas in the Deep Woods it will be deliciously cool and fresh,"
+proceeded Ermengarde in her sedate tones.
+
+"Think of the midges and the gnats!" exclaimed Marjorie. "Oh, I'd
+rather have the sun any day! Who cares whether we are burnt or not?
+Now at Salter's Point there are such lovely shells, real cowries, and
+those little pointers, and those _sweet_ little yellow sea-snail
+shells."
+
+"Yes--yes--yes--I want to go to Salter's Point!" exclaimed Lucy.
+
+"Oh, the lighthouse is twice the fun," exclaimed Eric, "and I know
+Shark----"
+
+"Once for all, father," exclaimed Ermengarde, "you are not going to
+allow that odious ferret to destroy the whole pleasure of our day? I
+do wish, father, you'd vote for the Deep Woods."
+
+"Here comes Miss Nelson; she shall decide," answered Mr. Wilton. "No,
+Eric, my boy, Shark must stay at home. There! I have said it--no more
+words. Miss Nelson, please come and be our deliverer. These young
+people have divided ideas with regard to the locality for the great
+birthday picnic. Some vote for Bee's Head, some for Salter's Point,
+some for the Deep Woods--all cannot be pleased; you shall therefore
+make the choice. Where are we to go?"
+
+All the anxious pairs of eyes were immediately turned on Miss Nelson.
+She quite blushed under their battery.
+
+"Think of Bolster and the lighthouse!" exclaimed Eric. "Bolster has a
+tank where he keeps his crabs alive. He can take us up the tower,
+too, and show us the lanterns."
+
+"Think of the shade of the Woods," said Ermengarde.
+
+"Oh, those cowrie and yellow snail shells!" sighed Marjorie.
+
+Miss Nelson only caught these last words. She looked down into the
+pleading gray eyes of her favorite, and her choice was made.
+
+"We will go to Salter's Point," she said.
+
+Some hurrahs, accompanied by some groans, met her decision; but it was
+a satisfaction to have anything fixed, and the children rushed
+upstairs to prepare for the great picnic.
+
+It was discovered that the large wagonette and the pony-carriage could
+accommodate the whole party, and accordingly, soon after eleven
+o'clock, they started in the highest possible spirits--even Miss
+Nelson casting away her mantle of care for the time, and Mr. Wilton,
+who had now thoroughly entered into the spirit of the fun, enjoying
+himself as much as the youngest child present.
+
+It was a glorious day, the breeze was only fresh, and the dust,
+notwithstanding Ermengarde's fears, by no means excessive.
+
+The little girl soon therefore got over her slight disappointment at
+Miss Nelson's choice not having been the same as her own. She was
+seated by her favorite Basil's side, in the pony-carriage, the more
+riotous party, with Mr. Wilton at their head, having elected to go in
+the wagonette.
+
+Miss Nelson and two of the younger children sat opposite to Ermengarde
+and Basil. Ermengarde would rather have had another _vis-a-vis_, but
+as the governess devoted her whole time to amusing the two little
+ones, Ermengarde decided to take no notice of her, and to give herself
+up to the delights of Basil's conversation.
+
+Basil was a boy who, with all his sunny and pleasant ways, had a very
+reserved nature. There were in reality two Basils: one with a kindly
+word, a joke, a light jest, an affectionate manner for each and every
+one he came across; the other was made of sterner stuff--grave, with
+deep thoughts and high aspirations, and very strong, almost rigid
+ideas with regard to honor and rectitude--this was the inner Basil,
+whose existence Ermengarde knew of, whom she adored, loved, admired,
+dreaded.
+
+This Basil had a heart which could be wounded, and Ermengarde knew
+well that, if she caused that deep heart a pang, it might close its
+doors against her, and shut her out in the cold, outside its affection
+and influence forever.
+
+By superficial observers Basil was considered one of the most
+forgiving and the most easily pleased people in the house. But
+Ermengarde knew better. She knew things might happen which might make
+Basil a very stern and unrelenting young judge.
+
+This morning, however, all was sunshine. Basil was in his sunniest
+humor. He would not talk all the time to Ermengarde, but gave Miss
+Nelson and the children enough of his conversation to make them feel
+in it all, and consequently in excellent spirits. But for his sister
+he had some tender glances, and one or two allusions which no one
+understood but herself, for the brother and sister had spent happy
+birthdays like this in their mother's time, and they were both
+thinking of her to-day.
+
+A part of the road which led to Salter's Point wound through the woods
+which lay at the back of Wilton Chase. There was plenty of shade,
+therefore, here, and Ermengarde lay back on her comfortable seat with
+a great feeling of rest and security. She almost forgot that miserable
+day which followed the boys' return from school; she even looked at
+Miss Nelson without being haunted by any sense of reproach. The
+governess's worn face looked quite peaceful and happy; and Ermengarde
+hoped that she had really forgotten that tiresome old-fashioned
+miniature which had so mysteriously disappeared from her room. Ermie
+trusted that the stolen miniature would soon be forgotten, and she was
+fully convinced that her share in its disappearance would never be
+known.
+
+The wagonette, with its two horses, had disappeared from sight, and
+the pony-carriage, drawn by the pretty Shetlands with their tinkling
+bells, was about to emerge through the park-gates, when there came a
+sudden interruption. This was caused by Collins, the head keeper, who
+stepped across the road, and touched his hat to the whole party, and
+to Ermengarde in particular.
+
+"I beg your pardon, Miss Nelson," he said, addressing himself first of
+all to the governess, "but the fact is we are in a little bit of
+trouble at home, and the good wife said if I stood here I'd be sure to
+see Miss Ermengarde passing, and she knew Miss Ermengarde would come
+to Susy, just for one minute, as she wants her so very badly."
+
+On hearing these words Ermengarde turned so white that Miss Nelson
+thought she was going to faint. She started to her feet at once with a
+half-cry. "Oh, please let me go," she said eagerly. Her hand shook;
+she would have leaped out of the carriage had not Basil held her
+back.
+
+"Sit quiet, Ermengarde," said her governess authoritatively. "Now,
+Collins, please explain why it is necessary that Miss Wilton should
+see your daughter at this inconvenient moment, when we are just on our
+way to Salter's Point; you are aware that Mr. Wilton has forbidden any
+intimacy."
+
+"Oh, let me go; I won't keep you two minutes," said Ermie.
+
+"Quiet, Ermengarde. Now, Collins, what does Susan want with Miss
+Wilton?"
+
+Collins had a strongly-marked face, and it flushed now rather angrily.
+
+"I can't say, I'm sure, miss," he said. "The poor child is all in a
+fluster, and as to Miss Ermengarde, poor Susy worships the very ground
+she walks on. You haven't, maybe, heard of the accident that has
+happened to her, miss?"
+
+Miss Nelson's manner became gentle at once. Ermengarde was about to
+burst forth with another exclamation; the governess laid her hand on
+the little girl's arm with a not unkind pressure. "One moment, Ermie.
+No, Collins, we have not heard of any accident. I sincerely trust your
+daughter has come to no harm."
+
+"Well, miss, for the matter of that, Susy's life ain't in danger, but
+she has broke her leg; a bad fracture, too, midway between the knee
+and the ankle. Poor child, she's for all like a boy in some of her
+ways, and she was climbing a tree to get a glimpse of me, she said,
+the rogue; and a rotten bough broke under her, and she came down right
+on her leg. The poor thing was insensible when I took her up, miss,
+but she's better now, of course, and the leg was set by Doctor Reeves
+last night."
+
+"Oh, do let me go to her," said Ermengarde; "what does a stupid picnic
+matter? Basil, won't you speak up for me. _Do_ get Miss Nelson to let
+me go at once."
+
+"Poor Susy, she's feverish a bit," said Collins, favoring Ermengarde
+with a quick grateful glance, "and she has been crying out all the
+morning and half the night for missie. It was that made the wife think
+of me standing here to watch, in case Miss Ermengarde might spare a
+minute or two from the day's pleasure to give to the poor child."
+
+"I am sorry for you, Collins," said Miss Nelson; "and the story of the
+accident certainly alters matters a good deal. I do not think Mr.
+Wilton will object to Ermengarde's going to Susan for a moment."
+
+"Thank you," said Ermie, with a great breath of relief.
+
+"My dear child, you need not tremble so. Steady, you will fall on your
+face. Basil, help your sister out of the carriage. We will give you
+five minutes, Ermengarde. Collins, be sure you send for anything
+necessary for Susan to the Chase."
+
+Collins touched his hat and withdrew. Ermengarde had already flown
+down a little path which led directly to the keeper's little cottage.
+
+"Poor child, I did not know she was so sensitive," said Miss Nelson to
+Basil. He was standing by the side of the carriage, and she thought he
+had not heard her remark, for he turned his head away.
+
+Meanwhile Ermengarde, having reached the cottage, was promptly taken
+upstairs to Susy's little attic-room by her mother.
+
+The poor little girl had gone through a night of dreadful suffering,
+and at another time her flushed face and feverishly bright blue eyes
+would have excited Ermengarde's pity, and she would have been as
+gentle and sympathetic in her manner as heart could wish. The
+influence of fear, however, and the consciousness of wrong-doing, have
+a wonderfully hardening effect upon the best of us, and Ermie only
+waited until Mrs. Collins's back was turned to say crossly: "What did
+you mean by sending for me in that fashion, Susy? and after what I
+said to you yesterday. I do think you have no consideration! I got a
+horrible fright when your father came up, and asked point-blank for
+me, and before Miss Nelson, too!"
+
+The harsh words made Susy cry.
+
+"I'm dreadful bad," she said, her pretty lips quivering. "Oh, Miss
+Ermie, don't look at me like that. I did think you'd have been sorry
+for me, and when I always set such store by you, miss."
+
+"Of course I'm sorry for you, Susy, but I really can't stay now, or
+they'll remark it. If you want me very badly, I'll try and slip up
+here one evening. There, if you like, and it really quiets you, I'll
+come to-night. I'll promise that I'll manage it somehow, but I must go
+now."
+
+"Oh, miss, please take the picture with you! Put it in your pocket,
+miss. Oh, _do_ take it away, Miss Ermengarde; I had such awful, awful
+dreams about it all night long, and I fancied as the little lady
+herself come and told me I was to put the picture back. I saw her come
+in at the door heaps of times, and she always told me to put the
+picture back, and to be quick about it. _Please_ put the picture into
+your pocket, Miss Ermengarde."
+
+Ermengarde laughed harshly.
+
+"You must be mad, Susan," she said. "How could I put a miniature in a
+glass frame into the pocket of this thin dress? Why, everyone would
+see it, and then where should I be? It's all your own fault, Susy; you
+would not give up the picture yesterday when I coaxed you to, and now
+you must keep it until it is convenient for me to fetch it. If I can,
+I'll come for it to-night."
+
+"Mother will find it out, miss. I can't move hand nor foot, and mother
+has only to open my drawer at the top there, and she'll see it.
+Mother'll know at once that I took it, for the servants at the Chase
+are talking about it. I do wish you'd get it out of the house somehow,
+Miss Ermengarde."
+
+"I can't, I tell you. It wouldn't get into my pocket. Oh, dear, dear,
+there's your mother's step on the stairs, and I must fly. What a
+horrid troublesome girl you are, Susy. I wish I had never made friends
+with you!"
+
+Poor Susan began to cry feebly.
+
+"Oh, Miss Ermie, you are cruel," she said. "And mother is sure to open
+that top drawer, for I keep all my handkerchiefs in it. I pretended
+the key was lost, but she found it herself this morning, and she was
+just going to open the drawer when you came in, and I thought I was
+saved. _Please_, Miss Ermie, if you won't take the picture away, put
+it somewhere else."
+
+Mrs. Collins's step was now really heard on the creaking stairs.
+Ermengarde flew to the drawer, unlocked it, seized the little
+miniature and looked round her wildly. The next moment she had pushed
+it between the paillasse and mattress of Susy's bed.
+
+"I'll come and fetch it to-night, whatever happens," she said.
+
+
+
+
+CHAPTER XI.
+
+AFTER THE FUN.
+
+
+There was wild fun at Salter's Point. A cove was found with yellow
+sand as smooth as glass; here the picnic dinner was spread, and here
+the boys and girls laughed heartily and enjoyed themselves well. There
+seemed no hitch anywhere, and if Basil kept a little aloof from
+Ermengarde, and if Ermengarde was a trifle more subdued and had less
+of a superior air than was her wont, no one noticed these small
+circumstances. Marjorie laughed until she cried; Eric stood on his
+head and turned somersaults, and performed conjuring tricks, and was
+really the most witty, fascinating little fellow. Even Miss Nelson
+laughed at Eric, and Mr. Wilton openly regretted that the old
+established position of the family at Wilton Chase prevented his
+making his son a clown at the pantomime.
+
+But the brightest days come to an end, and when the picnic dinner was
+eaten, the dishes washed and replaced in their baskets, when each
+child, aided by patient Marjorie, had secured a liberal supply of
+shells, and each little chubby face had gazed with ecstasy into the
+pools which contained the wonderful gardens of sea-weeds and
+sea-anemones, it was time to pack the wagonette once more, to fill the
+pony-carriage, and to start for home.
+
+Ermengarde once more seated herself in the pony-carriage. Basil was
+standing near.
+
+"Come," she said to him. "Miss Nelson can go home in the wagonette,
+and then you and I can have these comfortable seats facing the horses.
+Come! what are you standing dreaming there for?"
+
+"I beg your pardon," said Basil starting. "No. I promised Maggie to go
+back in the wagonette, and here comes Miss Nelson. Oh, Miss Nelson,
+you do look fagged out. Here's a jolly seat for you next to
+Ermengarde, in the pony-trap, and these three young 'uns can be packed
+together at the other side. Now then, babies, pop in. Look out, Lucy;
+don't tread on Polly's toes--off you go."
+
+The ponies started forward at a round pace; a deep flush mounted to
+Ermengarde's brow. What was the matter with Basil? He was always
+good-natured, certainly, but at another time he would have jumped at
+her offer, for Miss Nelson would really have been just as happy in the
+wagonette. Ermengarde now remembered that Basil had been a little
+queer to her all day, a tiny bit distant, not quite his cordial self.
+Could he suspect anything? But no, that was absolutely impossible.
+
+Miss Nelson thought her eldest pupil rather sulky during the drive
+back. She sighed once or twice as she glanced at the girl's
+irresponsive face. Ermengarde was certainly difficult to manage.
+Should she continue to take charge of her? Would it not be best to own
+at once that over this girl she had no influence, and to ask Mr.
+Wilton to remove Ermengarde from her care?
+
+The party reached home, and supper and fireworks, according to
+Marjorie's programme, were all crowded into the happy day. But at last
+tired eyes could keep open no longer, the small children were tucked
+into their nests, and the elder ones were by no means sorry to follow
+their example.
+
+"Oh, I am tired out," said Marjorie to Ermengarde. "It _is_ nice to
+think of getting into one's bed, and going off into a long, long
+sleep. And hadn't we a happy day, Ermie?"
+
+"Yes," said Ermengarde, in an abstracted voice. She was standing by
+the window. She had not attempted to undress.
+
+Hudson generally helped the little girls to prepare for the night, but
+as she was particularly busy reducing Chaos to order downstairs,
+Marjorie had said they could get on quite well alone for this one
+evening. She now came to Ermengarde, to ask her to unfasten a knot in
+her dress.
+
+"And why don't you take off your own things, Ermie?" she said.
+
+"There's no particular hurry," said Ermengarde.
+
+"But aren't you dreadfully tired?"
+
+"No. I did not get up at four o'clock this morning."
+
+"Oh, what fun we had waking father!" began Marjorie, "If you had only
+seen Eric; and father's face when first he opened his eyes. I do
+believe--why, what's the matter, Ermie, have you a headache?"
+
+"No; how you do worry one, Maggie! Go to bed, and try to stop talking;
+I want to think, and to be let alone. I'll come to bed when I feel
+inclined."
+
+A torrent of words came to the tip of Marjorie's tongue, but she
+restrained them. It was Ermie's custom sometimes to be very snappy and
+uncommunicative. She concluded the wisest policy was to let her sister
+alone, and to go to sleep herself as fast as possible.
+
+Accordingly she knelt for a few moments by her bedside in her little
+white nightdress, and then tumbled into it, and with a happy sigh
+went into the land of dreams.
+
+A moment or two later Ermengarde softly opened the door of the
+sleeping-room and went out. It was ten o'clock, and the household,
+tired from the day's pleasuring, were all preparing to go to bed.
+Ermengarde ran along the corridor, flew downstairs the back way, and
+found herself in the schoolroom part of the house. She took her
+waterproof cloak and an old garden-hat from a peg on the wall, and let
+herself out by a side-door. If she ran very fast she would probably be
+back before George, the old butler, had drawn the bolts and put the
+chain on for the night. If not, she knew that it would not be
+difficult to open one of the schoolroom windows, which were low, and
+as often as not unhasped. Ermengarde had herself noticed that the bolt
+of one was not fastened that evening. If the worst came, she could
+return to her little bed that way, but she fully expected to be in
+time to come back by the door.
+
+The moment she got out, she slipped on her waterproof and hat, and
+then, with the speed and lightness of a little fawn, flew down the
+narrow pathway which led first to the park, and then across it to the
+keeper's cottage.
+
+The moonlight lay in silver bars over the grass, and when Ermengarde
+got under the trees their great shadows looked black and portentous.
+At another time she might have felt some sensations of fear at finding
+herself at so late an hour alone in the woods, but she was too intent
+now on the object of her mission to have any room for nervousness. She
+was out of breath when she reached the cottage, but to her relief saw
+that its inmates were not yet in bed, for light shone from the kitchen
+and also from Susy's bedroom.
+
+Ermengarde's knock at the kitchen door was answered by Mrs. Collins
+herself.
+
+"Oh, Miss Wilton, I am pleased to see you," she said. "Susy was
+fretting ever so for fear you wouldn't be able to keep your word. Come
+in, miss, please; and has Master Basil come with you? or maybe it's
+Hudson? I hope whoever it is will be pleased to walk in and wait in
+the kitchen."
+
+"No, I've come alone," said Ermengarde shortly. "You know I am not
+allowed to be with Susy, so how could I possibly ask anyone to come
+with me?"
+
+"Oh, my dear young lady, as if my poor child could harm any one! You
+are good and brave, Miss Ermengarde; as brave as you're beautiful, and
+I'm sure we'll none of us ever forget it to you. No, that we won't."
+
+Ermengarde was never proof against flattery. A satisfied smile stole
+now over her face.
+
+"I was not at all afraid," she said. "I had given my word that I would
+come, and of course a lady's word must always be kept. How _is_ Susy,
+Mrs. Collins?"
+
+"Oh, my dear, but poorly. Very fractious and feverish, and her pain is
+considerable. But she'll be better after she has seen you, my sweet
+young lady, for no one knows better than Susy how to appreciate
+condescension."
+
+"Well, I can't wait more than a minute, Mrs. Collins. I'll just run up
+and say good-night to Susy, and then I must be off."
+
+"Shall I light you up, miss?"
+
+"No, thank you, I can see my way perfectly."
+
+Ermengarde ran up the little wooden ladder-like stairs, and bounded
+somewhat noisily into Susy's bedroom.
+
+"Here I am, Susy; now give me the miniature at once. I'll hide it
+under my waterproof cloak."
+
+"I can't reach to it, miss," said Susy. "It's where you put it this
+morning, atween the mattress and the paillasse, and I had the greatest
+work keeping mother's hands off it, for she was bent on making the bed
+all over again."
+
+"Well, I'll take it now. Yes, here it is."
+
+Ermengarde pulled the little case from under the bed.
+
+"O Susy!" she said, uttering an exclamation of dismay, "what shall we
+do? The ivory on which the picture is painted is cracked right across!
+Oh, what a queer expression it gives to the little girl's face, and
+what will Miss Nelson say?"
+
+"Now, miss, you're not going to betray me about it, and me so bad and
+ill?"
+
+"No, you little coward, you shan't get into any scrape. How _did_ this
+happen? The picture was right enough this morning."
+
+"I expect it was the way you pushed it under the bed, miss. It got
+knocked most likely, and father was sitting just over it for an hour
+and more this afternoon, and he's a goodish weight."
+
+"Well, I shall take the miniature away now, so good-night, Susy. I'm
+very sorry I ever made such a little thief as you are my friend. A
+nice scrape you've got me into!"
+
+Ermengarde thrust the miniature under her waterproof, and rushed
+downstairs.
+
+"Good-night, Mrs. Collins," she said.
+
+"Stay a minute, miss. Collins is just coming in, and he'll see you
+home."
+
+"No, I can't possibly wait. I think Susy is better--good-night."
+
+"But ain't you afeared to go right across the park by yourself at this
+hour, miss?"
+
+"No--no--no; good-night, good-night!"
+
+Ermengarde's voice already sounded far away. Her feet seemed to have
+wings, she ran so fast. As she ran she heard the stable-clock strike
+eleven.
