She departed on her errand, accordingly, and returned with the message that Miss Druett was very tired and must be excused to-night. Miss Priscilla fretted, and all but cried, like a child deprived of a plaything. "And you are no good—no good at all," she said to Calista. "I don't suppose you could ever learn cribbage." "I don't know, I am sure," answered Calista; and then, moved by a feeling of compassion for which she could hardly account herself, she added, "but I will try, Aunt Priscilla, if it will amuse you to teach me." Miss Priscilla seemed to think even the prospect of teaching Calista better than no game at all, and the board was set out. But cribbage is a difficult game to learn under the most favorable circumstances. Perhaps Miss Priscilla was not a patient or skillful teacher, or Calista was more than usually dull. Certain it is that after a short trial, she abandoned the attempt in despair. "There, it is of no use, I never could teach anybody anything. Put the things away, child." "I am sorry," said Calista, and she really was sorry to see the poor withered, peevish woman deprived of one of the very few pleasures she allowed herself; "perhaps if I were to try again—" "No, no, never mind. Take your knitting. It is very good-natured of you, though, I must allow." Calista listened in amazement. It was literally the very first word of commendation she had ever received Aunt Priscilla. She took up her work again, and the two sat in silence till Miss Priscilla said, abruptly but not angrily— "Calista, what made you go into that room?" "Only curiosity," answered Calista. "I was looking in the book-case, and picked out some old books and papers to read. Then I tried the door of grandfather's room and found it would open, so I went in to see what was there." "And what did you see there? Come, tell me," said Miss Priscilla, almost coaxingly. "Surely, aunt, you know what is there as well as I do, or better." "Well, never mind that. Tell me what you saw." "A great many moths, for one thing," said Calista; "the carpet is full of them. And I saw a picture which I suppose was one of grandfather's wives; a fair woman, with light hair rolled on a cushion." "Yes, that is your grandmother. Well?" "And I saw another picture, a miniature of a young boy, which I suppose was my father." "Well, and what else?" asked Miss Priscilla, as Calista paused. "My father's desk is there; did you look into it?" "I did," answered Calista, briefly, determined to tell the truth at all risks. "Well, what did you find? Don't be afraid to tell me." "I am not afraid," answered Calista. "I saw a good many old papers—I don't know what they were. Then I saw an old seal lying in one of the pigeon-holes, and took it up to look at it. Then I put my hand back in the hole to see if there was anything else, and in so doing I touched the spring that opened the cupboard door where the gold pieces are. Then I shut it all up and went up to my own room."