d what are we
going to do with that naughty girl? We ought to be firm with her. We
really ought, Ralph."

The Professor looked gently at her, but did not speak.

"For Lucy's sake we ought to be firm," continued Mrs. Merriman. "Of
course, I don't want to be hard on any girl; but a direct act of
disobedience----"

"It is her first offence; and, after all, the girl is impulsive and has
never been subject to control, and there are extenuating circumstances,"
said the Professor. "My dear," he continued, laying his hand on his
wife's very plump shoulder, "you must speak to Lucy from yourself, not
from me, dear; for I am too tired. But you must speak to her from
yourself, and tell her that she is not to dictate any terms to us with
regard to the pupils who come to be educated at Sunnyside. She herself
is but one of the pupils. And now, dear, leave me, please."

Mrs. Merriman did so, and a moment later Rosamund entered the room. She
advanced proudly, her head well thrown back, a spot of additional color
on each cheek, her brown eyes brighter than usual.

"Professor," she said before he could speak a word, for he was amazed at
her entering into his presence, "I know I have been a very naughty girl.
I did disobey you. I did go all by myself to The Follies. I was annoyed
at your strict views, and I had not been accustomed to self-control. I
beg of you to forgive me, and to forgive me although I am not
particularly repentant."

"What do you mean by that, Rosamund?" asked the Professor, his eyes
darkening and a look of pain crossing his face.

"Because I think I have helped Lady Jane, and I want, please, Professor,
your forgiveness and then your help."

As she spoke she suddenly dropped on her knees by his side and laid one
hand on his knee.

"I want your help," she said, looking up into his face, "for dear Lady
Jane was mother's friend, and she has got such a strange, wild,
beautiful little daughter, whom nobody understands, and who is, I
confess, exceedingly naughty. But I--yes, I, Professor--want to tame
her."

"I have heard of her," said Professor Merriman. "There is no one living
in the place who has not heard of Irene Ashleigh. The fact is, her name
is a terror to the neighborhood. I have heard dreadful stories of that
child, and the thought of her has weighed on my mind."

"As it is weighing on mine now," said Rosamund in a low voice, her eyes
suddenly filling with tears.

"My dear, you have been sent to me to