+
+"Oh, I do trust they have not locked up the house!" she exclaimed.
+"Suppose they have, and suppose George has put the bolt on the
+schoolroom window? He's as careless as possible about fastening the
+bolts of the windows as a rule, but it would be like him to do it
+to-night of all nights. Oh, what shall I do, if that has happened?"
+
+Ermengarde's heart beat so fast at the bare idea that she could
+scarcely run. She stumbled, too, over a piece of twig which lay across
+her path, and falling somewhat heavily scraped her forehead. She had
+no time to think of the pain then. Rising as quickly as possible, she
+passed along the familiar road. How weary it was! How tedious! Would
+it never, never end?
+
+At last she came under the shadows caused by the rambling old house.
+She flew down a side-walk which led through a shrubbery; now she was
+passing under the window of Miss Nelson's private room, now she saw
+the three long low windows of the dear cozy old schoolroom. The blinds
+were drawn down, and there was light within--a faint light, it is
+true, but still light. Ermengarde felt a sense both of relief and
+fear.
+
+The side-entrance door was reached at last. She turned the handle. Her
+fingers were cold and trembling. The handle turned, but the door did
+not move. Had she turned the handle of the door quite round--were her
+fingers too weak for the task? She tried again in vain. Then she
+uttered a sound something between a sob and a cry--she was really
+locked out!
+
+"What _shall_ I do?" murmured the unhappy child.
+
+She looked around her wildly. She did not dare try the schoolroom
+window while that light remained within. She leant up against the
+locked door, trembling, incapable of action; a very little would have
+made her lose her self-control.
+
+At this moment her sharp ear heard a sound; the sound was made by a
+movement in the schoolroom. Ermengarde started away a step or two from
+the hall-door; she saw some one go up to one of the windows and,
+without drawing up the blind, put a hand underneath to feel if the
+fastening was to. It was not, but was immediately bolted. The steps
+then went across the room.
+
+At this moment Ermengarde felt desperate. Old George was faithful
+to-night, of all nights. Dreadful, terrible old George!
+
+Suddenly in her despair she seized upon the last chance of succor. She
+would call to George to let her in, and afterward trust to her wits to
+bribe the old servant to silence.
+
+No sooner did this idea come to her than she acted on it, and in a
+frenzy of terror began to call George's name through the keyhole.
+
+A step came into the passage, there was a surprised pause, then a rush
+to the door, which was quickly opened. Basil, not George, stood before
+Ermengarde.
+
+"Ermie!" he exclaimed. His face got crimson, then it turned white. His
+first exclamation had been full of astonished affection and concern,
+but in a flash his manner altered; he caught Ermengarde roughly by the
+shoulder, and dragged her into the house.
+
+"Come into the schoolroom," he said.
+
+"O Basil, don't--don't look at me like that."
+
+"I'm not looking at you in any way. I must lock this door, I suppose.
+Did you know it was past eleven o'clock?"
+
+"Yes, yes, I heard the stable-clock strike. Oh, I was so terrified.
+Basil, why are you looking like that?"
+
+"I'm not looking any way. Don't be a goose. Here, come into the
+schoolroom."
+
+"No, I am tired. I want to go to bed. I'll--I'll explain every thing
+to you to-morrow."
+
+"Look here, Ermengarde." Basil held a lamp in his hand, and its light
+fell on Ermengarde's face. "You have got to come into the schoolroom
+and make no words about it, or I'll--I'll take you, just as you are,
+straight away to father, to his study."
+
+"You are very cruel," sobbed Ermengarde. But she went into the
+schoolroom without another word.
+
+Basil followed her, and shut the door behind him.
+
+"Now look here," he said. "I don't want to hector you, nor any
+nonsense of that sort, but you have got to tell me the truth without
+making any bones about it. What's up with you, Ermengarde--what's
+wrong?"
+
+He had set the lamp on the mantelpiece, and stood himself facing its
+full light. His olive-tinted face looked stern and dark; there was no
+tenderness in his manner.
+
+Ermengarde drew up her slight little figure proudly. "You are not my
+father," she said. "I won't answer you when you speak to me in that
+tone."
+
+"All right! you shall come to the one who has a right to order you.
+Come along."
+
+"No, Basil, no; how _can_ you be so unkind?"
+
+She wrenched her hand from his clasp. Her words came out in a sob,
+tears rushed to her eyes.
+
+"O Basil, I have always loved you."
+
+"Stuff, this is no minute for sentiment. _I_ love honorable and
+truthful girls; I loved a sister who was that. Now tell me the truth,
+and be quick about it, for if you don't, I'll take you to father; he's
+not in bed, but he will be soon, so you had better make up your mind
+at once."
+
+"What am I to say to you, Basil?"
+
+"That's for you to decide. _You_ know what's up; I don't. You know why
+you turned so queer this morning when Collins stopped the pony-trap,
+and why you are out all by yourself close on midnight."
+
+"I went to see Susy Collins. I don't know why you should speak to me
+in that tone."
+
+"_Do_ stop bothering about my tone, Ermie. Can't you see that you have
+done frightfully wrong? I--I----" He gulped down something in his
+throat. "There; I can't speak of it, I think I'm stunned. I simply
+can't make out what has come to you, having secrets with a girl my
+father has forbidden you to know!"
+
+"I haven't secrets with her."
+
+"You have. For goodness' sake, don't add lying to all the rest of it.
+Would you have turned so white this morning if you hadn't a secret,
+and would you have crept out of the house in this disgraceful way if
+you hadn't a secret? Come, Ermie, I'm older than you--and--and--our
+mother isn't here. Tell me all about it, Ermie."
+
+This was Ermengarde's chance. For the moment the severe young judge
+before her was softened; a memory of his mother had done it; that, and
+the knowledge that Ermengarde was younger and frailer than himself.
+Had she told him the whole truth then, she might have saved herself
+with Basil. Like many another, however, she let the golden moment
+pass.
+
+For half a minute she was absolutely silent. Then she said in her most
+stubborn voice: "I don't tell lies--I have no secret with Susy. I went to
+her to-night because I was sorry for her, and because I--I--I was afraid
+to stay long enough this morning. Everyone is so horridly hard on me
+because I befriend a poor little girl like Susy, and now when she is ill
+and all. That's why I went to her secretly, because--because people make
+me afraid."
+
+"When you say people, you mean our father?"
+
+"Well, yes; I think it is horrid of father to make such a fuss about
+my knowing Susy. Mother wouldn't have done it."
+
+"Hush, don't bring mother into this conversation, Ermengarde," Basil
+knit his brows in pain.
+
+"I suppose I may go to bed now," said Ermengarde, after a long pause.
+"I have nothing more to say. I went to see Susy because I was sorry
+for her, and I--I was afraid--that's all. If I were to stay here till
+morning I could not say anything more."
+
+Whatever effect these words of Ermengarde might have had upon
+Basil--whether he would have believed her, and only attributed to her
+the sin of disobedience in seeking another interview with Susy--can
+never be known; for, as the little girl, interpreting his silence for
+consent, was about to leave the room, she stumbled against a
+footstool, and the precious miniature fell from its place of
+concealment to the floor.
+
+Ermengarde uttered a cry, but before she could even stoop to pick up
+the picture, Basil had seized it; he gave it one look, his lips
+twitched curiously, then he slipped it into the inner pocket of his
+Eton jacket.
+
+"Basil, Basil, oh give it to me! Basil, Basil, _please_ give me that
+picture back!"
+
+"No--it isn't yours--I know your secret. You can go to bed now. I
+don't want to say anything more to you to-night."
+
+"Basil!"
+
+In her terror and anguish Ermengarde went on her knees.
+
+"O Basil, be merciful! I'll tell you everything. I will, really and
+truly."
+
+"Get up, Ermengarde. For goodness' sake, don't make an exhibition of
+yourself. I don't want to hear anything more you have got to say. Go
+to bed, and leave me in peace."
+
+"Give me back the miniature."
+
+"Certainly not. It is not yours."
+
+"What will you do with it?"
+
+"Give it back to Miss Nelson, of course."
+
+"Then I am lost." Ermengarde gave a bitter cry, and rushed to the
+door. Before she could reach it, Basil stepped before her.
+
+"Don't go into hysterics," he said. "Go up to your room and keep
+quiet. You have done mischief enough, and caused suffering enough.
+Don't add to it all by making a fuss and waking the house. I _have_
+got some feeling, and I can _not_ speak to you to-night. This has
+somehow taken the--the courage out of me. I'll think it over to-night,
+and I'll see you again in the morning."
+
+"O Basil! And you won't tell anyone till you have seen me again?"
+
+Basil put his hand up to his forehead. He considered for a moment. "I
+think I may promise that," he said then slowly.
+
+"And where am I to meet you, Basil?"
+
+"Meet me in the shrubbery after morning school. Now go to bed."
+
+He took up the lamp and left the schoolroom. Ermengarde watched him as
+he slowly ascended the stairs and turned down the corridor which led
+to the boys' bedrooms. He took the light away with him in more senses
+than one, but Ermengarde little recked of darkness just then. She
+threw herself on the floor in the old schoolroom, and gave vent to a
+passion of weeping, shedding tears which not even her mother's death
+had wrung from her.
+
+
+
+
+CHAPTER XII.
+
+AFTER THE BIRTHDAY.
+
+
+The usual effects of a holiday were visible the next morning. The
+children were all a little tired and out of sorts. It was difficult
+for the schoolroom party to get into harness again, and even Eric and
+the nursery children were somewhat captious and discontented.
+
+"Father's birthday is the farthest off of all now," said little Molly,
+the five-year-old darling. "There's no birthday like father's, and
+it's the farthest off of all. I'm dreadful sorry."
+
+"Oh, shut up," said Eric. "Who wants to hear that dismal dirge."
+
+"Molly says that about the birthdays always the next morning,"
+volunteered Dick, who was a year older, and who wanted to curry favor
+with Eric by agreeing with him. "Molly _is_ a silly, isn't she?" he
+added, fixing his big blue eyes admiringly on his brother.
+
+"You're a greater," snapped Eric. "Who cried yesterday when the ant
+stung him, and who would eat too much plumcake?"
+
+Dick looked inclined to cry again, and Molly laughed maliciously.
+Altogether the atmosphere was charged with electricity, and the
+entrance of Ermengarde, her face considerably disfigured with the scar
+she had received when she fell the night before, was hailed with
+naughty delight by the children.
+
+A torrent of questions assailed her. Had she fought with Marjorie in
+the night, and had Marjorie come off victorious? Oh, brave Marjorie,
+to dare to assail the acknowledged beauty of the family! What _had_
+happened to Ermie? Surely she had not inflicted the wound on herself?
+
+Basil was seated in his usual place near the head of the table. He had
+scarcely heard the little scrimmage of words which was going on on all
+sides. Basil was in a brown study, and, as Eric expressed it, as cross
+as a bear with a sore head.
+
+When Ermengarde entered the room, he glanced at her for a second; but
+contrary to his wont, he took no notice when the children began to
+laugh and gibe.
+
+Ermengarde's place beside Basil was empty. She seated herself, and as
+the children continued to make remarks and to laugh, turned her head
+impatiently away. Their quips affected her in reality only as
+pin-pricks, but she was very much afraid that Miss Nelson would
+notice the disfiguring cut on her brow.
+
+"Do be quiet, children," said Marjorie. "Eric, can't you see that
+Ermie has a headache? Can't you keep them from making so much noise,
+Eric?"
+
+"Quiet then, young 'uns," said Eric. "Can't you see that the Prime
+Minister of her Royal Highness has uttered a mandate?"
+
+The children laughed noisily, and at that moment Miss Nelson, who had
+been absorbed over the contents of a particularly interesting letter,
+raised her head with a start.
+
+"Gently, little ones! What is all this noise about?" she said. "Molly
+and Dick, you must have breakfast with nurse, if you can't behave
+better in the schoolroom. Good-morning, Ermengarde, my dear. I am
+sorry I shall be obliged to give you a bad mark for being late at
+breakfast. Why, my dear child," changing her note to one of concern,
+"what has happened to you? You have got quite an ugly scar your
+forehead. How did you get it?"
+
+"I fell," said Ermengarde, in a low voice.
+
+"You fell--where?"
+
+Ermengarde felt that Basil had ceased to use his knife and fork, while
+he listened for her reply. She seized a cup of scalding tea, and
+choked over its contents.
+
+"Where did you fall my dear?" asked the governess kindly.
+
+"Please, ma'am, Ermengarde and Maggie had a stand-up fight in the
+middle of the night," interrupted Eric. "Oh, my stars!" he added,
+_sotto voce_, "if fight and night ain't a rhyme made unbeknown. Now I
+can wish."
+
+"Shut up!" growled Basil.
+
+"Eric, be quiet," said the governess.
+
+She turned again to Ermengarde. Her manner was very gentle.
+
+"Where did you fall, dear?" she said, "You have given yourself a very
+nasty cut, and should have come to me for some dressing for it. But
+where did it happen, my love?"
+
+"In the park," said Ermengarde, in a low voice. "I fell over a bramble
+and cut myself."
+
+"I never saw you fall, Ermie," said Marjorie. "Was it when we all had
+that race, just when the fireworks were over? How brave of you not to
+make a fuss! it must have been then."
+
+"You don't look well, dear," continued the governess. "Your eyes have
+red rings round them, and you are paler than such a healthy little
+girl ought to be. Have you a headache?"
+
+"Yes," confessed Ermengarde. She could at least be truthful here, for
+her head ached considerably.
+
+"You shall have some of my eau de Cologne to use if you like,
+darling," whispered Marjorie.
+
+"Now, children," said Miss Nelson, rising from the breakfast-table,
+and making one of those prim little speeches which Ermengarde
+detested, "having had our day of pleasure, we will return with greater
+zest to our usual employments. Little ones, go quietly up to nurse. No
+noise, please. Leave the breakfast-room hand in hand. Boys, I must
+request of you not to disturb your sisters with any hammering or noisy
+carpentering this morning."
+
+"Please, are the ferrets far enough away for me to have a quiet little
+game with them?" asked Eric meekly. He pulled his forelock as he
+spoke, and put on the air of a charity-schoolboy.
+
+Miss Nelson favored him with the shadow of a smile, and continued;
+
+"Ermengarde, Marjorie, and Lucy, we will meet in the schoolroom for
+our usual morning work in half an hour. Ah, what is the matter,
+George?"
+
+The old butler had entered unobserved.
+
+"If you please, ma'am," he said in his most respectful tones, "my
+master's compliments, and he would be obliged if you and Miss Wilton
+would come to him for a few minutes to the study before you begins the
+morning work."
+
+"Certainly, George. Tell Mr. Wilton we will be with him in a minute or
+two."
+
+The governess flushed up a little at this unexpected summons, but the
+color which came into her faded cheeks was nothing at all to the
+brilliant red which suffused Ermengarde's face. She darted an angry
+inquiring look at Basil, who for the first time met her glance with a
+proud cold gaze. He turned on his heel, and leisurely left the room,
+the other children following his example.
+
+"Come, Ermie, we may as well see what your father wants with us," said
+Miss Nelson cheerfully. "My love, I am sorry you have a headache, and
+that you fell that time without letting anyone know."
+
+"Please, I would much rather not go to father to the study," said
+Ermengarde, backing a pace or two. She looked really frightened.
+
+"You think your father will be vexed about that cut on your brow,
+dear? But I can explain that. You have really been brave, not to make
+a fuss, nor to spoil the pleasure of the other children. Come, my
+dear, we must not keep your father waiting."
+
+Miss Nelson took Ermengarde's hand; it lay cold and irresponsive in
+her clasp. They left the breakfast-room together, and a moment later
+were in Mr. Wilton's presence.
+
+The father who was the heart and soul of the birthday, who was
+everybody's playmate, and hail-fellow-well-met even with the youngest
+of his children, was a totally different person from Mr. Wilton, owner
+of Wilton Chase, and the master, not only of his extensive property,
+but of poor timid Miss Nelson and of wondering Ermengarde. Mr. Wilton
+could be the jolliest of companions if he pleased, but he also could
+be stern, with a severity which Basil inherited. At such times his
+face was scarcely prepossessing. He came of a proud race, and pride,
+mixed with an almost overbearing haughtiness of manner, made him a
+person to be dreaded at such moments.
+
+As soon as Miss Nelson and Ermengarde entered the study, they saw that
+Mr. Wilton had put on the manner which made him to be feared. Miss
+Nelson, who had thawed under the genial sunshine of the day before,
+now froze, and her speech instantly became broken, nervous, and ill at
+ease. Ermengarde frowned, turned her head away, and got that blank
+look over her face which always made her such a difficult child to
+deal with.
+
+"Good-morning, Miss Nelson," said Mr. Wilton, "I have sent for you and
+Ermengarde together, in order that I may ask for an explanation. I did
+not moot the question yesterday, although the circumstance which
+aroused my displeasure occurred the day before. Pray take this chair,
+Miss Nelson."
+
+Mr. Wilton did not offer Ermengarde any seat. Beyond a brief glance,
+he did not look at her. The little girl stood silent by her
+governess's side. Whatever was coming she owned now to a sense of
+relief. Her father was alluding to something which had occurred the
+day before yesterday. Basil had therefore not betrayed her--the worst
+was not known. She roused herself from a brief revery to hear her
+father speaking.
+
+"Some time ago, Miss Nelson, I made a request to you, and I gave
+Ermengarde a very strict command. I find that my command has been
+defied by Ermengarde, and I wish to know if there has been any
+negligence on your part."
+
+"My dear sir, to what do you allude?" asked Miss Nelson.
+
+"To something which you cannot have forgotten, for I spoke seriously
+to you on the subject. I said that Ermengarde was to hold no
+intercourse with a little girl called Susan Collins. I had my reasons
+for this, quite independent of the fact that the child belongs to a
+lower class of life. I know that she is the daughter of a vain and
+silly mother, and, even if she were her equal by birth, would be the
+worst possible companion for Ermengarde. Did I not make my wishes on
+this point very plain to you. Miss Nelson?"
+
+Miss Nelson rose from her seat.
+
+"Certainly, my dear sir; most certainly," she said; "and I--I agree
+with you. I more than agree with you. Susan is not a companion for
+Ermengarde. I have been careful about your wishes, Mr. Wilton; I
+respect them, and my own fully coincide with them. I only--I only gave
+Ermengarde permission to go to Susan for five minutes yesterday
+because the child was feverish and badly hurt after her accident."
+
+"Her accident! Yes, poor little girl, I have heard of that; but I was
+not alluding to yesterday, nor to anything that occurred then. Please
+sit down again, Miss Nelson; I see you are not to blame. Ermengarde,
+come here. Who were you walking with the day before yesterday, between
+eleven and twelve o'clock, in the Nightingale Grove?"
+
+Ermengarde's face turned first white and then crimson. Her eyes sought
+the ground. She bit her lips and clasped her hands nervously.
+
+"Answer me at once," said Mr. Wilton, in his sternest voice.
+
+The little girl made an effort to speak. Suddenly she did a thing
+which astonished both her father and the governess. She flew to Miss
+Nelson's side, and clasped her arms round her neck.
+
+"Do tell him not to be angry with me! I'm so awfully miserable," she
+sobbed.
+
+"Tell your kind father the truth, my dear. Speak up; be brave,"
+whispered the governess back, touched in spite of herself by any token
+of softness from Ermie.
+
+Ermengarde gulped down her sobs. She raised her head, and spoke with a
+violent effort.
+
+"I was with Susan Collins in the Nightingale Grove," she said.
+
+"Contrary to my express command?" queried Mr. Wilton.
+
+"Yes, father."
+
+"Is this the only time you have held forbidden intercourse with this
+little girl, Ermengarde?"
+
+"No, father. I saw her once or twice before."
+
+"Since I told you not?"
+
+"Yes."
+
+"Did Miss Nelson ever know of this?"
+
+"No, she never knew."
+
+"Don't you think you are very naughty and disobedient; that you have
+acted disgracefully?"
+
+The sulky look came over Ermengarde's face.
+
+"There is no harm in Susy," she said.
+
+Mr. Wilton stamped his foot.
+
+"That is not the point," he said. "Is there no harm in you? can you
+disobey me with impunity, and cast your father's sternest commands to
+nought? Ermengarde, I am stung by this. You have hurt me deeply."
+
+Again Ermengarde saw Basil in her father's face. She was frightened
+and tired, and burst out sobbing afresh.
+
+"I won't go with Susy any more," she said. "And I--I'm sorry--I'm
+really sorry."
+
+Miss Nelson put her hand affectionately on her pupil's shoulder.
+
+"I need not say, sir," she said, turning to Mr. Wilton, "how shocked I
+am at all this, and at--at Ermengarde's willful disobedience; but,"
+here she paused, and pressed her hand a little firmer upon the weeping
+girl's shoulder, "if it is any use, and because I was their mother's
+friend, I, too, would like to add my promise to Ermengarde's, and
+assure you that this shall never occur again."
