dy she did not say
-- except to herself. She walked into the house, fortified with
all the muniments of her spirit for the meeting. It was a
quiet one on the whole. Rose cried a good deal, but Elizabeth
bore it without any giving way; saving once or twice a slight
twinkling of lip and eye, instantly commanded back. Rose had
all the demonstration to herself, of whatever kind. Elizabeth
sat still, silent and pale; and when she could get free went
and ordered supper.

The supper was in Mrs. Landholm's old kitchen; they two alone
at the table. Perhaps Elizabeth thought of the old time,
perhaps her thoughts had enough to do with the present; she
was silent, grave and stern, not wanting in any kind care
nevertheless. Rose took tears and bread and butter by turns;
and then sat with her face in her handkerchief all the
evening. It seemed a very, very long evening to her hostess,
whose face bespoke her more tired, weary, and grave, with
every succeeding half hour. Why was this companion, whose
company of all others she least loved, to be yet her sole and
only companion, of all the world? Elizabeth by turns fretted
and by turns scolded herself for being ungrateful, since she
confessed that even Rose was better for her than to be utterly
alone. Yet Rose was a blessing that greatly irritated her
composure and peace of mind. So the evening literally wore
away. But when at last Rose was kissing her hostess for good
night, between sobs she stammered, "I am very glad to be here
Lizzie, -- it seems like being at home again."

Elizabeth gave her no answer besides the answering kiss; but
her eyes filled full at that, and as soon as she reached her
own room the tears came in long and swift flow, but sweeter
and gentler and softer than they had flowed lately. And very
thankful that she had done right, very soothed and refreshed
that her right doing had promised to work good, she laid
herself down to sleep.

But her eyes had hardly closed when the click of her door-
latch made them open again. Rose's pretty night-cap was
presenting itself.

"Lizzie! -- aren't you afraid without a man in the house?"

"There _is_ a man in the house."

"Is there?"

"Yes. Anderese -- Karen's brother."

"But he is old."

"He's a man."

"But aren't you ever afraid?"

"It's no use to be afraid," said Elizabeth. "I am accustomed
to it. I don't often think of it."

"I heard such queer noises," said Rose whispering. "I didn't
think of anything be