other occupant of the room.

"Come in, Lulu," Mr. Dinsmore said, seeing her hesitation; "you have
nothing to fear if you are disposed to be good and docile."

As he spoke he pointed to a low chair by his side.

Lulu came quietly forward and took it.

"I'm not afraid, Grandpa Dinsmore," she said in low, even tones.
"Good-evening, Professor Manton."

"Good-evening," he replied, with a stiff nod. "I am sorry to be brought
here by so unpleasant a duty as laying a complaint against you."

"You needn't care; I don't," she said with the utmost nonchalance.

He lifted his eyebrows in astonishment, and had nearly forgotten his
dignity so far as to utter a low whistle, but caught himself just in
time.

Mr. Dinsmore frowned darkly.

"What is the meaning of such talk, Lulu?" he inquired. "If you do not
care for the displeasure of teachers and guardians you are indeed a
naughty girl."

He paused for a reply, but none came, and he went on: "Professor Manton
has brought me a report of your conduct to-day, agreeing substantially
with the one given by yourself, and I have called you down to tell him in
your presence that you are to go on taking lessons of Signor Foresti."

Lulu's cheeks crimsoned, and she looked from one to the other with
flashing eyes.

"Grandpa Dinsmore and Professor Manton, I have said several times, and I
say it again, I will _never_ take another lesson from that man!"

"Then you deliberately defy the authority of both the professor and
myself?" Mr. Dinsmore queried sternly.

"In this one thing I do."

"The consequences may be very unpleasant," he said significantly and with
rising anger.

"I know the consequences of giving up and taking lessons again from
Signor Foresti would be very unpleasant," she retorted.

"Leave the room!" he commanded, with a stamp of the foot that sent Lulu's
heart up into her throat, though she tried to appear perfectly calm and
unconcerned as she silently rose and obeyed the order.

"Really the most amazingly audacious, impertinent child I ever saw!"
muttered the professor. Then aloud, "What is to be done with her, sir?"
he asked.

"She must be made to obey, of course," replied Mr. Dinsmore.

"Yes, yes, certainly; but what measure would you have me take to bring
her to submission?"

"None; you will please leave all that to me."

"Then if to-morrow she refuses to finish that interrupted lesson, you
would have me simply report the fact to you?"

"No, sir; even