+
+Mr. Wilton glanced round impatiently at the clock.
+
+"Thank you, Miss Nelson," he said. "I believe you, of course; and I am
+sure that you will now have your eyes opened, and will probably take
+steps to insure my desires being carried into effect. As to
+Ermengarde, I will believe her promises when she has proved them to be
+worth anything. She is the first Wilton I ever heard of who stooped to
+deceit. In the meantime I feel it is my duty to punish you,
+Ermengarde. This morning I had a letter from the Russells--Lily
+Russell's father and mother. They have asked me to come to them for a
+week, and to bring two of you with me. I intended to take you and
+Basil. Now I shall take Marjorie and Basil. Perhaps, when you are
+having a dull time at home, you will reflect that it is not always
+worth while to disobey your father. You can go back to your lessons
+now."
+
+
+
+
+CHAPTER XIII.
+
+BASIL'S OPINION.
+
+
+At half-past eleven that day, Ermengarde found Basil waiting for her
+in the shrubbery. He was walking up and down, whistling to himself,
+and now and then turning round to say a pleasant word to a small white
+kitten who sat on his shoulder and purred. Basil was devoted to
+animals, and this kitten was a special favorite.
+
+As Ermengarde advanced slowly through the trees to meet her brother,
+she saw this little scene, and a very bitter feeling came over her.
+
+"He can be kind to everyone but me," she thought. "Even a stupid
+tiresome little cat can win kind glances from him. But I'm not going
+to let him see that I care. If he expects perfection in me, the sooner
+he is undeceived the better. And as for me, I suppose I can do without
+his affection, if he won't give it."
+
+Busy with these thoughts, Ermie's face wore its most stubborn
+expression as she approached her brother. The moment Basil saw her,
+he whisked the kitten off his shoulder, and came up to her side.
+
+"I have thought it all out, Ermengarde," he said, "and I have made up
+my mind what to do."
+
+Ermengarde did not speak. She raised her eyes to Basil's face. There
+was entreaty in them, but he would not fully meet her glance.
+
+"There is no use in my going over the thing with you," continued
+Basil. "If you could do it, no words of mine could make you see your
+conduct in its true light. Besides, I am not the one to preach to you.
+I am only a year older, and, as you reminded me last night, I have no
+sort of authority over you."
+
+"Forget what I said last night!" pleaded Ermengarde.
+
+"No, that is just the point. I can't forget--I shall never forget. The
+old relations between us are over, and as far as I am concerned it is
+impossible to restore them."
+
+"Oh, Basil, you kill me when you speak so unkindly."
+
+Ermengarde covered her face; her slight form was shaken by sobs.
+
+"I am sorry," he said; "I cannot imagine why you value my regard, for
+we have quite different codes of honor; we look at things from totally
+different standpoints. I don't want to hold myself up, but I couldn't
+act as you have done, Ermengarde."
+
+"Oh, Basil, if you only would be merciful."
+
+Basil felt a growing sense of irritation.
+
+"Will you stop crying, and listen to me?" he said.
+
+Ermengarde managed, with a great effort, to raise her tear-stained
+face.
+
+"You imagine that I have no feeling for you," continued Basil. "You
+are mistaken; I have, I used to put you on a pedestal. Of course you
+have come down from that, but still I don't forget that you are my
+sister, and as far as possible I intend to shield you. The discovery
+that I made last night shall not pass my lips. Miss Nelson must
+certainly get back the broken miniature of her little sister, but I am
+not going to tell her how it came into my possession. That's all--I'll
+shield you. You can go now."
+
+Ermengarde would have pleaded still further, but Basil at that moment
+heard some one calling him, and ran off, uttering boyish shouts as he
+did so.
+
+"He doesn't care a bit," muttered Ermie. She turned and walked back to
+the house.
+
+For a time she felt stunned and sore; life scarcely seemed worth
+living out of the sunshine of Basil's favor. But after a time less
+worthy thoughts took possession of her, and she felt a sense of
+relief that the adventure of last night would never be known.
+
+Marjorie came dancing down from the house to meet her sister.
+
+"What _do_ you think, Ermie? I'm to go away to-morrow for a whole
+delicious week with father and Basil! We are going to the
+Russells'--Basil has just told me. Isn't it perfectly, perfectly
+splendid!"
+
+"I wish you wouldn't bother, Maggie. You are so rough," answered
+Ermengarde. "I came out here just to have quiet, and to get rid of my
+headache, and of course you come shouting to me."
+
+"Oh, I'm ever so sorry--I forgot about your headache," answered
+Marjorie. "It's dreadful of me, I know."
+
+She walked on gravely by Ermengarde's side, the joy on her face a
+little damped. But presently, being a most irrepressible child, it
+bubbled over again.
+
+"I wouldn't be so awfully, awfully glad, only you _have_ been at the
+Russells', Ermie. You spent a fortnight with them after Christmas, and
+Lily always promised that she'd have me asked next. I can't help being
+delighted about it," continued Marjorie, "for I do so love Lily."
+
+"You little minx! And I suppose you imagine that a big girl like
+Lilias Russell cares for you! Why, she's fifteen, and ever so tall."
+
+"But she said she was very fond of me," answered Marjorie.
+
+"Oh, she _said_ it! And you believed it, of course! Have you no
+observation of character? Can't you see, unless you're as blind as a
+bat, that Lilias Russell is one of those polite sort of people who
+always must say pleasant things just for the sake of making themselves
+agreeable? Well, my dear, go and worship her, you have got a chance
+now for a week; only for goodness' sake don't worry me any more about
+it."
+
+Marjorie ran off in her stolid little way. Ermengarde watched her as
+her sturdy figure disappeared from view.
+
+"Ridiculous child!" she said to herself, "and so plain. I can't make
+out why people make such a fuss about her. She's always held up to me
+as a sort of model. How I detest models, particularly the Maggie kind!
+Now I know exactly what will happen. She'll go to Glendower with
+father and Basil, and won't she gush just! I know how she'll pet
+Lilias Russell, and how she'll paw her. And Lilias is just that weak
+sort of girl with all her grace and prettiness, to be taken in by that
+sort of thing. Lilias fancies that she has taken quite a liking for
+Maggie--as if she could make a friend of her! Why, Maggie's a baby,
+and a very conceited, troublesome one too."
+
+It was now time for Ermengarde to go in. She pleaded a headache, and
+so escaped doing any more lessons that day, and in the afternoon she
+managed to make the hours pass agreeably over the "Heir of Redclyffe,"
+which she was reading for the first time, and so did not miss Basil's
+attention and companionship as much as she would otherwise have done.
+
+All the rest of the children and Miss Nelson were busy and interested
+in preparing Marjorie for her visit to Glendower. Basil had gone out
+fishing with his father; Eric had coaxed to be allowed to go with the
+under-gamekeeper to see the young pheasants. The house was very still,
+and Ermie had the pleasant old schoolroom to herself. She read
+eagerly; in spite of herself--perhaps unknown to herself--she was
+anxious to drown reflection.
+
+It was late in the evening of that same day that Miss Nelson answered
+a knock which came to her sitting-room door, and was surprised to see
+Basil pop in his dark head.
+
+"Oh, you're alone; that's right," he said. "May I come in for a
+minute?"
+
+His manner was a little nervous and hurried, in perfect contrast to
+his usual open, frank sort of way.
+
+"I've brought you this back," he said, going up to Miss Nelson. "I'm
+awfully sorry about it, and the worst of it is I can't give any
+explanation. It's disgracefully broken and injured, but I thought you
+would rather have it back as it is, than never to see it again."
+
+Miss Nelson turned very white while Basil was speaking. An eager,
+longing, hopeful look grew and grew in her eyes. She stretched out her
+hands; they trembled.
+
+"My miniature!" she exclaimed. "My picture once again. Oh, Basil,
+thank God! Oh, I have missed it!"
+
+"Here it is," said Basil. He had wrapped the poor little injured
+picture up in some white tissue-paper, and tied the parcel together
+with a bit of ribbon. He hoped Miss Nelson would say something before
+she opened it.
+
+"Here it is--it isn't a bit the same," he said.
+
+She scarcely heard him. She began feverishly to pull the ribbon away.
+
+"I wouldn't look at it just for a minute," began Basil. He had
+scarcely spoken, before there came a knock at the door. A firm voice
+said, "May I come in?" and Miss Wilton, who had returned from London
+about an hour before, entered the room. She came in just in time to
+see Miss Nelson remove the tissue-paper from the broken face of the
+miniature. The poor governess uttered a piercing cry, sank down on her
+knees by the center table, and covered her thin face with her hands.
+
+"What is it, Basil? What is the matter?" asked Miss Wilton in
+astonishment. "I come in to find high heroics going on. What is the
+matter?"
+
+Basil did not say a word. Miss Nelson suddenly raised her pale face.
+She rose to her feet. "Not high heroics," she said, "but deep grief; I
+had a memento of the past--a young and happy past. I treasured it. It
+was stolen from me about ten days ago. I don't know by whom. I don't
+know why it was stolen. Now it has been returned--like this."
+
+Miss Wilton took the broken ivory in her hand.
+
+"Dear, dear," she said. "How disgracefully this miniature has been
+cracked and distorted. A child's face, I see, painted in a weak,
+washed-out style, and glass and ivory are both broken, and frame bent.
+This miniature must have been subjected to very rough usage. The
+miniature is yours, Miss Nelson?"
+
+"Yes. It is a likeness of my--my sister. Give it back to me, please,
+Miss Wilton."
+
+"And you say it was stolen from you?"
+
+"Yes. It always hung over that mantelpiece. It was taken away the day
+after the boys came home from school."
+
+Miss Wilton stood quite still for a moment; she was a very downright,
+practical sort of person. "Extraordinary as my question must seem,
+Basil," she said, turning suddenly to her nephew, "I am forced to ask
+it, as you appear to be mixed up in the affair. Did you take the
+miniature?"
+
+"I? Certainly not," said Basil, coloring high.
+
+"But you know something about it?"
+
+"Yes; I know something about it."
+
+"Who took it away?"
+
+"I am not at liberty to tell you, Aunt Elizabeth."
+
+Miss Nelson gazed anxiously into Basil's face. She had put the broken
+bits of ivory on the table. Now she tenderly laid the soft
+tissue-paper over them.
+
+"You have brought me back the miniature, Basil," she said.
+
+"I have," said Basil bluntly, "and that's about all. I don't know how
+it was broken, and what else I know I am not going to tell. I'm
+awfully sorry about the whole thing, but I thought you would rather
+have the miniature back as it is, than not get it at all, Miss
+Nelson."
+
+"That is true," said Miss Nelson.
+
+Basil was turning to leave the room, but Miss Wilton suddenly stepped
+before him to the door, and shut it.
+
+"You shan't leave, sir, until you tell everything!" she said. "_I_
+know what mischievous creatures boys are. You took that miniature away
+out of wanton mischief; you fiddled with it, and broke it, and now you
+are afraid to confess. But I'll have no funking the truth. Tell what
+you have done, this minute, you bad boy!"
+
+"I found the miniature, and I've returned it to Miss Nelson," replied
+Basil, in a quiet, still voice, which kept under all the anger which
+made his dark eyes glow.
+
+"Yes, and you stole it in the first instance, and then broke it. Out
+with the truth; no half-measures with me," retorted Miss Wilton.
+
+Basil laughed harshly.
+
+"You're mistaken, Aunt Elizabeth; I neither stole the miniature nor
+broke it."
+
+"I am sure Basil is speaking the truth," said Miss Nelson.
+
+"And I am sure of the reverse," retorted Miss Wilton. "There is guilt
+in his face, in his manner. Naughty, defiant boy, you shall tell me
+what you know!"
+
+"I am not naughty or defiant, Aunt Elizabeth, and I don't wish to be
+rude to you or anyone. I have told all I can about the miniature. May
+I go now please, Miss Nelson?"
+
+"Highty-tighty!" exclaimed Miss Wilton; "this is insubordination with
+a vengeance. I shall call my brother here. Basil, I insist upon your
+remaining where you are until your father arrives."
+
+Miss Wilton immediately left the room. Basil went and stood by the
+window. The blinds were up, and there was moonlight outside. He could
+see the path across which Ermengarde had hurried the night before.
+
+Miss Nelson came suddenly up, and touched the boy's arm.
+
+"Basil," she said, "I wish to tell you that I fully believe in you."
+
+"Oh, thank you very much," he answered, glancing at her for an
+instant, and then gazing once more out of the window.
+
+"But," continued the governess, "I wish you would trust me with the
+whole truth."
+
+He shook his head. At this moment Mr. Wilton and his sister came in
+together.
+
+"These are the circumstances, Roderick," began Miss Wilton at once.
+"Pray, Miss Nelson, allow me to speak. Here is the miniature, broken
+in two, disgracefully injured. Here, look at it--a deceased relative,
+I believe, of Miss Nelson's--stolen out of her room ten days ago.
+Basil, returns it this evening broken, says he does not know how it
+was broken and declines to tell how it got into his possession."
+
+Mr. Wilton took the pieces of ivory into his hand, looked at the poor
+little distorted face, put the pieces back on the table, and turned to
+his son.
+
+"Is your Aunt Elizabeth's version of this affair correct, Basil?" he
+inquired.
+
+"Yes, father," replied Basil. "It is perfectly correct. I found the
+broken miniature, and I have just returned it."
+
+"How did you find it?"
+
+"I can't say, sir."
+
+"You mean you won't say?"
+
+"Very well, father; I won't say."
+
+Mr. Wilton colored. Miss Wilton gave a triumphant "Humph!" and a
+muttered "I told you so." Miss Nelson nervously clasped and unclasped
+her thin hands.
+
+"Basil," said his father after a pause, "you are a very good lad, and
+I have every trust in you. You have a reason for boldly defying your
+father's wishes. But when I, who am your father, and know a great deal
+better than you do what is right and wrong in this matter, desire you
+once again to tell me all you know, you will, of course, instantly
+obey me."
+
+"I am deeply and truly sorry, father, but I can't obey you."
+
+"T'ch! no more of this! go to my study this moment, and wait there
+till I come to you."
+
+
+
+
+CHAPTER XIV.
+
+I SERVE.
+
+
+"Maggie," said her governess, early the next morning, "Maggie, dear,
+wake up at once."
+
+Marjorie opened her sleepy gray eyes with a start, sprang up in bed,
+and began to rub them violently.
+
+"Oh, Miss Nelson, is that you? What is the matter?"
+
+"I want you to get up, and not to wake Ermengarde. Dress as quickly as
+possible, and then come to me to my room."
+
+"What can be the matter? Isn't it awfully early? Aren't we going to
+Glendower to-day?"
+
+"It is half-past six. Yes, you are going to Glendower by and by. Now
+dress, and come to me at once."
+
+Miss Nelson left the room. Marjorie tumbled into her clothes in a most
+untidy manner, and joined her governess, looking what she was, very
+unkempt and tumbled.
+
+"I have been quick, haven't I, Miss Nelson?"
+
+"Yes, dear. Come over, my love, and sit by me on the sofa. Maggie, my
+dear, do you know that Basil is in trouble?"
+
+"Basil!" exclaimed Marjorie. "How? Has he hurt himself?"
+
+"He brought me back my miniature last night, Maggie, broken--injured;
+don't start so, my dear, dear child. He would not tell how it was
+broken, nor how it got into his possession, and your Aunt Elizabeth
+happened most unfortunately to come into the room at the moment, and
+she made a great fuss, and fetched your father; and the end of it is
+that they both believe Basil to have done something very wrong--in
+short, that he had something to say to the disappearance of the
+miniature, and he--he is in disgrace."
+
+"Oh, Miss Nelson, how can father and Aunt Elizabeth be so cruel and
+unjust?"
+
+"Hush, dear! whatever your father does, you must not speak of him so."
+
+"But don't they both _know_ him better? Did he ever in all his life do
+anything dishonorable or mean?"
+
+"Maggie, _I_ fully believe in him."
+
+"Of course you do, dear darling Miss Nelson."
+
+"I wish," continued Miss Nelson, "that we could really find out who
+took the miniature."
+
+Miss Nelson was looking at Marjorie while she spoke, and now she was
+surprised to see a wave of crimson slowly dye the child's cheeks, and
+cover her brow.
+
+"Why do you look like that, Maggie?" asked the governess. "Do you
+suspect anything?"
+
+Maggie was silent for a moment. Then she looked up in her frank way.
+
+"I don't really know anything," she said.
+
+"But you have a suspicion."
+
+"I'm not even sure that I have."
+
+"Maggie dear, I would far rather never recover the miniature than get
+Basil into trouble. My conviction is that he is concealing some
+knowledge which has come to him for the sake of another. He is making
+a mistake, of course, but his motives are good. If you can help him,
+Maggie, if you have any clew by which we can get at the real truth,
+use it, and quickly, dear child."
+
+Marjorie put on that little important air which sometimes made her
+brothers and sisters call her goody-goody.
+
+"It seems a pity that I should be going away to-day," she said.
+
+"Oh, you must not be disappointed, Maggie," said her governess. "You
+don't often get a treat, and you have been so looking forward to
+spending a few days with Lilias Russell."
+
+"I do love Lily," replied Marjorie. "Only Ermengarde said----" then
+she stopped.
+
+"What is it, dear?"
+
+"I don't think I'll tell, Miss Nelson, please. I'm afraid, when Ermie
+said it, she was feeling awfully disappointed. I'll try to forget it.
+Now, Miss Nelson, what shall I do?"
+
+"Put your wise little brains to work. Try to think how you can clear
+Basil from suspicion without doing anything shabby or underhand. I
+know your father is fearfully hurt with him. Much more hurt with him
+than with Ermengarde, for he has always had such a very high opinion
+of Basil. Now run away, Maggie, dear, and do your best; but remember I
+do not wish you to give up your visit. I called you early on purpose
+that you should have time to think matters over."
+
+Miss Nelson kissed Marjorie, who went solemnly back to her own room.
+
+The sun was now streaming in through the closed blinds, and some of
+his rays fell across the white bed where Ermengarde lay. The little
+girl was still fast asleep; all her long hair was tossed over her
+pillow, and one hand shaded her cheek. Ermengarde was a very pretty
+girl, and she looked lovely now in the innocent sweet sleep which
+visits even naughty children.
+
+Marjorie went and stood at the foot of the bed.
+
+"Poor Ermie," she said to herself, "I don't want to think that she
+could be mean, and yet--and yet--she was in Miss Nelson's room the day
+the miniature was stolen, and she did seem in a desperate state of
+trouble that time when she asked me to make an excuse for her to go
+back to the house. And then what funny words Susy did use that day in
+the cottage, although she explained them all away afterward. Dear,
+dear, dear, it's horrid to think that Ermie could do anything wrong.
+And she looks so _sweet_ in her sleep. I wish Miss Nelson hadn't woke
+me, and told me to be a sort of spy. But oh, poor Basil! I'd do
+anything in all the world--I'd even be _mean_, to help Basil."
+
+Marjorie sat down on her own little bed, which was opposite to
+Ermengarde's. The motto which her mother had given her long ago, the
+old sacred and time-honored motto, "I serve," floated back to her
+mind.
+
+"It will be horrid if I have to give up going to Glendower," she
+whispered under her breath. "I _am_ unlucky about treats, and I do
+love Lily. Still, I remember what mother said, 'When you are a servant
+to others, you are God's servant, Marjorie.' Mother died a week
+afterward. Oh dear, oh dear, I can't forget her words; but I should
+dearly like to go to Glendower all the same."
+
+As Marjorie sat on her little bed, she was kicking her feet backward
+and forward, and not being a particularly gentle little mortal, she
+knocked over a box, which effectually wakened Ermengarde.
+
+"What _are_ you doing there?" asked the elder sister. "What in the
+world are you dressed for, Maggie? It surely is not seven o'clock
+yet?"
+
+"Yes, it is; it's a quarter-past seven," replied Marjorie.
+
+"Oh, I suppose you are so excited about your stupid old Glendower."
+
+"I'm thinking about it but I'm not excited," answered Marjorie a
+little sadly.
+
+"Well, for goodness' sake don't put on that resigned, pious, martyr
+sort of air. You are going to have your treat, and take it cheerfully.
+You know you are dying to go, and your heart is going pit-a-pat like
+anything."
+
+"I wish you wouldn't be so cross with me, Ermie."
+
+"Oh, of course, I'm always cross; no one ever has a good word for me.
+Now, Maggie, don't begin to argue the point. I wish to goodness you
+would stay in bed until it is your proper time to rise, and not wake
+me up before it is necessary. I might have had a quarter of an hour's
+more sleep if it had not been for you."
+
+"I could not help myself this morning," answered Marjorie. "Miss
+Nelson came and woke me soon after six o'clock."
+
+"Miss Nelson?" Ermengarde was suddenly aroused to interest. "Whatever
+for?"
+
+"Oh, Ermie, you must hear about it--poor Basil."
+
+Ermengarde half sat up in bed.
