The shadows dispersed, and, all playfulness, the Colonel apostrophized his prize, which he succeeded in hitting.  “Here is my little friend in blue; shall I hurt it? no, I will not harm it.”  By-play of relief and gratitude on the governess’s part, as he requited her amiability by merely taking two off, leaving his interesting friend in blue unmoved.

This naturally did not enhance the interest of the children who felt it was not the game of croquet that was being played.  Cecil, replying with a laughing glance to the indignant eye-telegraphy of Fleda, began to play at random; and Bluebell and Lola, not finding much antagonism from the other side, soon pulled the Colonel through his hoops and won the game.  After which, Bluebell retraced her steps across the common, accompanied part of the way by Miss Rolleston, to whom she also confided her governess’s projects.

Cecil was very fond of her; she had few companions, and her sisters were mere children.  All the time the younger girl was talking, she was silently revolving a plan.  It so happened this Cecil was in rather independent circumstances for a young lady, maternal relative having left her a legacy at twelve years old which, by the time she was twenty-one, would bring in a thousand a year.

In the mean time, she drew half that sum annually, and, of course, contributed to the domestic expenses.  How much pleasanter it would be for Bluebell to live with them than with strangers.  She might be her musical teacher; singing duets even brought out her own voice surprisingly; it would be delightful to practise together; the children had no taste for music, neither did Mrs. Rolleston care for it.  Besides, she felt a generous pleasure in the prospect of assisting her friend, poor Bluebell, who often had to deny herself a mere bit of ribbon from want of a shilling to pay for it.  It might require a little management at home, so she would not hint at it yet, and, with a warm caress and a gay farewell nod, they separated.

Next morning, Mrs. Leigh, still engaged in the resuscitation of the merino dress, was surprised by a visit from Mrs. Rolleston.  That lady, for a wonder, considering her errand, had come alone, for it was seldom that any little domestic arrangement was entered on without the personal supervision of the Colonel.

However, there was a counter-attraction at barracks this morning, and having, so to speak, held a board on Cecil’s proposition, and opposed, argued, and thoroughly talked it over, Mrs. Rolleston was empowered to suggest to Mrs. Leigh a plan for taking Bluebell into their family as musical companion to Cecil and nursery governess to Freddy, the heir apparent, aetat. four.  The poor little lady did not seem much elated at the proposal.  “I know my child will wish it,” she said.  “I can give her no variety, no indulgences, and she is of an age when occupation and society are a necessity to her.  I sometimes feel,” she murmured, with a sigh, “that I have stood in her light by not agreeing to her grandfather’s conditions.”