would always be
simple-hearted and think of wealth in the right spirit; for what it
could do to promote the happiness of others, and not merely as a means
of increasing her own splendour or silly pleasures.

"You have two fathers, you know, Kitty," said Sir John, as they drove up
the avenue. "You are bound to be a very circumspect young lady, as you
are under such strict surveillance."

"You need not suppose for a single moment that I am the least afraid of
either of you," was her answer, and she gave her head a little toss
which was not in the least saucy, but was very pretty to see.

Colonel Sharston smiled and turned to his friend.

"How is it that we have accepted this invitation?" he said. "I do not
know Mrs. Aylmer. What sort of woman is she?"

"Oh, a very estimable person. I have known her for many years. I felt
that we could not do less than give her a few days of our company, and
Aylmer's Court is a beautiful place."

So it truly was--the park undulating away to the edge of the landscape,
and acres and acres of forest-land being visible in every direction.
There was a lake a little way to the left of the house, on which a small
pleasure-boat was now being rowed. In that boat sat a girl dressed in
dark blue, with a sailor hat on her head. Kitty bent forward; then she
glanced at Sir John Wallis and suddenly squeezed his hand.

"Do you know who is rowing on the lake?" she said.

"Who, my dear? Why, Kitty, you have turned quite white."

"I met her before, but, do you know, I had absolutely forgotten it. She
is Mrs. Aylmer's companion, and I believe her right hand."

"But who is she, dear? What is the matter? You look quite ill."

"Don't you remember Bertha Keys?"

"Miss Keys; why, that was the girl who behaved so badly at the time when
I offered my scholarship, was it not?"

"The very same girl," said Kitty.

"And what do you want me to do regarding her, Kitty?"

"I do not know. I don't want to do her any injury. Don't be surprised
when you meet her, that is all, and--"

"Kitty, your heart is a great deal too tender. You ought not to belong
to this evil world at all," said Sir John, while her father looked at
Kitty and asked for an explanation.

"Another time, father. All Sir John has to do is to treat Miss Keys as
if he had never met her before."

"Well, I daresay I can manage more than that for your sake, Kitty; and
now, here we are at the house."

Mrs. Aylmer and her adopted son, Maurice T