Ordinarily the sparkling, quick-witted girl would have made a joking, laughing rejoinder to his sally, but it was not so now. “Oh! Percy,” she returned, the look she gave him full of grateful emotion. “I do not feel like a mistress in this dire strait. I must acknowledge you the master. But,” she added, as they started on their way, “I will be mistress to-morrow, when I shall expect you to obey me very punctually.” “You have but to command me, lady.” “We shall see.” Cordelia led the way to a prettily furnished boudoir on the second floor of the modern wing, where were found the books and papers she had been overhauling for her grandfather. So she always called him, and she could not feel that he had been anything else to her. The note was produced, with half a dozen scrawling, blotted indorsements on its back, three of which were not dated. “Paid on the within--£500,” one of them read with no date. “Paid £700,” read another, also without date. However, the earl’s cash book was at hand, and here the entries were found with dates, as they should be; and with this help the young man went at the work. When he had made the matter of dates correct--entered them on the note--he turned to the work of computing interest. “Now, my lady, I think you would like to understand this business; because, do you know you will not have me here always to help you.” The girl started as though word of some dire calamity had been suddenly whispered in her ear; but Percy had turned his eyes upon his work, and did not see; and before he looked at her again she had recovered from the shock, or she had at least overcome all outward signs. She gave her attention as closely as she could, while her companion computed the interest, at the same time explaining to her the various steps as he progressed. “There you have it, dear lady; and I will warrant it correct. You can see how important is interest on interest. The earl might have lost more than £200 if that had been left unreckoned.” But the girl was not in the mood, at that particular time, for the further study of interest, either simple or compound. She had planned an excursion to the Witch’s Crag for the morrow, and she wanted Percy for guide and protector. So, having thanked him, with all her heart, for the kindness just received at his hands, she broached the other matter. There were beautiful autumnal flowers blooming amid the wild fastnesses of the crag, and she determined to find them if she could. He, however knew just where to look for them. “Will it answer,” asked the young man after a little thought, “if I come after noon?” “Yes I don’t care to start before noon. Mary will go with us to carry the basket.” Percy promised that he would be with her in time for the excursion and then took his leave. She watched him as he departed--watched him until an intervening angle of a wall had hidden him from view. Then with her hand pressed over her heart, she bent her head in thought.