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Preface xxiii
Before You Begin xxxix
1 Introduction to Computers and C++ 1
1.1 Introduction
1.2 Computers and the Internet in Industry and Research
1.3 Hardware and Software
1.3.1 Moore’s Law
1.3.2 Computer Organization
1.4 Data Hierarchy
1.5 Machine Languages, Assembly Languages and High-Level Languages
1.6 C and C++
1.7 Programming Languages
1.8 Introduction to Object Technology
1.9 Typical C++ Development Environment
1.10 Test-Driving a C++ Application
1.10.1 Compiling and Running an Application in Visual Studio 2015 for
Windows
1.10.2 Compiling and Running Using GNU C++ on Linux
1.10.3 Compiling and Running with Xcode on Mac OS X
1.11 Operating Systems
1.11.1 Windows–A Proprietary Operating System
1.11.2 Linux–An Open-Source Operating System
1.11.3 Apple’s OS X; Apple’s iOS for iPhone®, iPad® and iPod Touch®
Devices
1.11.4 Google’s Android
1.12 The Internet and the World Wide Web
1.13 Some Key Software Development Terminology
1.14 C++11 and C++14: The Latest C++ Versions
1.15 Boost C++ Libraries
1.16 Keeping Up to Date with Information Technologies
2 Introduction to C++ Programming, Input/Output and Operators
2.1 Introduction
2.2 First Program in C++: Printing a Line of Text
2.3 Modifying Our First C++ Program
2.4 Another C++ Program: Adding Integers
2.5 Memory Concepts
2.6 Arithmetic
2.7 Decision Making: Equality and Relational Operators
2.8 Wrap-Up
3 Introduction to Classes, Objects, Member Functions and Strings
3.1 Introduction
3.2 Test-Driving an Account Object
3.2.1 Instantiating an Object
3.2.2 Headers and Source-Code Files
3.2.3 Calling Class Account’s getName Member Function
3.2.4 Inputting a string with getline
3.2.5 Calling Class Account’s setName Member Function
3.3 Account Class with a Data Member and Set and Get Member Functions
3.3.1 Account Class Definition
3.3.2 Keyword class and the Class Body
3.3.3 Data Member name of Type string
3.3.4 setName Member Function
3.3.5 getName Member Function
3.3.6 Access Specifiers private and public
3.3.7 Account UML Class Diagram
3.4 Account Class: Initializing Objects with Constructors
3.4.1 Defining an Account Constructor for Custom Object Initialization
3.4.2 Initializing Account Objects When They’re Created
3.4.3 Account UML Class Diagram with a Constructor
3.5 Software Engineering with Set and Get Member Functions
3.6 Account Class with a Balance; Data Validation
3.6.1 Data Member balance
3.6.2 Two-Parameter Constructor with Validation
3.6.3 deposit Member Function with Validation
3.6.4 getBalance Member Function
3.6.5 Manipulating Account Objects with Balances
3.6.6 Account UML Class Diagram with a Balance and Member Functions
deposit and getBalance
3.7 Wrap-Up
4 Algorithm Development and Control Statements: Part 1
4.1 Introduction
4.2 Algorithms
4.3 Pseudocode
4.4 Control Structures
4.4.1 Sequence Structure
4.4.2 Selection Statements
4.4.3 Iteration Statements
4.4.4 Summary of Control Statements
4.5 if Single-Selection Statement
4.6 if…else Double-Selection Statement
4.6.1 Nested if…else Statements
4.6.2 Dangling-else Problem
4.6.3 Blocks
4.6.4 Conditional Operator (?:)
4.7 Student Class: Nested if…else Statements
4.8 while Iteration Statement
4.9 Formulating Algorithms: Counter-Controlled Iteration
4.9.1 Pseudocode Algorithm with Counter-Controlled Iteration
4.9.2 Implementing Counter-Controlled Iteration
4.9.3 Notes on Integer Division and Truncation
4.9.4 Arithmetic Overflow
4.9.5 Input Validation
4.10 Formulating Algorithms: Sentinel-Controlled Iteration
4.10.1 Top-Down, Stepwise Refinement: The Top and First Refinement
4.10.2 Proceeding to the Second Refinement
4.10.3 Implementing Sentinel-Controlled Iteration
4.10.4 Converting Between Fundamental Types Explicitly and Implicitly
4.10.5 Formatting Floating-Point Numbers
4.10.6 Unsigned Integers and User Input
4.11 Formulating Algorithms: Nested Control Statements
4.11.1 Problem Statement
4.11.2 Top-Down, Stepwise Refinement: Pseudocode Representation of the
Top
4.11.3 Top-Down, Stepwise Refinement: First Refinement
4.11.4 Top-Down, Stepwise Refinement: Second Refinement
4.11.5 Complete Second Refinement of the Pseudocode
4.11.6 Program That Implements the Pseudocode Algorithm
4.11.7 Preventing Narrowing Conversions with List Initialization
4.12 Compound Assignment Operators
4.13 Increment and Decrement Operators
4.14 Fundamental Types Are Not Portable
4.15Wrap-Up
5 Control Statements: Part 2; Logical Operators
5.1 Introduction
5.2 Essentials of Counter-Controlled Iteration
5.3 for Iteration Statement
5.4 Examples Using the for Statement
5.5 Application: Summing Even Integers
5.6 Application: Compound-Interest Calculations
5.7 Case Study: Integer-Based Monetary Calculations with Class
DollarAmount
5.7.1 Demonstrating Class DollarAmount
5.7.2 Class DollarAmount
5.8 do…while Iteration Statement
5.9 switch Multiple-Selection Statement
5.10 break and continue Statements
5.10.1 break Statement
5.10.2 continue Statement
5.11 Logical Operators
5.11.1 Logical AND (&&) Operator
5.11.2 Logical OR (||) Operator
5.11.3 Short-Circuit Evaluation
5.11.4 Logical Negation (!) Operator
5.11.5 Logical Operators Example
5.12 Confusing the Equality (==) and Assignment (=) Operators
5.13 Structured-Programming Summary
5.14Wrap-Up
6 Functions and an Introduction to Recursion
6.1 Introduction
6.2 Program Components in C++
6.3 Math Library Functions
6.4 Function Prototypes
6.5 Function-Prototype and Argument-Coercion Notes
6.5.1 Function Signatures and Function Prototypes
6.5.2 Argument Coercion
6.5.3 Argument-Promotion Rules and Implicit Conversions
6.6 C++ Standard Library Headers
6.7 Case Study: Random-Number Generation
6.7.1 Rolling a Six-Sided Die
6.7.2 Rolling a Six-Sided Die 60,000,000 Times
6.7.3 Randomizing the Random-Number Generator with srand
6.7.4 Seeding the Random-Number Generator with the Current Time
6.7.5 Scaling and Shifting Random Numbers
6.8 Case Study: Game of Chance; Introducing Scoped enums
6.9 C++11 Random Numbers
6.10 Scope Rules
6.11 Function-Call Stack and Activation Records
6.12 Inline Functions
6.13 References and Reference Parameters
6.14 Default Arguments
6.15 Unary Scope Resolution Operator
6.16 Function Overloading
6.17 Function Templates
6.18Recursion
6.19 Example Using Recursion: Fibonacci Series
6.20 Recursion vs. Iteration
6.21Wrap-Up
7 Class Templates array and vector; Catching Exceptions
7.1 Introduction
7.2 arrays
7.3 Declaring arrays
7.4 Examples Using arrays
7.4.1 Declaring an array and Using a Loop to Initialize the array’s Elements
7.4.2 Initializing an array in a Declaration with an Initializer List
7.4.3 Specifying an array’s Size with a Constant Variable and Setting array
Elements with Calculations
7.4.4 Summing the Elements of an array
7.4.5 Using a Bar Chart to Display array Data Graphically
7.4.6 Using the Elements of an array as Counters
7.4.7 Using arrays to Summarize Survey Results
7.4.8 Static Local arrays and Automatic Local arrays
7.5 Range-Based for Statement
7.6 Case Study: Class GradeBook Using an array to Store Grades
7.7 Sorting and Searching arrays
7.7.1 Sorting
7.7.2 Searching
7.7.3 Demonstrating Functions sort and binary_search
7.8 Multidimensional arrays
7.9 Case Study: Class GradeBook Using a Two-Dimensional array
7.10 Introduction to C++ Standard Library Class Template vector
7.11Wrap-Up

