She ended with a sob that quite touched Mr. Dinsmore’s heart; also he thought it possible that her grief over the separation from Lulu, and her entreaties to her to be submissive and obedient, might have a good effect.  So after a moment’s cogitation he granted her request.

“Thank you, sir,” said Grace, and hurried upstairs to her sister’s door.

“Please, Lu, let me in,” she cried.  “Grandpa Dinsmore said I might come.”

“Did he?” returned Lulu, admitting her.  “Well, it must have been altogether for your sake, not a bit for mine; his heart’s as hard as stone to me.”

“Oh, Lu, dear Lu, don’t talk so; do give up, so we won’t be separated!” cried Grace, throwing her arms round her sister and giving her a vigorous hug.  “I never can do without you; and don’t you care to be with me?”

“Of course I do,” said Lulu, twinkling away a tear, for they were raining from Grace’s eyes now, and her bosom heaving with sobs, “and it’s just the cruelest thing that ever was to separate us!”

“But they won’t if you’ll only give up; and Grandpa Dinsmore says that horrid man sha’n’t strike you again.”

“Grandpa Dinsmore is an old tyrant!” said Lulu.  “Nobody but a tyrant would want to force me to put myself in the way of being again treated in the cruel and insulting way Signor Foresti has treated me once already; and I won’t go back to him; no, not if they kill me!”

“But oh, Lu, think of me!” sobbed Grace.  “Max can see you and talk with you every day, going and coming in the carriage, but I’m afraid I won’t see you at all.”

“Oh, Grade, I have a thought!” exclaimed Lulu.  “Ask Mamma Vi if you mayn’t ride back and forth with us every morning and afternoon.  There’s room enough in the carriage, and the rides would be good for you.  You’d have to ride alone, one way each time, but you wouldn’t mind that, would you?”

“Oh no, indeed!” exclaimed Grace, smiling through her tears; “it’s a bright thought, Lu.  I’ll ask mamma, and I’m ’most sure she’ll say yes, she’s so good and kind.”

Violet did say yes at once, making one condition only—­that neither her mother nor grandfather should object.

They did not, and every morning and afternoon Grace was ready in good season for her drive to Oakdale.

The other children were glad of her company, and as by common consent always gave her the seat next to Lulu.

For two weeks those short drives yielded the sisters all the intercourse they had.  They met with a warm embrace in the morning just before stepping into the carriage, and parted in the same way on their return to Viamede in the afternoon.  Then Lulu went directly to her own room, shut herself in, and was seen no more by the other children till the next day.

During that fortnight the confinement and solitude were her only punishment; her meals were brought to her and consisted of whatever she desired from the table where the family were seated; also books and toys were allowed her.