ht them,' asked Mollie, with one of her
wide-open glances, 'what can I say then, Miss Ross?'

'Say that you have bought them with your own money--for it is your
money, Mollie; and if you would rather buy gloves with it, you are
welcome to do so.'

But Mollie protested eagerly that she would far rather buy flowers.

'Cyril is so fond of them,' she added innocently, 'and I shall always
take care to have a good-sized bunch on his writing-table. But what
shall I do about lessons, Miss Ross?' she continued, when this point was
settled. 'I am getting on so beautifully with French and music, and it
will be such a pity to lose it all. I asked mamma the other evening, and
she said she was sure she did not know; she might help me with my
French, but she was afraid Cyril could not afford music-lessons.
Besides, there would be the piano to hire; for of course I must
practise. Oh dear! I don't see how I am to get on!' with another big
sigh.

'I think we must leave all that for the present, dear Mollie,' replied
Audrey, rather sorrowfully. 'One needs a great deal of faith when things
go crooked. Keep up by yourself as well as you can, and leave the music
alone for a little. By and by, when you think he can bear it, you might
speak to your brother; but if he cannot afford it----'

Audrey stopped. Michael's generosity must not be taxed any further; but
she had money of her own, and nothing would please her more than to
spend a little on Mollie's education. Would her father allow it? she
wondered.

'I think we must leave this question for the present, Mollie,' she said,
in her decided way. 'Make up your mind not to trouble about it for a
month or two.'

And Mollie, with her usual sweet unselfishness, agreed to this.

Audrey sent her away cheered, and a good deal comforted, at receiving
her dear Miss Ross's permission to write long letters.

'I don't mind how long they are,' Audrey had observed, with an indulgent
smile; 'but you must not write too often, neither must you expect to
hear from me always in return. My letters will be very few, dear Mollie,
and they are only for your own eyes--remember that.' And when Mollie had
promised this with some reluctance, the gong sounded for luncheon, and
Audrey was obliged to dismiss her a little hurriedly.

Audrey was surprised to find how much she missed her favourite. Mollie's
lessons had occupied the greater part of her mornings, and lately this
occupation had been a boon to her.