on in the lines of her mouth and chin: her
brow was broader and fuller, and her eyes were dark brown instead of
blue. But the likeness was there, with a diversity of expression and of
coloring.

"I thought you were never coming," said Lesley at length, as she clung
fondly to her mother. "I could hardly sleep last night for thinking how
delightful it would be to go away with you!"

Lady Alice gave a little start, and looked at the girl as if there had
been some hidden meaning in her words.

"Go away with me?" she repeated.

"Yes, mother darling, and be with you always: to look after you and not
let grandpapa tire you with long walks and long games of backgammon. I
shall be his companion as well as yours, and I shall take care of you
both. I have planned ever so many things that I mean to do--especially
when we go to Scotland."

"Lesley," said Lady Alice, faintly, "I am tired: let me sit down." And
then, as the girl made her seat herself in the one arm-chair that the
room contained, and hung over her with affectionate solicitude, she went
on, with paling lips: "You never said these things in your letter,
child! I did not know that you were so anxious to come away--with me."

"Oh, mamma, dear, you surely knew it all the time?" said Lesley,
thinking the comment a reproach. "You surely knew how I longed to be
with you? But I would not _say_ much in my letters for fear of making
you think I was unhappy; and I have always been very happy here with the
dear sisters and the girls. But I thought you _understood_ me,
mamma--understood by instinct, as it were," said Lesley, kneeling by her
mother's side, and throwing an occasional shy glance into her mother's
face.

"I understand perfectly, dear, and I see your unselfish motive. It makes
me all the more sorry to disappoint you as I am about to do."

"Oh, mamma! Am I not to leave school, then?"

"Yes, dear, you will leave school."

"And--and--with you?"

"You will come with me, certainly--until to-morrow, darling. But you
leave _me_ to-morrow, too."

The color began to fade from Lesley's cheeks, as it had already faded
from Lady Alice's. The girl felt a great swelling in her throat, and a
film seemed to dim the clearness of her sight. But Sister Rose's words
came back to her mind with an inspiring thrill which restored her
strength. "Patience, endurance, resignation!" Was this the occasion on
which she was to show whether these virtues were hers or not? She would
not