the efficient and kindly Nelly as housekeeper, and
general caretaker still, and she magnified her office.

Harry had some last words to exchange with Arthur, and then Mr Millar
approached Graeme and said, with a smile that was rather forced and
uncertain,--

"I ought to apologise for coming back to the subject again. I don't
think you believe me likely to speak of your sister in a way that would
displease you. Won't you just say so to me?"

"Charlie! I know you could not. You are one of ourselves."

Charlie's face brightened. Of late it had been "Mr Millar," mostly--
not that Graeme liked him less than she used to do; but she saw him less
frequently, and he was no longer a boy, even to her. But this time it
was, "Charlie," and he was very much pleased.

"You have been quite a stronger, lately," she went on; "but now that
Mrs Elliott is better and Rose coming home, we shall be livelier and
better worth visiting. We cannot bring the old times quite back, even
with Harry and Rose, but we shall always be glad to see you."

She spoke cordially, as she felt, and he tried to answer in the same
way; but he was grave, and did not use many words.

"I hope there is nothing wrong," said Graeme, observing his changing
look.

"Nothing for which there is any help," said he. "No there is nothing
wrong."

"I am ready, Charlie," said Harry, coming forward. "And Graeme, you are
not to trouble yourself about Rose's conquests. When she goes to her
own house--`palatial' or otherwise--and the sooner the better for all
concerned--you are coming to take care of Charlie and me."

"There may be two or three words to be said on that subject," said
Arthur, laughing.

"I am sure neither you nor Fanny will venture to object; you have had
Graeme all your life--at least for the last seven years. I should like
to hear you, just. I am not joking, Graeme."

Graeme laughed.

"There is no hurry about it, is there? I have heard of people changing
their minds; and I won't set my heart on it, in case I should be
disappointed."

CHAPTER THIRTY EIGHT.

So Rose came home at last. Not just the Rose who had left them, now
more than two years ago, even in the eyes of her sister. Her brothers
thought her greatly changed and improved. She was more womanly, and
dignified, and self-reliant, they said, and Graeme assented, wondering
and pleased; though it had been the desire of her heart that her sister
should come back to her jus