8 Pointers
8.1 Introduction
8.2 Pointer Variable Declarations and Initialization
8.2.1 Declaring Pointers
8.2.2 Initializing Pointers
8.2.3 Null Pointers Prior to C++11
8.3 Pointer Operators
8.3.1 Address (&) Operator
8.3.2 Indirection (*) Operator
8.3.3 Using the Address (&) and Indirection (*) Operators
8.4 Pass-by-Reference with Pointers
8.5 Built-In Arrays
8.5.1 Declaring and Accessing a Built-In Array
8.5.2 Initializing Built-In Arrays
8.5.3 Passing Built-In Arrays to Functions
8.5.4 Declaring Built-In Array Parameters
8.5.5 C++11: Standard Library Functions begin and end
8.5.6 Built-In Array Limitations
8.5.7 Built-In Arrays Sometimes Are Required
8.6 Using const with Pointers
8.6.1 Nonconstant Pointer to Nonconstant Data
8.6.2 Nonconstant Pointer to Constant Data
8.6.3 Constant Pointer to Nonconstant Data
8.6.4 Constant Pointer to Constant Data
8.7 sizeof Operator
8.8 Pointer Expressions and Pointer Arithmetic
8.8.1 Adding Integers to and Subtracting Integers from Pointers
8.8.2 Subtracting Pointers
8.8.3 Pointer Assignment
8.8.4 Cannot Dereference a void*
8.8.5 Comparing Pointers
8.9 Relationship Between Pointers and Built-In Arrays
8.9.1 Pointer/Offset Notation
8.9.2 Pointer/Offset Notation with the Built-In Array’s Name as the Pointer
8.9.3 Pointer/Subscript Notation
8.9.4 Demonstrating the Relationship Between Pointers and Built-In Arrays
8.10 Pointer-Based Strings (Optional)
8.11 Note About Smart Pointers
8.12Wrap-Up
9 Classes: A Deeper Look
9.1 Introduction
9.2 Time Class Case Study: Separating Interface from Implementation
9.2.1 Interface of a Class
9.2.2 Separating the Interface from the Implementation
9.2.3 Time Class Definition
9.2.4 Time Class Member Functions
9.2.5 Scope Resolution Operator (::)
9.2.6 Including the Class Header in the Source-Code File
9.2.7 Time Class Member Function setTime and Throwing Exceptions
9.2.8 Time Class Member Function toUniversalString and String Stream
Processing
9.2.9 Time Class Member Function toStandardString
9.2.10 Implicitly Inlining Member Functions
9.2.11 Member Functions vs. Global Functions
9.2.12 Using Class Time
9.2.13 Object Size
9.3 Compilation and Linking Process
9.4 Class Scope and Accessing Class Members
9.5 Access Functions and Utility Functions
9.6 Time Class Case Study: Constructors with Default Arguments
9.6.1 Constructors with Default Arguments
9.6.2 Overloaded Constructors and C++11 Delegating Constructors
9.7 Destructors
9.8 When Constructors and Destructors Are Called
9.8.1 Constructors and Destructors for Objects in Global Scope
9.8.2 Constructors and Destructors for Non-static Local Objects
9.8.3 Constructors and Destructors for static Local Objects
9.8.4 Demonstrating When Constructors and Destructors Are Called
9.9 Time Class Case Study: A Subtle Trap–Returning a Reference or a
Pointer to a private Data Member
9.10 Default Memberwise Assignment
9.11 const Objects and const Member Functions
9.12 Composition: Objects as Members of Classes
9.13 friend Functions and friend Classes
9.14 Using the this Pointer
9.14.1 Implicitly and Explicitly Using the this Pointer to Access an Object’s
Data Members
9.14.2 Using the this Pointer to Enable Cascaded Function Calls
9.15 static Class Members
9.15.1 Motivating Classwide Data
9.15.2 Scope and Initialization of static Data Members
9.15.3 Accessing static Data Members
9.15.4 Demonstrating static Data Members
9.16Wrap-Up
10 Operator Overloading; Class string
10.1 Introduction
10.2 Using the Overloaded Operators of Standard Library Class string
10.3 Fundamentals of Operator Overloading
10.3.1 Operator Overloading Is Not Automatic
10.3.2 Operators That You Do Not Have to Overload
10.3.3 Operators That Cannot Be Overloaded
10.3.4 Rules and Restrictions on Operator Overloading
10.4 Overloading Binary Operators
10.5 Overloading the Binary Stream Insertion and Stream Extraction
Operators
10.6 Overloading Unary Operators
10.7 Overloading the Increment and Decrement Operators
10.8 Case Study: A Date Class
10.9 Dynamic Memory Management
10.10 Case Study: Array Class
10.10.1 Using the Array Class
10.10.2 Array Class Definition
10.11 Operators as Member vs. Non-Member Functions
10.12 Converting Between Types
10.13 explicit Constructors and Conversion Operators
10.14 Overloading the Function Call Operator ()
10.15 Wrap-Up
11 Object-Oriented Programming: Inheritance
11.1 Introduction
11.2 Base Classes and Derived Classes
11.2.1 CommunityMember Class Hierarchy
11.2.2 Shape Class Hierarchy
11.3 Relationship between Base and Derived Classes
11.3.1 Creating and Using a CommissionEmployee Class
11.3.2 Creating a BasePlusCommissionEmployee Class Without Using
Inheritance
11.3.3 Creating a CommissionEmployee—BasePlusCommissionEmployee
Inheritance Hierarchy
11.3.4 CommissionEmployee—BasePlusCommissionEmployee Inheritance
Hierarchy Using protected Data
11.3.5 CommissionEmployee—BasePlusCommissionEmployee Inheritance
Hierarchy Using private Data
11.4 Constructors and Destructors in Derived Classes
11.5 public, protected and private Inheritance
11.6Wrap-Up
12 Object-Oriented Programming: Polymorphism
12.1 Introduction
12.2 Introduction to Polymorphism: Polymorphic Video Game
12.3 Relationships Among Objects in an Inheritance Hierarchy
12.3.1 Invoking Base-Class Functions from Derived-Class Objects
12.3.2 Aiming Derived-Class Pointers at Base-Class Objects
12.3.3 Derived-Class Member-Function Calls via Base-Class Pointers
12.4 Virtual Functions and Virtual Destructors
12.4.1 Why virtual Functions Are Useful
12.4.2 Declaring virtual Functions
12.4.3 Invoking a virtual Function Through a Base-Class Pointer or Reference
12.4.4 Invoking a virtual Function Through an Object’s Name
12.4.5 virtual Functions in the CommissionEmployee Hierarchy
12.4.6 virtual Destructors
12.4.7 C++11: final Member Functions and Classes
12.5 Type Fields and switch Statements
12.6 Abstract Classes and Pure virtual Functions
12.6.1 Pure virtual Functions
12.6.2 Device Drivers: Polymorphism in Operating Systems
12.7 Case Study: Payroll System Using Polymorphism
12.7.1 Creating Abstract Base Class Employee
12.7.2 Creating Concrete Derived Class SalariedEmployee
12.7.3 Creating Concrete Derived Class CommissionEmployee
12.7.4 Creating Indirect Concrete Derived Class
BasePlusCommissionEmployee
12.7.5 Demonstrating Polymorphic Processing
12.8 (Optional) Polymorphism, Virtual Functions and Dynamic Binding “Under
the Hood”
12.9 Case Study: Payroll System Using Polymorphism and Runtime Type
Information with Downcasting, dynamic_cast, typeid and type_info 567
12.10 Wrap-Up
13 Stream Input/Output: A Deeper Look
13.1 Introduction
13.2 Streams
13.2.1 Classic Streams vs. Standard Streams
13.2.2 iostream Library Headers
13.2.3 Stream Input/Output Classes and Objects
13.3 Stream Output
13.3.1 Output of char* Variables
13.3.2 Character Output Using Member Function put
13.4 Stream Input
13.4.1 get and getline Member Functions
13.4.2 istream Member Functions peek, putback and ignore
13.4.3 Type-Safe I/O
13.5 Unformatted I/O Using read, write and gcount
13.6 Stream Manipulators: A Deeper Look
13.6.1 Integral Stream Base: dec, oct, hex and setbase
13.6.2 Floating-Point Precision (precision, setprecision)
13.6.3 Field Width (width, setw)
13.6.4 User-Defined Output Stream Manipulators
13.7 Stream Format States and Stream Manipulators
13.7.1 Trailing Zeros and Decimal Points (showpoint)
13.7.2 Justification (left, right and internal)
13.7.3 Padding (fill, setfill)
13.7.4 Integral Stream Base (dec, oct, hex, showbase)
13.7.5 Floating-Point Numbers; Scientific and Fixed Notation (scientific, fixed)
13.7.6 Uppercase/Lowercase Control (uppercase)
13.7.7 Specifying Boolean Format (boolalpha)
13.7.8 Setting and Resetting the Format State via Member Function flags
13.8 Stream Error States
13.9 Tying an Output Stream to an Input Stream
13.10 Wrap-Up
14 File Processing
14.1 Introduction
14.2 Files and Streams
14.3 Creating a Sequential File
14.3.1 Opening a File
14.3.2 Opening a File via the open Member Function
14.3.3 Testing Whether a File Was Opened Successfully
14.3.4 Overloaded bool Operator
14.3.5 Processing Data
14.3.6 Closing a File
14.3.7 Sample Execution
14.4 Reading Data from a Sequential File
14.4.1 Opening a File for Input
14.4.2 Reading from the File
14.4.3 File-Position Pointers
14.4.4 Case Study: Credit Inquiry Program
14.5 C++14: Reading and Writing Quoted Text
14.6 Updating Sequential Files
14.7 Random-Access Files
14.8 Creating a Random-Access File
14.8.1 Writing Bytes with ostream Member Function write
14.8.2 Converting Between Pointer Types with the reinterpret_cast Operator
14.8.3 Credit-Processing Program
14.8.4 Opening a File for Output in Binary Mode
14.9 Writing Data Randomly to a Random-Access File
14.9.1 Opening a File for Input and Output in Binary Mode
14.9.2 Positioning the File-Position Pointer
14.10 Reading from a Random-Access File Sequentially
14.11 Case Study: A Transaction-Processing Program
14.12 Object Serialization
14.13 Wrap-Up
15 Standard Library Containers and Iterators
15.1 Introduction
15.2 Introduction to Containers
15.3 Introduction to Iterators
15.4 Introduction to Algorithms
15.5 Sequence Containers
15.5.1 vector Sequence Container
15.5.2 list Sequence Container
15.5.3 deque Sequence Container
15.6 Associative Containers
15.6.1 multiset Associative Container
15.6.2 set Associative Container
15.6.3 multimap Associative Container
15.6.4 map Associative Container
15.7 Container Adapters
15.7.1 stack Adapter
15.7.2 queue Adapter
15.7.3 priority_queue Adapter
15.8 Class bitset
15.9Wrap-Up
16 Standard Library Algorithms
16.1 Introduction
16.2 Minimum Iterator Requirements
16.3 Lambda Expressions
16.3.1 Algorithm for_each
16.3.2 Lambda with an Empty Introducer
16.3.3 Lambda with a Nonempty Introducer–Capturing Local Variables
16.3.4 Lambda Return Types
16.4Algorithms
16.4.1 fill, fill_n, generate and generate_n
16.4.2 equal, mismatch and lexicographical_compare
16.4.3 remove, remove_if, remove_copy and remove_copy_if
16.4.4 replace, replace_if, replace_copy and replace_copy_if
16.4.5 Mathematical Algorithms
16.4.6 Basic Searching and Sorting Algorithms
16.4.7 swap, iter_swap and swap_ranges
16.4.8 copy_backward, merge, unique and reverse
16.4.9 inplace_merge, unique_copy and reverse_copy
16.4.10 Set Operations
16.4.11 lower_bound, upper_bound and equal_range
16.4.12 min, max, minmax and minmax_element
16.5 Function Objects
16.6 Standard Library Algorithm Summary
16.7Wrap-Up

