But the moment she entered the room, General Macdonald advanced in his most courteous and kindly manner. "I have come round to apologize for the way I spoke to you yesterday afternoon. I had no right to dictate to you as to your choice in life. May I say in extenuation, it was only my extreme interest in you, my regard for your real welfare that made me so anxious and captious about your present surroundings." Then Rowena smiled her old sunny smile. "You treated me as a true friend should. I felt sorry that I had not an explanation I could give you. Perhaps one day I may be able to vindicate myself." "Meanwhile, whilst we are in town will you give me the benefit of your counsel and advice? My cousin is old. She says, 'Send the child to school.' I tried that, as you know, with disastrous results. Could you—is it too much to ask of you? Could you interview some of these governesses for me? A man is at a disadvantage. I had one afternoon of it last week, and I can tell you I have been in tight corners in my life, and have had to face a good deal, but nothing equal to the horrors of that room behind the registry office, when one undesirable young woman appeared after the other in quick succession, and they all wanted so desperately to come!" Rowena laughed outright. She pictured the scene. "You poor man! Of course I will help you if I can. I wish I knew of some one suitable. I wonder—" She stopped short. The remembrance of her visit to the North came to her. "It is only a chance, but I do know of a nice woman—a governess. She is a niece of Mrs. Burke's." "Oh, I hardly think she would suit me," said General Macdonald hastily. Rowena smiled. "Please don't be so prejudiced. Mrs. Burke's father was a very saintly clergyman. Her sister is a most sweet woman, wife of a hard-worked vicar in Durham, and this woman is her daughter. She has the same sweet face and manners as her mother, but with more character I should say. She is at present looking after her nephew and niece, but she wants a situation as governess. She is certificated." "Miss Falconer had very sweet manners." "She is as different to Miss Falconer as chalk is to cheese. She is a real good woman. I know a genuine person when I see her. Couldn't you stop in Durham and interview her, on your return to Scotland? Let me write to her first." "I wanted to have it all settled up before we leave." "Well, if you would rather I went to a Registry for you, I will do so." "Thank you very much. What do you think of Mysie?" "She has grown and developed wonderfully." "She is most intelligent—able to talk with me on any subject, and a most interesting companion. But she has a very strong will of her own." "Like her father," said Rowena mischievously. "Yes, but women are not required to have as strong wills as men."