At this, Miss Merivale’s tears began to flow afresh. “Oh, Tom, I have told Rhoda.” “You told her? Why did you? I thought we had decided to wait till I had seen Thomson.” “Tom, I could not help it. She was so miserable, poor child. She tried to hide it, but she could not hide it from me. She thought she had offended you. I do not know what she thought. How could you treat her so differently? Do you think you will get her to forgive you?” A glimmer of a smile showed itself in Miss Merivale’s eyes as she spoke. But Tom could not smile yet. “Well, you told her,” he said. “Did she believe you?” “I don’t know. But she declared that nothing would induce her to claim her rights if she had any. She said there were no proofs, and if she had them she would not produce them. She spoke very strongly, Tom.” Tom made no answer for a moment. “She has gone to the Rectory?” he said then. “Yes, she was anxious to go. But she is going to walk home across the downs. I think she was anxious to avoid you, Tom. No wonder! How could you make her so unhappy?” Tom did not point out that he had been far more unhappy, and that it was all Miss Merivale’s fault. He looked at his aunt, giving her now back smile for smile. “Aunt Lucy, will you go and fetch Rose?” he said. Rose was delighted to see her aunt in the carriage when she ran out to meet it. “Rhoda did not think you would be able to come, Aunt Lucy. Were you very much frightened when you heard about it? Poor Rhoda looks quite ill But Pauline is really better. She has slept since her grandmother came. She knew her directly, and has held her hand tight ever since. Poor old lady, she is so fond of her.” “I wish we could move her to Woodcote,” Miss Merivale said. “I must speak to the doctor about it. I will go and see Mrs. Prance for a moment, Rosie darling. And then we will go home. Oh, my darling, I am so thankful!” She held Rose close to her, and kissed her once or twice before she let her go. Till that moment she had hardly been able to realise her happiness in having Rose safe. Rose began to talk again of Pauline as they were driving home. “How strange she could be so silent about her grandmother and yet be so fond of her, Aunt Lucy! Or do you think that she is only fond of her when she wants her? She was calling for her over and over again all last night.” “I expect she is really fond of her, dear. As fond as she can be of anybody. I don’t wish to speak harshly of her, Rose, and we will do all we can for her. But you must not live with her again. Not because her grandmother is Mrs. Smith,” added Miss Merivale quickly, afraid that Rose might misunderstand her. “It isn’t that. Rhoda’s people are in the same rank of life as the Smiths, yet Rhoda is a true gentlewoman.” “Aunt Lucy, I could not live with Pauline again,” Rose said earnestly. “Besides, I want to live at home. I believe I shall loathe the thought of a flat as long as I live. Pauline has effectually cured me of my desire to live in one.”