Don't be cross."

"Rose," said Graeme, when they were up-stairs alone for the night, "I
think it is the big brother that put Harry out of temper to-night."
Rose laughed.

"He seems quite afraid of him," continued Graeme.

"And you are a little bit afraid of him, too, Graeme, or you never would
have told me about Harry."

"No. But I am just a little afraid for him."

"You need not be. Harry thinks my desire for admiration insatiable, I
know, but it is too bad of you, Graeme, to intimate as much. I have a
great mind to tell you a secret, Graeme. But you must promise not to
tell it again; at least, not yet."

"Well," said Graeme.

"If I should stay away longer than I mean to do at present, and Harry
should get very unhappy about me, perhaps you might tell him. Harry
thinks I cannot manage my own affairs," added Rose, a vivid colour
rising on her cheeks. "And he has a mind to help me. He has not helped
me much, yet. Ah! well, there is no use going over all that."

"What is the secret you are going to tell me?" asked Graeme.

"I don't know whether I ought to tell. But it will be safe with you.
Graeme, the big doctor is engaged."

"Well," said Graeme.

"It is not all smooth sailing, yet. I am afraid it may interfere
somewhat with his success in retrieving the fortunes of the family, as
Etta has always been hoping he might do. But she is quite pleased for
all that, poor dear little thing. See that you don't tell Harry."

"Well, is that all you have to say on the subject?" asked her sister.

"Graeme! I do believe you are as bad as Harry. Do you fancy that it is
I to whom Dr Goldsmith is engaged? By no means. I am afraid it is a
foolish affair; but it may fall through yet. She is a young widow, and
has two children, and a little money. No. It is very foolish of Harry
to fancy things. He is very stupid, I think. But you are not to tell
him, because, really, the secret is not mine, and besides, I have
another reason. Good-night, dear."

And so they went away in the morning. Rose's visit to the country was
quite as agreeable as had been Miss Goldsmith's to the town, judging
from the time she stayed there, and from the letters she sent home. The
country was lovely, and she wondered any one would live in the city who
could leave it. She kept a journal for Graeme, and it was filled with
accounts of rides, and drives, and sails; with, now and then, hints of
work done, books read, of children's