Marjorie opened her sleepy gray eyes with a start, sprang up in bed, and began to rub them violently.
"Oh, Miss Nelson, is that you? What is the matter?"
"I want you to get up, and not to wake Ermengarde. Dress as quickly as possible, and then come to me to my room."
"What can be the matter? Isn't it awfully early? Aren't we going to Glendower to-day?"
"It is half-past six. Yes, you are going to Glendower by and by. Now dress, and come to me at once."
Miss Nelson left the room. Marjorie tumbled into her clothes in a most untidy manner, and joined her governess, looking what she was, very unkempt and tumbled.
"I have been quick, haven't I, Miss Nelson?"
"Yes, dear. Come over, my love, and sit by me on the sofa. Maggie, my dear, do you know that Basil is in trouble?"
"Basil!" exclaimed Marjorie. "How? Has he hurt himself?"
"He brought me back my miniature last night, Maggie, broken—injured; don't start so, my dear, dear child. He would not tell how it was broken, nor how it got into his possession, and your Aunt Elizabeth happened most unfortunately to come into the room at the moment, and she made a great fuss, and fetched your father; and the end of it is that they both believe Basil to have done something very wrong—in short, that he had something to say to the disappearance of the miniature, and he—he is in disgrace."