in. I don't
like sums, Miss Ross, or Latin either: I would so much rather read
French and history with mamma--she reads so beautifully and teaches so
well--but somehow she is so often too busy or too tired to attend to
me.'

'And who teaches you music?'

'No one,' and here Mollie's face wore a look of the deepest dejection;
'we have no piano, and mamma does not play. When we lived at Richmond
the lady in the drawing-room taught me my notes, and I used to practise
scales and exercises in her room. She was such a funny old dear, with
queer little pinned-up curls. Her name was Miss Foster--she had been a
governess--and she used to be so kind to Kester and me. She would ask us
into her room, and give us cake and nice things; but I don't think she
liked mamma--she was always pitying us and calling us "poor children;"
but I am sure we were very happy.'

'And she gave you music-lessons?'

'Yes, and I got on quite nicely. I am so fond of music, Miss Ross, and
so is Cyril; he sings beautifully, and can play his own accompaniments.
He talks of hiring a piano, and then perhaps I can practise my scales
and exercises.'

Audrey made no answer for a moment--she was deep in thought--and then
she said suddenly:

'Are you busy all the morning, Mollie? I mean, if you had a piano, when
would you practise?'

This question seemed to puzzle Mollie.

'I hardly know, Miss Ross--in the morning, I think, when I had done
helping Biddy. Kester generally wants me for an hour in the afternoon,
and there is the chance, too, that mamma might call me to read history
with her. I daresay I could get half an hour or so before
dinner--luncheon, I mean.'

'Would you like to come to me twice a week for a lesson? Oh, Mollie
dear, take care!' for the girl was starting up in her excitement; 'the
water is very deep here, and if you upset us----'

'No, no, I will sit quite still; but I did so want to kiss you--it is
such a lovely idea!'

'I am so glad you approve of it. I tell you what, Mollie, I will call
one afternoon and settle it with your mother. The morning will suit me
best; I generally go out after luncheon, unless we have a tennis-party
at home; but with a little management I think I could contrive to spare
you an hour twice a week--perhaps an hour and a half,' finished Audrey,
whose busy brain had already suggested that a French exercise or half an
hour's French reading might be thrown in after the music-lesson.

Audrey was a good lingui