17 Exception Handling: A Deeper Look

17.1 Introduction
17.2 Exception-Handling Flow of Control; Defining an Exception Class
17.2.1 Defining an Exception Class to Represent the Type of Problem That
Might Occur
17.2.2 Demonstrating Exception Handling
17.2.3 Enclosing Code in a try Block
17.2.4 Defining a catch Handler to Process a DivideByZeroException
17.2.5 Termination Model of Exception Handling
17.2.6 Flow of Program Control When the User Enters a Nonzero
Denominator
17.2.7 Flow of Program Control When the User Enters a Denominator of Zero
17.3 Rethrowing an Exception
17.4 Stack Unwinding
17.5 When to Use Exception Handling
17.6 noexcept: Declaring Functions That Do Not Throw Exceptions
17.7 Constructors, Destructors and Exception Handling
17.7.1 Destructors Called Due to Exceptions
17.7.2 Initializing Local Objects to Acquire Resources
17.8 Processing new Failures
17.8.1 new Throwing bad_alloc on Failure
17.8.2 new Returning nullptr on Failure
17.8.3 Handling new Failures Using Function set_new_handler
17.9 Class unique_ptr and Dynamic Memory Allocation
17.9.1 unique_ptr Ownership
17.9.2 unique_ptr to a Built-In Array
17.10 Standard Library Exception Hierarchy
17.11 Wrap-Up

18 Introduction to Custom Templates

18.1 Introduction
18.2 Class Templates
18.2.1 Creating Class Template Stack
18.2.2 Class Template Stack’s Data Representation
18.2.3 Class Template Stack’s Member Functions
18.2.4 Declaring a Class Template’s Member Functions Outside the Class
Template Definition
18.2.5 Testing Class Template Stack
18.3 Function Template to Manipulate a Class-Template Specialization Object
18.4 Nontype Parameters
18.5 Default Arguments for Template Type Parameters
18.6 Overloading Function Templates
18.7 Wrap-Up

