place of safety. "In a little while I will tell you a great deal
about myself--and I do hope I shall please you! I will not give
any trouble, and I'll try to be useful in the house if you'll let
me. I can cook and sew and do all sorts of things!"

"Can you, indeed!" and Miss Leigh laughed good-naturedly. "And
what about studying for literature?"

"Ah!--that of course comes first!" she said. "But I shall do all
my writing in the mornings--in the afternoons I can help you as
much as you like."

"My dear, your time must be your own," said Miss Leigh,
decisively. "You have paid for your accommodation, and you must
have perfect liberty to do as you like, as long as you keep to my
regular hours for meals and bed-time. I think we shall get on well
together,--and I hope we shall be good friends!"

As she spoke she bent forward and on a sudden impulse drew the
girl to her and kissed her. Poor lonely Innocent thrilled through
all her being to the touch of instinctive tenderness, and her
heart beat quickly as she saw the portrait on the harpsichord--her
father's pictured face--apparently looking at her with a smile.

"Oh, you are very good to me!" she murmured, with a little sob in
her breath, as she returned the gentle old lady's kiss. "I feel as
if I had known you for years! Did you know him"--and she pointed
to the portrait--"very long?"

Miss Leigh's eyes grew bright and tender.