"It's _very_ puzzling," said Sibyl again. "Are you going to buy shares, Mr. Rochester?" "I think so," he answered earnestly. "I shall buy several shares, I think, and if I do I shall be rich enough to ask Lady Helen to marry me." "And you will be happy?" "Very happy if she says 'yes.' But, Sibyl, this is a great secret between you and me, you must never tell it to anyone else." "You may trust me," said Sibyl, "I never tell things I'm told not to tell. You can't think what wonderful 'portant things father has told me, and I never, never speak of them again. Then you'll be glad to be rich?" "Yes, because I shall be happy if Lady Helen is my wife," he answered, and just then Mrs. Ogilvie came into the room. Sibyl and Miss Winstead went out for their daily exercise. Sibyl had already ridden the pony in the morning. It was a nameless pony. Nothing would induce her to give it a title. "When father comes back he'll christen my pony," she said, "but no one else shall. I won't give it no name till he comes back." She enjoyed her rides on the brisk little pony's back. She was rapidly becoming a good horsewoman. When her mother did not accompany her the redoubtable Watson followed his little mistress, and the exercise did the child good, and helped to bring a faint color to her cheeks. Now she and Miss Winstead walked slowly down the shady side of the street. Sibyl was pondering over many things. "It is very hot this morning," said the governess. "Oh, that don't matter," replied Sibyl. "Miss Winstead, is your head sometimes so full that it seems as if it would burst?" "No," answered Miss Winstead, "I cannot say it is." "Full of thoughts, you know." "No," replied the governess again. "Don't turn in your toes, Sibyl, walk straight, turn your toes out a little, so; keep step with me. Little ladies ought to walk properly." Sibyl took great pains to follow Miss Winstead's instructions. She was always taking great pains now. A wonderful lot of her naughtiness and daringness had left her. She was trying to be good. It was extremely irksome, but when she succeeded she felt a great glow of pleasure, for she believed herself near to her father. "Miss Winstead," she said suddenly, "I have been thinking of something. It is most terribly 'portant. Would you greatly mind if we went to see the Holmans before we go back?" "We shan't have time," replied Miss Winstead. "Oh, but I want to go," said Sibyl, knitting her brows, "don't let us go into the stupid Park, do come to the Holmans." "I cannot do it, Sibyl, it is impossible. We must be back rather early for lunch to-day, as your mother is going into the country this afternoon." "Mother going into the country, what for?" "I cannot tell you, it is not my affair." "That means that you know, but you won't tell." "You can put it in that way if you like. I won't tell. Now come into the Park, we can sit on one of the chairs under the trees and keep cool."