don't be at all afraid. Now, bring down your Markham's History of
England and Alison's History of Europe, and I will set you a task to
prepare for me for to-morrow."

Nora went slowly out of the room. She hated Markham's History of
England. She had read it five or six times, and knew it by heart.
She detested George and Richard and Mary, and their conversations
with their mother were simply loathsome to her. Alison's History,
however, was tougher metal, and she thought she would enjoy a good
stiff reading of it. She was a very intelligent girl, and with
advantages would have done well.

She returned with the books. Her mother carelessly marked about
twenty pages in each, told her to read them in the course of the
day, and to come to her the next morning to be questioned.

"You can go now," she said. "I was very busy yesterday, and have a
headache. I shall lie down and go to sleep."

"Shall I draw down the blind, mother?"

"Yes, please; and you can put that rug over me. Now, don't run
shouting all over the house; try to remember you are a young lady.
Really and truly, no one would suppose that you and Terence were
brother and sister. He will do great credit to my brother George; he
will be proud of such a handsome young fellow as his nephew."

Nora said nothing; having attended to her mother's comforts, she left
the room. She went out into the sunshine. In her hand she carried the
two books. Her first intention was to take them down to one end of the