“And now, when you go back to Lucifram, you have neither friend nor relation to go to.” “No. Must I indeed go?” “I see no other way for it. But there are some friends of mine live there, or friends of someone that I know. They will fill, to the best of their ability, the old place.” “How do you know? They might take the utterest distaste to me on first sight, and then what would happen?” “They are not people of prejudice.” “I wish I were not.” “You fear, then, you may take a dislike to them?” “Oh, no! I’m always trying to get the better of my feelings, because they are so often wrong.” “Well,” said he, “second thoughts are best. I give you the benefit of a second opinion upon most things.” “But there is where I fear to go back to Lucifram. It’s a place where one is so terribly misjudged, and it’s a place, too, where you have just the knack of saying the things you wished unsaid.” “Well, then, choose. Will you go back, or will you stay?” But Rosalie, on second thoughts, made answer: “You know best, and it is for you to choose. Somehow, I could not think to doubt or question what you say; and after all, why should one bother about to-morrow, if one does one’s duty to-day.” “And I have promised you friends in the place of your aunt and uncle.” “Yes; but I thought Mr. Barringcourt might have a word to say about that.” “Well, we’re all bound to trust the future to a certain extent. There is no telling; on second acquaintance he might prove kinder.” “When must I go?” “To-morrow, in the early morning. The journey takes a day; it will be dark before you reach your journey’s end, for autumn is far advanced with them.” Here the frog, who had so far sat quiet on the hearthrug, put in a word. “It will be very lonely going back to Lucifram alone. My advice and companionship might be of some little help occasionally.” “Oh, yes!” cried Rosalie eagerly. “You have been such a faithful and loving friend to me, that your brightness would dispel half the gloom, I’m sure it would.” Both of them turned their eyes toward the Governor to gain his opinion. “You bear a charmed life, little frog,” said he, “so I don’t see what harm or inconvenience can happen to you. In fact, I think the outing would be a pleasant trip for you, and add something to your store of knowledge.” “You don’t think,” said Rosalie anxiously, for second thoughts were beginning to intrude themselves, “that any harm could come of it. I remember Mr. Barringcourt saying something about vivisection once. It would be terrible if anything happened, and I was powerless to prevent it.” “I don’t think anything could happen,” replied the Governor. “A frog that has once jumped from Lucifram successfully to heaven could, on a pinch, repeat the process with much less inconvenience.” And soon after this the interview and evening ended. CHAPTER XXI A MAN WHO STOOD ON HIS HEAD, ACCORDING TO LUCIFRAM