“The child is with her father; her condition, no doubt, exaggerated.” “And in any case, I cannot yield. Self-respect, truth, womanhood, must not be sacrificed, even for a beloved child. I must leave her to our Heavenly Father,” said Roma, as she tore the letter to pieces and threw the fragments away. Paul Stone, reading his newspaper, had paid no attention to the low-toned conversation between his two companions. Presently Dr. Shaw said: “Now, my dear, if you will be so good as to order my gig, I think we will go.” “No, you won’t go! I sent the gig to the stable, not to have it brought out until night. You and Mr. Stone must really stay and spend the whole day, unless there is some insuperable objection to your doing so,” said Roma. “There is no such thing, my dear, but we really did not come with any such intention, for we did not know what your engagements might be.” “I have no engagements for the day—for any day, I might add.” “Then we shall be happy to stay. What do you say, young brother? Shall we spend the day with Miss Fronde, and go home by the light of the moon?—there is a moon to-night.” “With all my heart,” said the young clergyman. Then, turning to their hostess, he bowed, smiled, and added: “I thank you, Miss Fronde.” “You favor me, sir,” said Roma. So they stayed and spent the day, and went home late in the evening. From this day Roma Fronde’s busy life began. The site of the schoolhouse was chosen in a grove on the borders of the estate nearest the village of Goeberlin, and a number of workmen were employed to get the stone from the quarries and to lay the basement. Roma, with her two advisers, Dr. Shaw and Mr. Stone, soon perfected the plan for the superstructure, and stone masons and carpenters were set to work. Local mechanics were also employed to make the desks and benches, pails, brooms, and so forth. It was thought that the building might be completely finished and furnished by the first of August, but though the building could then be quite ready for occupancy, Roma knew the school could not be opened in the summer vacation time, or until, at earliest, the first of September. She advertised for competent teachers, who would be ready to enter upon their duties at that date, and from a host of applicants she selected one young and one middle-aged woman, both unmarried. When these plans were all settled Roma decided to leave their execution in the hands of her two clerical friends and to go to Washington to begin her preparations for turning the Guyon Manor House, on the Isle of Storms, into a free sanitorium for destitute invalids and children. There was not so much to do in that direction, but it needed to be done at once. There was another reason, also, why Roma wished to get away from Goblin Hall as soon as possible.