aintive lamentations over her enforced
exile and separation from her dear Miss Ross; and here and there a
bleared word showed touchingly where a great tear had rolled down and
blotted the page; but the next entry, written a few days afterwards,
showed some signs that the prospect had brightened a little. One passage
gave great pleasure to Audrey:

'Mamma likes our lodgings excessively, and though I shall never love any
place like our dear Gray Cottage, they are really very nice; indeed,
they are better than any lodgings we have been in yet. Mamma says she
never saw rooms so well furnished; the carpets and papers are rather
ugly, and I cannot say much for the curtains; but there is a delicious
couch--one of those soft, springy ones that are so comfortable, rather
like the one in the Woodcote drawing-room, and two delightfully easy
chairs.

'Then, in the little room we call Cyril's study, there is really a very
handsome writing-table, with one of those green reading-lamps that Dr.
Ross always uses, and a nice little secretaire for papers. Mamma was so
charmed when she saw that; she told Cyril that he only wanted a few
stained shelves to hold his books, and that then he would be as snug as
possible. I thought Cyril looked a little queer when she said that, and
when she exclaimed at the softness of the couch I saw such an odd smile
on his face. I fancy he must have bought it himself, and that he does
not wish mamma to know it.' ('Oh, you little goose!' observed Audrey,
when she came to this; but her eyes were very bright as she went on with
the letter.)

'There were such quantities of flowers and plants about the room when we
arrived, and the most beautiful tea set out on the big round table.
Mamma laughed, and said Cyril was very extravagant to provide such
luxuries; but he told her he had had nothing to do with it, and he did
not seem to enjoy anything.

'I am afraid he works too hard. Mamma is beginning to say that she might
as well have remained in Rutherford, for all she sees of him; but I know
she does not mean it, for she is as happy as possible.

'Cyril never gets home until half-past six, and then we have tea. His
pupil comes to him at eight for two hours. I think Zack has the best of
it. Cyril always takes him out for a long walk before breakfast. I
should like to go with them, but I think Cyril prefers going alone. He
only walks with mamma on Sunday afternoon, and then he comes in looking
so tired. He often