"You mean that gentleman? My dear, she may have had very good reasons for that?" "She could not have good reasons for it," said Rotha flushing. "My dear, old people often see things that young people do not see, and cannot judge of." "You do not know Mr. Southwode, ma'am. Anyhow, I do not feel as if I could ever forgive her." "That makes it difficult for you to go and ask her pardon, hey?" "Yes, ma'am." "What are you going to do?" "I do not know," said Rotha sadly. "It is too late for us to talk longer to-night. I will shew you a Bible to-morrow--stop, there is no time like the present--" Mrs. Mowbray rose and went to a table from which she brought a little volume. "This will do better," she said. "I have a Bible in which all this, in this book, is arranged in reference columns; but this is more convenient. You can use this with your own Bible, or any Bible. I am going to give you this, my dear." And she fetched a pen as she spoke and entered Rotha's name on the title page, with the date of day and month and year. Then she went on--"Now see, Rotha; here is what will give light on your question. Here are references from every verse in the Bible to other parts and other verses which explain or illustrate it. Find your place,--what is it?--Mat. v. 24, is it?--here; now see, here are references to other passages, and from them you will find references to still others. Take this to-morrow and study it out, and pray, my dear. You cannot get along without praying." CHAPTER XVI. SCHOOL. Rotha received the book with an access of pleasure, which expressed itself however mainly in sparkling eyes and the red tinge of excitement in her cheeks. She did say some words of thanks, but they were not fluent, as customary with her when any great degree of delight was pressing for utterance. Then speech was poor. Mrs. Mowbray did not miss it; she could read the signs, and was satisfied. But long after she was asleep, Rotha lay on her cot with eyes wide open, staring at the remains of the fire. What had come to her? what strange, enchantment-like, fabulous, change of circumstances? and this dispenser and contriver of happiness, slumbering peacefully on the bed yonder, what was she but a very fairy of blessing, bringing order out of disorder and comfort out of the very depths of confusion. A home, and a friend, and nice dresses, and study, and books! Two books to-day! Rotha was too happy to sleep.