"Not now," replied Emmie Trevor; and, to do her justice, her motive in declining the second change was as much consideration for her brother's comfort as the repugnance, which she had not yet quite overcome, to sleeping next door to the haunted chamber. "Why has Master Vibert not made his appearance either at prayers or at breakfast?" asked Bruce, when, half an hour afterwards, he was enjoying the cup of hot coffee prepared by his sister. "Vibert was tired last night, and has probably overslept himself," replied Emmie. "Not he," said Bruce, "for I saw him from my window this morning, more than an hour ago, loitering about the grounds. Vibert must have heard the gong sound for breakfast. No; the fact is--you must have seen it from his manner last evening--that Vibert is in a huff because I called him a selfish idiot." "I am so very, _very_ sorry that you called him that," cried Emmie, with a look of distress. "You do not consider, dear Bruce, what real harm your sternness may do to our younger brother. Vibert is so affectionate--" "He cares for no one on earth but himself," said Bruce. "Look at his conduct yesterday, and think what might have been its result." "Driving off from the station without waiting for you was but a foolish, boyish prank," pleaded Emmie. "As for the accident that occurred, that cannot be laid to Vibert's charge; it was caused by my catching hold of his arm just when the pony was turning a corner." "What made you do that?" inquired Bruce. "I was foolishly frightened at the lightning," replied Emmie meekly. "Frightened, always frightened, at everything and at nothing!" said Bruce, but rather in sorrow than in anger. He was far more indulgent to the failings of Emmie than he was to those of Vibert. The gentle girl, who was very anxious to bring about a reconciliation between her two brothers continued her mild expostulation with Bruce. "I am sure that you do not think Vibert an idiot, though he may, perhaps, be a little selfish. I have heard you say yourself that Vibert has plenty of brain." "If he were not too lazy and self-indulgent to work it," interrupted the elder brother. "You do not think--you never have thought poor dear Vibert a selfish idiot," persisted Emmie; "and oh! Bruce, if I could only persuade you to tell him that you are sorry for having spoken that one hasty word, if--" "Apologize to Vibert! never!" cried Bruce, and he pushed his chair back from the table. "Surely it is noble, generous, right to own to a brother that in a hasty moment we have done him a wrong!" said Emmie with an earnestness which brought the moisture into her eyes. Bruce made no reply to his sister, but rose from his seat and left the room; not hurriedly, not passionately, but with that expression on his calm face in which Emmie easily read the unuttered thought, "I need no one's advice to guide me, and I will receive rebuke from no one."