"I have not seen Sophie," Roma muttered sullenly, with a downcast face. "Why did Jesse leave so soon?" continued the mother curiously. "He did not come. I have been walking in the grounds alone." "But your papa said, dear----" "Yes, I know; papa told you I was waiting for Jesse at the gate, but he never came. He disappointed me!" "Why, that is very strange, dear. And you are grieved over it, I see. Your face is pale, and your whole frame trembles under my touch. Do not take it so hard, darling. Of course Jesse was detained. He will come to-morrow." "He should have sent me an excuse, mamma!" "He must have been prevented. I am sure he would not neglect you purposely. He will explain to-morrow." Roma tossed her proud head, with a bitter laugh. "I tell you, mamma, I will not brook such negligence. I have broken our engagement." "Roma!" The girl gave a reckless laugh of wounded pride. "Yes; I sent him a note, with his ring, just now, setting him free." "You were precipitate, Roma; you should have waited for an explanation." "I did not choose to wait!" "I fear you will regret it." "I do not think it likely." Mrs. Clarke gazed at her in sorrowful silence, whose reproach goaded Roma into adding haughtily: "I wished to teach Jesse, early, a lesson that I am not to be neglected for anything; that I must be foremost always in his thoughts." "But have you not gone too far in giving him this lesson? His thoughts will not belong to you now." "He will bring back his ring, and beg me to take it back to-morrow." "Are you certain, Roma?" "As sure as I am of my life!" with a confident laugh. "Well, perhaps you know him better than I do, Roma, but I fancied Jesse Devereaux very high-spirited--too high-spirited to bear dictation." "He will have to bend to my will!" Roma cried arrogantly, and the gentle lady sighed, for she knew that her daughter made this her own motto in life. Power and dominion were hers by the force of "might makes right." Mrs. Clarke rose with a sigh and touched Roma's cheeks with her lips, saying kindly: "Well, I hope it will all come right, dear. Good night." She returned to her own room, thinking: "Poor girl, she is the miserable victim of her own caprice. I could see that she is too terribly agitated to sleep an hour to-night." CHAPTER VII. GRANNY'S REVENGE. The half dozen pretty young girls who served for Miss Bray were light-hearted, hopeful young creatures in spite of their poverty, and at their daily work they sociably discussed their personal affairs with the freedom and intimacy of friends. Beaus and dress were the choice topics just as in higher circles of society. Liane Lester was the only quiet one among them, granny's edicts barring her both from lovers and finery. Dolly Dorr was turning them all green with envy the next morning by boasting of the attentions she had received from the grand Mr. Devereaux, when one of the girls, Lottie Day, interposed: