bout eleven o'clock, and we drive and play tennis,
and she treats us just like she might her own sisters!'

Elfie, looking at the radiant faces and sparkling eyes of the two
delicate girls, envied Miss Villars the privilege of being able to
bring such brightness and happiness into others' lives.

Meanwhile Clare was having a private talk with her friend, for after
tea Agatha had sped down to the village on one of her benevolent
errands.

'Have you found the true secret of happiness yet?' asked Miss Villars
presently. 'You look brighter than when I last saw you.'

'I may be brighter now, but I shall have one of my black moods again
soon. No, Miss Villars, I don't think I shall ever be satisfied in
this life. The more I have, the more I want, and you couldn't expect
me to be happy with Hugh in Africa!'

She laughed as she spoke, but her smile soon died away.

'I want him back dreadfully, Miss Villars. I never dreamt I would miss
him so much; and I have a horrible feeling that he will not come back
at all. I think I should die if he did not! I long sometimes to go
out to him. But I can't. I must just wait, and I hate waiting! I
never could wait for anything when I was a child, and it drives me
nearly wild!'

Clare spoke with such vehemence and passion that for a moment Miss
Villars thought it best not to speak. Then she said slowly,--

'Poor child! you take life's lessons hardly. And I can't help you
except by sympathy. There is only One who can, and you will not go to
Him for the patience and rest of soul you need.'

Tears filled Clare's blue eyes. She gazed away out of the window up to
the sweet summer sky, and her face grew wistful and sad.

'I am seeking Him,' she said in a low voice, 'but it all seems dark,
and the Bible seems no help, and prayer a weariness; and then I give up
trying, and try to amuse myself, and make the time pass as best I can.'

Then Miss Villars did a thing which Clare owned to herself that no one
else but Miss Villars could have done naturally. She took hold of
Clare's hand, and with closed eyes and bent head began to pray.

A very short and simple prayer, but a strange thrill ran through Clare
as she realized this was indeed speaking to One who was close to them.
And nothing jarred her feelings. She only seemed to be drawn into the
very presence of her Saviour, who with open arms was waiting to receive
and bless her.

When Miss Villars ceased speaking, Clare's head