+
+"I wish you'd speak right out, Maggie. Has Basil hurt himself? Is he
+ill? What is wrong?"
+
+"Basil isn't ill in body, Ermie, only--oh, it's so dreadful. He found
+the miniature."
+
+Ermengarde flung herself back again on her bed.
+
+"How sick I am of that stupid miniature!" she muttered.
+
+"Well, Ermie, you want to hear the story about it, don't you? Basil
+found it, and it had got cracked across, and the poor little sister,
+she does squint so fearfully now, and she----"
+
+"Oh, never mind about that," retorted Ermengarde. With all her care
+there was a sort of breathless earnestness in her voice. "What did
+Basil do?"
+
+"He gave the miniature back to Miss Nelson, and of course Miss Nelson
+was awfully cut up about it being broken, and just at the minute who
+should come in but Aunt Elizabeth! and she got into a rage, and she
+asked Basil how he had got the miniature, and how it was broken, and
+Basil refused to tell, and there was such a fuss, and father was sent
+for, and father asked Basil to tell, and Basil refused even to tell
+father, and father took Basil away to his study, and Miss Nelson
+doesn't know what happened there, only that dear darling Basil is in
+disgrace."
+
+"Of course he didn't do it," murmured Ermengarde.
+
+"Do it, Ermie! Basil wouldn't hurt a fly, let alone do such a shabby,
+shabby, cruel, mean thing as to take away Miss Nelson's dear picture.
+O Ermie, I thought you at least loved Basil more than anybody, more
+even than I love him."
+
+"Yes, I do," said Ermengarde; "I love him more than anybody else in
+the world. Now Maggie, if you don't mind leaving the room, as you
+happen to be dressed, I'll get up."
+
+"Yes," answered Marjorie, "I'll go away at once." She trotted out of
+the room.
+
+"I must make up my mind to do it," she said to herself when she
+reached the landing. "Perhaps Ermie will believe then that I love her
+a little bit. There's no help for it at all. It's just a plain case of
+horrid duty, and there's no getting out of it."
+
+Marjorie ran off in the direction of her father's room. She had to
+push aside the oak doors, and she had to go softly, for Aunt Elizabeth
+was now at home, and the part of the house behind the oak doors was no
+longer the children's property. Marjorie ran softly down the long
+corridor, and when she reached her father's door, she put her ear
+against the keyhole.
+
+"I mustn't go in until he is up," she said to herself. "I must wait
+until I hear a little noise. Perhaps when he's shaving he'll have time
+to listen to me."
+
+Marjorie's little heart was now beating fast enough, for she was
+dreadfully afraid that Aunt Elizabeth would come out of the bedroom at
+the other side of the passage, and order her back to the schoolroom
+regions.
+
+"Oh, I do hope father won't be dreadfully lazy this morning," she
+murmured. At last welcome sounds from within reached her ears. Mr.
+Wilton had evidently retired into his bath-room. Presently steps were
+distinctly audible in the dressing-room; now Marjorie could venture
+softly to turn the handle of the great bedroom door, it yielded to her
+pressure, and she somewhat timidly entered. Mr. Wilton was in his
+dressing-room, the door of which was ajar, and Marjorie had come some
+distance into the outer room before he heard her.
+
+"Who is there?" he asked suddenly.
+
+"Please, father, it's me; it's Maggie."
+
+"Come along in, and say good-morning, Maggie. I hope you are getting
+all your possessions together for our visit to Glendower. I shall take
+the twelve o'clock train. We'll arrive at four."
+
+"Yes, father." Marjorie was now standing by her father's
+dressing-table. He was shaving, and in consequence his sentences were
+a little jerky.
+
+"What a quiet Maggie," he said suddenly, looking down at her. "You're
+delighted to come, aren't you, little one?"
+
+"I was--I _loved_ it. Please, father, I don't want to go now."
+
+"You don't want to go?" Mr. Wilton laid down his razor and looked
+almost severely into Marjorie's honest but now clouded face. "You
+don't want to go? Tut!" he repeated. "Don't talk nonsense--you know
+you are all agog to be off!"
+
+"So I was, but I'm not now. I've changed my mind. That's why I've come
+in here, and why I'm bothering you while you are shaving."
+
+"You don't bother me, Maggie; you're a good little tot. But about
+going to Glendower, it's all settled. You're to come, so run away and
+get Hudson to put up your finery."
+
+"Father, I want you to let Ermie go instead of me."
+
+"No, that I won't; she has been a very disobedient girl. Run away,
+now, Maggie; it's all settled that you are to go."
+
+"But Ermie was asked in the first instance?"
+
+"Yes, child, yes; but I've explained matters to Lady Russell."
+
+"And Lilias _is_ Ermie's friend."
+
+"What a little pleader you are, Maggie. Ermie should be a good girl,
+and then she'd have the treats."
+
+"Father, couldn't you punish me instead of her? That is sometimes
+done, isn't it?"
+
+"Sometimes, Maggie, But I think Ermengarde would be all the better for
+going through the punishment she richly merits."
+
+"Truly, father, I don't think so, and I know Ermie so well. I know,
+father, she's awfully unhappy, and she's getting so cross and hard,
+and perhaps this would soften her. I can't make out what's up with
+her, but I think this might soften her. _Do_ try it, father; do,
+please, father."
+
+"Come and sit by me for a moment on this sofa, Maggie. I see you're
+frightfully in earnest, and you're a dear good child. Everyone speaks
+well of you, Maggie, so I'm bound in honor to hear you out. You'll
+tell me the whole truth, whatever it is, won't you, Maggie?"
+
+"Oh, won't I just! What a dear, darling father you are! Nearly as nice
+as the birthday father!"
+
+"_Nearly_, puss? Not quite, eh? Well, you suit me uncommonly well, and
+it is a comfort to have an honest outspoken child. What with
+Ermengarde's disobedience, and Basil's disgraceful want of openness, I
+scarcely know what to do at times."
+
+"Father, Basil has done nothing wrong."
+
+"Oh, you take his part, eh? You wouldn't, if you had seen that
+obstinate young dog last night. I see you know all about it, and I may
+as well tell you, Maggie, that I am deeply displeased with Basil. I am
+much more angry with him than I am with Ermengarde, for somehow or
+other I measured him by his mother's standard, and she often said that
+Basil couldn't be underhand."
+
+"Mother was right," said Marjorie; "he couldn't."
+
+"My dear Maggie, events have proved the reverse. But now we won't
+discuss this matter. Here, pop under my arm; let's have a cozy five
+minutes while I listen to all your wonderful reasons for not going to
+Glendower."
+
+
+
+
+CHAPTER XV.
+
+LILIAS.
+
+
+Ermengarde had just finished her morning toilet when the bedroom door
+was banged violently open. It shut with a loud report and Marjorie,
+breathless and triumphant, appeared before her.
+
+"What will you give for some good news?" she said, dancing excitedly
+up and down. "There, you shall give three guesses. Something so good,
+_so_ jolly. You _will_ be delighted. Now guess! What's going to
+happen?"
+
+Ermengarde was in one of her worst humors. Everything had gone wrong
+with her. There was a load of oppression and care on her heart, and
+now she was seriously uneasy about Basil. She was not brave enough to
+exonerate him by confessing her own sins, but it was torture to her to
+think that he should be unjustly suspected of anything mean and
+dishonorable.
+
+"_Do_ guess! It's something so delightful. You _will_ be pleased,"
+repeated Marjorie, continuing to dance wildly up and down.
+
+"I do wish, Maggie, you'd understand that other people are not in the
+frantic state of bliss you are in. Your manners lately are _too_
+intolerable. I shall ask father if I cannot have a separate bedroom,
+for I will not have you banging in and out of the room in the horrid
+tomboy way you have. I don't want to hear your good news. It's nothing
+that can concern me, that I am sure."
+
+"Oh, indeed, truly it concerns you."
+
+"I don't want to hear it. I know you and your raptures. It will be a
+perfect comfort when you are at Glendower, and I can have a little
+peace!"
+
+"That's just it! I'm not going to Glendower."
+
+"Oh! You have got into a scrape too? Well, I must say I think it's
+time your righteous pride should have a fall. I have no patience with
+little girls who are always in everyone's good books, and who are set
+up as patterns. But what's the matter? You seem uncommonly delighted
+at losing your fine treat."
+
+"I would be, if you'd speak ever so little kindly to me, Ermie, I
+really am not the horrid girl you think."
+
+"I don't think anything about you, child."
+
+"Well, you shouldn't say things about me. You shouldn't say what you
+don't think."
+
+"Oh, for goodness' sake, don't begin to moralize! Was that the
+breakfast gong?"
+
+"Yes. And you'd better be quick eating up your breakfast, Ermie, for
+you won't have too much time."
+
+"What do you mean?"
+
+"Well, you'll have to tell Hudson about your dresses and things. _You_
+are going to Glendower!"
+
+The dull look left Ermengarde's eyes. They began to sparkle. She stood
+quite still for a moment. Then she turned slowly round and faced her
+little sister. All Marjorie's soul was shining out of her face at this
+moment.
+
+"Do you mean this, Maggie?" asked Ermengarde.
+
+"Of course I mean it. Aren't you glad? Aren't you delighted?"
+
+"But how has it been managed? Father said he'd punish me for talking
+to Susan Collins, and he said you were to go in my stead."
+
+"Well, now, you are to go instead of me. It's just turned round.
+Aren't you very glad?"
+
+"Well, I did want to see Lilias. She's more the sort of friend for me
+than for you; isn't she, Maggie?"
+
+"I suppose so," said Marjorie, suppressing a quick sigh.
+
+"And of course Lady Russell wanted me, not you."
+
+"Yes, I told father I was sure she'd like you best."
+
+"Oh, you spoke to father about it?"
+
+"Why, of course, Ermie."
+
+"Then you haven't got into disgrace yourself?"
+
+"No, it wasn't that--it wasn't because I was in----" Marjorie turned
+her head away, and tears welled up slowly into her big wide-open gray
+eyes.
+
+"You did it for me, then?" said Ermengarde. "You gave up your own
+pleasure for me? I didn't see it until this moment; I didn't really!
+or I wouldn't have been so cross. Kiss me, Maggie. I'm awfully
+obliged. But how did you come round father?"
+
+"Oh, never mind now; it's done, and father's quite satisfied. He
+expects you to go with him, and he told me to tell you to be sure to
+be ready in good time, as he cannot miss the midday train."
+
+"No fear. I'll be ready, I'm only too glad to get away from the Chase
+just now. Is that Hudson I see in the passage? Run to her, Maggie, I
+must speak to her about my white _chiffon_ dinner dress."
+
+Marjorie darted away; her face was looking perfectly contented again.
+She had not expected any more thanks from Ermengarde, and it was her
+nature when she did give, to give lavishly. Now she was all eagerness
+to assist in the necessary preparations for Ermie's sudden visit, and
+was much more inclined to make large proffers of help than was the
+somewhat offended Hudson.
+
+"I had your clothes all ready, Miss Marjorie, and I have not got
+everything Miss Ermengarde requires at a moment's notice."
+
+"Oh, but you will do your very best for Ermie, Hudson, and she can
+have all my clean handkerchiefs and sashes, and my Maltese gold cross,
+with the little chain. You _will_ help to send her off nice, won't
+you, Hudson?"
+
+"I'll do anything for your sake, my dear little lady," said the maid.
+
+And Marjorie, well satisfied, trotted down to breakfast in
+Ermengarde's wake.
+
+The usual party were assembled in the schoolroom, and Ermengarde once
+more found herself by Basil's side. He just nodded to her when she
+came in, and then bent his head over "Westward Ho!" which he was
+reading as he ate his breakfast.
+
+"I wonder if he's coming with me, and if I'm to be treated to these
+sort of manners all the time," thought Ermengarde. "What _will_ Lilias
+think?"
+
+But just then Marjorie's voice arrested attention. "Don't poke me so,
+Eric; it isn't me--it's Ermie; she's going."
+
+"Oh, galopshious! And you'll stay at the Chase! I was looking forward
+to a black time. You and Basil away, and Miss Sulky-face for my sole
+companion."
+
+"_Do_ hush, Eric; you say such horrid unkind things. I won't talk to
+you or be a bit nice."
+
+Eric continued to chatter in a loud, aggravating whisper. His buzzing
+words were distinctly audible at the other end of the long table.
+Ermengarde heard herself spoken of as Miss Sulky-face, but she was far
+too contented with the present state of affairs to mind what such a
+very unimportant person as Eric said about her. Basil raised his head
+for a moment from his book.
+
+"Are you going to Glendower instead of Maggie?" he asked, darting a
+quick glance at his sister.
+
+Her heart swelled with sudden pain at his tone.
+
+"Yes," she said. Her voice was humble and almost deprecating.
+
+"Maggie has given up her wishes then?"
+
+"I am going instead of Maggie," said Ermengarde, her manner once more
+proud and defiant.
+
+Basil resumed his reading of "Westward Ho!" Miss Nelson called to him
+to say that his breakfast was getting cold. The moment she spoke, he
+shut up his book.
+
+"I don't wish to eat anything more, Miss Nelson," he said. "And I want
+to know if you will excuse me, and let me leave the table now. I wish
+to say a word to father before he leaves the study."
+
+"You can certainly go, Basil," replied the governess.
+
+He went away at once. A moment later, Basil was standing in his
+father's presence.
+
+"Do you expect me to go with you to-day to Glendower, father?" he
+asked.
+
+Mr. Wilton was reading an important letter. He looked up impatiently.
+
+"Yes," he said. "You and Marjorie--I mean you and Ermengarde are to
+come."
+
+"But I have displeased you, and this is a--a pleasure trip."
+
+Mr. Wilton threw down his letter.
+
+"Look here, Basil," he said, "you are too old to be punished in the
+sort of way I punish Ermengarde, or Marjorie, or Eric."
+
+"I am only a year older than Ermengarde,"
+
+"Don't contradict me, sir. I repeat, you are too old, and you are
+different. I have regarded you hitherto as a manly sort of fellow, and
+even after last night I cannot treat you as a child. Come to
+Glendower; only understand that, until you explain yourself fully, you
+suffer from my displeasure."
+
+"If that is so, father"--Basil's lips quivered, his dark eyes glowed
+with pain--"if that is so, I would rather stay at Wilton Chase."
+
+"Then stay. Until you are once more the frank fellow I have always
+regarded you, your movements do not interest me."
+
+"I will stay at home then, father."
+
+"Very well."
+
+Mr. Wilton opened another letter, and began to read it. Basil lingered
+for a moment, as if he hoped for another softer word; then he turned
+on his heel and left the room.
+
+In due time Ermengarde and her father started on their journey.
+Ermengarde carried away with her every conceivable bit of finery which
+Marjorie could stow into her trunk, and Hudson, finding herself
+helpless to stem the tide of events, at last rose to the occasion, and
+did her best to send off her young lady suitably prepared for her
+visit.
+
+Ermengarde looked very pretty and graceful as she seated herself
+beside her father in the carriage, and although the children were
+conspicuous by their absence, and there were no sorrowful looks to
+witness her exit, she did not concern herself very much over such
+trivial matters.
+
+Marjorie's farewell was all that was warm and affectionate, and as it
+was Mr. Wilton's fashion to forgive absolutely when he did forgive,
+Ermengarde had a very comfortable journey.
+
+The travelers arrived in good time at Glendower, and Ermengarde really
+forgot all the worries, the miseries, the sins of the last few days,
+when Lilias Russell threw her arms round her neck, and warmly bade her
+welcome.
+
+Lilias was a very beautiful girl. She had that radiant sort of almost
+spiritual loveliness which is generally accompanied by a very sweet,
+noble, and upright nature. Her complexion was very fair, her eyes
+large, soft, and brown; her hair was the finest, palest gold. She was
+a slightly made girl, but she had no look of ill-health about her. On
+the contrary, her elastic young figure was full of strength and vigor.
+She was a great favorite with all her friends, for she was unselfish,
+loving, and straightforward. She was slow to think evil of people, and
+was generally affectionately rapturous over the girls and boys who
+came to visit her at Glendower. Although the only child of very
+wealthy parents, she was too simple-minded to be spoiled. She received
+lots of flatteries, but they did her no harm, because she failed to
+see them. Her beautiful face was praised to her many times, but no one
+yet had seen a conscious or conceited expression cross it.
+
+"I'm delighted you have come, Ermie," she said, "but I scarcely
+expected you, for mother had a letter from your father, who said he
+was obliged to bring Maggie instead."
+
+Ermengarde colored. There is no saying what reply she would have made,
+but at that moment Mr. Wilton stepped forward and answered Lilias's
+look of inquiry himself.
+
+"Maggie gave up her pleasure to Ermie," he said. "She is an unselfish
+child, and she saw how very much Ermie wished to spend a few days with
+you, Lilias."
+
+"How sweet of Maggie!" replied Lilias. "I do think she is one of the
+very dearest little girls in the world. Of course I'm delighted to
+have you with me, Ermengarde; but I only wish your father had brought
+Maggie, too."
+
+"And where is my special favorite, Basil?" asked Lady Russell, who had
+been listening with an amused smile to the above conversation.
+
+"Basil is not in my good graces at present," replied Mr. Wilton.
+"Pardon me. I make no complaints. He was free to come, but he elected
+to stay at home; under the circumstances, I think his choice was
+wise."
+
+Lady Russell and Mr. Wilton walked slowly away together, and Lilias
+linked her hand affectionately through Ermengarde's arm.
+
+"If there is a mystery, you will tell me about it presently," she
+said, "and I am not going to worry you now. I am so pleased to have
+you with me, Ermie, and there are a whole lot of things I am going to
+consult you about. But first of all, just come to my grotto. I want
+you to see in what a pretty pattern I have arranged the shells. Here
+we are; enter, fair and welcome guest! Oh, you must stoop your tall
+head a little, Ermie. Pride must bend when it enters a humble grotto
+like mine. Now then, look around you."
+
+Ermengarde was feeling tired, hot, and thirsty. She had hoped to have
+been treated to nice grown-up tea in one of the drawing-rooms, and she
+felt just a little annoyed at being carried off at once to look at
+Lilias's stupid shells, or to behold the most charming grotto that was
+ever built. Ermengarde had no love for natural history, and fond as
+she was of Lilias, she felt just a wee bit cross.
+
+But the moment she entered the grotto, the clouds fled like magic from
+her face. There were shells, of course, and sea-weeds, and a deep
+pool which contained sea-anemones; and into which a fountain
+continually dripped. But there was also tea on a charming little
+rustic table, and two rustic easy-chairs, and two egg-shell china cups
+and saucers, and a wee silver jug full of cream, and a dish of hot
+muffins, and a little basket full of grapes and peaches.
+
+Lilias watched her friend's face.
+
+"She wants her tea, poor Ermie does," she whispered to herself; "I
+know Maggie would have rushed at the shells first of all, and she'd
+have asked me a thousand questions about my sea-anemones and my
+fountain. Still, it's perfectly natural that Ermie should be thirsty
+and want her tea."
+
+So the two little friends sat down, and had a very cozy and merry time
+together.
+
+
+
+
+CHAPTER XVI.
+
+THE BEAUTIFUL DRESS.
+
+
+That evening, as Ermengarde was standing in her room, surveying with
+critical eyes the heaps of finery she had brought with her, Lilias
+knocked at her door.
+
+"Come in," said Ermengarde.
+
+Lilias had on a blue flannel dressing-jacket, and her long, bright,
+golden hair was streaming down her back.
+
+"I've rushed in to tell you," she exclaimed excitedly, "we are both to
+come down to dinner to-night. Two guests have disappointed mother. She
+has just had a telegram; Colonel Vavasour is ill, and of course his
+wife can't leave him, so you and I are to fill the vacant places at
+table. I do hope you won't mind, Ermie."
+
+"I?" said Ermengarde, her eyes sparkling. "Oh, no; I shan't mind; I
+like dining with grown people. I think it will be rather fun."
+
+"It's sweet of you to take it in that way," said Lilias. "I had
+planned a lovely walk by the lake, and we might have got into the
+boat, and brought in some water-lilies. Late dinner takes a long,
+long time, and it will be much too dark to go to the lake when it is
+over."
+
+"I don't mind, really," repeated Ermengarde. She did not want to tell
+her friend that her worldly little soul infinitely preferred late
+dinner and a talk with some of the grown-up guests to a ramble with
+Lilias by the side of the lake.
+
+"We can go to the lake another time, Lilias," she said, "and it seems
+only right to oblige your mother now."
+
+"Thank you for putting it in that way to me," said Lilias. She went up
+to Ermengarde and kissed her. "What have you got to wear?" she asked.
+"I know mother would like such young girls as we are to be dressed
+very simply. I shall just put on a white muslin, a white silk sash
+round my waist."
+
+"Oh, I have a white dress, too," said Ermengarde, in a careless tone.
+"I am sure I shall manage very well."
+
+Her dark eyes grew brighter and brighter as she spoke.