19 Custom Templatized Data Structures

19.1 Introduction
19.1.1 Always Prefer the Standard Library’s Containers, Iterators and
Algorithms, if Possible
19.1.2 Special Section: Building Your Own Compiler
19.2 Self-Referential Classes
19.3 Linked Lists
19.3.1 Testing Our Linked List Implementation
19.3.2 Class Template ListNode
19.3.3 Class Template List
19.3.4 Member Function insertAtFront
19.3.5 Member Function insertAtBack
19.3.6 Member Function removeFromFront
19.3.7 Member Function removeFromBack
19.3.8 Member Function print
19.3.9 Circular Linked Lists and Double Linked Lists
19.4 Stacks
19.4.1 Taking Advantage of the Relationship Between Stack and List
19.4.2 Implementing a Class Template Stack Class Based By Inheriting from
List
19.4.3 Dependent Names in Class Templates
19.4.4 Testing the Stack Class Template
19.4.5 Implementing a Class Template Stack Class With Composition of a List
Object
19.5 Queues
19.5.1 Applications of Queues
19.5.2 Implementing a Class Template Queue Class Based By Inheriting from
List
19.5.3 Testing the Queue Class Template
19.6 Trees
19.6.1 Basic Terminology
19.6.2 Binary Search Trees
19.6.3 Testing the Tree Class Template
19.6.4 Class Template TreeNode
19.6.5 Class Template Tree
19.6.6 Tree Member Function insertNodeHelper
19.6.7 Tree Traversal Functions
19.6.8 Duplicate Elimination
19.6.9 Overview of the Binary Tree Exercises
19.7 Wrap-Up
20 Searching and Sorting
20.1 Introduction
20.2 Searching Algorithms
20.2.1 Linear Search
20.2.2 Binary Search
20.3 Sorting Algorithms
20.3.1 Insertion Sort
20.3.2 Selection Sort
20.3.3 Merge Sort (A Recursive Implementation)
20.4Wrap-Up
21 Class string and String Stream Processing: A Deeper Look
21.1 Introduction
21.2 string Assignment and Concatenation
21.3 Comparing strings
21.4 Substrings
21.5 Swapping strings
21.6 string Characteristics
21.7 Finding Substrings and Characters in a string
21.8 Replacing Characters in a string
21.9 Inserting Characters into a string
21.10 Conversion to Pointer-Based char* Strings
21.11 Iterators
21.12 String Stream Processing
21.13 C++11 Numeric Conversion Functions
21.14 Wrap-Up

22 Bits, Characters, C Strings and structs

22.1 Introduction
22.2 Structure Definitions
22.3 typedef and using
22.4 Example: Card Shuffling and Dealing Simulation
22.5 Bitwise Operators
22.6 Bit Fields
22.7 Character-Handling Library
22.8 C String-Manipulation Functions
22.9 C String-Conversion Functions
22.10 Search Functions of the C String-Handling Library
22.11 Memory Functions of the C String-Handling Library
22.12 Wrap-Up
Another random document with
no related content on Scribd:
The Project Gutenberg eBook of The secret of
Oaklands
This ebook is for the use of anyone anywhere in the United States
and most other parts of the world at no cost and with almost no
restrictions whatsoever. You may copy it, give it away or re-use it
under the terms of the Project Gutenberg License included with this
ebook or online at www.gutenberg.org. If you are not located in the
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you are located before using this eBook.

Title: The secret of Oaklands

Author: M. Harding Kelly

Illustrator: G. Henry Evison

Release date: March 24, 2024 [eBook #73245]

Language: English

Original publication: London: R.T.S.--Lutterworth Press, 1919

Credits: Al Haines

*** START OF THE PROJECT GUTENBERG EBOOK THE SECRET OF

OAKLANDS ***
'WHAT A JOLLY LITTLE PLACE!' REMARKED MARGARET
 THE
SECRET OF OAKLANDS

By

M. HARDING KELLY
Author of "Philip Campion's Will," "Roy"
"Tom Kenyan," etc.

LONDON
R.T.S.—LUTTERWORTH PRESS
4 BOUVERIE STREET, E.C.4

PRINTED IN GREAT BRITAIN BY THE WHITEFRIARS PRESS LTD.

LONDON AND TONBRIDGE
 CONTENTS

CHAPTER

I. PARTING OF THE WAYS

II. OAKLANDS
III. TRIALS
IV. INFLUENCE
V. THE GREAT FIGHT
VI. OLD FRIENDS
VII. BOB IN TROUBLE
VIII. DISCOVERY
IX. A BOND OF UNION
X. FIRE
XI. AN OLD CRIME
XII. HAPPINESS

THE SECRET OF OAKLANDS

CHAPTER I

PARTING OF THE WAYS

"Father, what is the matter?"

 The question came in sharp tones of distress from a young girl who at
that moment entered the breakfast-room. Quickly she sprang to her father's
side and began chafing his cold hands, as she gazed with fear-stricken eyes
into the beloved face before her.

Cyril Woodford made no response, but sat as if stunned, staring with

apparently unseeing eyes at the newspaper before him, which his nerveless
fingers had just dropped. His face was ashen, and there was a nervous
twitching about his lips as he tried to moisten them with his tongue.

"Father dear, speak—tell me why you look like this! Has something
terrible happened?"

No answer came in words, but with a shaking finger the man pointed to
the heading of a column in the newspaper in front of him.

GREAT FINANCIAL CRASH

FAILURE OF SAMPSON'S BANK, LTD.

For a few seconds Margaret Woodford looked at the words with a

puzzled expression wrinkling her brows, then something of the trouble
involved dawned upon her mind.

"Sampson's has failed, I see—does—does it mean you have lost some

money, dear?" she asked a little hesitatingly.

"All—all," he said huskily, while a shiver shook his frame as though he

were attacked with ague.

The girl's face paled.

There was silence in the room for a few moments, and then, rising from
her cramped position at his side, she said gently:

"I'm going to ring for some fresh coffee, father; yours is cold."

"I don't want anything; I couldn't eat," he answered.

 But, ignoring this remark, she rang and gave her order, and in a few
minutes a fresh cup of the fragrant beverage was poured out and brought to
him.

"Drink it, just to please me," she said coaxingly, "you are so cold; and
presently you will explain it all to me, won't you?"

For a minute or two longer her father sat silent, then hastily drained the
cup before him, rose a little uncertainly, and went out of the room, leaving
his breakfast still untasted.

His daughter remained seated, mechanically eating a finger of toast, and

deep in painful thought.

She could not, of course, grasp the enormity of this thing, but that it
meant serious trouble was evident. She had never seen her father disturbed
like this before, and those last words of his, repeated so despairingly, had
been enough to fill her with vague alarm. It surely could not mean the
giving up of their beautiful home? Why, the Abbey House had been in their
family for generations, and every stone of it was precious to her. And she
knew only too well how her father loved it.

The Woodfords of the Abbey House were well known in the county, and
the thought that strangers might one day occupy it had never hitherto
suggested itself to anyone's mind.

Margaret started slightly as the idea for the first time presented itself to
her now.

She gazed with tear-dimmed eyes at the beautiful grassy terraces, and
the grand old cedar-tree rearing its head in front of the dining-room
windows and sweeping the lawn with its graceful branches. It all looked so
peaceful outside in the morning sunlight, as though nothing could disturb
the calm serenity of the place.

Alas! for appearances—how poor an index they often are to the stern
realities of life!
 Mr. Woodford scarcely saw his daughter any more that day; he
remained in the library until quite late in the afternoon, refusing admittance
to everyone, spending his time in writing letters, and sorting papers in his
desk with nervous fingers.

At last Margaret could bear the suspense no longer, and persisted in

knocking at the door until he responded to her entreaties to come in.

"There is something very wrong with the master to-day," said old John,
the man-servant, as he addressed his fellow-servants. "Something very
wrong," and he shook his head dolorously as he spoke.

"Yes—that there is, and no mistake," answered cook, "and as for Miss
Margaret, she looks as white as a sheet; just because the master wouldn't
come in to lunch she must needs go without."

"I wonder what it means. It's something as come by post upset them,
because things seemed all right when the master came down this morning;
he looked as cheerful as could be, and when I set eyes on him half an hour
later, I never saw anyone look worse."

"Well—I'll tell you what I think it is——"

But cook's explanations, or ideas, were cut short by the violent ringing
of the library bell, not once, but two or three times, peremptorily.

"My! listen to that now, be quick, John! Good gracious, I never heard a
bell tugged in that way before!"

John forgot he was getting on in years as he hurried breathless up the

stairs; he felt already a presentiment of trouble, but he was not prepared for
what he found.

"Why—what—what's the matter, miss?" he exclaimed, as he opened the

library door and hurried to his master's side.

"I don't know!—-oh, I don't know! but father is very ill—send for the
doctor, John, quick—let George take the grey mare!"
 John was shocked by what he saw, but he was a sensible man who knew
how to keep his head in an emergency. Without further hesitation he hurried
back to the servants' hall even faster than he had left it, and quietly issued
his orders to the groom.

"Ride hard!—the master's very ill if I'm not much mistaken;" and not
waiting to answer any of the questions which were rained upon him, he at
once returned to his young mistress.

The time seemed interminable while the two watched by the master of
the house, longing and praying in the silence of their hearts for the medical
man's arrival.

At last the welcome approach of his gig sounded on the carriage drive,
and in a few moments more Dr. Crane was in the room—quiet, calm,
issuing his orders clearly and decidedly, and bringing with him a sense of
comfort to the frightened girl.

When the patient was at last in bed, and John installed to watch beside
him, the doctor called Margaret aside and placed an arm-chair for her.

"Now tell me how this attack began, and what you think brought it on?"

In a few words Miss Woodford described the day's occurrences, and

explained that while her father was talking to her that evening in the library,
he suddenly cried out as though in great pain and put his hand to the back of
his neck, then he seemed to lose consciousness.

"What is it, doctor?" Her sweet grey eyes looked anxiously into his, as
she asked the question.

Dr. Crane paused a moment or two before he answered, then he said

slowly:

"He has had a stroke consequent upon some unusual excitement or

shock."
 "A stroke?" repeated Margaret. "Does it mean then—that ... that he is
too ill to—to recover?" And her voice trembled as she spoke.

"Oh, I do not say that at all," answered Dr. Crane; "he may, of course,
get over this quite well, but in that case he will probably not be quite the
same man again that he was before it happened. Perhaps," he continued,
"you do not know that your father has consulted me more than once during
the last year with regard to his health?"

"No, I did not know that," she replied.

"I am sorry to say so; but he has not been robust for some time; his heart
is not what I should like it to be—but there, I am frightening you, and I
hope unnecessarily; so far as I can see, there is no reason for serious alarm
to-night. Be brave, child; if there is to be illness in the house, you will want
all your strength; husband it now by having a good meal and going to bed
early, and try to sleep. I shall send the district nurse in to sit up with Mr.
Woodford, and you can wire to town to-morrow for a permanent one—at
least—you can do that if—if it is necessary," he added hesitatingly, for as he
was speaking the remembrance of a hint of monetary difficulties in a recent
conversation with Mr. Woodford recurred unpleasantly to his mind.

To think of his old friends, the inmates of the Abbey House, being
threatened with poverty seemed almost too extraordinary to be true. Surely
there must be a mistake somewhere!

The kind doctor shook off the unpleasant doubt, and, pressing the girl's
hand warmly, bade her farewell, with a last promise to call later and not
forget to send the nurse.

When he had gone, Margaret stole softly into her father's room, and
gazed silently at the still figure upon the bed.

The patient was breathing a little unevenly, but his eyes were closed,
and he seemed to be sleeping.

Old John sat by the bedside anxiously watching his master's face.
 Reassured by her father's peaceful attitude, his daughter went
downstairs and did her best to do as Dr. Crane had told her. For she was
sensible enough to realise that if there was trouble to be faced in the
unknown future, giving way at the outset would be both foolish and
cowardly.

After all, she was a Woodford, and with the courage of her race she
knew she must meet difficulties with a stiff lip.

But it was a relief when Nurse Somers arrived, with her cheerful air of
confidence and reliability, and took charge of the sick-room.

The next few days were like a dream to Margaret; she seemed to live in
another world. Her father rallied from this first attack, and was sufficiently
recovered to spend some hours with his lawyer. Then his mind seemed to
grow dull, and he talked feebly and childishly of the old happy days when
his wife was alive and his daughter a little child—the sunbeam and
plaything of the house.

A few days of weakness followed, then came the night when the spirit
took its flight from earth's habitation, quietly and silently, in answer to
God's summons, and fled to that sorrowless land where all is joy and peace,
and rest. And in the dawn of the morning the watchers saw only the hush of
death's release for the master; "God's finger touched him, and he slept."

Margaret did not break down; the sorrow seemed too much to bear, too
much to understand at first. She felt numb with grief; her cold apathy
disturbed the kind nurse, who stayed until the funeral should be over.

"I wish she would cry," she remarked to the doctor; "this terrible calm is
unnatural, and a fearful strain."

"Yes—yes—poor child, the reaction will, I am afraid, be all the greater,"

he answered sympathetically; "but youth is bound to recover."

But it was not until the day of the funeral that Margaret fully realised
her loss, when she knelt by her window alone, the pale moon looking down
upon her from the clear cold sky. Then the greatness of her bereavement
came over her, and she felt, in all the sadness of realisation, the desolation
of her future.

Her dear, dear father was taken from her, the one being she loved in all
the world, the one who had been everything to her since she had lost her
mother, her darling companion as well as parent. And as though to mock at
her grief she had learned that day for the first time from the lawyer's lips
that she was penniless. Owing to the great bank failure, her father's money
had melted away into thin air; and her home, the dear old Abbey House,
must pass into other hands, and be sold at once to meet the demands of her
father's creditors.

To-night was hers—to-night she could wander through the rooms, and
take a last farewell walk round the gardens and park, and touch as she had
touched the friend of her childhood, the fine old cedar which had silently
watched many generations of Woodfords seated under its sheltering boughs.
With tender, lingering fingers she had pressed the smooth trunk, and then
broken a tiny piece of the beautiful evergreen, and put it among her own
personal treasures. It was that which lay in her hand now, and upon which
the fast-falling tears dropped, as she said good-bye to the happiness of the
old home, so soon to pass into the possession of strangers. She covered her
face, while silent sobs shook her, in the sorrow of those moments.

Presently she grew calm again, and, gazing through the window of her
room at those bright worlds which canopy our earth above, her lips moved,
and her voice whispered to the One Who knew all her trouble and
understood: "Father in Heaven, help me, Thy child, to do Thy will wherever
Thou seest fit to send me."

