They went off together, and Miss Merivale could hear their eager, happy voices as they searched about the wood looking for the violets, just like two children. She leant back in her chair, closing her eyes. For the moment the ache at her heart was stilled. She was hoping that all might yet come right. Rhoda went home that evening feeling like a different creature. Mrs. M’Alister had a jealous pang or two as she listened to her account of the happy time she had had. “Don’t you trust too much to her promises, child,” she said anxiously. “She’s taken a sudden fancy to you, that’s clear enough; but it mightn’t last. She might take a fancy to somebody else next week, and forget all about you. I have heard of people like that.” “I don’t think Miss Merivale is a bit like that,” returned Rhoda stoutly. “Hasn’t she a sweet, kind face, Aunt Mary? I wish she didn’t look so ill.” “Don’t rest your hopes on her too much,” repeated Mrs. M’Alister, shaking her head gloomily. “James will be in again to-night, and you will hear what he says. He has heard of a firm that wants a lady-clerk. We think you’d better try for it, Rhoda. I’d like to see you settled before we go away. I’ve been wishing and wishing this afternoon that you could go with us.” “You mustn’t say that to Mr. Price, Aunt Mary,” Rhoda said quickly. “You know how it vexes him. And he is very kind. You heard him tell me that I was to ask him for any money I wanted. But I don’t think I shall want any. Miss Merivale said again this afternoon that she would be able to get me as much work as I could do. She is going to write to me on Monday. I am quite sure she meant it. And I don’t want to try for work in an office if I can help it. I should feel in prison.” Miss Merivale had spoken very vaguely of the work she was going to give Rhoda. She had, in truth, made up her mind that Rhoda must come to Woodcote. She was only waiting till Rose came home to arrange it. However much she surprised Rose and Tom, however difficult it would be to explain why she wanted Rhoda, Rhoda must come to her. She could not leave Lydia’s girl alone in London. And Tom’s surprise, at least, would have no element of annoyance in it. It was quite plain already that Rhoda’s company was delightful to him. It had been arranged that Tom should go and fetch his sister on Friday, but by the first post on Friday morning Miss Merivale got a letter from Rose, saying that Pauline would return with her that afternoon, and that there was no need for Tom to come to London. It was at Pauline’s instigation Rose had written the letter. Those few charmed days in the little flat had made Rose more passionately desirous than ever to get away from Woodcote, and Pauline had suggested that she should go home with Rose and beg her aunt to allow her to pay a longer visit a little later in the year.