+
+"I must not stay to chat with you, Ermie," said Lilias, looking at her
+friend with admiration. "Mother is so afraid you will miss your maid,
+you shall have as much of Petite's time as ever I can possibly spare."
+
+"Who is Petite?" asked Ermengarde.
+
+"Oh, she's my dear little maid. We brought her over from France last
+year. She was never out anywhere before, and I'm so fond of her. Her
+name is Lucile Marat, but I call her Petite, because she is on a small
+scale, and so neat in every way. It was she who unpacked your things.
+I'll send her to you in a minute."
+
+Lilias ran out of the room, and Ermengarde, closing the door, opened a
+long drawer at the bottom of the wardrobe, and taking out her white
+_chiffon_ dress, viewed it with great complacency. This dress had been
+given to Ermengarde by Aunt Elizabeth; she had brought it from Paris,
+intending to wear it at a county ball herself, but finding it too
+juvenile, she had handed it on to her niece. The local dressmaker had
+cut it down to fit Ermengarde, and ever since she possessed it, Ermie
+had sighed and longed for the occasion when she might don the lovely
+robe.
+
+The dress was in truth an exquisite one; it was delicately spangled
+with what looked like dewdrops, and had a great deal of rich soft silk
+introduced here and there, but if it was too young for Aunt Elizabeth,
+it was a great deal too old for Ermie. It's voluminous and graceful
+pillows of white were not suited to her slim little figure. It was a
+grown girl's dress, and Ermie was only a child.
+
+Still the occasion, the longed-for, the sighed-for occasion, when she
+might dress herself in Aunt Elizabeth's white _chiffon_, had arrived.
+
+Ermie pulled the dress out of the drawer, shook out its folds, and
+regarded it with rapture.
+
+There came a modest knock at the room door, and Petite, got up in
+truly French fashion, entered. She was a rosy-cheeked, round-faced
+girl, with sparkling black eyes, and rolls of black hair,
+picturesquely arranged on the top of her head.
+
+"I hope she understands English," thought Ermengarde. "French is not
+my strong point, and I really must get her to dress my hair in some
+grown-up fashion to-night."
+
+Petite soon, however, relieved Ermengarde's fear.
+
+"I have come to help you, ma'mselle," she said in her cheerful tones.
+"Will you let me brush out your hair?"
+
+"Thank you," said Ermie. "I want you to dress it on the top of my
+head, please--_high_--something like an old picture--you understand?"
+
+Petite's eyes sparkled.
+
+"I know what you mean," she said. "Pouffed, ever so--like the pictures
+of the ancient ladies in the picture-gallery."
+
+"Yes," said Ermengarde. "I want my hair to be arranged like a young
+grown-up lady. You understand?"
+
+"Perfectly, ma'mselle. I will go and fetch hair-pins. But we haven't
+too much time; Ma'mselle Lilias is dressed. She wears her hair
+straight down her back."
+
+Ermengarde said nothing. The mysteries of the toilet proceeded, and at
+the end of half an hour Lilias knocked at her friend's door.
+
+Ermengarde was now arrayed in the white _chiffon_ dress; it touched
+the ground, and swept away in a short train at the back. It was cut a
+little open at the neck, and the round childish arms were bare to the
+elbow. Round her throat Ermengarde had hung Marjorie's Maltese cross,
+and among the masses of her high piled-up hair reposed a lovely pearl
+butterfly. The dress was most unsuitable, but the childish face,
+colored high now with excitement and gratified vanity, looked quite
+radiant in its loveliness.
+
+Petite was in ecstasies.
+
+"Ma'mselle looks as if she had stepped out of one of the old
+picture-frames," she said. "Look how beautiful I have contrived her
+hair to sit."
+
+Lilias did not say much. She was an intensely polite girl, and she
+crushed back the exclamation of dismay which rose to her lips. Her
+own appearance was the extreme of simplicity. Her muslin frock was
+short; her little white shoes and silk stockings were visible. Round
+her waist she wore a plain white sash, and her golden hair fell in
+masses down her back.
+
+While Petite was dressing her, Ermengarde's silly heart was mounting
+on higher and higher wings of gratified delight. But when she looked
+at Lilias, an uneasy sensation came over her for the first time.
+
+"Come," said Lilias in her gentle voice, "we'll go down to the
+drawing-room, and stay together near one of the windows. I don't
+suppose anyone will take us in to dinner; but that does not
+matter--we'll take one another in."
+
+"Do you like my dress?" suddenly asked Ermengarde.
+
+"Well, Ermie, isn't it just a little old?"
+
+"Nonsense, Aunt Elizabeth gave it to me. She ought to know, I
+suppose."
+
+Ermengarde did not care to mention then that the dress was a cast-off
+garment of her Aunt Elizabeth's.
+
+The two girls went downstairs hand in hand. Ermie's long dress and
+train made her feel awkward. She began to be more and more sure that
+her evening attire, notwithstanding its great beauty, was unsuitable.
+She hoped no one would specially notice her. She felt uncomfortable as
+she saw several pairs of eyes fixed upon her, as she and Lilias walked
+across the drawing-room.
+
+The two girls got behind the shelter of a curtain, and Ermengarde
+rejoiced in the fact that her father had not yet come downstairs.
+
+A few more minutes went by; the guests arrived in twos and
+threes--then dinner was announced. As Lilias had foretold, she and
+Ermengarde were to take each other in to dinner. They were the last to
+enter the dining-room. Lady Russell had arranged that the two little
+girls were to sit together, but at the very last moment some change
+was made, and Ermie to her horror found herself between her father and
+a stout old gentleman, who was inclined to regard her as an
+overdressed, but pretty little doll.
+
+Mr. Wilton never fussed about dress, but he had a keen eye for the
+proprieties. He saw at a glance that Lilias looked exactly as she
+ought, and that Ermengarde did not, but he could not tell where the
+difference lay. Ermie as a rule was one of the neatest of little
+maids. To-night she was not untidy, and yet--he could not tell
+why--she looked all wrong.
+
+Mr. Wilton sighed, thought of his dead wife, wondered how he could
+ever manage his fast growing-up family, and then slightly turning his
+back on Ermie, tried to forget his cares in conversation with his
+neighbor on his other side.
+
+The fat old gentleman began to talk to Ermengarde.
+
+"Home for the holidays, eh, my dear?" he began, half-winking at her.
+
+"I don't go to school," answered Ermengarde. She flushed angrily, and
+her reply was in her primmest voice.
+
+The fat old gentleman finished his soup calmly. Ermie's prim
+indignation amused him. He glanced from her childish face to her grown
+up head, and then said in a semi-confiding whisper: "Tell me, do you
+consider a classical education essential to the development of women's
+brains?"
+
+"Oh, I don't know," stammered poor Ermie.
+
+"Then you're not a Girton girl?"
+
+"No; why do you ask?" answered Ermengarde. She began to feel a little
+flattered. The old gentleman must certainly consider her quite
+grown-up.
+
+"Well," he replied, with another comical twinkle in his eyes, "I
+thought you seemed so intelligent, and although you have a young
+face, you have somehow or other an old way about you. You'll forgive
+my speaking frankly, my dear, but I notice that most old-young girls
+attend some of the colleges."
+
+Ermengarde felt delighted. She changed her mind about the fat old
+gentleman, and began to regard him as a most agreeable person. He
+considered her face remarkable for intelligence, and although she was
+quite grown up, she looked sweetly youthful. She leant back in her
+chair, and toyed with her food.
+
+"I'm not very old," she began.
+
+"Not more than eighteen, I should think," replied the old gentleman.
+
+Ermengarde gave vent to a silvery laugh.
+
+"Eh? You're not more than that, are you?" asked her companion.
+
+"No, sir," she answered. "I am not more than eighteen."
+
+Although he was talking very earnestly to his neighbor, Mr. Wilton
+heard his daughter's laugh. It sounded to him a little forced and
+strained. His undefined sensation of discomfort increased. He turned
+and looked at Ermengarde. There certainly was something quite unusual
+about her. Now he raised his eyes to her hair.
+
+"Ermie!" he exclaimed, "what _have_ you done to your head? My dear
+child, what a show you have made of yourself!"
+
+His voice was quite clear enough for the old gentleman to hear him.
+
+Ermengarde blushed painfully. She muttered something inaudible, and
+looked down.
+
+"What possessed you to make such a guy of yourself?" continued her
+father, in a vexed tone, which was very low now. "A little girl like
+you aping young ladyhood! I am very much annoyed, Ermengarde; I did
+not think you could be so silly."
+
+Then he turned his back once more, and addressed his neighbor on the
+other side.
+
+Poor Ermie felt her eyes swimming in tears. The mortification to which
+her father had subjected her just at her moment of triumph was very
+bitter. She could not eat a delicious _entree_ which was being offered
+to her at that moment, and it is possible that, notwithstanding her
+pride, she might have given way completely to her outraged feelings
+had not the old gentleman come to her rescue. He was sorry for the
+poor little maid who had aped the ways of the grown-up. He dropped his
+quizzical manner, and entered into a pleasant conversation. He drew
+Ermengarde on to speak of her home, and in especial of her brother
+Basil, and he thought the little girlish face very charming indeed
+when Ermie spoke eagerly of her favorite brother.
+
+The rest of the dinner passed off fairly well, and Ermengarde hoped
+she might be able to retire into a corner when she got into the
+drawing-room, and so escape any more of her father's censure.
+
+This, however, was difficult, for Lady Russell called both the girls
+forward, and in especial introduced Ermengarde to several friends of
+her own. Some of these ladies knew her mother, and they looked kindly
+at Ermie, and only whispered together behind her back about the
+extraordinary costume the poor little girl was got up in.
+
+These ladies evidently blamed Ermengarde's father, and spoke of her as
+a sadly neglected child.
+
+Ermie felt that the ladies were whispering about her, and she began to
+hate the beautiful _chiffon_ dress, and to long to tear it off her
+back.
+
+
+
+
+CHAPTER XVII.
+
+THE MORE BEAUTIFUL FACE.
+
+
+Two tall girls were standing near the piano; one had just sung a song
+in a very brilliant style, the other was complimenting her; the
+gentlemen had not yet come in.
+
+"Flora, do look at that queer little personage over there!" exclaimed
+the singer, glancing in Ermengarde's direction. "Did you ever see such
+a little comicality? Why, she can't be more than twelve years old, and
+she is dressed in much older style than you or I."
+
+"Stop, Kate, I'm sure she hears you," said Flora.
+
+"I don't care if she does, conceited little monkey. Who in the world
+is she?"
+
+"Her name is Ermengarde Wilton. Yes, of course, the dress is
+unsuitable, but small piece of gorgeousness that she is, I'd give a
+good deal to possess her handsome face; and so would you, for the
+matter of that, Kate."
+
+Ermengarde was standing near a window. Now she pushed a muslin
+curtain aside, and hid herself behind its folds.
+
+"There! She did hear you this time, Flora," said Kate.
+
+"I meant her to," replied the other. "You were humiliating her so
+horribly, Kate."
+
+The two girls whispered a little longer, then they parted company.
+Ermengarde stood behind the shelter of the window curtain. Her heart
+was beating fast, her cheeks were flushed, her eyes had a triumphant
+light in them.
+
+Yes, she had heard what those horrid girls were saying. She had heard
+every word. They had abused her dress, but they had praised her face.
+This praise made up for all. What mattered the dress which could be so
+easily removed, compared with the face which would remain.
+
+Ermengarde's heart thrilled within her at the delicious words of
+flattery. These grown-up girls envied _her!_ Oh, she could bear
+anything after that.
+
+She was standing thus, thinking her own thoughts, when the light swish
+of silken drapery near caused her to look round, and to her
+astonishment the girl who was called Flora stood in the shelter of the
+window by her side.
+
+"I hope I am not crowding you," she said in a gracious voice to
+Ermengarde. "It is so hot in the drawing-room; I have just come here
+to get cool before the gentlemen come in."
+
+"You don't disturb me at all," said Ermengarde.
+
+"Thank you. Are you Miss Wilton? I think you must be. My mother knows
+your father very well."
+
+"And your name is Flora something?" answered Ermengarde, looking up
+with proud defiance in her face. "And you were speaking about me to a
+girl called Kate, and you abused my dress, and said that I was a
+little piece of gorgeousness, and that I was only twelve years old. I
+am not twelve--I am fourteen and three months."
+
+"Oh, my dear child, you should not have been eavesdropping."
+
+"I wasn't. You spoke out very loud. I thought you knew I must hear
+you."
+
+"Dear, dear, I am sorry. I did not mean to hurt your feelings, really,
+Miss Wilton. Of course the dress is _lovely_. Catch Kate or me
+aspiring to anything half so fine. But then, you _did_ look very young
+in it. Are you really fourteen! You don't look it."
+
+"Yes, I am fourteen and three months."
+
+"Of course that makes a great difference. Come, now, let's be friends.
+My name is Flora St. Leger, and mother and I are going to stay at
+Glendower for a couple of days. Are you staying here?"
+
+"Yes, with my father. We came to-day."
+
+"Oh, I suppose you are Lilias Russell's friend. Isn't she a prim
+little piece?"
+
+"I don't know," answered Ermengarde angrily. "I only consider that she
+is the dearest and most beautiful girl in the world."
+
+"Oh, folly! she can't hold a candle to you. I'd like to see you when
+you're dressed for your first drawing-room. You know, Ermengarde--I
+may call you Ermengarde, may I not--I _did_ say something very nice
+about your face, even when I abused your dress. You heard that part
+too, didn't you, sly monkey?"
+
+"Yes," said Ermie, in a low voice. Then she added, "But it is not true
+about my being more beautiful than Lilias, and I don't like you even
+to say it."
+
+"Well, puss, you can't help facts: Lilias is very well in her way; you
+are twice as striking. Oh, there comes George Martineau. I promised to
+play his accompaniments for him; he will sing some German songs in a
+minute. You listen when he does. He has a remarkably fine tenor voice
+for an amateur."
+
+Flora St. Leger glided away from the recess of the window, and
+Ermengarde was left alone. She did not mind this in the least, her
+meditations were so pleasant; and Flora had given her such agreeable
+food for thought that she was quite delighted to be able to have a
+quiet few minutes to think over everything. She had quite forgiven
+Flora's _unkind_ words for the sake of her _flattering_ words. Flora
+had said the sort of things that Susy had often regaled her with
+before, but how much more important were the honeyed speeches coming
+from the lips of this grown-up and beautiful young lady. Ermengarde
+felt herself quite in love with Flora. Poor Lilias was nothing,
+compared to the friend she had just made. She was glad to know that
+Flora was going to spend a couple of days at Glendower. She earnestly
+hoped that she might see a good deal of her during these few days.
+
+The evening passed somehow, and Ermie managed to escape to her room
+without again meeting her father.
+
+Petite was helping her to undress, when to her surprise Lady Russell
+herself came in.
+
+"My dear little Ermengarde," she said. She went up to the young girl
+and kissed her affectionately. "You can leave us, Petite," said Lady
+Russell to the maid. When they were alone, she turned to Ermie.
+
+"My love, I am sorry to appear interfering, but you are a motherless
+little girl. Your dress to-night was very unsuitable."
+
+"Aunt Elizabeth gave it to me," said Ermengarde, pouting.
+
+"Yes, my dear; but, pardon me, we won't go into the question of how
+you came by the dress. You are at least ten years too young to be
+dressed in a fanciful costume of that kind. Your father does not wish
+you to wear that dress again, Ermie, nor to arrange your hair as you
+did to-night. Have you got a simple white dress with you, my child?"
+
+"No," said Ermie, still pouting and frowning; "I thought the white
+_chiffon_ was exactly what I needed."
+
+"Poor child, you sadly miss your mother. Well, my love, don't do it
+again; that's all. I will get Petite to alter one of Lilias's frocks
+for you to wear to-morrow evening. Now, good-night, dear; sleep sound.
+I am glad you have come to keep our Lilias company for a few days."
+
+Lady Russell kissed Ermengarde and left her. She took no notice of the
+little girl's sullen face, nor of her rude manner. She went away
+looking what she was, a gracious motherly woman.
+
+"I am deeply sorry, both for Ermengarde and her father," she said to
+herself. "Anyone can see that the poor man does not know how to manage
+all those children. Marjorie takes after her sweet mother, but
+Ermengarde! she is not an easy child to influence, and yet what a
+beautiful face she has!"
+
+
+
+
+CHAPTER XVIII.
+
+IN THE TOILS.
+
+
+The summer at Glendower was always a gay time. The house was usually
+full of guests, and as there were horses and carriages, and a yacht
+and a sailboat, as well as two or three rowboats, the guests had
+certainly all possible advantages of locomotion.
+
+The next morning was a glorious one, and Lilias and Ermie, after
+breakfasting together in Lilias's own special boudoir, put on their
+shady hats, and went out to walk about the grounds. The air was so
+delicious, and Lilias was so sweet and bright and unselfish, that it
+was impossible for Ermie not to feel in the best of spirits.
+
+She ceased to desire to be grown up, and was satisfied to run races
+with Lilias in the simple pink cambric frock, which suited her
+infinitely better than the gorgeous _chiffon_.
+
+Ermengarde's life was not without care just then, but at this moment
+she forgot her anxieties about Susy and Basil, and the broken
+miniature. She forgot her mortification of the night before, and
+looked what she was, a happy child.
+
+Lilias was talking eagerly about the plans for the day's
+entertainment. The whole party were to drive to a certain point about
+eight miles from Glendower. There they were to picnic, and afterward,
+with the tide in their favor, would return home by water.
+
+"And mother says I may drive my own ponies," said Lilias. "You haven't
+seen my Shetlands yet, have you, Ermie? Oh, they are such lovely pets,
+and father has given me real silver bells for their harness."
+
+Ermengarde was about to make a reply, when a voice was heard calling
+Lilias.
+
+"I'll be back in a minute, Ermie," said Lilias. "I suppose mother
+wants me to arrange about something. Don't go far away; I'll be with
+you directly."
+
+She ran off, and Ermengarde, finding a rustic bench under a tree, sat
+down and looked around her. She had scarcely done so, when she was
+joined by Flora St. Leger.
+
+"I saw you alone, and I rushed out to you, my love," said the young
+lady. "I want to speak to you so badly. Where can we go to be by
+ourselves?"
+
+"But I am waiting here for Lilias," said Ermengarde.
+
+"Oh, never mind. What does it matter whether Lilias finds you here
+when she comes back or not? She doesn't really want you, and I do."
+
+Now this was all immensely flattering, for Flora was quite grown up,
+and Ermengarde had already lost her silly little heart to her.
+
+"I should like to oblige you," she said.
+
+"Well, _do_ oblige me! Let us fly down this side-walk. There's a
+shrubbery at the farther end, where we shall be quite alone. Come,
+give me your hand."
+
+Ermengarde could not resist. A moment later she and Flora were pacing
+up and down in the shrubbery.
+
+"Ermengarde," said Miss St. Leger eagerly, "_are_ you going to that
+stupid, stupid picnic to-day?"
+
+"Why, of course," said Ermengarde, looking up in astonishment.
+
+"You may call me Flora if you like, my dear love. What a sweet, pretty
+pet you are! Now that I look at you by daylight, I think it's a
+perfect sin that, with a face like yours, you should have to wear
+short frocks."
+
+Ermie sighed. Miss St. Leger's tone was full of delicious sympathy,
+and when the next moment she slipped her arm round the little girl's
+waist, Ermie experienced quite a thrill of delight.
+
+"I have fallen in love with you, that's a fact," said Miss St. Leger;
+"but now, about that picnic; you don't really want to go?"
+
+"Oh, yes, Flora. Lilias is going to drive me in her pony-carriage."
+
+"Lilias! Let her take a child like herself. You ought to be with the
+grown-ups."
+
+"Everyone treats me exactly as if I were a child," said Ermengarde. "I
+do think it's a great shame, for I don't feel in the least like one."
+
+"Of course you don't, pet. Now listen to me. _I'm_ not going to this
+stupid, horrid picnic."
+
+"Aren't you, Flora?"
+
+"No, I'm going to stay at home, and I want you to stay with me. You
+won't be dull, I promise you."
+
+"But what excuse can I give?"
+
+"Oh, say you're tired, or have a headache, or something of that sort."
+
+"But I'm not tired, and I haven't got a headache."
+
+Flora pouted.
+
+"After all, you are only a baby," she said. "I made a mistake; I
+thought you were different."
+
+Ermengarde colored all over her face.
+
+"Do you really, really want me, Flora?" she asked timidly.
+
+"Of course I do, sweet pet; now you will oblige me, won't you?"
+
+"I'd certainly like to, Flora."
+
+"That's a darling. Go back to the house, and lie down on your bed and,
+when Lilias calls you at the last moment, say you're tired, and you'd
+like to stay quiet. Of course you _are_ tired, you know; you look it."
+
+"I suppose I am a little bit," said Ermengarde. Her heart felt like
+lead. Her gayety had deserted her, but she was in the toils of a much
+older and cleverer girl than herself.
