mptation. His own daughter had never given him any
cause for uneasiness, and he did not see why he should be burdened with
the escapades of anyone else's troublesome offspring. It was too much to
expect at his time of life.

So a severe reprimand had been Dinah's portion, to which she, very meek
and crestfallen, shorn of all the previous evening's glories, had
listened with a humility that had slightly mollified her judge though he
had been careful not to let her know it. She had been wild and flighty,
and he was determined that she should feel the rod of discipline pretty
smartly.

But when he finally rose from the table and stalked out of the room, it
was a little disconcerting to find the culprit awaiting him in the
vestibule to slip a shy hand inside his arm and whisper, "Do forgive me!
I'm so sorry."

He looked down into her quivering face, saw the pleading eyes swimming in
tears, and abruptly found that his displeasure had evaporated so
completely that he could not even pretend to be angry any longer. He had
never taken much notice of Dinah before, treating her, as did his wife
and daughter, as a mere child and of no account. But now he suddenly
realized that she was an engaging minx after all.

"Ashamed of yourself?" he asked gruffly, his white moustache twitching a
little.

Dinah nodded mutely.

"Then don't do it again!" he said, and grasped the little brown hand for
a moment with quite unwonted kindness.

It was a tacit forgiveness, and as such Dinah treated it. She smiled
thankfully through her tears, and slipped away to recover her composure.

Nearly an hour later, Scott, having finished his letters, came upon her
sitting somewhat disconsolately in the verandah. He paused on his way
out.

"Good morning, Miss Bathurst! Aren't you going to skate this morning?"

She turned to him with a little movement of pleasure. "Good morning, Mr.
Studley! I have been waiting here for you. I have brought down your
sister's trinkets. Here they are!" She held out a neat little paper
parcel to him. "Please will you thank her again for them very, very much?
I do hope she didn't think me very rude last night,--though I'm afraid I
was."

Her look was wistful. He took the packet from her with a smile.

"Of course she didn't. She was delighted with you. When are you coming to
see her again?"

"I don't know," said Dinah.

"Come to tea!" suggested Scott.

Dinah hesitated, flushing.

"You've something else to do?"