MY FIRST QUARREL WITH MR. LEE. As I entered the lower hall, I met Mr. Lee. He gave me a look such as I never before saw in his face; it so increased my indignation, that, if it had not been for Jessie, I would have walked out of the house that instant. "Miss Hyde," he said, in the low, measured tone his voice always took when he was angry, "will you step into the library for a moment?" "Do you wish to speak with me?" I asked, rebelliously. "If you have leisure." I swept before him into the room. Every drop of blood in my veins tingled as if on fire. He followed me, and closed the door. "How does it happen," he began, "that you and Jessie went upon an expedition like that of this morning without consulting me?" I did my best to answer quietly, although his manner aggravated me almost beyond endurance. "Simply because you were not here to consult," I replied. "But you could have told me last night." Then I flashed up a little, and said,-- "Mr. Lee, I am not a school-girl, to be crowded into a corner and catechized." "Madam," he returned, "I think I have a right to know everything connected with my daughter; I will permit no mysteries in this house." "There have been none on my part or Jessie's," I replied. "Then be good enough to give me an explanation of what, I own, seems to me a singular proceeding in a lady of your acknowledged discretion." "It is easily done," I answered, still remembering Jessie, and so remaining reasonably calm. "Yesterday, old Mrs. Bosworth sent for me; her grandson is very ill--he has brain-fever. He begged to see us particularly. I came home and told your wife; she said Jessie should go to-day. We expected you to accompany us. Last night there was no opportunity of speaking to you, every moment of your time was occupied. This morning, you were gone; but as I had the mother's permission, I thought it no harm to start. A visit to a sick, almost a dying man, can never injure your daughter, Mr. Lee." His face flushed at once. "I was mistaken," he said. "You must have been cruelly mistaken or misinformed," I replied, coldly, "when you could address me as you have done." "I beg your pardon, Miss Hyde," he returned. I granted it with a sullen bend of the head. "Who told you where we had gone?" I asked, bluntly. He hesitated, and I followed up my advantage. "No one knew of it but Mrs. Lee," I said; "you have not seen her to-day. Yesterday you reproved me for sending Cora out of the hall; sir, she was listening while I told Jessie, and repeated it to her mistress. I don't know what you may think of such conduct on the part of a guest; but to me the idea of making trouble in a house where one has been hospitably treated, seems very contemptible." "Miss Hyde! Miss Hyde!" he exclaimed, "I assure you Mrs. Dennison did it thoughtlessly--she had no idea."