+
+She stole softly back to the house, and when Lilias found her lying on
+her bed, she certainly told no untruth when she said that her head
+ached, for both head and heart ached, and she hated herself for
+deceiving her sweet little friend.
+
+The picnic people departed, quietness settled down over the house, and
+Ermie, who had cried with vexation at the thought of losing that
+delightful drive and day of pleasure, had dropped into a dull kind of
+dose, when a knock came to her room door, and Miss St. Leger entered.
+
+"Now, little martyr," she said, in a cheerful voice, "jump up, make
+yourself smart, put on your best toggery, forget your headache, and
+come downstairs with me. We are going to have some fun on our own
+account, now, sweet."
+
+"O Flora, what are you going to do?"
+
+"First of all, we'll have some lunch, and afterward we'll stroll
+through some woods at the back of the house, and I'll tell you some of
+my adventures in London last season. Oh, my dear, I did have a time of
+it! Four entertainments often in one evening! That's what you'll be
+going through, Ermie, in a year or two."
+
+"Is it?" said Ermengarde. Her eyes did not sparkle any more. Somehow
+Flora did not seem as fascinating to her as she had done an hour ago.
+Lilias's disappointed face would come back again and again to her
+memory. She rose, however, and under Flora's supervision put on the
+smartest of her morning frocks, and went downstairs to lunch.
+
+When the meal had come to an end, and the servants had withdrawn,
+Ermie asked Flora another question.
+
+"Are we _only_ going to walk in the woods?" she said. "Is that _all_
+you asked me to stay at home for!"
+
+"_All_, you silly puss? Well, no, it isn't quite all. We are going to
+have tea with some friends of mine. We are to meet them in the
+woods--very nice people--you'll be charmed with them. We're all going
+to have a gypsy tea together in the woods."
+
+"But, Flora, I thought you hated picnics?"
+
+"Oh, what a little innocent goose! I hate some kinds. Not the kind I'm
+going to take you to. Now run upstairs, and put on your hat. It is
+time for us to be strolling out."
+
+"But, Flora----"
+
+"No more of your 'buts'--go and get ready. Ah, my sweet child, frowns
+don't become that charming little face of yours. Now, off with you;
+put on your most becoming hat, and let us set forth."
+
+Ermengarde walked upstairs as if her feet were weighted with lead. The
+uneasy feeling, which had begun to arise in her heart when Flora
+proposed that she should tell a lie in order to remain at home,
+deepened and deepened. Ermengarde had lots of faults, but she was a
+little lady by birth and breeding, and it suddenly occurred to her
+that Flora's flatteries were fulsome, and that Flora herself was not
+in what her father would call good style. She was not at all brave
+enough, however, now, to withstand her companion. She put on her white
+shady hat, drew gauntlet gloves over her hands, caught up her parasol,
+and ran downstairs.
+
+Flora was waiting for her. Flora's eyes were bright, and her cheeks
+flushed.
+
+"Now come," she said. "You'll enjoy yourself so much, Ermie, and we
+must be quick, for we must be back again in the house before our
+friends return from their picnic."
+
+"O Flora, are you doing anything wrong?"
+
+Flora's face got crimson all over.
+
+"I was mistaken in you, Ermengarde," she said. "I thought you were
+quite a different sort of girl. I thought you were the kind of girl I
+could make a friend of. I said so to Kate last night. I offended poor
+Kate. I made her cry when I said, 'If Ermengarde Wilton was only a
+year or two older, she'd sympathize with me. I never saw such
+sympathetic eyes in anyone's face.' Kate was mad with jealousy, but I
+only wish I had her here now, poor Kate!"
+
+"O Flora, you know I don't mean to be unkind."
+
+"Of course you don't, love; you were only a silly little goose. Now,
+come along, we have no time to lose."
+
+Flora took Ermengarde's hand and the two girls soon found themselves
+in the magnificent woods at the back of Glendower. These woods covered
+many acres of land, and were the great pride of the beautiful old
+place. There were woods at Wilton Chase, but not like these, and
+Ermengarde stopped several times to exclaim and admire.
+
+Oh, how Basil would have enjoyed this walk! How easily he would have
+climbed those trees! how merrily he would have laughed! how gay his
+stories would have been! And Basil might have been here to-day, but
+for Ermengarde; he might have been here, driving and riding with
+Lilias; enjoying the woods, and the sea, and the picnic fun.
+
+Basil, who was the best of all boys, the best, and the most honorable,
+was at home in disgrace because of her. Ermie's heart beat heavily.
+Her footsteps slackened. She scarcely heard Flora's gay chatter.
+
+After walking a mile or so, the girls found themselves in the midst of
+a clearing in the woods. Here some carriages and horses were drawn up,
+and a gay party of girls, one or two round-faced and stout matrons,
+and a few young men were standing together.
+
+The girls and the young men raised a noisy shout when they saw Flora,
+and rushed to meet her.
+
+"How good of you to come, Florrie! We were half afraid you couldn't
+manage it."
+
+"Oh, I promised last night," said Flora hastily. "I thought George
+told you. How do you do, George? Maisie, let me introduce to you my
+great friend, Miss Wilton. Miss Wilton, Miss Burroughs." Then Flora
+tripped on in front by the side of the clumsy-looking George, and
+Ermie found herself standing face to face with Miss Burroughs. She was
+a loud-voiced, vulgar-looking girl.
+
+"Come along," she said almost roughly to her little companion. "I
+wonder what Flora meant by walking off in that fashion. Well, I don't
+suppose you want me to chaperon you, Miss--I forget your name."
+
+"Wilton," said Ermengarde, in a haughty voice.
+
+"Miss Wilton! I don't know why Flora left you on my hands in that
+style. She just introduced us and rushed off--just like Florrie, so
+independent and selfish. I never knew anyone so selfish. But I have my
+own fun to see after. Oh, there's Florrie in the distance, I'll shout
+after her. Flora! Florrie! Flora St. Leger!"
+
+Flora turned.
+
+"What is it, Maisie?" she screamed back.
+
+"What am I to do with Miss Wilton? I'm going for a long walk with the
+Slater girls. She can't possibly go so far, and besides, we don't want
+children."
+
+"Isn't Fanny here?" screamed back Flora.
+
+"Yes, and Tootsie."
+
+"Well, let her stay with Fanny and Tootsie for a bit."
+
+Flora turned and walked down the hill rapidly with her companion.
+Maisie caught hold of Ermengarde's hand, and began to run with her
+under the trees.
+
+Presently she came across a stout little girl of about eleven,
+accompanied by a stouter little boy who might be a year older.
+
+"Fanny," said Maisie, "this child's name is Wilton. She'll stay and
+play with you and Tootsie for a bit. Now be good children, all of you.
+Ta-ta! I'll be back in time for tea."
+
+Maisie vanished round a corner, and Ermengarde found herself alone
+with Fanny and Tootsie.
+
+
+
+
+CHAPTER XIX.
+
+SOME PEOPLE WHO DID NOT FLATTER.
+
+
+They were not an agreeable-looking pair; they had evidently been
+dining, and their faces were sticky. They had also been quarreling,
+for they cast scowling glances at each other, and were in far too bad
+a temper to be civil to the newcomer.
+
+"I don't want her to play with us," said Tootsie, and he half turned
+his back.
+
+"I'm sure then she shan't play with me," said Fanny. "I don't wish to
+play with anyone, I'm sick of play. It's just like that horrid
+Maisie."
+
+"She isn't a bit more horrid than you and Tootsie!" suddenly remarked
+Ermengarde, finding her voice, and speaking with what seemed to the
+two children slow and biting emphasis. "You're all horrid together; I
+never met such horrid people. You are none of you ladies and
+gentlemen. I wouldn't play with you for the world! Good-by; I'm going
+home."
+
+Ermengarde turned her back, and began to walk rapidly away from the
+picnic party. Whether she would have succeeded in finding her way back
+to Glendower remains a mystery, for she had not gone a dozen yards
+before she encountered a stout old lady, who spread out her arms as
+she approached, and made herself look like a great fan.
+
+"Whither away, now, little maid of the woods?" she said. "Oh, I
+suppose you are the little girl called Wilton, whom Florrie brought
+over from Glendower with her. Maisie told me of you."
+
+"I'm going home; please let me pass," said Ermengarde.
+
+"Oh, highty-tighty! not a bit of you, dearie. You'll stay here till
+Florrie wants to go back. You'd get her into no end of a scrape if you
+were to leave her now. You must stick to her, my love. It would be
+unkind to desert poor Florrie in that fashion. I thought Maisie had
+left you with Fanny and Tootsie."
+
+"Yes, but they are horrid rude children. I could not possibly play
+with them."
+
+"Well, they are handfuls," said the stout lady. "I'm their mother, so
+I ought to know. You don't mind staying with me, then, love, do you?"
+
+"I'd much rather go home," repeated Ermengarde.
+
+"But you can't do that, my dear child, so there's no use thinking
+about it. Come, let us walk about and be cozy, and you tell me all
+about Glendower."
+
+The old lady now drew Ermengarde's slim hand through her arm, and she
+found herself forced to walk up and down the greensward in her
+company.
+
+Mrs. Burroughs was a downright sort of person. After her fashion she
+was kind to Ermie, but it never entered into her head to flatter her.
+She was a gossiping sort of body, and she wanted the child to recount
+to her all the tittle-tattle she knew about Glendower. Ermengarde had
+neither the power nor the inclination to describe the goings on at
+Glendower graphically. The stout lady soon got tired of her short
+answers, and began to survey her from head to foot in a critical and
+not too kindly spirit.
+
+"Dear, dear!" she said, "what an overgrown poor young thing you are!
+But we must all go through the gawky age; we must each of us take our
+turn. Maisie is just through her bad time, but when she was fourteen,
+wasn't she a show just! You're fourteen, ain't you, my love?"
+
+"Yes," said Ermengarde.
+
+"Ah, I thought as much! I said so the moment I set eyes on you. I knew
+it by your walk. Neither fish, flesh nor good red herring is a maid
+of fourteen; she's all right once she passes seventeen, so you take
+heart, my love. I dare say you'll be a fine girl then."
+
+"Mrs. Burroughs," interrupted Ermengarde, "I really must look for
+Flora. It is time for us to be going back. I must find her, and if she
+won't come, I'll go alone."
+
+She wrenched her hand away from the stout lady's arm, and before she
+could prevent her, began running through the woods to look for Flora.
+
+Miss St. Leger was nowhere in sight, so Ermie, feeling her present
+position past enduring, determined that, whatever happened, she would
+go back to Glendower. She was fortunate enough to meet one of the
+gamekeepers, and guided by his instructions presently found herself
+back in the house. Weary and stiff, her head aching, she crept up to
+her room, and threw herself on her bed. Oh, what horrid people Flora
+knew! Oh, what a horrid girl Flora really was!
+
+Ermengarde wondered how she could ever have liked or admired Flora, or
+made a friend of such a girl. She lay on the bed and listened
+intently, wondering what would happen if the picnic party returned
+before Flora chose to put in an appearance. In that case, would she,
+Ermengarde, be blamed? Would suspicion attach to her? Would her father
+discover how deceitfully she had behaved?
+
+"He would send me straight home if he knew it," thought Ermie. "Oh,
+what a lot of scrapes I've been getting into lately! What with Susy
+and the miniature, and Miss Nelson and Basil, and now this horrid mean
+Flora? Oh dear, oh dear? I'm sure I'm not a bit happy. I wish I could
+get straight somehow, only it's hopeless. I seem to get deeper and
+deeper into a dark wood every day. Oh dear! there is nothing whatever
+for me but to hope that things won't be found out."
+
+There came a gentle knock at Ermengarde's door.
+
+"Come in," she said, in a shaking voice. Her fears made her tremble at
+every sound.
+
+Petite appeared, bringing in a tempting little tray, with tea, and
+bread-and-butter, and cake. She inquired if Ermengarde knew where Miss
+St. Leger was. Ermie murmured something which the French maid tried to
+interpret in vain.
+
+"I'll look for ma'mselle in her room," she said.
+
+She arranged the tea-tray comfortably for Ermie, and withdrew.
+
+The little girl drank her tea; it soothed and comforted her, and she
+was just falling into a doze, when her room door was opened without
+any preliminary knock, and Flora, flushed, panting, and frightened,
+ran in.
+
+"Ermengarde, they are all returning. They are in the avenue already.
+Oh, how cruel of you to come home without me! You might have got me
+into an awful scrape."
+
+"I could not help it, Flora. You should not have left me with such
+people. They are not at all in our set. Father would not wish me to
+know them."
+
+"Oh, nonsense! They are as good as anybody."
+
+"They are not; they are not good at all. They are vulgar and horrid. I
+am surprised you should have taken me to see such people."
+
+"Well, well, child, it's all over now. You'll never tell about to-day,
+will you, Ermengarde?"
+
+"Oh, I suppose not, Flora."
+
+"You _suppose_ not? But you must promise faithfully. You don't know
+what mischief you'll make, if you tell. Promise now, Ermengarde;
+promise that you won't tell."
+
+"Very well, I promise," replied Ermie, in a tired-out voice.
+
+"That's a darling. I knew you were a pretty, sweet little pet. If ever
+I can do anything for you, Ermie, I will. Kiss me now, love. I hear
+their voices in the hall, and I must fly."
+
+Flora rushed noisily out of the room, and Ermie breathed a sigh of
+relief.
+
+That evening at dinner the stout old gentleman was very kind to the
+little girl who, with her hair down her back, and in a very simple
+muslin frock, sat by his side. In fact he took a great deal more
+notice of her than he did of the richly-attired young lady of the
+previous evening. In the course of the meal he imparted one piece of
+information to Ermengarde, which put her into extremely good spirits.
+He told her that Miss St. Leger and her mamma were leaving by a very
+early train on the following morning. Ermengarde quite laughed when
+she heard this, and the old gentleman gave her a quick pleased wink,
+as much as to say, "I thought you were too sensible to be long
+influenced by the flattery of that young person."
+
+Flora herself avoided Ermengarde all through the evening. She left her
+entirely to the society of her child friend Lilias, and finally went
+to bed without even bidding her good-by.
+
+
+
+
+CHAPTER XX.
+
+WHAT DID BASIL MEAN?
+
+
+It was rather late on the evening of the second day after Ermengarde
+and her father had gone to Glendower, that Marjorie, who had been
+playing with the nursery children, and dragging the big baby about,
+and otherwise disporting herself after the fashion which usually
+induces great fatigue, crept slowly upstairs to her room.
+
+She was really awfully tired, for the day had been a hot one, and
+nurse had a headache, and Clara, the nursery-maid, was away on a
+holiday. So Marjorie had scarcely breathing time all day long. Now she
+was going to bed, and the poor little girl looked rather limp and
+abject as she crept along the passage to her room.
+
+"I do hope Ermie is having a jolly time," she murmured to herself. "I
+can just fancy how delicious it is at Glendower now. It is such a
+beautiful, perfect place, just hanging over the sea. And there's going
+to be a moon. And the moon will shine on the sea, and make it
+silver."
+
+Marjorie reached her room. She climbed up on the window-ledge and
+gazed out.
+
+"Yes, the moon is getting up," she said, speaking her thoughts aloud,
+which was one of her old-fashioned ways. "Oh, how beautiful the moon
+must look on the sea. I wonder if Ermie is looking at it. Not that
+poor Ermie cares for moons, or things of that sort; but Lilias does.
+Who's that? O Basil, is it you? Have you come to talk to me? How
+awfully jolly! There's lots of room for both of us on the
+window-ledge. Squeeze in, Basil; there, aren't we snug? Please, may I
+put my arm round your neck to keep myself tight?"
+
+"All right, Mag. Only don't quite throttle me if you can help it. I
+thought you had some one with you. I heard you chattering."
+
+"Only to myself. It's a way I have."
+
+"Well, go on, never mind me; I'm nobody."
+
+"Oh, aren't you, just! Why, you are Basil, you're the eldest of us all
+and the wisest, and the best."
+
+"Hush, Maggie."
+
+Basil's brow was actually contracted with pain.
+
+"Yes, you are," repeated Marjorie, who saw the look, and began to feel
+her little heart waxing very hot. "O Basil, I meant to spend all
+to-day and yesterday clearing you; yes, I did, darling, I did! And I
+never thought, when it was made to be my plain duty to stay at home,
+that I was only to help in the nursery all day long. O Basil, I _am_
+so sorry."
+
+"I don't know what you mean, Maggie, by clearing me," said Basil.
+"Clearing me of what?"
+
+"Why, of course, you have been unjustly accused by father."
+
+"Stop, Maggie. I have not been unjustly accused by anyone."
+
+"Basil, you know you didn't break the little sister's miniature, nor
+steal it from Miss Nelson. You know you never did!"
+
+Basil put his arm round Marjorie's waist.
+
+"You think not?" he said with a slow, rather glad sort of smile.
+
+"_Think_ not? I know you didn't do it! _You_ do anything mean and
+horrid and wicked and shabby like that! _You?_ Look here, Basil, even
+if you told me you did it, I wouldn't believe you."
+
+"All right, Mag; then I needn't say anything."
+
+"Only you might just tell me----"
+
+"What?"
+
+"That you didn't do it. That you are shamefully and falsely
+suspected."
+
+"No, I could not tell you that, Maggie. My father has every right to
+be annoyed with me."
+
+"Basil!"
+
+"I can't explain, my dear little Mag. You must just take it on trust
+with me. I am not falsely accused of anything."
+
+Marjorie unlinked her hand from Basil's clasp. She sprang off the
+window-ledge on to the floor.
+
+"Look here," she said, "I can't stand this! There's a mystery, and I'm
+going to clear you. Oh, yes, I will; I am determined!"
+
+"No, Maggie, you are not to clear me. I don't wish to be cleared."
+
+"Basil, what do you mean?"
+
+"What I say. I don't wish to be cleared."
+
+"Then father is to go on being angry with you?"
+
+Basil suppressed a quick sigh.
+
+"I'm afraid he will, for a bit, Maggie," he answered. "He'll get over
+it; I'm not the first fellow who has had to live a thing down."
+
+"But when you never did the thing?"
+
+"We won't go into that. I've got to live it down. Boys often have
+rough kinds of things to get through, and this is one. It doesn't
+matter a bit. Don't fret, Mag. I assure you, I don't feel at all bad
+about it."
+
+"Oh, look at the moon!" suddenly exclaimed Marjorie. "Isn't she a
+lady? isn't she graceful? I wish those trees wouldn't hide her; she'd
+be so lovely, if we could have a good look at her."
+
+"We can't half see her here," said Basil. "Let's come into father's
+room. We'll have a splendid view from one of his windows."
+
+Marjorie had forgotten all about her fatigue now. She took Basil's
+hand, and in a silent ecstasy which was part of her emotional little
+nature, went with him into the big bedroom where Mr. Wilton slept.
+They could see splendidly all over the park from here, and as they
+looked, Marjorie poured out a good lot of her fervent little soul to
+her favorite brother.
+
+Basil was never a boy to say much about his feelings. Once he stooped
+down and kissed Marjorie.
+
+"What a romantic little puss you are," he said. Then he told her she
+must be sleepy, and sent her away to bed.
+
+"But you won't stay in this great lonely room by yourself, Basil."
+
+"This room lonely?" said Basil with a smile. "I used to sit here with
+mother. And her picture hangs there. I'm glad of the chance of having
+a good look at it in the moonlight."
+
+"Basil, do let me stay and look at it with you."
+
+"No, Maggie. I don't want to be unkind. You are a dear little thing,
+but it would help me best to be alone with mother's picture. You don't
+misunderstand me, Mag?"
+
+"Of course I don't. Good-night, _dear_ Basil; good-night, darling.
+This talk with you has been as good as two or three days at
+Glendower."
+
+Marjorie ran off, and Basil was alone. He went and knelt down under
+the girlish picture of his dead mother. The moonbeams were shining
+full into the room, and they touched his dark head, and lit up his
+young mother's fair face. Basil said no words aloud. He knelt quietly
+for a moment; then he rose, and with tears in his eyes gave another
+long look at the picture as he turned to leave the room.
+
+
+
+
+CHAPTER XXI.
+
+SUSY'S FEVERISH DESIRE.
+
+
+Hudson was waiting for Marjorie when she came back to her bedroom.
+
+"I don't know what to do, miss," she said to the little girl. "I'm
+aware it's Mr. Wilton's orders, but still, what am I to do with the
+poor woman? She's crying fit to break her heart, and it do seem cruel
+not to sympathize with her. It's a shame to worry you, Miss Maggie,
+but you're a very understanding little lady for your years."
+
+"Well, Hudson, I'll help if I can," said Marjorie. "Who's the poor
+woman? and what is she crying about?"
+
+"It's Mrs. Collins, my dear. It seems that Susy isn't going on at all
+satisfactory. The doctor says she has a kind of low fever, no way
+catching, but very bad for the poor little girl. Susy cries quite
+piteous to see Miss Ermengarde, and it does seem cruel that under the
+circumstances there should be distinctions in rank."
