But feeling himself snubbed, he did not voice these sentiments aloud. He said, simply: “I forgot her age. She seems so very young--as young as my school-girl sisters.” “She lacks training. Her aunt Lucy has spoiled her, that is why she seems so childish,” she replied, apologetically. “So I thought. That is why I suggested a little more polish, such as can only be acquired in a first-class school,” he replied. “But, dear Mrs. Barry, please do not think me meddlesome. It was a hasty thought spoken out too freely.” “My dear Cecil! I am sure I thank you for expressing such an interest in Louise. It is very flattering to her, coming from _you_,” Mrs. Barry said, pointedly, and then she took the young man into her confidence and told him of her wish to keep her niece at Ferndale, and so separate her from her objectionable step-sister, “that theater child.” Cecil Laurens applauded her resolve warmly, although he felt somewhat like a traitor to the girl who had so frankly confided to him her honest dislike of Ferndale. “Next week I shall take her to the White Sulphur Springs,” she said. “I mean to give her such a round of gayety that she will not longer regret her humdrum home in Staunton.” And again Cecil Laurens applauded this resolve. He had as deeply grained a prejudice against “that theater child” as had old Mrs. Barry herself, and desired just as ardently to keep Louise at Ferndale. “I shall go to the White for a week myself just as soon as I get my business here over,” he said, and Mrs. Barry replied that she was very glad. It would be pleasanter for her and Louise having an old friend there. But when this confidential conversation was over, Mrs. Barry began to think that her niece stayed upstairs a long time. She sent Ginny Ann to call her down. Ten, then fifteen minutes elapsed before Ginny Ann reappeared with the announcement: “I done argyfied my breff mos’ away, mistis, but I carn’t budge dat chile! She done laid herseff down on dat flure, a-cryin’ and a-cryin’ her bressid eyes out!” CHAPTER X. Mrs. Barry rose with as much haste as her age and infirmities would permit, and excusing herself to Cecil Laurens, went upstairs after her obdurate niece. The young man, left alone, said to himself: “Mrs. Everett has proved herself a wise woman and refused to let her niece leave Ferndale. I applaud her good sense.” And he did not alter his opinion even when Molly came down presently with red-rimmed eyes and a doleful expression that proved how deeply she had taken her disappointment to heart. Mrs. Barry did not come down with her, and she went out on the wide porch and sat down sulkily in a big rustic chair. Cecil Laurens followed her, and leaning his arms on the top of her chair, looked down into the pretty clouded face. “What did Aunt Lucy say?” he asked. Molly snapped out a vicious little “No!” “A wise woman,” said Cecil Laurens. Molly looked up at him with an angry gleam in the dark eyes.