Miss Merivale's Mistake

nt down to Woodcote

sweet and caressing to Rose ever since their talk on the evening of Tom's visit to the flat. Ro

er down, but Rose begged to be allowed to drive back. It was the first time she had driven the n

ale said, as they drove slowly up the long hill from the station. "The primr

the sight of a railway train that had just come out

ggested. "I drove a great deal when I was stayi

ss Merivale said. "And coaxing is best, I am sure. There, we shal

Miss Merivale and Rose deplorably weak and silly. A smart stroke with the whip was what the pony wanted. But she h

ir like a lark in a cage," she sa

loving glance. "I wish you would come down again next week, dear. I ca

to me. How quiet it is here! Don't you miss the roar of London, Rosie? I do. Not the clatter of cabs and carts, but t

; but she gave Rosie another anxious look. She was wonderi

they got home to pour her heart out to he

it is certainly lovely here. What a delightful change it must be for that little Miss S

s she answered in a voice that trembled a little, "I don't think you can have heard that Rhoda is related

sy on her pretty face; but she saw instead a tender, happy smile

u to acknowledge it, dear Miss Merivale! Some people wouldn't, I know. They think poor relations should be kept out of sight as muc

ose said, as Miss Merivale did not answer. "He and his li

ivale in a low voice. Her

ng lovingly on the old house, which had just come into sight. "How strange it seems to t

ed in the same low voice. Pauline, who was watching her i

ticing her aunt's disinclination to talk of her niece. "How old i

id Pauline, answering for Miss Merivale. "But she looks mu

. And Pauline, after another glance at Miss Merivale's face, was silent about Rhoda. It was pla

ivale had given her. It was brown cashmere, made very simply, but it was a prettier dress th

said. "How very well you are looking! B

a. She answered pleasantly; there was even a twinkle d

ade it, she recognised what a frank, sweet face it was. She did not wonder that Tom loved her, or

that had been prepared for her, and they went upsta

er go too,

d look at you. Tom gave me a bad account. And you

But I shall be glad when June comes, Aunt Lucy. I am be

s so sweet to hear you say that. I was afraid you would find it dull

ly, half teasingly. "You've had M

t you? She is so lonely. Mrs. M'Alister and her children have gone to Devonshire, and Rhoda wa

s. It was all very well for Tom to speak so, but her aunt

and Miss Merivale did not notice that the gaiety was forced. "I'll go

t her hand on the head of Bruno, Tom's black Newfoundland, who ha

t looking at her. She went on speaking to him. "And everything is coming right, Bruno,"

le brightened her face as she watched her. She had lost the feeling that she was doing her an injustice by not acknowled

d accidentally learnt. At first it had amused her, it amused her still. In the brief, decidedly unpleasant tete-a-tete which Rose had just put an end to, she had found it easy to bear Pauline's half-veiled taunts. Ever since her visit to Leyton she had unde

ho

's kindness had completely won the girl's heart. She was so happy at Woodcote that sometimes she felt as if it must be a dream from which she would

drawing her down on the seat. "Just look at Bruno. He has been asking m

dog, but Miss Merivale saw how her colour rose, maki

da time to speak. "I want to take Miss Smythe to Bingley woods. It is too early fo

iss Merivale spoke. So had Rhoda. She started up. "I promised Wilmot I would

and Miss Smythe have come, Tom," she called to him, as he crossed

to see much of her to-morrow, Aunt Lucy. I must go to Croydon, aft

ll. I don't think she likes it as much as she

let her go, Aunt Lucy. But there is no need for her to stay till Ju

he for her to leave her now, dear," said Miss Meri

hall at the sight of Tom, followed more slowly by Pauline. "Oh, Tom, ha

in. How do you do, Miss Smythe? I hope Ros

" said Pauline,

he stepped back to speak to her. They stood talking together by the wide stone hearth, filled now with green fir boughs. Pauline noticed h

tting chilly, my dear," she said to Pauline. "Shall we go

make the portraits on the wainscoted walls clearly visible. Pauline went from one to the other, asking Miss Merivale a question

r, a sweet, gentle-eyed woman, very much like Miss Merivale,

nce. "Except for the dark eyes, it mi

Rhoda. "Aunt Lucy, your mother's eyes are

felt her start violently. "I had not noticed

re shaped a little differently. And she was named Rhoda,

r more beautiful than the mild brown ones in the portrait. As he spoke he moved quickly towards his aunt. "Aunt Lucy, it is too

he dining-room. Before Tom had spoken to his aunt she had seen how white and strange her face was-as wh

air, she heard a soft tap at the door. To

o is mine. It is a charming house altogether. May I sit down and talk to you a little? I want you a

not appear to notice her constrained answer. She sat down in the low chair by the window and took up the pho

a dear little fellow that is on your aunt's lap! Is that the li

came into Rhoda's dark eyes. "Ye

ss Merivale heard me mention you, Miss Sampson! She noticed the name at once. It is

nking so," said Rhoda quietly

r you, if that is so. My father and mother died while I w

nnot reme

our fa

a li

got up with a yawn. "I am keeping you up," she said. "May I have the matches? Thank you. Good-night." She gave Rhoda one of her most charming