+
+"But Ermie is away," said Marjorie. "Susy can't see her, however much
+she wishes to. Did you tell Mrs. Collins that?"
+
+"I did, dear, and she said she daren't go back to the poor child with
+a message of that sort; that she was so fretted, and contrary, and
+feverish as it was, that she quite feared what would happen."
+
+"But what's to be done, Hudson? Ermie really is far away, and nothing,
+nothing that we can do can bring her back to-night."
+
+"I know, Miss Maggie, but poor women with only children are apt to be
+unreasonable, and Mrs. Collins does go on most bitter. She says she
+knows there's a secret on Susy's mind, and she feels certain sure that
+the child will never take a turn for the better until she can let out
+what's preying on her. Mrs. Collins is certain that Miss Ermengarde
+knows something about Susy, and that they have had some words between
+them, and she says there'll be no rest for the poor little creature
+until she and Miss Ermie have made whatever is wrong straight."
+
+Marjorie stood looking very thoughtful.
+
+"It's late, my dear, and you're tired," said the servant. "It seems a
+shame to worry you. Hadn't you better go to bed?"
+
+"Oh, don't, Hudson," said Marjorie. "What does it matter about my
+going to bed, or even if I am a bit tired? I'm thinking about poor
+Susy, and about Ermie. I've got a thought--I wonder--Hudson, I wish
+father hadn't said so firmly that Ermengarde was not to see Susy
+Collins."
+
+"Well, missy, my master is in the right. Little ladies do themselves
+no good when they make friends and equals of children like Susy. They
+do themselves no good, and they do still more harm to the poor
+children, whose heads get filled up with vain thoughts. But that's
+neither here nor there, Miss Maggie, in the present case. Illness
+alters everything, and levels all ranks, and if Miss Ermengarde was at
+home, she ought to go and see Susy, and that without a minute's delay,
+and your good father would be the very first to tell her so, Miss
+Maggie."
+
+"Then I know what I'll do," said Marjorie. "I'll go straight away this
+minute to Miss Nelson, and ask her if _I_ may go and see Susy. I dare
+say she'll let me--I'll try what I can do, anyhow. You run down and
+tell Mrs. Collins, Hudson. I'm not Ermie, but I dare say Susy would
+rather see me than no one."
+
+Miss Nelson was writing letters in her own room, when Marjorie with a
+flushed eager face burst in upon her. She made her request with great
+earnestness. Miss Nelson listened anxiously.
+
+"I will see Mrs. Collins," she said at last. The poor woman was
+brought up to the governess's room, and at sight of her evident grief
+Miss Nelson at once saw that she must act on her own independent
+judgment, and explain matters by and by to Mr. Wilton.
+
+"Ermengarde is away," she said to Mrs. Collins, "but if the case is
+really serious, she can be sent for, and in the meantime I will take
+Marjorie myself to the cottage, and if your little girl wishes to see
+her, she can do so. Fetch your hat, Marjorie, dear, and a warm wrap,
+for the dews are heavy to-night."
+
+Marjorie was not long in getting herself ready, and twenty minutes
+later the poor anxious mother and her two visitors found themselves in
+the cottage.
+
+"Look here, Mrs. Collins," said Marjorie, the moment they entered the
+house. "I want you not to tell Susy I have come. I'd like to slip
+upstairs very gently, and just see if I can do anything for her. I'll
+promise to be awfully quiet, and not to do her a scrap of harm."
+
+Mrs. Collins hesitated for a moment. Marjorie was not the Miss Wilton
+Susy was asking for, and she feared exciting the poor refractory
+little girl by not carrying out her wishes exactly. But as Susy's
+tired feverish voice was distinctly heard in the upper room, and as
+Miss Nelson said, "I think you can fully trust Marjorie; she is a most
+tender little nurse," Mrs. Collins yielded.
+
+"You must do as you think best, miss," she said.
+
+Marjorie did not wait for another word. She ran lightly up the narrow
+stairs, and entered the room where the sick child was sitting up in
+bed.
+
+"Is that you, Miss Ermie?" said Susy. "I thought you were never
+coming--never. I thought you had forsook me, just when I am so bad,
+and like to die."
+
+"It's me, Susy," said Marjorie, coming forward. "Ermengarde's away, so
+I came."
+
+"Oh, I don't want you, Miss Marjorie," said Susan.
+
+She flung herself back on the bed, and taking up the sheet threw it
+over her face. Marjorie went up to the bedside.
+
+"There ain't a bit of use in your staying, Miss Marjorie," continued
+Susy, in a high-pitched, excited voice. "You don't know nothing 'bout
+me and the picture. You ain't no good at all."
+
+Marjorie's heart gave a great bound. The picture! That must surely
+mean the broken miniature. "Basil, dear Basil," whispered the little
+girl, "you may not have to live down all the horrid, wicked, cruel
+suspicion after all."
+
+"I wish you'd go away, Miss Marjorie," said Susy from under the
+bedclothes. "I tell you miss, you can't do me one bit of good. You
+don't know nothing about me and the picture."
+
+"But I can hold your hand, Susy," said Marjorie; "and if your hand is
+hot, mine is lovely and cool. If you're restless, let me hold your
+hand. I often do so to baby if he can't sleep, and it quiets him ever
+so."
+
+Susy did not respond for a minute or two, but presently her poor
+little hot hand was pushed out from under the bedclothes. Marjorie
+grasped it firmly. Then she took the other hand, and softly rubbed the
+hot, dry fingers. Susy opened her burning eyes, flung aside the sheet,
+and looked at her quiet little visitor.
+
+"You comfort me a bit, miss," she said. "I don't feel so mad with
+restlessness as I did when you came in."
+
+"That's because I have got soothing hands," said Marjorie. "Some
+people have, and I suppose I'm one. The children at home always go to
+sleep when I hold their hands. Don't you think you could shut your
+eyes and try to go to sleep now, Susy?"
+
+"Oh, miss, there's a weight on my mind. You can't sleep when you're
+ill and like to die, and there's a weight pressing down on you."
+
+"I don't believe you'll die, Susy; and if you've a weight on your
+mind, you can tell God about it, you know."
+
+"No, miss, God's awful angry with me."
+
+"He's never angry with us, if we are sorry about things," answered
+Marjorie. "He's our Father, and fathers always forgive their children
+when they are sorry. If you are sorry, Susy, you can tell God, your
+Father, and he'll be sure to forgive you at once."
+
+"I'm sorry enough, miss, but I think Miss Ermie is as bad as me. I'd
+never have done it, never, but for Miss Ermie. I think it's mean of
+her to keep away from me when I'm ill."
+
+"Ermengarde is not at home, Susy; but if you want her very badly, if
+you really want her for anything important, I will write to her, and
+she shall come home--I know she will."
+
+"Thank you, Miss Marjorie; I didn't think nothing at all about what I
+did when I was well, but now it seems to stay with me day and night,
+and I'm sorry I was so spiteful and mean to Miss Nelson. But it wasn't
+_my_ fault, miss--no, that it wasn't--that the picture was broke. What
+is it, Miss Marjorie? How you start."
+
+"Nothing," said Marjorie; "only perhaps, Susy, you'd rather tell Ermie
+the rest; and she _shall_ come back; I promise you that that she
+shall come back."
+
+"Thank you, Miss Marjorie; you are real good, and you comfort me
+wonderfully when you hold my hands."
+
+"Well, I wish you'd let me put your sheets a little straight; there,
+that's better. Now I'm going to turn your pillow. And Susy, do let me
+push all that tangled hair out of your eyes. Now I'm going to kneel
+here, and you must shut your eyes. I promise you shall see Ermie.
+Good-night, Susy; go to sleep."
+
+Miss Nelson waited quietly in the little kitchen downstairs. The
+voices in Susy's sickroom ceased to murmur; presently Mrs. Collins
+stole softly upstairs. She returned in a few minutes accompanied by
+Marjorie. There were tears in the poor woman's eyes.
+
+"My Susy's in a blessed, beautiful sleep!" she exclaimed. "And it's
+all owing to this dear little lady; may Heaven reward her! I don't
+know how to thank you, Miss Marjorie. Susy hasn't been in a blessed
+healthful sleep like that since she broke her leg. It puts heart into
+me to see the child looking quiet and peaceful once again. And now
+I'll go upstairs and sit with her."
+
+Miss Nelson and Marjorie walked quickly home together. When they
+reached the house, the little girl made one request of her governess.
+
+"I want to write to Ermie. May I do it to-night?"
+
+"No, my love, I must forbid that. You are much too tired."
+
+"But it _is_ so important--far more important than I can tell you, and
+I promised Susy."
+
+"Maggie, do you want Ermengarde to come home?"
+
+"Oh, yes; she must come home."
+
+"Then you shall send her a telegram in the morning."
+
+"But that seems cruel. My letter will be far, far better. I could
+explain things a little in a letter."
+
+Miss Nelson considered for a moment.
+
+"I have great trust in you, Maggie," she said. "I won't question you,
+for I daresay you have heard something from Susan Collins in
+confidence. I am sure you would not wish to recall Ermengarde unless
+there was great need."
+
+"There is; oh, really, there is."
+
+"Then you shall go to bed now, and I will send you to Glendower with
+Hudson by the first train in the morning."
+
+
+
+
+CHAPTER XXII.
+
+QUITE IN A NEW CHARACTER.
+
+
+The day was lovely, and Ermengarde woke once more in the best of
+spirits. Notwithstanding her unhappy day, she had enjoyed herself much
+the night before. She had worn Lilias's simple white dress, and
+Marjorie's Maltese cross with its narrow gold chain had given to her
+appearance just that finish which best suited her youth.
+
+Ermengarde had looked remarkably pretty, and many people had noticed
+the fact, and one or two of Mr. Wilton's gentlemen friends had
+congratulated him in quite audible tones on having such a charming and
+lovely little daughter. Ermengarde had herself heard these words, and
+had seen a glow, half of sadness half of pleasure, light up her
+father's dark eyes, and her own heart had swelled within her. She
+began to know the difference between real praise and flattery. She
+thought how fascinating it would all be when she was really grown up,
+and dull lessons were over, and Miss Nelson was no longer of the
+slightest consequence, when she could dress as she pleased, and do as
+she liked.
+
+In the agreeable feelings which these thoughts gave her, she forgot
+about Basil's displeasure. She ceased to remember that the dearest
+friendship of her life was in danger of being broken, was so
+jeopardized that it was scarcely likely that the severed threads could
+ever be reunited with their old strength. Ermengarde was away from all
+unpleasant things, her fears about Flora were completely removed, and
+it was in her selfish and pleasure-loving nature to shut herself away
+from the memory of what worried her, and to enter fully into the
+delights of her present life. She rose gayly, and no one could have
+been merrier than she when she joined Lilias at the breakfast-table.
+The two girls had this meal again alone in Lilias Russell's pretty
+boudoir.
+
+"Shall we ride, or go out in the yacht?" said Lilias to her companion.
+"I heard father making all arrangements for a sail last night, and I
+know he'll take us if we ask him. Which would you like best, Ermie? If
+you are a sailor, I can promise you a good jolly time on board the
+_Albatross_. I was so sorry you were not with us yesterday."
+
+"Oh, I am a capital sailor," said Ermengarde. "We were at the Isle of
+Wight last year, and Basil and I sailed nearly every day. Maggie used
+to get sick, but we never did."
+
+"There's just a lovely breeze getting up to-day," said Lilias. "I'm so
+glad you like sailing, Ermie, for I know we shall just have a perfect
+time. If you'll stay here for a few minutes, I'll run and ask father
+if he will take us with them."
+
+Lilias stepped out through the open window, and Ermengarde leant
+against a trellised pillar in the veranda, and looked out over the
+peaceful summer scene, her pretty eyes full of a dreamy content. She
+was so happy at the thought that Flora was really gone that she felt
+very good and amiable; she liked herself all the better for having
+such nice, comfortable, kindly thoughts about everyone. Even Eric
+could scarcely have extracted a sharp retort from her at this moment.
+
+Lilias came flying back. "It's all right!" she exclaimed. "The
+_Albatross_ sails in an hour, and we are to meet father and Mr.
+Wilton, and the other gentlemen who are going to sail, on the quay at
+half-past eleven. I shall wear my white serge boating-costume. Have
+you anything pretty to put on, Ermie?"
+
+"Nothing as nice as that," said Ermengarde with a jealous look.
+"There's my dark blue serge, but it will look dowdy beside your
+white."
+
+"I have two white serge boating-dresses," said Lilias. "I will lend
+you one if you will let me. Our figures are almost exactly alike, and
+we are the same height. My dress had scarcely to be altered at all for
+you last night. Come, Ermie, don't look so solemn. You shall look
+charming, I promise, and I will make you up such a posy to wear in
+your button-hole. Now, shall we stroll about, or just sit here and be
+lazy?"
+
+"Do let us sit here," said Ermengarde. "You don't know what a comfort
+the stillness is, Lily. At this hour at home all the little ones are
+about, and they make such a fuss and noise. I think it's the worst
+management to allow children to keep bothering one at all hours of the
+day."
+
+"Well, I'm not tried in that way," said Lilias, with a quick
+half-suppressed sigh, "and as I adore children, I am afraid I can't
+quite sympathize--O Ermie, what a queer old shandrydan is coming up
+the avenue! Who can be in it? Who can be coming here at this hour?
+Why, I do declare it's the one-horse fly from the station! Noah's Ark,
+we call that fly, it's so rusty and fusty, and so little in demand;
+for you know, when people come to Glendower, we always send for them,
+and I don't think the station is any use except for shunting purposes,
+and to land our visitors. Who _can_ be coming in Noah's Ark?"
+
+Just then a very rough little head, surmounted by a brown straw hat,
+was pushed out of one of the windows of the old fly; a lot of wild,
+long, disordered hair began to wave in the breeze; and a hand was
+waved frantically to the two girls, as they sat in the cool veranda.
+
+"Why, it's Maggie!" exclaimed Lilias. "It's Maggie, the duck, the
+sweet! How delicious! _What_ has brought her?"
+
+She took a flying leap down the veranda steps, and across the lawn, to
+meet the old fly.
+
+"It's Maggie!" echoed Ermengarde, who did not rush to meet her little
+sister. "What has happened? what _has_ gone wrong now?"
+
+She rose from the luxurious chair in which she was lounging and,
+throwing back her head, gazed watchfully at the fervent meeting which
+was taking place between Lilias and Marjorie.
+
+"Detestable of Maggie to follow me like this!" muttered Ermengarde. "I
+wonder Miss Nelson allows it. Really our governess is worse than
+useless, not a bit the sort of person to teach girls in our position.
+Now, what _can_ be up? Oh, and there's Hudson! Poor, prim, proper old
+Hudson. She has come to take care of the darling cherub who never does
+wrong. Well I think it's taking a great liberty with Lady Russell's
+establishment, and I only trust and hope father will give it hotly to
+Miss Nelson."
+
+"Well, Maggie." Ermengarde advanced a step or two in a very languid
+manner. "Oh, don't throttle me, please. How very hot and messy you
+look! and what has brought _you_ to Glendower?"
+
+"The dear kind train, and the dear kind Noah's Ark," interrupted
+Lilias. "Don't I bless them both! Mag, I want to show you my grotto; I
+arranged the shells in the pattern you spoke of last year. They look
+awfully well, only I'm not quite sure that I like such a broad row of
+yellow shells round the edge."
+
+Lilias spoke with some rapidity. She was standing opposite the two
+sisters; she was not at all an obtuse girl, and she felt annoyed at
+Ermengarde's coldness to Marjorie, and wanted to make up to her by
+extra enthusiasm on her own part. Lilias had never seen the home side
+of Ermie's character, and was amazed at the change in her expression.
+
+"O Lily, I should love to look at the grotto!" exclaimed Marjorie,
+"and perhaps I'll have time for just one peep. But I'm going back
+again by the next train, and it's awfully important that I should
+speak to Ermie--awfully important."
+
+Marjorie was never a pretty child, and she certainly did not look her
+best at that moment. Fatigue had deprived her of what slight color she
+ever possessed; her hair was dreadfully tossed, her holland frock
+rumpled and not too clean, and her really beautiful gray eyes looked
+over-anxious. Marjorie's whole little face at that moment had a
+curious careworn look, out of keeping with its round and somewhat
+babyish form.
+
+"If you want to talk to Ermie, I'll run away," said Lilias. "I'll find
+mother, and tell her that you've come, Maggie; and we must discover
+some expedient for keeping you, now that you have arrived."
+
+When Lilias finished speaking she left the room, and Ermengarde
+instantly turned to Marjorie.
+
+"This is really too silly!" she said. "I felt obliged to you two days
+ago, but I'd rather never have come than see you here now making such
+an exhibition of yourself. Do you know that you have taken a very
+great liberty, forcing yourself into the house this way?"
+
+"I'm going back again by the next train, Ermie, and I _did_ think
+that you'd rather have me than a telegram."
+
+"_You_ than a telegram? I want neither you nor a telegram. Maggie, I
+think you are the most exasperating child in the world!"
+
+"Well, Ermie, you won't let me speak. I've come about Susy; she let
+out all about the miniature to me last night."
+
+"About the miniature!" echoed Ermengarde rather faintly. Her defiant
+manner left her; her face turned pale. "The miniature!" she said. Then
+her eyes blazed with anger. "Why have _you_ interfered with Susy
+Collins, Maggie?" she said. "Have you disobeyed my father, too?"
+
+"No, Ermie. I'll tell you about it--you have got to listen. I'll tell
+you in as few words as I can. You know, Ermie, that Basil has got into
+trouble with father. He gave Miss Nelson back the miniature, and
+father thought that Basil had first stolen it, and then broken it; and
+father was very, very angry with Basil, so Basil wouldn't come to
+Glendower, although he wanted to. And last night Basil came to sit
+with me in my room, and I told him I meant to clear him, for I knew as
+well as anything that he had never stolen the picture or broken it, or
+done anything shabby. And Basil said that I was _not_ to clear him,
+that he didn't wish to be cleared, and that he'd live it down. Basil
+and I went away to father's room to look at the moon, and Basil asked
+me to leave him there, for he wanted to be alone with mother's
+picture. Then I went away, and it was late, and I was going to bed,
+when Hudson came and told me that Mrs. Collins had come, and that she
+wanted you; and Mrs. Collins was crying awfully, and she said Susy was
+very bad, and she was always calling out for you, and if you didn't go
+to see her, perhaps Susy would die.
+
+"So then I went to see Susy, and she really was awfully ill; she had
+fever, and was half delirious; and she talked about the picture, and
+about its being broken, and she wanted you so dreadfully. Then I
+promised I'd bring you to her to-day, and that quieted her a little,
+and no one else heard what she said about the miniature. Miss Nelson
+went with me to the Collinses' cottage last night, and I told her how
+important it was that you should see Susy, but she does not know the
+reason. No one knows the reason but me."
+
+"And you----" said Ermengarde.
+
+"Yes, Ermie, I know. I couldn't help guessing, but I haven't told. I
+have left that for you."
+
+Ermengarde turned her head away.
+
+"I thought I'd be better than a telegram," began Marjorie again.
+
+"O Maggie, do stop talking for a moment, and let me think."
+
+Ermengarde pressed her hand to her forehead. She felt utterly
+bewildered, and a cold fear, the dread of exposure and discovery, gave
+a furtive miserable expression to her face.
+
+Just then Lilias came into the room.
+
+"I hope your great confab is over?" she exclaimed. "Mother is so
+pleased you have arrived, Maggie, and of course she insists on your
+remaining, now that you have come. Hudson can go home and pack your
+things, and send them to you, and you shall come out in the yacht with
+us; we'll have twice as jolly a day as we would have had without you,
+Maggie."
+
+"But I must go home, really," said Marjorie, "and--so must Ermie, too,
+I'm afraid."
+
+"Yes," said Ermengarde, rousing herself with an effort, and coming
+forward. "Maggie has brought me bad news. There's a poor little girl
+at home, the daughter of our head gamekeeper. She broke her leg a week
+ago, and she's very ill now with fever or something, and she's always
+calling for me. I--I--used to be kind to her, and I think I must go.
+Maggie says she never rests calling for me."
+
+"It's very noble of you to go," said Lilias. "This quite alters the
+case. Let me run and tell mother. Oh, how grieved I am! but dear
+Ermie, of course you do right. That poor little girl--I can quite
+understand her looking up to you and loving you, Ermie. Let me fly to
+mother and tell her. She'll be so concerned!"
+
+In a very few moments Lady Russell and Mr. Wilton had both joined the
+conference. Mr. Wilton looked grave, and asked a few rather searching
+questions, but Marjorie's downright little narrative of Susy's
+sufferings softened everyone, and Ermengarde presently left the house,
+with the chastened halo of a saint round her young head.
+
+Her saint-like conduct, and the romantic devotion of the poor
+retainer's daughter, made really quite a pretty story, and was firmly
+believed in by Lady Russell and Lilias. Mr. Wilton, however, had his
+doubts. "Ermie in the role of the self-denying martyr is too new and
+foreign for me," he muttered. "There's something at the back of this.
