Mind, I do not say it is true.' 'But you are so often at Gladwyn, you ought to know, Max.' 'Yes, of course; and now and then I have seen Hamilton a little stern with his sisters; he is rather irritable by nature.

I don't quite understand things myself, but I have got it into my head that they would be happier without Miss Darrell; she is a splendid manager, but it puts Miss Hamilton out of her right place.' 'But she is an invalid, you say ?' 'No, not an invalid, only very delicate, and a little morbid; not quite what a girl ought to be.

You could do some good there, Ursula,' rather eagerly.

'Miss Hamilton has no friends of her own age; she is reserved,--peculiar.

You might be a comfort to her; you are sympathetic, sensible, and have known trouble yourself.