"Her divining rod is not long enough for that," said Mr. Busby. "Mr. Southwode is on the high seas somewhere, on his way to England." "On the high seas!" Rotha repeated slowly. "There was no occasion to mention that, Mr. Busby," said his wife. "Mr. Southwode's movements are nothing to us." "Seem to be something to Rotha," said the gentleman. "You knew that," said Rotha, steadily. "Why did you keep it from me, aunt Serena?" "I did not keep it from you," Mrs. Busby returned, bridling. "The papers are open. I did not speak of it, because Mr. Southwode and his affairs are no concern of yours, or of mine, and therefore are not interesting." "Of yours? No! But they are all I have in the world!" said Rotha, with fire in her cheeks and in her eyes. Mrs. Busby went on with her breakfast and avoided looking at her. But Antoinette cried out. "All she has in the world! Mr. Southwode! Pretty well for a young lady! Mamma, do you hear that? Mr. Southwode is all she has in the world." "Once hearing a silly thing is quite enough. You need not repeat it, Antoinette." "Didn't he come to say good bye?" asked Rotha, her eyes blazing. "I do not answer questions put in that tone," said Mrs. Busby, coldly. "I know he did," said Rotha. "What did he go to England for, Mr. Busby?" "Mr. Busby," said his wife, "I request you not to reply. Rotha is behaving improperly, and must be left to herself till she is better- mannered." "I don't know, my dear," said the gentleman, rising and gathering his newspapers together, previous to taking his departure. "'Seems to me that's an open question--public, as you say. I do not see why you should not tell Rotha that Mr. Southwode is called home by the illness and probable death of his father. Good-morning, my dear!" "Did you ever see anything like papa!" said Antoinette with an appealing look at her mother, as the door closed. "He don't mind you a bit, mamma." Mrs. Busby's slight air of the head was more significant than words. "He is the only fraction of a friend I have in this house," said Rotha. "But you needn't think, aunt Serena, that you can do what you like with Mr. Southwode and me. I belong to him, not to you; and he will come back, and then he will take me under his own care, and I will have nothing to do with you the rest of my life. I know you now. I thought I did before, and now I know. You let mamma want everything in the world; and now perhaps you will let me; but Mr. Southwode will take care of me, sooner or later, and I can wait, for I know him too." Rotha left the room, unconsciously with the air of a tragedy queen. Alas, it was tragedy enough with her! "Mamma!" said Antoinette. "Did you ever see anything like that?" "I knew it was in her," Mrs. Busby said, keeping her composure in appearance. "What will you do with her?" "Let her alone a little," said Mrs. Busby icily. "Let her come to her senses." "Will you go to get her cloak to-day?"