There was no outward answer to that prayer, but the answer was
speeding to her then, and strength to prepare her for the difficult days to
come.
 CHAPTER II

OAKLANDS

"Oh, I wish the train would be quick," said a small child, addressing an
old man-servant who stood rather anxiously guarding her, as she stamped
impatiently up and down upon the platform. "What makes it so long,
James? I want to see her—because I shall know directly if she's nice; if she
isn't, I'll be naughty every day, and make her just as unhappy as ever I can,
and then she'll go away like all the others have. I told daddy so this
morning."

"I expect you'll like her, miss," answered the man, with a grim smile, as
he gazed with affectionate amusement at the spoilt child in front of him.

"If she's nasty, I'll hate her—so there."

"Come, come, missy, don't talk like that," he interposed.

"Yes, I shall—look! there's the train coming, the signal has gone down,
now let's see, James, who can find her first; I feel sure she'll be horrid, and
have an ugly old bonnet on."

The train steamed into the station, puffing and snorting vehemently as it
came to a standstill, and in a few minutes the carriages had emptied
themselves of their passengers.

The old man-servant and little Ellice Medhurst scanned carefully each
possible looking person who alighted, to see if they answered to their ideas
of the expected governess they had come to meet.

She had sent no description of herself, she had not thought of it, and in
fact her employer had forgotten her intention to send to the station, until
that afternoon Miss Woodford's future pupil, with a wilfulness which
characterised her, had insisted upon going herself to meet her, not from
politeness, but curiosity. What sort of person she was likely to expect she
had not waited to inquire, but telling James he was to come with her
—"Mamma said so"—she set off with him in the little pony-carriage to
fetch the new governess to Oaklands.

* * * * *

The journey had seemed long to Margaret Woodford, as, occupied with
her sad thoughts, she gazed out of the carriage windows, taking only a
languid interest in the stations she passed.

She was still feeling the terrible shock of her father's death and failure,
and the loss of the dear old home.

This venture into the great unknown world was a great trial, and it
required all her courage to face it as bravely as she was doing.

Her heart glowed with gratitude towards Mrs. Crane, as she thought of
her parting words: "Remember, you are not to stay if you are not happy, but
to come back to us, and we will look for something else for you."

Happy! She didn't expect to be that, but she would try to be content and
to do her duty; she was sure the promise was hers, "I will be with thee in all
places whithersoever thou goest." God knew the way that she took, and He
would direct her path. That was the one great fact which sustained Margaret
Woodford's courage as she faced the world alone for the first time in her
life.

She had started for London that morning from her old home in the
North, and travelled by the 4.15 from town, and now in the fading afternoon
light she caught her first glimpse of the garden of England, as the train
steamed past country lanes, cherry orchards, and hop grounds rising into
renewed life as the season advanced.

The only other occupants of her carriage appeared to be two farmers—

at least she judged they were of that persuasion, by the agricultural topics of
conversation which seemed to engross them. Her interest was aroused by
their eagerness and enthusiasm; one of them, drawing out of his pocket a
little square parcel, hastily untied the string, and, handing it to his
companion, said:
 "'Taste that, and tell me what you think of it. I can assure you I never
grew a finer sample."

Margaret expected to see something eatable, and was more than

surprised to witness the man bury his nose in the parcel and, after drawing a
deep breath, gasp.

"Beautiful—beautiful, and if it wasn't for this foreign competition eating

our very pockets, you'd be making a fine price now on these last years. I
think you did right to hold them up. What we are coming to, I don't know;
trade is being driven out of the country, and there's nothing but ruin staring
most of us in the face. Fortunately, I was in the swim when one got £20 per
pocket; but now, well—they are not worth growing; I've grubbed up several
acres this season."

There the conversation got quite beyond Margaret's comprehension, as

further technicalities in connection with the hop trade were discussed, with
summer fruit prices.

Already she felt in a new world, and a sense of loneliness oppressed her.
Her thoughts passed from the subjects of her companions' discussion to her
own troubles, and a nervous unrest as to whether she was getting near her
destination.

The stoppings at small stations seemed frequent, and at each one she
gazed anxiously at the names written on the boards and seats upon the
platforms.

Her obvious nervousness presently attracted the attention of one of her

travelling companions.

"Can I assist you?" he asked her politely, as he saw her struggling to get
some of her property down from the rack. "I suppose you are getting out
here?" The train was slowing up as he spoke.

"Thank you very much," she answered, as the bundle of wraps was
deposited on the seat opposite, then continued anxiously, "I don't know if
this is my destination."
 "What station do you want?" he asked.

"Steynham. I don't know it at all."

"Oh, that is a little farther on; four more stations, and then yours," he
answered.

"Do I have to change at all?" she asked.

"No, this is slow from our last stopping-place."

"I am so much obliged," she answered, in a tone of relief.

After a little pause her companion continued, "I know Steynham very
well, and most of the people who live there; can I direct you further?"

"Thank you, I'm afraid not. I get out at that station, but I shall be met
there, I expect. I am going on higher up the country beyond Wychcliff, to a
place called Oaklands—a Mr. Medhurst's."

"Oaklands—Medhurst," repeated her interlocutor with a slight start,

which she did not fail to catch.

"Do you know anything about it—about them?" she asked somewhat
timidly, for the man's tone and expression as he repeated the words had
filled her with a vague disquiet.

"No—oh—no, I've never been there, never met Mr. Medhurst," he

answered, somewhat hesitatingly.

He offered no further remark, and remained apparently buried in his

newspaper until the train drew up, and he and his companion prepared to
get out. As they alighted, he turned to Margaret Woodford.

"The next station is yours," and, lifting his hat, passed down the
platform out of her sight.

"Do you know anything of the place she's going to?" asked his friend, as
they descended the steps.
 "Not exactly, but I'm sure I've heard no good of it; there's some sort of
mystery, or scandal attached to it, I believe, and folks say the youngsters are
terrors. I am sorry that is the girl's destination; she's young and pretty—
evidently a lady, I should say, and looks as if she's had trouble. But there,
one can't pick up strangers' burdens, we've plenty of anxieties of our own
just now." And the subject of Margaret Woodford and her possible sorrows
and difficulties passed from their minds as they emerged through the station
door, jumped into the gigs awaiting them, and drove away to their homes.

In a few minutes more the train reached Steynham. The girl gazed up
and down the platform, feeling more friendless than ever now she no longer
heard the kindly voice of her fellow-traveller. She felt she would have been
glad if she could have had his companionship until she was safely under the
care of her employers.

This tall, elegant-looking girl getting out at Steynham did not pass
unnoticed; her high-bred air and softly modulated voice quickly attracted
the attention of the railway officials, who gathered round her as she stood,
the one solitary passenger, beside her box.

"Is there a carriage to meet me?" she asked.

"I don't think so, miss," replied a porter, running to take a look up the
road.

"No, there is no vehicle here, and none in sight, miss. Who were you
expecting?"

The question was put with a desire to render assistance, for the
Steynham porters knew all the surrounding gentry, and a good deal about
them too, if village gossip was to be relied upon.

"I am expecting someone to meet me from Mr. Medhurst's—Oaklands

is the address, near Wychcliff."

"Near Wychcliff—Oaklands!" repeated one or two of the officials.

"Don't know it, miss—don't know the name."
 "Then—what can I do?" said Margaret, a slight quiver in her voice.

"I'll ask the station-master," said the first speaker, and, hurrying to the
ticket-office, he soon returned with a fresh authority.

"What place was it you wanted?" he asked politely.

"Oaklands," repeated Margaret for the third time—"Mr. Medhurst's."

A shade of surprise crept over the station-master's face.

"Did you say Oaklands?" he repeated.

"Yes—yes, that is the name. Oh, you do know it?"

