“Yes, yes, and it is a pity; but I don’t see that it can be helped.  It is a hard fact that in this sinful world the innocent have very often to suffer with the guilty.  You are suffering yourself at this moment, and so is your mother, entirely because of the misconduct of this child and that fiery little Italian.”

“Lulu is extremely fond of her little sister,” remarked Elsie; “so let us hope the thought of Grace’s distress, if separated from her, may lead her to give up her self-will in regard to this matter.  Take courage, Vi; all is not lost that is in danger.”

Each of the two had a talk with Lulu before she went to bed that night, using all their powers of argument and persuasion; but in vain:  she stubbornly persisted in her resolve never again to be taught by Signor Foresti.

Violet was almost in despair.  She was alone with the little girl in her dressing-room.

“Lulu,” she said, “it will certainly give great distress to your father when he learns that you have become a rebel against grandpa’s authority.  You seem to love your papa very dearly; how can you bear to pain him so?”

“I am quite sure papa would not order me to take another lesson of a man who has struck me,” was the reply, in a half-tremulous tone, which told that the appeal had not failed to touch the child’s heart.  “I do love my father dearly, dearly, but I can’t submit to such insulting treatment; and nothing on earth will make me.”

“You are not asked or ordered to do that,” Violet answered gently; “the man is to be utterly forbidden to ill-treat you in any way.

“Perhaps I should hardly try to hire you to do right, but I think there is nothing I would refuse you if you will but do as grandpa bids you.  What would you like to have which it is in my power to bestow—­a new dress? a handsome set of jewelry? books? toys?  What will you have?”

“Nothing, thank you,” returned Lulu, coldly.

“I will double your pocket-money,” was Violet’s next offer; but Lulu heard it in silence and with no relaxing of the stubborn determination of her countenance.

“I will do that and give you both dress and jewelry besides,” Violet said, with a little hesitation, not feeling sure that she was doing quite right.

Lulu’s eyes shone for an instant, but the stubborn look settled down on her face again.

“Mamma Vi, I don’t want to be bribed,” she said.  “If anything at all would induce me to do as you wish and break my word, love for papa and Gracie and Max would do it alone.”

Violet sighed.  Drawing out her watch, “It is past your bedtime,” she said.  “Lulu, dear,” and she drew the child caressingly toward her, “when you say your prayers to-night will you not ask God to show you the right and help you to do it?”

“Mamma Vi, it can’t be right to tell a lie, and what else should I be doing if I went back to Signor Foresti for lessons after I’ve said over and over that I never would again?”