"I have been thinking of a method by which I hoped to bring you together a little more--after the holidays. Of course we are going away very soon now--to Scotland; and we shall probably not return until October; but when that time comes--my dear Miss Colwyn, I am sure you will not be offended by the question I am going to ask?" "Oh, no," said Janetta, hastily. "Are you intending to give any singing or music lessons in the neighborhood?" "If I can get any pupils, I shall be only too glad to do so." "Then _will_ you begin with dear Margaret?" "Margaret?" said Janetta, in some astonishment. "But Margaret has had the same teaching that I have had, exactly!" "She needs somebody to help her. She has not your talent or your perseverance. And she would so much enjoy singing with you. I trust that you will not refuse us, Miss Colwyn." "I shall be very glad to do anything that I can for Margaret," said Janetta, flushing. "Thank you so much. Once a week then--when we come back again. And about terms----" "Oh, Lady Caroline, I shall be only too glad to sing with Margaret at any time without----" "Without any talk about terms?" said Lady Caroline, with a charming smile of comprehension. "But that, my dear, I could not possibly allow. No, we must conduct the matter on strictly business-like principles, or Mr. Adair would be very much displeased with me. Suppose we say----" And she went on to suggest terms which Janetta was too much confused to consider very attentively, and agreed to at once. It was only afterwards that she discovered that they were lower than any which she should ever have thought of suggesting for herself, and that she should have to blush for Lady Caroline's meanness in mentioning them to her father! But at present she saw nothing amiss. Lady Caroline went on smoothly. "I want her to make the most of her time, because she may not be able to study up by-and-bye. She will come out this winter, and I shall take her to town in the spring. I do not suppose that I shall ever have another opportunity--if, at least, she marries as early as she seems likely to do." "Margaret! Marry!" ejaculated Janetta. She had scarcely thought of such a possibility. "It is exceedingly probable," said Lady Caroline, rather coldly, "that she will marry Sir Philip Ashley. It is a perfectly suitable alliance." It sounded as if she spoke of a royal marriage! CHAPTER XI. JANETTA'S PROMISES. "But please," Lady Caroline proceeded, "do not mention what I have said to anyone, least of all to Margaret. She is so sensitive that I should not like her to know what I have said." "I will not say anything," said Janetta.