+Basil in disgrace (which he well deserves, the impudent young
+scoundrel), and Ermengarde the friend and support of the suffering
+poor! these things are too new to be altogether consistent. There's
+something at the back of this mystery, and I shall go home and see
+what it means to-morrow."
+
+
+
+
+CHAPTER XXIII.
+
+BLESSED AND HAPPY.
+
+
+Ermengarde was sitting in her own room, and Marjorie was standing by
+her side. It was the day after Ermie's unexpected return home. She had
+spent a couple of hours with Susy, and Miss Nelson had given her a
+grave but kind welcome. Now the first day was over, the first night
+had gone by, and Ermengarde was sitting, resting her cheek upon her
+hand, by the open window of her pretty bedroom.
+
+Marjorie was lolling against the window-ledge; her anxious eyes were
+fixed on Ermengarde, who was looking away from her, and whose pretty
+face wore a particularly sullen expression.
+
+"Well, Ermie, what will you do?" asked Marjorie, in a gentle voice.
+
+"Oh, I don't know--don't worry me."
+
+"But you must make up your mind. Miss Nelson is waiting."
+
+"Let her wait; what do I care?"
+
+"Ermie, what's the good of talking like that? Miss Nelson is our
+governess, and mother used to be fond of her. You know it was mother
+asked her to come and take care of us when she knew that God was going
+to take her away. So, Ermie, there's no use in being disrespectful to
+her, for, even if it wasn't very wrong, father wouldn't allow it for a
+minute. Ermie, do you know that father has come back?"
+
+"_No!_ What can he have come back for?" Ermengarde raised her brows in
+some alarm. "I can't make out why he should have shortened his visit
+to Glendower," she added anxiously.
+
+"I can't tell you, Ermie. He's talking to Basil now; they are walking
+up and down in the shrubbery."
+
+"Oh, well, Basil--Basil is all right."
+
+Marjorie felt a flood of indignant color filling her face.
+
+"Basil won't tell," she said, in her sturdy voice. "That's quite true.
+Basil has promised, and he'd _never_ break his word. But Miss Nelson
+is different, and she--she has determined to find out the truth."
+
+Ermengarde sprang from her chair.
+
+"What do you mean, Maggie?"
+
+"I'm awfully sorry, Ermie, but I really mean what I say. Miss Nelson
+says she is determined to find out everything. She has sent for you
+to speak to you. You had much better come to her. Oh, now, I knew
+you'd be too late! That's her knock at the door."
+
+The rather determined knock was immediately followed by the lady in
+question. Miss Nelson was a very gentle woman, but her eyes now quite
+blazed with anger.
+
+"Ermengarde, it is quite a quarter of an hour since I sent for you."
+
+Ermie lowered her eyes--she did not speak. Miss Nelson seated herself.
+
+"Why did you not come to me, Ermengarde, when I sent Maggie for you?"
+
+"I--I didn't want to."
+
+Miss Nelson was silent for a minute.
+
+"I anticipated your saying something of this kind," she remarked
+presently. "So, as it is necessary we should meet, I took the trouble
+to come to you. Ermengarde, look at me."
+
+With a great effort Ermie raised her eyes.
+
+"What did Susy Collins say to you, yesterday?"
+
+"I--I don't want to tell you."
+
+"I desire you to tell me."
+
+"I--I can't."
+
+"You mean you won't."
+
+"I can't tell you, Miss Nelson."
+
+Ermengarde clasped and unclasped her hands. Her expression was
+piteous.
+
+Miss Nelson was again silent for a few minutes.
+
+"Ermengarde," she said then, "this is not the time for me to say I am
+sorry for you. I have a duty to perform, and there are moments when
+duties must come first of all. Susan Collins's excitement, her almost
+unnatural desire to see you, have got to be accounted for. There is a
+cloud over Basil that must be explained away. There is a mystery about
+a little old miniature of mine: it was stolen by some one, and broken
+by some one. The story of that miniature somebody must tell. At the
+risk of your father's displeasure I took Maggie to visit Susy Collins
+the other night. You were away on a visit with your father, and I
+allowed Maggie to fetch you home. There is undoubtedly an adequate
+reason for this, but I must know it, for I have to explain matters to
+Mr. Wilton; therefore, Ermengarde, if you will not tell me fully and
+frankly and at once all that occurred between you and Susy yesterday,
+I will go myself and see the Collinses, and will learn the whole story
+from Susy's own lips."
+
+"Oh, you will not," said Ermengarde, "You never could be so cruel!"
+
+All her self-possession had deserted her. Her face was white, her
+voice trembled.
+
+"I must go, Ermie. Wretched child, why don't you save yourself by
+telling me all you know at once?"
+
+"I cannot, I cannot!"
+
+Ermengarde turned her head away. Miss Nelson rose to leave the room.
+
+"I am going to my room," she said; "I will wait there for half an
+hour. If at the end of half an hour you do not come to me, I must go
+to see the Collinses."
+
+Ermengarde covered her face with her hands. Miss Nelson left the room.
+
+"Ermie," said Marjorie in her gentlest voice.
+
+"I wish you'd leave me," said Ermengarde. "There would never have been
+all this mischief but for you; I do wish you'd go away!"
+
+"If you only would be brave enough to tell the truth," whispered
+Marjorie.
+
+"Do, do go away! Leave me to myself."
+
+With great reluctance the little girl left the room. As she sidled
+along the wall, she looked back several times. A word, a glance would
+have brought her back. But the proud, still little figure by the
+window did not move a muscle. The angry eyes looked steadily outward;
+the lips were firmly closed. Marjorie banged the door after her; she
+did not mean to, but the open window had caused a draught, and
+Ermengarde with a long shiver realized that she was alone.
+
+"Now, that's a comfort," she murmured; "now I can think. Have I time
+to rush up to Susy, and tell her that she is not to let out a single
+word? Half an hour--Miss Nelson gives me half an hour. I could reach
+the Collinses' cottage in about ten minutes, if I flew over the grass;
+five minutes with Susy, and then ten minutes back again. I can do
+it--I will!"
+
+She seized her hat, rushed to the door, ran along the corridor, and
+down the stairs. In a moment she was out. Her fleet young steps
+carried her lightly as a fawn over the grass, and down the path which
+led to Susy's cottage. How fast her heart beat! Surely she would be in
+time!
+
+A short cut to the Collinses' cottage lay through a small paddock
+which cut off an angle of the park. Ermie remembered this, and made
+for it now. There was a stile to climb, but this was no obstacle to
+the country-bred girl. She reached the paddock, vaulted lightly over
+the stile, and was about to rush along the beaten path when she was
+suddenly brought face to face with the two people whom in all the
+world she wished least to see just then--her father and Basil. They,
+too, were walking in the paddock, and met Ermengarde close to the
+stile.
+
+Ermie had never seen her father's face wear a sterner, or more
+displeased expression, but it was not his glance which frightened her
+most just then; it was a certain proud, resigned, yet strong look
+which flashed at her for an instant out of Basil's beautiful eyes.
+This, joined to an expression of suffering round his lips, gave
+Ermengarde for the first time a glimpse of the abyss of deceit and
+wrong-doing into which she was plunging.
+
+A great longing for Basil's love and approbation rushed over her. The
+desire for this was stronger in that first brief moment than her fear
+of meeting her father. She stood perfectly still, her hands dropped to
+her sides; she had not a word to say.
+
+"You can go home," said Mr. Wilton, turning to his son; "I have
+expressed my opinion; I don't mean to repeat it--there is nothing
+further to say."
+
+Basil did not make any reply to this speech, nor did he again look at
+Ermengarde. He went to the stile, vaulted over it, and disappeared.
+
+"And now, Ermie, where are you going to?" said her father.
+
+"Home," she answered confusedly. "I am going home."
+
+"My dear, I never knew that this way through the paddock led home.
+Come, Ermengarde, I am tired of prevarication. What does all this
+mean?"
+
+"Don't ask me, father. I mean I'll tell you presently. I want to see
+Miss Nelson."
+
+"Is Miss Nelson at the other side of this paddock? Ermengarde, I
+insist upon it, I will be answered."
+
+"Give me half an hour, father, a quarter of an hour--ten minutes--just
+to see Miss Nelson, and--and--Basil."
+
+"Then you are in league with Basil, too! A nice state I find my family
+in! I give a distinct and simple order to you, which you disobey.
+Basil, whom I always supposed to be the soul of honor, has behaved
+with wanton cruelty toward a lady who was your mother's friend, whom I
+respect, and who has been placed more or less in authority over you
+all. Not a word, Ermengarde. Basil has as good as confessed his guilt,
+and I can only say that my old opinion of him can never be restored.
+Then, I take you away on a visit, and Maggie comes to fetch you home,
+because, forsooth, the gamekeeper's daughter with whom I have
+forbidden you to have any intercourse is feverish, and wants to have a
+conversation with you. Nonsense, Ermie! you posed very well at the
+Russells' yesterday as a little philanthropist, but that role, my
+dear, is not yours. Susan Collins had a far stronger reason for
+recalling you from Glendower than the simple desire for your company.
+Come, Ermie, this mystery has got to be cleared up. This is _not_ the
+road home, nor am I aware that Miss Nelson resides at the other end of
+the paddock. But this narrow path leads directly to Collins's cottage.
+I presume you are going there. If you have no objection, we will go
+together, my dear."
+
+"Yes, father, I have every objection. You need not go to Collins's.
+I--I won't keep it in any longer."
+
+"I thought I should bring you to your senses. Now, what have you got
+to say?"
+
+"It's on account of Basil."
+
+"Leave Basil's name out, please. I am not going to be cajoled into
+restoring him to my favor again."
+
+Ermengarde's face, which had been growing whiter and whiter during
+this interview, now became convulsed with a spasm of great agony. She
+put up her trembling hands to cover it. This was not a moment for
+tears. Her hot eyes were dry.
+
+"Father, you don't know Basil. _He_ has done nothing wrong, nothing.
+It's all me. It's all me, father."
+
+And then the miserable story, bit by bit, was revealed to Mr. Wilton;
+it was told reluctantly, for even now Ermengarde would have shielded
+herself if she could. Without a single word or comment, the narrative
+was listened to. Then Mr. Wilton, taking Ermie's hand, walked silently
+back to the house with her. Miss Wilton came down the steps of the
+front entrance to meet them.
+
+"Good-morning, Ermengarde," she said. "How queer and dragged you look?
+Roderick, I want to speak to you."
+
+"I will come to you presently, Elizabeth. I am particularly engaged
+just now."
+
+"But you are not going to take that child in through the front
+entrance?"
+
+"Will you allow me to pass, please?"
+
+Mr. Wilton's voice was so firm that his sister made no further
+comment, but with a shrug of her shoulders turned aside.
+
+"If only Elizabeth were a different woman, I might not have scenes
+like this," murmured the poor man.
+
+He went to his study, and there, to his great astonishment, found
+Marjorie and Basil both waiting for him.
+
+"We saw you coming up the field" said Marjorie at once. "And I knew
+Ermie had told. I knew it by her face, and the way she walked. I told
+Basil so, and I said we would come in here, for I guessed you'd bring
+Ermie here. Dear Ermie, you are brave now! Dear Ermie!"
+
+Marjorie ran up to her sister.
+
+"It's all going to be quite right now," she said. And she raised her
+flushed eager face, and looked at her father.
+
+Mr. Wilton went straight to Basil's side.
+
+"I misunderstood you, my boy; forgive me," he said.
+
+Ermengarde stood erect and stiff. She had not shed a tear, nor made
+any response to Marjorie's words. Her whole soul was in her face,
+however. She was watching her father's greeting of Basil. She waited
+for its effect.
+
+The few words uttered by Mr. Wilton were magical. Something seemed to
+flash out of Basil's eyes. They looked straight up into his father's,
+then dropped to the ground.
+
+"Father," he murmured. His father grasped his hand.
+
+"O Basil," suddenly sobbed Ermie. Her fortitude gave way; she rushed
+to her brother and almost groveled at his feet.
+
+"Now, what's to be done?" said Mr. Wilton, turning in a perplexed kind
+of way to his younger daughter. "I confess it, I never felt more
+confused and put out in all my life. I brought Ermengarde here to
+punish her most severely."
+
+"Oh, please, father, don't! Let it be a full, complete, jolly kind of
+forgiveness all round. Look at Basil, father."
+
+Mr. Wilton turned his head. Basil was on his knees, and his arms were
+round Ermie, her head rested on his shoulder.
+
+"Oh, father, do let us come out and leave them together for a little!"
+
+"Really, Maggie, you don't treat me with a bit of respect," said Mr.
+Wilton. But his voice was low, the frown had cleared from his brow,
+and he pinched Marjorie's firm round cheek.
+
+"I suppose I must humor you, little woman," he said, "for after all
+you are the only member of my family who never gets into scrapes."
+
+"Oh, father, I'm so happy!" They were out side the study door now, and
+Marjorie, still clinging to her father's hand, was skipping up and
+down. "Everything will be as right as possible now, and no one, no one
+in all the world can help Ermie as Basil can."
+
+"I believe you are right there, Maggie," said Mr. Wilton. "My poor
+lad, he certainly has done a noble, Quixotic sort of thing. I can't
+forgive myself for being so harsh with him."
+
+"Oh, father, Basil quite understood. He didn't wish to be cleared, you
+know."
+
+"Yes, yes, I see daylight at last."
+
+"Father, what do you mean by Basil being Quixotic?"
+
+"I'll tell you another time, puss. And so _you_ knew of this all the
+time?"
+
+"Only since the night before last. I wanted Ermie to tell you herself.
+Basil wouldn't tell, and he wouldn't let me. Now it's all right. Oh,
+how happy I am! Now it's all right."
+
+"And you really mean me to let Ermengarde off her punishment, Mag?"
+
+"Well, father?"
+
+Marjorie put her head a little on one side, and adopted her most
+sagacious and goody-goody manner.
+
+"Wouldn't it be well to see if Ermie hasn't learnt something by this
+lesson, you know? I expect Ermie has suffered a lot."
+
+"Not she--not she."
+
+"Oh, but, father, I think she has. Couldn't you wait until the next
+time to punish Ermie, father?"
+
+"Well, you're a dear child," said Mr. Wilton, "and perhaps, for your
+sake----"
+
+"Oh, no, father, for Basil's sake."
+
+"Well then, for Basil's sake."
+
+Marjorie kissed her father about a dozen times.
+
+"You'll let Ermie just learn by her experience to be better another
+time, and that will be her only punishment," said Marjorie, in her
+wisest manner.
+
+"Well, Maggie, I suppose I must yield to you. And now, as this is to
+be, and I am not to assume the role of the severe father--between
+ourselves, Maggie, I hate roles--do let us drop the subject. I feel
+inclined for a game with the young ones. What do you say?"
+
+"I say that the sun has come out, and I am as happy as the day is
+long," replied Marjorie. "Give me another kiss, please, father. Lucy,
+is that you? Father is coming to have a romp with us all. Just one
+minute, please, father. I must go and tell Miss Nelson the good news."
+
+"What a blessed, happy, dear little thing Maggie is!" thought Mr.
+Wilton as, holding Lucy's hand, he walked slowly to the nursery
+playground. "She's more like her mother than any of them. Yes, this
+may be a lesson to Ermengarde. Poor child, I hope so."
+
+       *       *       *       *       *
+
+It was late that evening when Ermengarde and Basil, standing side by
+side under their mother's picture, solemnly kissed each other.
+
+"Basil, you will never love me in the old way again."
+
+"I love you better than anyone else in all the world, Ermie. Look up
+into mother's eyes; they are smiling at you."
+
+"I know what they are saying," answered Ermengarde. She clasped her
+hands; there was a stronger, better look than Basil had ever noticed
+before on her pretty face. "Mother's eyes are saying, 'You have been
+very selfish, Ermie, and very----' What is it, Basil?"
+
+"Yes," interrupted Basil. "I think selfishness was at the root of all
+this trouble. I never knew any one so _unselfish_ as Maggie."
+
+"And mother's eyes say," continued Ermengarde, "'Take
+courage--and--and----'"
+
+"I think mother is telling you to try to copy our dear little Maggie,"
+said Basil.
+
+
+THE END.
+
+       *       *       *       *       *
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+
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+AESOP'S FABLES
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+ANDERSEN, HANS CHRISTIAN
+         Fairy Tales and Stories
+
+BARRIE, J. M.
+         The Little Minister
+
+BELL, J. J.
+         Wee Macgreegor
+
+BESANT AND RICE
+         All Sorts and Conditions of Men
+
+BRONTE, CHARLOTTE
+         Jane Eyre
+
+BULWER-LYTTON
+         The Last Days of Pompeii
+
+BUNYAN, JOHN
+         Pilgrim's Progress
+
+CAREY, ROSA NOUCHETTE
+         Aunt Diana
+         Averil
+         Merle's Crusade
+         Not Like Other Girls
+         Only the Governess
+
+CARROLL, LEWIS
+         Alice in Wonderland and Through the Looking
+         Glass. The two volumes in one
+
+CONNOR, RALPH
+Black Rock
+
+COOPER, J. FENIMORE
+         The Deerslayer
+         The Last of the Mohicans
+         The Pathfinder
+         The Pioneers
+         The Prairie
+         The Spy
+
+CUMMINS, MARIA S.
+         The Lamplighter
+
+CORELLI, MARIE
+         Thelma
+         A Romance of Two Worlds
+
+DEFOE, DANIEL
+         Robinson Crusoe
+
+DICKENS, CHARLES
+         A Tale of Two Cities
+         The Christmas Stories
+
+DODGE, MARY MAPES
+         Hans Brinker
+
+DOYLE, A. CONAN
+         Tales of Sherlock Holmes
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+DUMAS, ALEXANDER
+         Twenty Years After
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+ELIOT, GEORGE
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+ELLIS, EDWARD S.
+         Life of Kit Carson
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+EMERSON, RALPH WALDO
+         Essays (1st and 2nd Series in one volume)
+
+EVANS, AUGUSTA J.
+         Beulah
+         Inez
+         Macaria
+         St. Elmo (Special Ed.)
+
+FOTHERGILL, JESSIE
+         The First Violin
+
+GASKELL, MRS.
+         Cranford
+
+GRIMM, THE BROTHERS
+         Grimm's Fairy Tales
+
+HABBERTON, JOHN
+         Helen's Babies
+
+HARRIS, MIRIAM COLES
+         Rutledge
+
+HAWTHORNE, NATHANIEL
+         The Marble Faun
+         The Scarlet Letter
+
+HOLLAND, J. G.
+         Bitter Sweet
+
+HOLLEY, MARIETTA
+         Samantha at Saratoga
+
+HOLMES, OLIVER WENDELL
+         Elsie Venner
+
+HUGHES, THOMAS
+         Tom Brown's School Days
+         Tom Brown at Oxford
+
+INGRAHAM, REV. J. H.
+         The Prince of the House of David
+         The Pillar of Fire
+         The Throne of David
+
+IRVING, WASHINGTON
+         The Sketch Book
+
+LAMB, CHARLES AND MARY
+         Tales from Shakespeare
+
+LANG, ANDREW
+         The Blue Fairy Book
+         The Green Fairy Book,
+         My Own Fairy Book
+         The Red Fairy Book
+         The Yellow Fairy Book
+
+LONGFELLOW, HENRY W.
+         Evangeline
+         Hiawatha
+         The Courtship of Miles Standish
+
+MARLITT, EUGENIE
+         Gold Elsie
+
+MEREDITH, OWEN
+         Lucile
+
+MULOCK, MISS
+         The Little Lame Prince
+         Mulock's Fairy Tales
+
+OUIDA
+         Under Two Flags
+
+PRENTISS, ELIZABETH PAYSON
+         Stepping Heavenward
+
+READE, CHARLES
+         The Cloister and the Hearth
+
+REID, CAPT. MAYNE
+         The Rifle Rangers
+
+SCOTT, SIR WALTER
+         Ivanhoe (with notes)
+         Kenilworth (with notes)
+
+SEWELL, ANNA
+         Black Beauty
+
+SHELDON, REV. CHARLES M.
+         Crucifixion of Philip Strong
+         In His Steps
+         Robert Hardy's Seven Days
+
+STEVENSON, R. L.
+         Treasure Island
+
+STOWE, HARRIET BEECHER
+         Uncle Tom's Cabin
+
+THOMPSON, D. P.
+         Green Mountain Boys
+
+WAGNER, CHARLES
+         The Simple Life
+
+WARNER, SUSAN
+         The Wide, Wide World
+
+WOOD, MRS. HENRY
+         East Lynne
+
+WYSS, JOHANN RUDOLF
+         Swiss Family Robinson
+
+       *       *       *       *       *
+
+     GROSSET & DUNLAP, 526 WEST 26th ST., NEW YORK
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+End of Project Gutenberg's The Children of Wilton Chase, by Mrs. L. T. Meade
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