ptance or refusal had hung entirely upon a moral question--the
expediency or inexpediency of a secret engagement. Altogether, he felt
the situation to have been most unpleasant.

"Nothing has come of it," he thought, "but an assurance of Yanna's
love; and what is the use of love that will not sacrifice anything for
me?" And as he looked at this question only in its relation to Yanna's
sacrificing for him, he did not arrive at any just conception of his
own duty in the circumstances.

Mrs. Filmer had been covertly watching for his return; and she was
annoyed to find that he went directly to his own apartments, and
did not reappear that night. Rose grumbled at his carelessness, and
once she went to his door and asked him to come down and look at
some of the arrangements; but he refused in the most positive
manner. It was altogether a cross, unpleasant evening; the servants
were quarreling in every part of the house; Rose was worrying over
Harry's indifference; and Mrs. Filmer had a slight sick headache, and
said more unkind things than she permitted herself when in good
health. Mr. Filmer did not improve the general tone, for he sat
quiet, in a provoking mood, watching the burning hickory logs, and
listening to the fretful remarks flying between the mistress and
her servants, and the mother and her daughter. Their plain speech
and honest opinions amused him; and he complacently remarked: "My dear
Emma, this little household discussion is very interesting to me. I
always have said, 'Let us be sincere and truthful with each other, no
matter how unpleasant we may make ourselves.'"

In the morning the storm was over, and there was a clearer atmosphere
in the house. But Harry did not appear at the breakfast table. "It is
a shame!" said Rose, with great sincerity. "If Harry was against the
ball, he ought to have said so at the beginning. I wonder what is the
matter with him!"

Mrs. Filmer knew what was the matter, and she privately gave Yanna the
blame of all her worries. But for Yanna, Harry would have been
enthusiastically busy about all the necessary details which were so
annoying to her. She did not love Yanna for her interference; but she
was a modern lady, and she was able to keep her dislike to herself.
About ten o'clock Yanna arrived at Filmer Hall, and Rose, who had seen
her approach, went to the door to meet her.

"Come upstairs, Yanna," she cried. "Come to my room, and I will show
you something." She was all im