up in a dull college with an old bookworm like me?"

"Dr. Grey! Papa!"

"Don't look hurt, my darling. But confess; isn't it sometimes so?"

"No! a thousand times no! Who has been putting such things into your
head, for they never would come of themselves? It is wicked--wicked,
and you should not heed them."

The tears burst from her eyes, to her husband's undisguised
astonishment. He appeared so exceedingly grieved that she controlled
herself as soon as she could, for his sake.

"I did not mean to be naughty. But you should remember I am still
only a girl--a poor, helpless, half-formed girl, who never had any body
to teach her any thing, who is trying so hard to be good, only they will
not let me!"

"Who do you mean by they?"

No, he evidently had not the slightest idea how bitter was the daily
household struggle, the petty guerilla warfare which she had to bear.
And perhaps it was as well he should not. She would fight her own
battles; she was strong enough now. It was a step-by-step advance, and
all through an enemy's country. Still, she had advanced, and might go
on to the end, if she only had strength and patience.

"Hush! I hear Miss Gascoigne at the door. Please go and speak to her.
Don't let her see I have been crying."