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thought that a magical door had been opened for her, only to be cruelly shut in her face.
    Now the thought of marrying Lord Robert was more distasteful than ever.
    'Never,' she said to herself. 'Never, never. Oh, I must get away from here! But how?'
    Then, suddenly, she halted in her tracks as a memory came back to her.
    The advertisement that she had read in the library last night, for a governess who could speak French and German.
    This was the answer.
    If she went abroad nobody could pressure her into marriage.
    'But do I dare?' she thought. 'Yes. He said I must have courage, and I will.'
    She began to run back to the house, determined to do something before her courage failed her. But when she reached the library she found the newspaper gone, replaced by today's copy.
    "Oh no!" she cried.
    "Can I help you, miss?"
    It was Jenkins, the butler, who had just entered. She forced herself to sound calm.
    "Jenkins, do you know where yesterday's T imes is?"
    "I have replaced it with today's copy, miss."
    "Of course. But I want yesterday's. There – there was a report of a debate in the House of Lords that particularly interests me."
    "In that case, I will obtain it for you, miss. Always assuming that the boot boy has not yet torn it up."
    Luckily the boot boy was a little behind in his duties that morning, and the newspaper was retrieved without difficulty. Trying not to look too excited, Rona thanked Jenkins and hurried up to her room.
    There it was, the advertisement she had seen the night before. If she hurried she might be in time.
    She still possessed a rather dull coat and skirt which she had worn during her last term at school, and kept because she thought they might be useful when it was raining. In fact she had never worn them again, but they were still in one of her extensive wardrobes.
    Then she put on a hat from which she removed the decorations.
    The final touch was her mother's reading glasses, which she hoped would make her look severe, and older. She was quite pleased with the result when she looked into the mirror. If she did not appear quite as old as she hoped, neither did she look like the beautiful young debutante that the world knew.
    She slipped out into the street, and soon hailed a cab. In a few minutes they reached Oxford Street, where the agency was situated. She paid off the driver and hurried in.
    Inside the agency she found an elderly woman seated at a large and rather high desk. In front of her was a small notice that said, Miss Duncan.
    "What can I do for you?" she asked, rather sharply.
    "I've come about the advertisement for a governess who speaks several languages," said Rona. She added, more firmly than she felt, "I think the situation would suit me."
    "I doubt it," said Miss Duncan despondently. "It doesn't seem to suit anyone. It's for the Earl of Lancing's daughter. She left two schools because she wouldn't learn anything, and they were both glad to see her go. Rude and rebellious. The last three applicants left because she insulted them. I'm being honest with you because it's just a waste of time to send people there without warning them."
    "Very well, you've warned me," said Rona. "Let me see what I can do."
    "Name?" asked Miss Duncan.
    "Rona Tr- Rona Johnson," amended Rona quickly.
    Johnson had been her mother's maiden name.
    "Very well, Miss Johnson. The Earl is usually at home in the morning, so if you go now you'll probably find him there. Here's the address, in Berkeley Square. If you show Lord Lancing this card, he'll know that you've come from us."
    Outside, she hailed another cab and as they drove to Berkeley Square, Rona mused on the opportunity that had so unexpectedly opened up to her.
    'If I can stay away for perhaps a month or so, it will make Papa realise that I am serious in refusing to marry Lord Robert. Perhaps, then, I can come back.'
    She prayed to all the angels in heaven to guide her into doing and saying the right things so that the rebellious girl would accept