two into his spring overcoat.

"Oh, do let me perform these little services for you always! It will
make me feel so happy!"

"But it will give you trouble."

"Oh, indeed, no! not the least! It will give me only pleasure."

"You are a very good child, but I will not tax you. Good morning! I must
be off," said Mr. Rockharrt, shaking hands with Rose, and then hurrying
out to get into his carriage.

Rose stood in the door looking after him, until the brougham rolled
away out of sight.

At luncheon Rose Stillwater seemed so determined to be pleasant that it
was next to impossible for Cora Rothsay to keep up the formal demeanor
she had laid out for herself.

"It is very lonely for you here, my dear. How soon does your grandfather
usually return? I know he must have been later than usual last night,
because he had to go to the depot to meet me," Rose said.

"Mr. Rockharrt usually returns at six o'clock. We have dinner at
half-past," replied Cora.

"And this is two! Four hours and a half yet!"

"The afternoon is very fine. Will you take a walk with me in the
garden?" inquired Cora, as they left the dining room, feeling some
compunction for the persistent coldness with which she had treated her
most gentle and obliging guest.

"Oh, thank you very much, dear. With the greatest pleasure! It will be
just like old times, when we used to walk in the garden together, you a
little child holding on to my hand. And now--But we won't talk of that,"
said Rose.

And she fled up stairs to get her hat and shawl.

And the two women sauntered for half an hour among the early roses and
spring flowers in the beautiful Rockhold garden.

Then they came in and went to the library together and looked over the
new magazines. Presently Cora said:

"We all use the library in common to write our letters in. If you have
letters to write, you will find every convenience in either of those
side tables at the windows."

"Yes. Just as it used to be in the old times when I was so happy here!
When the dear old lady was here! Ah, me! But I will not think of that.
She is in heaven, as sure as there is a heaven for angels such as she,
and we must not grieve for the sainted ones. But I have no letters to
write, dear. I have no correspondents in all the world. Indeed, dear
Cora, I have no friend in the world outside of this house," said Rose,
with a little sigh that touched Cora's heart, compelling her to
sympathize with this lonely creature, e