I hope you feel
quite rested from your journey."

"Oh, quite, thank you! And when I woke up this morning, I was so
surprised and delighted to find myself safe at home! Ah! I beg pardon!
But I spent so many years in this dear old house, the happiest years of
my life, that I always think of it as home, the only home I ever had in
all my life," said Rose, pathetically, while tears glistened in her soft
blue eyes.

"You poor child! Well, there is no reason why you should ever leave this
haven again. My granddaughter needs just such a bright companion as you
are sure to be. And who so fitting a one as her first young governess?"

"Oh, sir, you are so good to me! May heaven reward you! But Mrs.
Rothsay?" she said, with an appealing glance toward Cora.

"I do not need a companion; if I did, I should advertise for one. The
position of companion is also a half menial one, which I should never
associate with the name of Mrs. Stillwater, who is our guest," replied
Cora, with cold politeness.

"You see, my dear ex-pupil will not let me serve her in any capacity,"
said Rose, with a piteous glance toward the Iron King.

"You have both misunderstood me," he answered, with a severe glance
toward his granddaughter, "I never thought of you as a companion to
Mrs. Rothsay, in the professional sense of that word, but in the sense
in which daughters of the same house are companions to each other."

"I should not shrink from any service to my dear Cora," said Rose
Stillwater, and she was about to add--"nor to you, sir," but she thought
it best not to say it, and refrained.

When breakfast was over, and the Rockhold carriage was at the door to
convey the Iron King to North End, the old autocrat arose from the table
and strode into the hall, calling for his valet to come and help him on
with his light overcoat.

"Let me! let me! Oh, do please let me?" exclaimed Rose, jumping up and
following him. "Do you remember the last time I put on your overcoat? It
was on that morning in Baltimore, years ago, when we parted at the
Monument House; you to go to the depot to take the cars for this place,
I to remain in the city to await the arrival of my husband's ship? Nine
years ago! There, now! Have I not done it as well as your valet could?"
she prattled, as she deftly assisted him.

"Better, my child, much better! You are not rough; your hands are dainty
as well as strong. Thank you, child," said Mr. Rockharrt, settling
himself with a jerk or