Lady Sarah smiled through her tears. "I don't want to be `nasty'! I don't want to spoil your happiness, poor child!" she said pathetically; "but this crabbed spirit has grown and grown, until I seem powerless to overcome it. And you must think me ungrateful, too. I wanted to thank you for your help the other night. I don't forget it, child--I shall never forget it! I was longing to see you this morning. If you had been half an hour earlier, you would have had a different reception, but that child ran in and began telling his little stories. I wish he had kept quiet. I wish I had never listened." "I don't! I am glad that you know, now that the scolding is over," said Mildred frankly. "I am not sure that I could have screwed up courage to tell you myself, but I feel much more comfortable now that you do know. I've never done anything else like that; I truly haven't." Lady Sarah smiled, and laid her hand caressingly on the golden head. "I believe you, my dear. I am quite sure you have not, if you say so. You are a bright, hopeful, young creature, Mildred. My heart goes out towards you. Will you help an old woman to get the better of her fretful temper?" Mildred lifted her face, the grey eyes large and solemn. "If you help me, too," she said. "Let us help each other!" CHAPTER FIFTEEN. A HAPPY ENDING. The Dean and Mrs Faucit duly presented Mildred with a gold watch to match those already possessed by their own daughters. It had a monogram on the back, an inscription inside the cover, and was altogether the most delightful specimen of its kind that could be imagined. Mildred developed an absorbing curiosity to know how time was passing during the next few days, which compelled her to pull out the watch every two or three minutes, while the intervals were agreeably spent in playing with the pretty little chain to which it was attached. She wrote enthusiastic letters to her mother and Miss Margaret, describing her new possession and giving a dramatic description of the events which had led to its presentation; but the answers which she received were distinctly disappointing, for Mrs Moore could only send a verbal message, while Mardie treated her news in aggravatingly lukewarm manner. Mildred realised with chagrin that her thrilling description had failed to arouse anything like the interest which she expected. Even the congratulations which followed were wanting in fervour, as though the presentation of a watch and chain were an everyday occurrence. "_And now, dear, I have something interesting to tell you_," the letter went on, when the subject of Mildred's own adventures had been dismissed in a few cursory sentences; and as she read the words, the girl tossed her head with a gesture of impatience.