But Miss Granger protested against this with an air of meek endurance, and the flowers were left undisturbed. "Well, Sophy, what have you been doing with yourself all this time?" Mr. Granger asked in a cheerful voice; "gadding about finely, according to your letters." "I spent a week with the Stapletons, and ten days with the Trevors, and I went to Scarborough with the Chesneys, as you expressed a wish that I should accept their invitation, papa," Miss Granger replied dutifully; "but I really think I am happier at home." "I'm very glad to hear it, my dear, and I hope you'll find your home pleasanter than ever now.--So you like the look of the old place, do you, Clary?" he went on, turning to his wife; "and you don't think we've quite spoilt it by our renovation?" "O no, indeed. There can be no doubt as to your improvements. And yet, do you know, I was so fond of the place, that I am almost sorry to miss its old shabbiness--the faded curtains, and the queer Indian furniture which my great-uncle Colonel Radnor, brought home from Bombay. I wonder what became of those curious old cabinets?" "I daresay they are still extant in some lumber-room in the roof, my dear. Your father took very little of the old furniture away with him, and there was nothing sold. We'll explore the garrets some day, and look for your Indian cabinets.--Will you take Clarissa to her rooms, Sophy, and see what she thinks of our arrangements?" Miss Granger would gladly have delegated this office to a servant; but her father's word was law; so she led the way to a suite of apartments which Daniel Granger had ordered to be prepared for his young wife, and which Clarissa had not yet been allowed to see. They had been kept as a pleasant surprise for her coming home. Had she been a princess of the blood royal, she could not have had finer rooms, or a more perfect taste in the arrangement of them. Money can do so much, when the man who dispenses it has the art of intrusting the carrying out of his desires to the best workmen. Clarissa was delighted with everything, and really grateful for the generous affection which had done so much to gratify her. "It is all a great deal too handsome," she said. "I am glad you like the style in which they have carried out papa's ideas," replied Miss Granger; "for my own part, I like plainer furniture, and more room for one's work; but it is all a matter of taste."