one of rigid self-denial?
It won't last long, child. You are only human like the rest of us, and
the reaction will come, as I have seen it in scores of cases before.'

I said nothing.

She continued, after a pause:--

'You can't be happy leading such a life. It is not natural; and it
must be a constant source of fret to yourself and those with whom you
live.'

'But I am very happy, Miss Rayner--I really am. I have what satisfies
my heart, and any amount of worldly pleasure never does that, does it?
It is a difficult life to lead with the Forsyths, but I am helped to
"dwell deep," and I am quite content.'

'And what friends have you?' Miss Rayner asked, her dark, piercing eyes
fixed intently on my face.

'Well,' I said slowly, 'I have no special friends. I like Nelly and
Violet very much, but Nelly has her own friends, and Violet is busy
with her lessons. Most of the girls who come to the house of course
find me rather slow, and leave me alone, but I am getting accustomed to
that.'

'It won't last,' Miss Rayner said again; and then she asked me to play
to her on my violin.

I did so, and she lay back in her chair, listening with half-closed
eyes; but when I put my instrument down I again encountered her earnest
gaze.

'You are a pretty little thing,' she said abruptly; 'I suppose that is
no news to you?'

'I have not often been told so,' I said, flushing, and half laughing at
her bluntness.

'It is no thanks to you that you are made so,' she said. 'I have no
patience with people who are possessed with good looks; they invariably
take the credit of their beauty to themselves, and are quite
insufferable with all their airs and graces. I don't say this is the
case with you, for I have not seen enough of you to tell yet. Now I am
going to read, so you will be left in peace for a little. Would you
like a magazine?'

There was no more talk between us that night. At half-past ten Miss
Rayner rose and wished me good-night.

'I breakfast at half-past eight punctually,' she said; 'so you will
like to retire now, I expect.'

And this I did, wondering, when I reached my room, what it was that so
attracted me towards Miss Rayner; for, in spite of her blunt manner and
tone, I really had taken a liking to her, and was glad that I was going
to see more of her.

CHAPTER IX

QUIET DAYS

'The slow, sweet hours that bring us all things good.'--_Tennyson._

The next morning, after breakfast, Miss