"Dear, dear me! I told you, Mabel, to do your lessons with the others, and not to use the ink in this room while the work was about. What can we do with it, Miss Simpson? The ink has gone through every fold." "Well, ma'am, I've been thinking if I took it at once to the dyer's, he might be able to get it out, as it is not quite dry, or dye it a colour that will not show the stain." "I am afraid it is the only thing we can do with it," said Mrs. Randolph, still examining the merino. "Will you put your bonnet on at once and take it? Ask him to keep it the same colour if possible," added the lady. "Oh, yes, I sha'n't like any other colour," said Mabel, wiping her eyes when she saw there might be a way out of the dilemma. "You can scarcely have any choice in this, I am afraid," said her mother severely. "The stuff must be dyed any colour it will take, so as best to erase the ink stains. You should have thought of this, if you did not of my wishes, before you sat down to your lessons." When Miss Simpson came back, it was with the message that the only colour it could be dyed, after the ink stains had been partially removed, so as to hide all marks of these, was brown. "Oh, I don't want another brown dress!" exclaimed Mabel. "You are making one, Miss Simpson." "Just what I told them, but the dyer said it would be impossible to make it look nice in any other colour than a very dark brown." "Then it must be done," said Mrs. Randolph with a sigh. "It's of no use grumbling, Mabel. You will have to wear two brown dresses now instead of having a change of colour." But although she spoke severely, reminding her daughter that it was entirely owing to her own wilfulness that the accident had occurred, she nevertheless so far pitied Mabel that she gave her a light silk dress of her own to be cleaned, turned, and altered. For the spoiling of the merino would reduce her outfit to great monotony of colour, and they could not justly afford to lay out more than they were doing on her wardrobe just now. The making, altering, and preparing Mabel's dresses occupied some little time, and so it was decided that she should not go to Glenavon until after Christmas, when her father would be able to take her on his way to see a gentleman on important business, whom he was anxious to consult. Mabel wore one of her unfortunate brown dresses to travel in. It was a perpetual reminder of her own self-will and disobedience, but I am afraid it rather vexed and annoyed her than led her to resolve upon any severe struggle with it for the future. And this vexation increased when she arrived at her uncle's house, and saw how much larger and finer it was than even she had ever supposed.