“I haven’t a friend in the world,” she sobbed; “my own father is cruel to me since he——­”

“Hush!” he said in stern indignation.  “I will have no more of that impertinence!  Will you force me to try the virtue of a rod with you, Lucilla?”

She started and looked up at him with frightened eyes.

“I should be very loath to do so, but advise you to be very careful how you tempt me to it any farther,” he said, and left her.

He went down with a heavy heart to the breakfast-room where his wife, Max and Gracie awaited his coming.

All three greeted his entrance with loving smiles.  Vi was looking very lovely, and he noticed with gratitude that Gracie’s eyes were bright and her cheeks faintly tinged with pink.  She was improving rapidly in the bracing sea-air and winning all hearts by her pretty ways.

She ran to meet him, crying, “Good-morning, my dear papa!”

He took her in his arms and kissed her tenderly two or three times, longing to be able to do the same by the other one upstairs, put her in her place at the table and took his own.

A tempting meal was spread upon it, but he felt that he could scarcely enjoy it because it must not be shared with Lulu.

Vi read it all in his face, and her heart bled for him.  She had seen through all these days of conflict with his stubborn, rebellious child, that his heart was sore over it, though he made great efforts to appear as usual, and never spoke of Lulu except when it was quite necessary.

He had had to explain to Gracie why her sister was not to be seen, and to entreat Vi not to grieve over her unintentional share in occasioning the struggle, or let it hinder her enjoyment.

Elsie had made a generous settlement upon each of her married children; so Vi had abundant means of her own.  She longed to spend some of her money on her husband’s children, especially in pretty, tasteful dress for the two little girls.  She asked his consent, deeming it mot right to act without it.

He seemed pleased that she had it in her heart to care for them in that way, but said nothing could be done for Lulu at present, she might do what she would for Gracie, but the expense must be his; nor could she move him from that decision.

She had begun to carry out her plans for Gracie, delighting herself in making her look as pretty as possible, and each day hoping that Lulu’s submission would make it possible to do the same by her.

She knew this morning, by her husband’s countenance and his coming in alone, that that hope had again failed, and her heart sank; but for his sake she assumed an air of cheerfulness and chatted of other things with a sprightliness and gayety that won him from sad thoughts in spite of himself.

CHAPTER XXII.

    “Prithee, forgive me!”

“Papa, can’t I see Gracie?” Lulu asked when he came in with her dinner.