that will be quite unnecessary; she will tell me herself.
I am proud to be able to say of her that she is a perfectly truthful and
honest child."

"I am glad to learn that she has at least one virtue as an offset to her
very serious faults," observed the professor, dryly, then rising, "Allow
me to bid you good-evening, sir," and with that he took his departure.

Mr. Dinsmore saw him to the outer door, then returning, began pacing the
floor with arms folded on his breast and a heavy frown on his brow.

But presently Elsie and Violet came in, both looking anxious and
disturbed, and stopping his walk he sat down with them and reported all
that had passed during the call of Professor Manton; after which they
held a consultation in regard to the means to be taken to induce Lulu to
be submissive and obedient.

"Shall we not try mild measures at first, papa?" Elsie asked with a look
of entreaty.

"I approve of that course," he answered; "but what shall they be? Have
you anything to suggest?"

"Ah," she sighed, "it goes hard with me to have her disciplined at all;
why will she not be good without it, poor, dear child!"

"Let us try reasoning, coaxing, and persuading," suggested Violet, with
some hesitation.

"Very well," her grandfather said; "you and your mother may try that
to-night. If it fails, tell her that so long as she is rebellious all her
time at home must be spent in her own room and alone."

"Dear grandpa," Violet said pleadingly, "that punishment would fall
nearly as heavily upon Gracie as upon Lulu; and a better child than Grace
is not to be found anywhere."

"Yes, yes, and it is a pity; but I don't see that it can be helped. It is
a hard fact that in this sinful world the innocent have very often to
suffer with the guilty. You are suffering yourself at this moment, and so
is your mother, entirely because of the misconduct of this child and that
fiery little Italian."

"Lulu is extremely fond of her little sister," remarked Elsie; "so let us
hope the thought of Grace's distress, if separated from her, may lead her
to give up her self-will in regard to this matter. Take courage, Vi; all
is not lost that is in danger."

Each of the two had a talk with Lulu before she went to bed that night,
using all their powers of argument and persuasion; but in vain: she
stubbornly persisted in her resolve never again to be taught by Signor
Foresti.

Violet was almost in despair. She was alone with the little girl