Nan clapped her hands. "Why, that's perfectly splendiferous," she cried. "I never should have thought of it. I say, Miss Blake, let's do it right away, will you? I love flowers." "Would you take care of them?" demanded the governess with a thoughtful look. "Uh-huh!" nodded Nan, heartily. "I guess I would!" "Very well, then," returned Miss Blake encouragingly, "I'll think about it. Perhaps Delia wouldn't consent. You know there is no dumb-waiter in the house, and if she had to carry up all the dishes at every meal, it would more than double her work." Nan's face fell. "O dear!" she complained. "What a horrid old house! Can't do a single thing with it! It would have been such fun to change everything about!" Miss Blake laughed. "Oh, if that was all your reason for wanting the improvements," she retorted. "I thought you wanted to gratify your sense of the beautiful." "Well, I do," declared Nan. "Then we'll see what can be done," and the governess set down her glass of water with a very knowing smile. After dinner was eaten and Delia had carried away the tray and Miss Blake removed the wonderful folding stand, the governess looked up suddenly and said with unusual gravity: "Nan, while I am here I hope you will never run out after dark alone again. It is dangerous. Do you understand me, my dear?" The girl's eyes dropped. Yes, she understood perfectly. When the governess spoke in that low, decided voice it would have been hard to mistake her meaning. "I had to go to-night," Nan answered, in a suddenly sullen voice. "If you had waited a few moments I could have, and most willingly would have, gone with you. Never hesitate to ask me. I am always at your service. That is what I am here for." Nan hesitated. "I--I thought you had gone away--for good," she stammered, lamely. Miss Blake flushed. "What made you think I had gone away for good?" she asked, slowly repeating the girl's words. Nan shook her head and gulped. "I was in my room," continued the governess, after a pause, "and I heard--" Nan put out both hands. "I know it! I know it!" she gasped. "But I didn't mean what I said--I didn't, honestly and truly. Before you came I learned it off, and I meant to say it, but that was before I saw you. I feel different now, and I hope--I hope--"