When Mr. Grahame, in compliance with Mrs. Hamilton’s message, called on her the following morning, and heard the cause of his summons, his surprise almost equalled that of his wife.  He knew her dislike to the plan of sending girls to school, however it might be in vogue; and almost in terror he asked if she proposed this scheme because the evil character of his child required some such desperate expedient.  It was easy to prove to him such was very far from her meaning.  She spoke more openly on the character of Lilla than she had yet done, for she thought their long years of intimacy demanded candour on her part; and each year, while it increased the evil of Lilla’s present situation heightened her earnest desire to draw the father and child more closely together.  She did not palliate her faults, but she proved that they were increased by the constant contradiction and irritation which she had to encounter.  She repeated all that had passed between them the preceding day, unconsciously and cautiously condemning Grahame’s excessive sternness, by relating, almost verbatim, Lilla’s simply expressed wish that her father would let her love him.

She gained her point.  The softened and agitated father felt self-condemned as she proceeded; and earnestly implored her to give him one more proof of her friendship, by recommending him some lady under whose care he could with safety place his erring, yet naturally noble-minded and warm-hearted child.  A fashionable seminary, he was sure, would do her more harm than good, and he listened with eagerness to Mrs. Hamilton’s description of Mrs. Douglas.  The widow of a naval officer, who had for several years been in the habit of educating ten young ladies of the highest rank, and she mentioned one or two who had been her pupils, whose worth and mental endowments were well known to Grahame.

“Do not be guided entirely by me on a subject so important,” she said, after recalling those families to his mind, whose daughters had been placed there; “make inquiries of all who know Mrs. Douglas, and see her yourself before you quite decide.  That I have a very high opinion of her is certain; but I should be sorry if you were to place Lilla with her upon my advice alone, when, in all probability,” she added, with a smile, “you will find all Lady Helen’s family opposed to the arrangement.”

“As they have never guided me right when they have interfered with my children, their approbation or disapproval will have little weight in my determination,” answered Grahame.  “You have awakened me to a sense of my duty, Mrs. Hamilton, for which I cannot sufficiently express my gratitude.  With too much reliance upon the opinions of others I have regarded the many tales brought against my poor child, and now I see how greatly her faults have been occasioned by mistaken treatment.  I thought once I could never have parted with a daughter for school, but now I see it will be a kindness to do so; and pain me as it will, now I know that I may in time win her affections, your advice shall be followed.”