"Yon man wants to see you in the library," said she. "He's stalking about like a midden-cock on pattens. The doctor gave him an awful take-down yesterday about Miss Isa, and he will have to be extra dignified to make up for 't. Lass, did ye really tell Mrs. Ferrand you would stay the week out?" "Yes, I did," answered Rhoda. "I thought it was the best I could do, seeing all the trouble I had made." "Aweel, it's very well done, and very pretty of you, and I am glad of it for the poor lady's sake as well as my own. I'm grown very fond of you, lass. I think I shall no stop myself when you're gone." "Oh, please, Marion, don't go away if you can help it," said Rhoda; "Mrs. Ferrand will be so sorry. I am sure you are very good to be fond of me. I haven't treated you very well lately. If I had only taken your advice, all this wouldn't have happened." "Tut, tut!" said Marion. "I was as bad as yourself, and worse, for I was older. But now, lass, take my advice this time. Speak yon man fair, and let him have it all his own way, and it will come out all right. But, above all, don't keep him waiting." Mr. Ferrand was in the library, seated in his arm-chair, with his most decided expression of dignity and importance. But it is not easy to look dignified and important on purpose without overdoing the matter, and, consequently, Mr. Ferrand succeeded in being only stiff and pompous. Rhoda instantly compared him in her own mind to a certain small bantam cock formerly belonging to Aunt Hannah. Mr. Ferrand looked at Rhoda, and Rhoda looked on the floor, vexed at herself for feeling like laughing. She had not felt in the least like laughing under Mrs. Ferrand's gentle and somewhat incoherent reproaches. "I understand, Rhoda Bowers—I believe that is your name?" said Mr. Ferrand, pausing for an answer. "Yes, sir," answered Rhoda, meekly, thinking, "The old goose! Just as if he didn't know my name!" "I understand from Mrs. Ferrand, Rhoda Bowers, that you repent of your conduct on Saturday night and other preceding nights in invading my drawing-room and trespassing upon my daughter's instrument?" Mr. Ferrand again paused for a reply, and Rhoda said,— "Yes, sir, I am sorry I should have deceived you and helped Miss Isa to do so. I think it was very wrong, and I beg your pardon." "Well," said Mr. Ferrand, "I understand also that you are very desirous to remain in my family a short time longer, until you can find another place. Since you see and acknowledge your errors—" "Excuse me, Mr. Ferrand," said Rhoda, modestly. "It was not that I wished to stay till I can find another place. I can always go back to 'The Home.' But as Mrs. Ferrand was expecting company, and Miss Ferrand is not very well, I thought I might save her trouble by staying till she could find another girl. I have made her so much trouble that I should like to make some amends."