"Certainly," he replied, "and I fancy a pony-trap from there met the

earlier down-train; a man-servant and a little girl came and watched the
passengers alight, and then drove off again."

"Oh, that is it then! They must have made some mistake in the time of
the train. Now, what can I do? Is this place far away?" asked Margaret,
somewhat anxiously.

"Several miles, miss. It's right up on the hills."

For a few moments nervous fear assailed her, and then she said bravely,
"Can you get me a cab?"

"I'll see, miss," one of the porters answered civilly. "You come into the
waiting-room, and I'll go and fetch Mr. Cramp."

"Who is he?" she inquired.

"Oh, he's the man that has the fly. If it isn't out, it'll be here in half an
hour."

Half an hour! Her heart died at the prospect, as she followed her
luggage down the platform into the stuffy little waiting-room. The window
was closed, and it looked as if it ought to have a poster up with "TO LET"
on the door.

"The station is more comfortable, I think," said the porter, taking a

considering look at the elegant figure in front of him, as, setting down her
bags a moment, he turned to her and motioned to the bench by the entrance
door.

"Thank you, I will wait here."

"I won't be long, miss," he continued encouragingly. "I'll just give these
to the booking-clerk to look after, and I'll be back in no time."

In a few moments more she had the satisfaction of seeing him start out
briskly, and pass through the white station gates.

Wearily she gazed out of the window. It was a warm day, in early
summer, and the scene before her was not wholly dispiriting. A straight road
from the station led up to the village; on the left was a squarely built house
with the words "Coffee Tavern" written upon it in large letters; then came a
few cottages. The road was sheltered at places by some fine old elms, and
on the right hand she saw something that made almost a thrill of hope pass
through her, as she drank in the sight and breath of its beauty.

Spring had long since awakened the sleeping trees, rich life-giving sap
had risen, and the sun coaxed them into opening their eyes to the new
season. The orchard upon which Margaret was now gazing showed her a
wealth of promise, as the gleam of fruit clusters shining through the green
foliage caught her eye.

The outlook on the opposite side of the station, which she could just see
through another window, was the exact counterpart of that near to where
she was sitting, and presented a view prosaic enough, which needed some
conjuring of the mind to suggest any ideas of romance.

Margaret tried to be interested, but her thoughts were trailing back to

the dear old home surroundings when she heard the rumble of a cab. A few
minutes later a one-horse vehicle drew up at the door, and her friend the
porter jumped down, as she rose with alacrity and went to meet him.

"It's all right, miss, he knows Wychcliff, and says he can find 'Oaklands'
when he gets there—it's an old farm that has stood empty for some time."

In a few minutes more Margaret had started upon her quest.

Steynham, quiet enough in the spring-time, but showing much more life
as the fruit and hop seasons come round, was soon left behind, and the
gradual ascent to Wychcliff was begun—a long drive through two or three
villages, and then a steep climb up a narrow, grass-grown road, to the hills
beyond. There was only room for one vehicle at a time, and Margaret was
startled by suddenly hearing the driver calling at the top of his voice, "Hie
—back—there!—back!" and the old cab came to a sudden standstill with a
violent jerk. A sharp altercation ensued between the two Jehus, which
sounded decidedly uncomplimentary; then her vehicle was jerked
backwards down the hill, nearly overturning as it ran up on to the bank.

Miss Woodford was used to horses, and not easily frightened, so she sat
tight, preferring the chance of an upset to getting out on to this unknown,
narrow road, and in the darkness trying to find standing-room in the hedge.
It was not a pleasant experience, as those who have driven up, or down
Wychcliff hill in the evening can testify. Here and there at long intervals
there are wider spaces cut back into the adjacent fields to allow vehicles to
pass. Fortunately, one was near, and after much jolting and noise, with a
good deal of argument on the part of the drivers, and a last shout from
Cramp, whose temper was now up, of "'Nother time I'll see you back yer
old caërt before I stop my currage for such as yew!"—and the cab crawled
on again.

Would it ever end? she wondered, and the remembrance of that dark,
lonely drive, with night settling down around her, never quite faded from
her mind, although she little knew then the fears and doubts that were to
await her later.

By dint of inquiry at a solitary cottage, which was passed at the top of

the hill, they discovered the whereabouts of Oaklands Farm.
 In the gloom Margaret could not see what her future home was like, the
darkness being increased by the thick trees which surrounded it, only
leaving just room for the cab to draw up before the front door.

She got out and paid her fare, as the man set down her box on the step,
and then, after violently ringing the bell, climbed back to his seat.

"Seems pretty lonely," he remarked, as he gathered up the reins; "not

much of a place for a young lady like you."

The girl shivered at his words.

"Look here," he continued, "if you want to get away whoam any time,
yew jest write to Mr. Cramp, Cab Driver, Steynham, and I'll come for yer,
miss—see?"

Tears rose in the back of Margaret's eyes at the mention of the word
home. She thanked the kindly old man, who was always liked by his
"fares," but she did not explain her destitute condition to him.

He waited, after setting her box on the step, until the door opened, and
looked backward as he drove away to see she had entered. Then he
vanished into the darkness.

As the door opened, Margaret was agreeably impressed by the bright

glow of the hall into which she entered. The man-servant who appeared was
civilly polite; the dark oak furniture and rich red carpet and walls,
artistically decorated, gave a sense of warmth and comfort to the tired girl.
Then she was startled by hearing a shrill voice screaming over the banisters:

"So you are here at last, and I can't even come and look at you, because
I'm supposed to be in bed. It is a shame! I want——"

"Go back, Miss Ellice, now," said James reprovingly; "the master will
hear you."

"Who cares!" said the elf, leaning still further over the balustrade until
she was in danger of falling.
 At that moment the dining-room door opened, and the child, in spite of
her boasting, disappeared, as a tall, dark, well-set-up man appeared.

"Is it really Miss Woodford?" he inquired, holding out his hand.

"Yes. I'm afraid I'm very late, but I had a difficulty in finding a
conveyance at the station. I hope I've not caused any inconvenience."

"Indeed no; the fault is ours. I must apologise. We sent a trap to meet
you, but unfortunately Mrs. Medhurst made a mistake about the train—we
have only just found it out. I'm sorry you've had the trouble of finding your
way here alone."

"Ah, here's Betsy," he added, addressing an elderly woman who at that

moment made her appearance in the hall. "Will you take Miss Woodford
upstairs at once," he said, "and then," turning to Margaret, "we shall be
ready for dinner, when I can introduce you to my wife; your little charge is
in bed, and asleep by this time, I expect."

This last was received with a grim smile by old James, as the young
governess followed the woman to her bedroom.

A bright fire was blazing on the hearth, which was pleasant, for the
early summer nights were still cold. Margaret glanced around her room with
pleasure. The subdued green carpet, cream-tinted walls, and shelf of goblin
blue china all expressed a thoughtful kindness and artistic taste.

As she laid her toilet requisites on the old Chippendale table, Margaret's
heart gave a throb of thankfulness that her environment was so tasteful and
pleasant. There surely could be nothing to fear here? Mr. Medhurst was
evidently a gentleman, while the servants she had seen were of the good
class so often regretted in this century. Her future pupil might prove a
handful, but that part of her life had to be tested.

She felt she was travel-stained, but she did not wish to keep dinner
waiting, so, refreshed with a wash, and smoothing her hair which, in spite
of much brushing, would ripple in natural, careless waves over her
forehead, she prepared to descend.
 Betsy was outside waiting, and in another moment threw open the
dining-room door, and announced "Miss Woodford."

