ision was made one day,
and they were to leave the next. Harry, with his friend and partner,
came up one night to bid Miss Goldsmith good-bye, and heard for the
first time of Rose's intention to go with her. Harry did not hear it
with pleasure, indeed; he made no secret of his vexation. There was a
little bantering talk between them, in the style that Graeme disliked so
much, and then Rose went away for a few minutes.

"Graeme," said Harry, "what is all this about? It seems to me Rose
ought to have had enough of her little friend by this time. What freak
is this she has taken about the country, and a change of air, and
nonsense?"

"If it is a freak, it is mine," said Graeme, quietly. "Rose needs a
change. She is not ill, but still she is not quite well, and I am very
glad she is to go with Miss Goldsmith."

"A change," repeated Harry. "Why could she not go with Fanny to the
seaside, if she needs a change?"

"But Fanny is not going for several weeks yet. Rose will be home before
that time. She will not be away more than a fortnight, I hope."

"A fortnight, indeed! What has the time to do with it? It is the going
at all that is so foolish: You astonish me, Graeme."

"You astonish me, Harry! Really I cannot understand why you should care
so much about it."

"Well, well! If you are pleased, and she is pleased, I need not trouble
myself about it," said Harry, sulkily.

"What has happened to you, Harry?" said Fanny. "You are not like
yourself, to-night."

"He is a great deal more like the Harry of old times," said Graeme.
"Like the Harry you used to know long ago, Mr Millar, than like the
reasonable, dignified person we have had among us lately."

"I was just thinking so," said Mr Millar.

"Why should not Rosie go?" persisted Fanny. "I think it must be a very
stupid place, from all that Etta says; still, if Rose wishes it, why
should she not go?"

"I believe it is the big brother Harry is afraid of," said Arthur,
laughing. Graeme and Fanny laughed, too.

"I don't think it is a laughing matter," growled Harry. "How would you
like it if she were to throw herself away on that red-headed giant?"

Arthur and Fanny laughed, still, but Graeme looked grave. "It would be
just like a silly girl like Rose," continued Harry, gloomily.

"Harry," said Graeme, "I think you are forgetting what is due to your
sister. You should be the last person to couple Rose's name with that
of any gentleman."

"Of