Christopher's diary all through. Then I shall see how the land lies."

Rosa complied with his proposal; and left him alone while she bathed her
eyes, and tried to compose herself, for she was all trembling at this
sudden irruption.

When she returned to the drawing-room, he was walking about, looking
grave and thoughtful.

"It is the old story," said he, rather gently: "a MISUNDERSTANDING. How
wise our ancestors were that first used that word to mean a quarrel!
for, look into twenty quarrels, and you shall detect a score of
mis-under-standings. Yet our American cousins must go and substitute the
un-ideaed word 'difficulty'; that is wonderful. I had no quarrel with
him: delighted to see either of you. But I had called twice on him; so I
thought he ought to get over his temper, and call on a tried friend
like me. A misunderstanding! Now, my dear, let us have no more of these
misunderstandings. You will always be welcome at my house, and I shall
often come here and look after you and your interests. What do you mean
to do, I wonder?"

"Sir, I am to go home to my father, if he will be troubled with me. I
have written to him."

"And what is to become of the Bijou?"

"My Christie thought I should like to part with it, and the
furniture--but his own writing-desk and his chair, no, I never will,
and his little clock. Oh! oh! oh!--But I remember what you said about
agents, and I don't know what to do; for I shall be away."