There was a rustle of silk, a subtle scent of violet perfume, and a tall,
graceful woman rose from the table to receive her.

Mrs. Medhurst spoke a little languidly as she welcomed the governess,

giving her hand a slight pressure as she said kindly, "I am so glad you have
come! You will excuse our beginning; we had almost given up expecting
you, but my husband has told me of my stupid mistake."

Margaret was a little disconcerted, as she took the seat offered to her, to
find her hostess in full evening-dress, the rich yellow velvet throwing up the
beauty of her dark eyes and olive-tinted skin. A collar of diamonds flashed
rainbow hues upon her white neck.

The conversation flagged, but from time to time Mrs. Medhurst

appealed to Margaret in her soft modulated voice.

She was a beautiful woman, exquisitely dressed, as though she might be

going to a dinner-party; the servants and appointments of the house, so far
as Margaret could judge, seemed all perfect in their way.

Miss Woodford of Woodford Abbey knew how things ought to be done,

and she was pleasantly surprised at her surroundings. But the thought would
present itself, why were these people living in this lonely out-of-the-way
place? It seemed so utterly incongruous, considering their style. The girl
tried to smother the thought, and, being young, and withal hungry, was able
to enjoy the meal in spite of the sense of strangeness which pervaded the
place.

"Will you come into the drawing-room with me?" said the hostess, as
she gave the signal to rise from the table.

Miss Woodford was glad the invitation had been given, as she was not
quite sure how much she was to be received into the family, or exactly what
her position was to be.
 The drawing-room was a dream of cosiness, comfort, and taste. The
chairs and couch were of the easiest, the dove-coloured walls, against which
stood some handsome cabinets of old china, the rich pile carpet where one's
feet sank softly, gave a feeling of rest and luxury which reminded Margaret
of her boudoir at Woodford Abbey.

Mrs. Medhurst sat sipping her coffee and lazily fanning herself at
intervals, until, presently, Margaret inquired if she might ask her a few
questions as to her future duties.

"Yes, certainly. I don't think I have much to tell you," she answered,
"except I should like you to have breakfast in the dining-room, and lunch
with Ellice in the school-room, and dine with us in the evening. We are so
quiet here, we shall be glad of your society then. I am having the rest cure,"
she said, with a strange little laugh, "and although I am much better than I
was, it really is almost too quiet at times."

"I am so sorry you have been ill," said Margaret sympathetically.

"I have been dreadfully weak. I'm gradually gaining strength now, but I
can't stand Ellice's high spirits, and so I pass her on to you. Manage her as
you like."

"I will do my best," said Margaret. "You know I have had no

experience, but I love children, and always have got on with them."

"Oh, yes. I expect she'll be good with you; you are young, and will be
able to enter into her pleasures better than I can—my poor head is unable to
bear much."

"And about the lessons?" asked the new governess.

"Teach her just as you like. She's a fearful little ignoramus, I'm afraid;
she's made up of oddments. Anything she can pick up from the cottagers, or
from her father, she retains with ease, but knowledge she ought to have
acquired she is quite deficient in, I imagine. I'm afraid you'll be horrified at
her ignorance."
 Margaret rose and placed a cushion at Mrs. Medhurst's back, as she
noticed she fidgeted restlessly in her chair.

"Thank you—thank you; that's heaps nicer. How kind of you to notice!"
and the sweet smile that accompanied the words transfigured the otherwise
cold look of the speaker's beautiful face.

Mr. Medhurst came into the room soon after, and the conversation
became more general. Several times he glanced anxiously at his wife, and
then he crossed to Miss Woodford:

"Mrs. Medhurst has not been very well to-day, and one thing she enjoys
more than anything else is music; we are so shut off from it here. Would it
tire you too much to sing, or play?"

"I haven't unpacked my box, but I can remember some of

Mendelssohn's short things, if that will do?" answered Margaret readily.

"Yes, indeed, she likes them so much."

The piano was one of Brinsmead's best, and the musician soon lost
herself in the joy of her themes. Her touch was exquisite, and she seemed to
pour her whole soul into the expression she produced from her fingers. She
went from "The Bees' Wedding," thrilling with its busy revellings, into
quieter grooves, until gently there stole through the room the subtle
exquisiteness of No. 1 of "Songs Without Words."

There was a hush over the room as she rose from the piano, and for a
moment she feared she had not given pleasure. Then she caught the grave
glance of appreciation of her host as, offering her a seat, he said quietly,
"Thank you."

Mrs. Medhurst did not speak, but as she rose to say good night,
Margaret noticed something like the glimmer of tears in her eyes.

The girl was very tired when she went to bed, and the sun was
streaming in at her window before she awoke the following morning.
 She sat up and looked round her room with a puzzled air, wondering
vaguely for a few moments where she was. Then the remembrance of all
that had happened returned, and, looking at her watch, she discovered with
dismay it was nine o'clock. She dressed hurriedly, and came downstairs,
feeling anxious as to what would be thought of her unpunctuality if
breakfast should be over. No one last night had remembered to tell her what
hour it would be, and she had forgotten to ask.

She encountered James in the hall with a tray in his hand.

"I am afraid I am late," she ventured.

"Oh no, miss; Miss Ellice is in the garden, and has not breakfasted yet.
You're all right," he answered, a little patronisingly.

Margaret heard the words with a great sense of relief.

The dining-room looked delightful in the morning light; the casement

windows were thrown wide open, and roses peeped a welcome into the
room.

Miss Woodford noticed the table was laid for two only, and wondered.

Presently the door opened, and James appeared.

"Will you like breakfast now, miss?" he inquired.

"Oh—yes—but what about Mrs. Medhurst?" she inquired.

"She always takes hers upstairs, and the master has it with her when
she's had a bad night," he answered.

"I am sorry she is not so well?" she replied.

The interrogative tone of her voice brought no response from the man-
servant who waited.

"What about my pupil, won't she breakfast with me?" inquired Miss
Woodford.
 "I can't say, miss. I wouldn't advise you to wait for her; she's off in the
woods somewhere, and there's no knowing when she'll come back. Betsy
will keep something hot for her."

"Oh. I see"—and the new governess realised something of the difficulty

of her position as she sat down—"I won't delay any longer then."

She had not quite finished when she heard a child's laugh, and the door
was flung open,-and a sharp little voice exclaimed:

"There you are; I thought I'd find you here. Good morning, Miss—oh,
what's your name?"

"Good morning. I'm Miss Woodford, and you—you are my pupil Ellice,
aren't you?" said the new governess, with a smile.

"Yes. I wonder what your other name is?"

"It's Margaret."

"Oh, that's rather nice; it's nothing like mine. Isn't it stupid I can't call
you by it? Mamma said I was to say Miss Woodford when I spoke to you."

"Yes, of course, because you are a lady, you see, and ladies always
behave politely—they can't help it."

"Oh—yes—I—see," answered the child, drawling the words out in

surprised tones.

Here was a puzzle. This new governess seemed to think she couldn't
behave rudely—because—because she was a lady! It was awkward; she
hadn't thought of it like that before. It looked as if the fun was going to be
spoilt. A puzzled expression of disappointment clouded her face for a
moment, but in an instant it lighted with an illuminating flash, as a thought
rushed to her mind. "I wonder what she'll think on Saturday?"

She was an interesting looking child, but she had none of her mother's
beauty, the brilliant brunette which had so struck Miss Woodford. Ellice
was a fairy-looking little creature, with dancing blue eyes, tiny features, and