spect. Eagerly,
therefore,--even with conscientious delight--she welcomed the new
song-words that Arkwright brought--they would give her something else
to take up her time and attention. She welcomed them, also, for another
reason: they would bring Arkwright more often to the house, and this
would, of course, lead to that "casual meeting" between him and Alice
Greggory when the rehearsals for the operetta should commence--which
would be very soon now. And Billy did so long to bring about that
meeting!

To Billy, all this was but "occupying her mind," and playing Cupid's
assistant to a worthy young couple torn cruelly apart by an unfeeling
fate. To Bertram--to Bertram it was terror, and woe, and all manner of
torture; for in it Bertram saw only a growing fondness on the part
of Billy for Arkwright, Arkwright's music, Arkwright's words, and
Arkwright's friends.

The first rehearsal for the operetta came on Wednesday evening. There
would be another on Thursday afternoon. Billy had told Alice Greggory to
arrange her pupils so that she could stay Wednesday night at Hillside,
if the crippled mother could get along alone--and she could, Alice
had said. Thursday forenoon, therefore, Alice Greggory would, in all
probability, be at Hillside, specially as there would doubtless be an
appointment or two for private rehearsal with some nervous soloist whose
part was not progressing well. Such being the case, Billy had a plan
she meant to carry out. She was highly pleased, therefore, when Thursday
morning came, and everything, apparently, was working exactly to her
mind.

Alice was there. She had an appointment at quarter of eleven with
the leading tenor, and another later with the alto. After breakfast,
therefore, Billy said decisively:

"Now, if you please, Miss Greggory, I'm going to put you up-stairs on
the couch in the sewing-room for a nap."

"But I've just got up," remonstrated Miss Greggory.

"I know you have," smiled Billy; "but you were very late to bed last
night, and you've got a hard day before you. I insist upon your resting.
You will be absolutely undisturbed there, and you must shut the door
and not come down-stairs till I send for you. Mr. Johnson isn't due till
quarter of eleven, is he?"

"N-no."

"Then come with me," directed Billy, leading the way up-stairs. "There,
now, don't come down till I call you," she went on, when they had
reached the little room at the end of the hall. "I'm going to leave Aunt