wouldn't; but there is a
wicked girl who tried her very best to frighten little Agnes, only
Rosamund brought her back to her senses. The darling knows that whoever
else I might hurt at one time, I never could and never would hurt one
hair of her head. And she loves me in return."

"Then that's all right," said Miss Carter.

Just at that moment a slight rustling was heard at the back of the
little bower. Irene did not notice it, but Miss Carter did.

"I wonder if anybody is listening?" she said.

"Who cares? I don't mind if the whole world hears. There's that spy,
Lucy Merriman; she is as likely as not to do mean things. But I don't
mind even her."

"Oh, don't you?" thought Lucy, who had that moment come a little nearer
the back of the bower.

"No, I don't mind even her," repeated Irene. "I only say that as long as
Rosamund is with me I shall be a good girl, just because I can't help
myself; and if any one were to take my Rosamund from me I should be
worse than ever."

"You were pretty bad. I don't know how you could be worse than you used
to be."

"Well, you see, I know more. I have more knowledge. I could be more
refined in my acts of terrorism, or whatever you like to call them.
Anyhow, people had better not try."

"People had better not try!" thought Lucy. "But, my fine Irene, somebody
is going to try."

The evening passed, and the children came back again to have supper at
Sunnyside. Lucy was biding her time. She disliked Irene even more than
she disliked Rosamund. As to little Agnes, she was not of the smallest
interest to her. She simply wished to divide her effectually from Irene,
in order to punish both Irene and Rosamund; and nothing could give her
greater pleasure than that Irene should burst into one of her worst
frenzies. She thought she saw a way.

The family were all sitting contentedly at their supper when a telegram
was brought in which was handed to Rosamund. It was from her mother,
telling her that her father was seriously ill, and wanted her to come to
London on the following day. Rosamund, who was intensely devoted to both
her parents, was much distressed. She handed the telegram to Mrs.
Merriman, who immediately gave her the necessary permission.

"You must start by the very first train to-morrow morning," said Mrs.
Merriman, "and one of the governesses must go with you. Miss Frost might
be the best."

"Of course, Miss Frost would be the right person," said Lucy, suddenly
raising h