"The happiest of my life, and the hardest," answered Phebe briefly, as she looked away from the questioning eyes. "You should have let us come nearer and help you through. I'm afraid you are very proud, my Jenny Lind." "I have to be; for sometimes I feel as if I had nothing else to keep me up." She stopped short there, fearing that her voice would prove traitorous if she went on. In a moment, she asked in a tone that was almost hard,-- "You think I did well to-night?" "They all think so, and were so delighted they wanted to come in a body and tell you so; but I sent them home, because I knew you'd be tired out. Perhaps I ought not to have done it, and you'd rather have had a crowd about you than just me?" "It was the kindest thing you ever did, and what could I like better than 'just you,' my darling?" Phebe seldom called her that, and when she did her heart was in the little word, making it so tender that Rose thought it the sweetest in the world, next to Uncle Alec's "my little girl." Now it was almost passionate, and Phebe's face grew rather tragical as she looked down at Rose. It was impossible to seem unconscious any longer, and Rose said, caressing Phebe's cheek, which burned with a feverish color now,-- "Then don't shut me out if you have a trouble; but let me share it as I let you share all mine." "I will! Little mistress, I've got to go away, sooner even than we planned." "Why, Phebe?" "Because--Archie loves me." "That's the very reason you should stay and make him happy." "Not if it caused dissension in the family, and you know it would." Rose opened her lips to deny this impetuously, but checked herself and answered honestly,-- "Uncle and I would be heartily glad; and I'm sure Aunt Jessie never could object, if you loved Archie as he does you." "She has other hopes, I think; and kind as she is it _would_ be a disappointment if he brought me home. She is right; they all are, and I alone am to blame. I should have gone long ago: I knew I should; but it was so pleasant I couldn't bear to go away alone." "I kept you, and I am to blame if any one; but indeed, dear Phebe, I cannot see why you should care even if Aunt Myra croaks, and Aunt Clara exclaims, or Aunt Jane makes disagreeable remarks. Be happy, and never mind them," cried Rose; so much excited by all this that she felt the spirit of revolt rise up within her, and was ready to defy even that awe-inspiring institution "the family" for her friend's sake. But Phebe shook her head with a sad smile; and answered, still with the hard tone in her voice as if forcing back all emotion that she might see her duty clearly,--