"What have you done?" asked Kate, gravely. "Well, my child, I know how musical you used to be, and as I was passing the maker's to-day the thought struck me that you would like a piano. `It would make the place less dull for her,' I said, and--don't be hurt, my dear--I--I told him to send a good one in." "Mr Garstang!--guardian!" she said, starting up, with the tears now beginning to fall. "There, there, fought to have known better," he cried, catching up the poker, and beginning to use it hurriedly. "Men are so stupid. Don't take any notice, my dear. I'll counter-order it." "No, no," she said gently, as she advanced to him and held out her hand "I am not hurt; I am pleased and grateful." "You are--really?" he cried, letting the poker drop, and catching her hand in his. "Of course I am," she said, simply. "How could I be otherwise? Don't think me so thoughtless, and that I do not feel deeply all your kindness." "Kindness, nonsense!" he said, dropping her hand again, and turning away. "But will it help to make the time pass better?" "Yes, I shall be very glad to have it." "And, er--you'll sing and play to me sometimes when I come back here?" "Yes," she said, smiling through her tears; "and I would to-night, now that you have come back tired and careworn, if it were here." "Tired and careworn? Who is?" "You are. Do you think I could not see?" He looked at her with his eyes full of admiration, and then turned to the fire again. "I am most grateful, guardian," she said. "But shall I have to be a prisoner long?" "Hah!" he said with a sigh, and as if not hearing her question, "you are right, my child. I have had a very, very worrying day." "I thought so," said Kate, resuming her seat, and looking at him in a commiserating way. "I hope it is nothing very serious." "Serious?" he said, turning to her, sharply. "Well, yes it is, but I ought not to worry you about it." "They say that sometimes relief comes in speaking of our troubles." "But suppose one gets relief, and the other pain?" he said, looking at her quickly. "Then it is something about me?" He turned and looked at the fire again. "Please tell me, guardian," she said. "Only make you unhappy, my dear, just when you are getting back to your old self." She looked at him in a troubled way for some moments, and then with a sudden outburst: "You have seen Uncle James?" He did not answer for a while, but sat gazing at the fire. "Yes," he said, at last; "I have seen your Uncle James." "And he knows I am here," she cried, clasping her hands, and looking at him in horror. He turned slowly and met her eyes. "Then you don't repent the step you have taken, and want to go back to Northwood?" he said. "How could I when you have protected me as you have, and saved me from so much suffering and insult?" "Hah!" he said, with a sigh of relief, "thank you, my child. I was afraid that you would be ready to return to him." "Mr Garstang!" she cried. "Guardian."