"You professed," I said, "to take especial pleasure in a walk with me, and this time I will be careful that you are not overtired." "Of course I should like it," she answered; "but it would not be just. Please let me this time remain to take my part of the household duties, and make myself acquainted with the house. Choose your companion among the others, whom you have scarcely noticed yet." Preferring not only Eveena's company, but even my own, to that of any of the six, and feeling myself not a little dependent on her guidance and explanations, I remonstrated. But finding that her sense of justice and kindness would yield to nothing short of direct command, I gave way. "You forget _my_ pleasure," I said at last. "But if you will not go, you must at least tell me which I am to take. I will not pretend to have a choice in the matter." "Well, then," she answered, "I should be glad to see you take Eunané. She is, I think, the eldest, apparently the most intelligent and companionable, and she has had one mortification already she hardly deserved." "And is much the prettiest," I added maliciously. But Eveena was incapable of even understanding so direct an appeal to feminine jealousy. "I think so," she said; "much the prettiest among us. But that will make no difference under her veil." "And must she keep down her veil," I asked, "in our own grounds?" Eveena laughed. "Wherever she might be seen by any man but yourself." "Call her then," I answered. Eveena hesitated. But having successfully carried her own way on the main question, she would not renew her remonstrances on a minor point; and finding her about to join the rest, she drew Eunané apart. Eunané came up to me alone, Eveena having busied herself in some other part of the house. She approached slowly as if reluctant, and stood silent before me, her manner by no means expressive of satisfaction. "Eveena thought," I said, "that you would like to accompany me; but if not, you may tell her so; and tell her in that case that she _must_ come." "But I shall be glad to go wherever you please," replied Eunané. "Eveena did not tell me why you sent for me, and"—— "And you were afraid to be scolded for spoiling the breakfast? You have heard quite enough of that." "You dropped a word last night," she answered, "which made me think you would keep your displeasure till you had me alone." "Quite true," I said, "if I had any displeasure to keep. But you might spoil a dozen meals, and not vex me half as much as the others did." "Why?" she asked in surprise. "Girls and women always spite one another if they have a chance, especially one who is in disfavour or disgrace with authority." "So much the worse," I answered. "And now—you know as much or as little of the house as any of us; find the way into the grounds."