t the turn our
conversation was taking.

'I tell you this because it explains our position towards each other.
So much for the terms of the will. Now for what will touch you closer:
I was with your father when he died in India; he was one of my dearest
friends, as you know, and on his dying bed he made me promise that when
your education was finished I should look after you as one of my own
daughters, see that you were given every advantage due to the position
in society that he meant you to occupy, and in fact be to you what he
would have been had he lived. I know what his views were for you, and
those views I shall conscientiously try to further whilst you are with
me. I shall not countenance for a moment your hiding away from friends
of your parents, and others with whom I wish you to associate. A time
will come when you will thank me for my firmness now, and for refusing
to allow you to sacrifice all your prospects in life to some morbid
fancies that you must have picked up in some Dissenting chapel.'

I was silent for a moment, then I said,--

'I think my father would have wished me to be happy, General Forsyth; I
cannot go against my conscience in this matter, it would make me
wretched. I do feel very grateful to you for giving me a home; but
indeed I would rather go away and earn my own living than lead the life
you have planned out for me.'

'We will not discuss the matter further,' said General Forsyth icily;
'I have told you my wishes on the subject. If I am to treat you as one
of my own daughters, you will accompany them wherever they go. I am
accustomed to be obeyed in my own house, and I do not think you will
deliberately oppose my wishes for you.'

'I am sorry to displease you,' I said in a low voice, 'but in this one
respect I feel I am right in acting so'; and then I left the room with
a heavy heart. I went out into the garden a little later, and made my
way to a quiet spot in a plantation near the house, where I had found a
delightful little nook to sit in, and there I took my Bible and had a
quiet read and prayer. General Forsyth was not in to luncheon, but I
saw from Mrs. Forsyth's face that he had told her of our interview.
She said very little to me, and when the theatricals were mentioned at
the table she changed the subject at once.

In the afternoon I joined Violet and her governess in an expedition to
a wood a little distance off. We took tea with us, and I thoroughly
enjoyed it