Maddy began to long for her harp lessons. Having confided her secret to Aunt Matilda, they began to wonder how they should continue to go on without Mr. Hamilton's knowledge. Most unexpectedly, an opportunity offered. "What says my little daughter about parting with papa for a few months?" said Mr. Hamilton. "Why, papa; where are you going?" replied the child. "I am called, suddenly, to Europe, and will be gone four or five months." "How can we do without you, papa?" "The time will pass very rapidly, Maddy; you will still continue at school, and Mademoiselle will go on with the French lessons at home." The next week Mr. Hamilton departed. Aunt Matilda hired a harp from Boston, and engaged the same teacher to come twice a week to give lessons, as there was a railroad sufficiently near to make this practicable. Madeline devoted herself most assiduously to her music lessons, for she was determined to surprise her father on his return. Her talent was remarkable, and progress accordingly rapid. She was so much occupied, that she saw but little of the Bruces, for during the stay of her cousins, her father had given her permission to stay from school. Roland missed his little friend, and wondered what was keeping her so long away. Still, occasionally he met her on her accustomed walks and rides, but always in company with her young friends, and a passing bow or smile was all that he received. One autumn evening, however, in his rambles, Madeline suddenly stood before him. "How do you do, Roland?" said the child, extending her hand, "it seems so long since we have had one of our pleasant chats." "How long will your friends stay, Maddy?" "Some weeks longer, Roland, and I am so busy; do you know that I am taking harp lessons to surprise papa? He will be gone some months yet, and when he returns I shall be able to play. Would you like to hear me, Roland?" "Yes, Madeline, if it were possible." "How did you spend your time when I was in Boston, Roland?" "I went regularly to Woodcliff every Saturday, and took advantage of Mr. Hamilton's permission to use his library, and all the leisure moments I had, I employed in reading; it was not much, but I used to sit up one hour later, and thus read a great deal." "What books did you choose, Roland?" "The lives of wise and good men, Maddy, especially such as had to endure hardships in their youth; and I found that most of these great men had to struggle in their early years; and I found too, Maddy, that those who left the brightest mark in the world were believers in the blessed Bible; others made impressions while they lived, but they are almost forgotten now; but Christian philosophers and statesmen are those whom God honors." "How is it, Roland, that all your thoughts and words seem filled with the Bible? Other boys are not like you."