"Step forward, if you please, Miss Brooks. I can not observe you well at such a distance; do not tread on the poodle on the rug or brush against the bric-à-brac placed indiscriminately about the room." "Oh, dear, if there were only a light," thought Daisy, in dismay. She was afraid of taking a single step for fear some of the bric-à-brac mentioned, either at the right or left of her, should come crashing down under her blundering little feet. "I always exclude the broad glare of early morning light, as I find it especially trying." As she spoke she threw back one of the shutters with the end of her fan, and a warm flood of invigorating sunshine poured into the room. "Dear me," she cried, staring hard at the beautiful little face before her. "Why, you are a child, scarcely older than my Eve. What could that stupid brother of mine mean by sending you to me? I have a notion to send you back again directly." "Oh, please do not, madame," cried Daisy, piteously. "Only try me first; I will do my very best to please you." "But I did not want a young person," expostulated Mrs. Glenn. "But you sent for Alice, his daughter, and--and he thought I would do as well," faltered Daisy, timidly. "Alice Jet is over forty, and you are not more than sixteen, I should judge. How did you happen to think you could do as well as she?" The color came and went on Daisy's pretty flower-like face, and her heart throbbed pitifully. "I am not so very wise or learned," she said, "but I should try so hard to please you, if you will only let me try." "I suppose, now that you are here, we will have to make the best of it," replied Mrs. Glenn, condescendingly. The fair beauty of the young girl's face did not please her. "I have always dreaded fair women," she thought to herself, "they are the most dangerous of rivals. If she stays at Glengrove I shall see she is kept well in the background." While in the morning-room below the three girls were discussing the new turn of affairs vigorously. "I am determined she shall not remain here," Bessie Glenn was saying. "I heartily indorse your opinion," said Gertie, slowly. And for once in her life the tongue of reckless Eve was silent. She looked thoughtfully out of the window. CHAPTER XVIII. The first week of Daisy's stay at Glengrove passed quickly. She was beginning to feel quite at home with Mrs. Glenn and Eve, but Bessie and Gertie held aloof from her. She was beginning to believe she never would be able to win her way to their hearts. Eve--warm-hearted, impulsive Eve--took to her at once. "You are just the kind of a girl I like, Daisy," said Eve, twirling one of her soft gold curls caressingly around her finger; "and if I were a handsome young man, instead of a girl, I should fall straightway in love with you. Why, what are you blushing so for?" cried Eve. "Don't you like to talk about love and lovers?"