"Ah--h'm-- Miss Bain," he repeated; adding, as he cleared out his throat: "I am very anxious to have the papers read while we breakfast. You may as well begin by reading this morning's reports," he said, handing her a paper which lay folded beside his plate. "You may turn to the stock reports first, Miss Bain. Third column on the first page, Miss Bain." She had scarcely finished the first paragraph ere the old gentleman commanded her to stop. "Can you understand one word that this young woman is reading?" he inquired, turning sharply to his wife. "No. Miss Bain must read louder," she said. "I do not quite catch it." The perspiration stood out in great balls on Jessie's pale face. She had raised her voice to almost a shout already, and her throat was beginning to ache terribly, for the strain upon it was very great. How she ever struggled down to the bottom of that column, she never knew. The appearance of the breakfast tray was a welcome relief to her. "You read very nicely," complimented the old gentleman. "I enjoy listening to you. I shall give you the privilege of reading all my papers aloud every forenoon." Jessie looked helplessly at him. The strain had been so great that her throat pained her terribly; but she made no demur. How could she? At that moment the door swung slowly open, and a tall, beautiful girl entered. Jessie knew her at the first startled glance. It was the lovely girl whom she had heard talking to her maid about her, but a little while before. She took the seat at the end of the table without so much as deigning to glance at the new-comer. "My dear, let me present you to Miss Bain-- Miss Bain, my husband's _protegee_, Rosamond Lee," exclaimed Mrs. Bassett. Jessie bowed wistfully, shyly; Miss Rosamond barely lifted her eyebrows in acknowledgment of the presentation. The old gentleman and his wife screamed at each other on the main topics of the day, Miss Rosamond looked exceedingly bored, while Jessie had great difficulty in swallowing, her throat ached so severely. CHAPTER XXIV. "OH, TO SLEEP MY LIFE AWAY, AND BE WITH THEE AT REST!" Rosamond Lee completely ignored the lovely young stranger seated at the table opposite her; but Jessie had the uncomfortable feeling that she was watching her. The conversation had ceased, when suddenly Mr. Bassett announced: "I have just received a letter from my grandson. He will be with us a week from to-day. He will remain with us a month." During the next few days the household was quite upset, so great were the preparations made for the coming stranger. Most of the forenoons had been spent by Jessie in reading the daily papers to the old couple in the library. One morning Rosamond Lee came to her quite excitedly, just as she was about to begin her duties.