"Very well," was his quiet reply, "you can remain at home if you

choose, of course. I had intended taking you myself, wherever you

wished to go; and not only that, but I was about to ask how much was

needed for the necessary additions to your wardrobe, but if you prefer

remaining here to giving up a most unfounded prejudice against a girl

who never harmed you, and whom Jessie already loves, you can do so,"

and Guy walked from the room, leaving Agnes first to cry, then to

pout, then to think it all over, and finally to decide that going to

Saratoga and Newport under the protection of Guy, was better than

carrying out a whim, which, after all, was nothing but a whim.

Accordingly next morning as Guy was in his library reading his papers,

she went tripping up to him, and folding her white hands upon his

shoulder, said, very prettily: "I was real cross last night, and let my foolish pride get the

ascendency, but I have considered the matter, and am willing for this

Miss Clyde to come, provided you still think it best."

Guy's mustache hid the mischievous smile lurking about his mouth, and

he received the concession as graciously as if he did not know

perfectly the motive which impelled it. As she had commenced being

amiable she seemed determined to continue it, and offered herself to

write a note soliciting Maddy's services, "As I am Jessie's mother, it will be perfectly proper for me to hire

and manage her," she said, and as Guy acquiesced in this suggestion,

she sat down at the writing desk, and commenced a very pleasantly

worded note, in which Miss Clyde was informed that she had been

recommended as a suitable person with whom to leave Jessie during the

summer and a part of the autumn, and that she, Jessie's mother, wrote

to ask if for the sum of one dollar per week she were at liberty to

come to Aikenside as governess, or waiting-maid.

"Or what?" Guy asked, as she read to him what she had written. "Maddy

Clyde will not be waiting-maid in this house, neither will she come

for one dollar per week as you propose. I hire her myself. I have

taken a fancy to the girl. Commence again; substitute companion for

waiting-maid, and offering her three dollars per week instead of one."

As long as Guy paid the bill Agnes could not demur to the price,

although remembering a time when she had taught a district school for

one dollar per week and boarded around besides. She thought three

dollars far too much. But Guy had commanded, and him she generally

obeyed, so she wrote another note, which he approved, and sealing it

up sent it by a servant down to the red cottage.




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