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+The Project Gutenberg EBook of The School Queens, by L. T. Meade
+
+This eBook is for the use of anyone anywhere 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
+
+
+Title: The School Queens
+
+Author: L. T. Meade
+
+Release Date: May 15, 2009 [EBook #28819]
+
+Language: English
+
+Character set encoding: ASCII
+
+*** START OF THIS PROJECT GUTENBERG EBOOK THE SCHOOL QUEENS ***
+
+
+
+
+Produced by Roger Frank and the Online Distributed
+Proofreading Team at https://www.pgdp.net
+
+
+
+
+
+
+
+
+
+THE SCHOOL QUEENS
+
+BY
+
+L T. MEADE
+
+Author of "Polly, a New-Fashioned Girl," "Sue, a Little Heroine,"
+"Daddy's Girl," "A Sweet Girl Graduate," etc.
+
+NEW YORK
+
+THE NEW YORK BOOK COMPANY
+
+1910
+
+
+
+
+                      BIOGRAPHY AND BIBLIOGRAPHY
+
+L. T. Meade (Mrs. Elizabeth Thomasina Smith), English novelist, was
+born at Bandon, County Cork, Ireland, 1854, the daughter of Rev. R. T.
+Meade, Rector of Novohal, County Cork, and married Toulmin Smith in
+1879. She wrote her first book, _Lettie's Last Home_, at the age of
+seventeen and since then has been an unusually prolific writer, her
+stories attaining wide popularity on both sides of the Atlantic.
+
+She worked in the British Museum, living in Bishopsgate Without,
+making special studies of East London life which she incorporated in
+her stories. She edited _Atlanta_ for six years. Her pictures of
+girls, especially in the influence they exert on their elders, are
+drawn with intuitive fidelity; pathos, love, and humor, as in _Daddy's
+Girl_, flowing easily from her pen. She has traveled extensively,
+being devoted to motoring and other outdoor sports.
+
+Among more than fifty novels she has written, dealing largely with
+questions of home life, are: _David's Little Lad; Great St.
+Benedict's; A Knight of To-day (1877); Miss Toosey's Mission;
+Bel-Marjory (1878); Laddie; Outcast Robbin: or, Your Brother and Mine;
+A Cry from the Great City; White Lillie and Other Tales; Scamp and I;
+The Floating Light of Ringfinnan; Dot and Her Treasures; The
+Children's Kingdom: the Story of Great Endeavor; The Water Gipsies; A
+Dweller in Tents; Andrew Harvey's Wife; Mou-setse: A Negro Hero
+(1880); Mother Herring's Chickens (1881); A London Baby: the Story of
+King Roy (1883); Hermie's Rose-Buds and Other Stories; How it all Came
+Round; Two Sisters (1884); Autocrat of the Nursery; Tip Cat; Scarlet
+Anemones; The Band of Three; A Little Silver Trumpet; Our Little Ann;
+The Angel of Love (1885); A World of Girls (1886); Beforehand; Daddy's
+Boy; The O'Donnells of Inchfawn; The Palace Beautiful; Sweet Nancy
+(1887); Deb and the Duchess (1888); Nobody's Neighbors; Pen (1888); A
+Girl from America (1907)._
+
+
+
+
+THE SCHOOL QUEENS
+
+CHAPTER I
+
+THE FASCINATING MAGGIE
+
+
+Cicely Cardew and her sister Merry were twins. At the time when this
+story opens they were between fifteen and sixteen years of age. They
+were bright, amiable, pretty young girls, who had never wanted for any
+pleasure or luxury during their lives. Their home was a happy one.
+Their parents were affectionate and lived solely for them. They were
+the only children, and were treated--as only children often are--with
+a considerable amount of attention. They were surrounded by all the
+appliances of wealth. They had ponies to ride and carriages to drive
+in, and each had her own luxurious and beautifully furnished bedroom.
+
+It was Mr. Cardew's wish that his daughters should be educated at
+home. In consequence they were not sent to any school, but had daily
+masters and governesses to instruct them in the usual curriculum of
+knowledge. It might be truly said that for them the sun always shone,
+and that they were carefully guarded from the east wind. They were
+naturally bright and amiable. They had their share of good looks,
+without being quite beautiful. They had not the slightest knowledge of
+what the world meant, of what sorrow meant, or pain. They were brought
+up in such a sheltered way that it seemed to them that there were no
+storms in life. They were not discontented, for no one ever breathed
+the word in their presence. Their requests were reasonable, for they
+knew of no very big things to ask for. Even their books were carefully
+selected for them, and their amusements were of a mild and orderly
+character.
+
+Such were the girls when this story opens on a bright day towards the
+end of a certain July. Their home was called Meredith Manor, and Merry
+was called after an old ancestor on their mother's side to whom the
+house had at one time belonged.
+
+Mr. Cardew was a merchant-prince. Mrs. Cardew belonged to an old
+county family. If there was one thing in the world that Cicely and
+Merry thought nothing whatever about, it was money. They could
+understand neither poverty nor the absence of gold.
+
+The little village near Meredith Manor was a model place, for Mr.
+Cardew, to whom it belonged, devoted himself absolutely to it. The
+houses were well drained and taken great care of. Prizes were offered
+for the best gardens; consequently each cottager vied with the other
+in producing the most lovely flowers and the most tempting fruits. The
+village consisted entirely of Mr. Cardew's laborers and the different
+servants on his estate. There were, therefore, no hardships for the
+girls to witness at Meredith village. They were fond of popping in and
+out of the cottages and talking to the young wives and mothers, and
+playing with the babies; and they particularly enjoyed that great
+annual day when Mr. Cardew threw open the grounds of Meredith to the
+entire neighborhood, and when games and fun and all sorts of
+amusements were the order of the hour.
+
+Besides the people who lived in the village, there was, of course, the
+rector, who had a pretty, picturesque, old brown house, with a nice
+garden in one corner of the grounds. He had a good-natured,
+round-faced, happy wife, and a family of four stalwart sons and
+daughters. He was known as the Reverend William Tristram; and, as the
+living was in the gift of the Meredith family, he was a distant
+connection of Mrs. Cardew, and had been appointed by her husband to
+the living of Meredith at her request.
+
+The only playfellows the girls had ever enjoyed were the young
+Tristrams. There were two boys and two girls. The boys were the
+younger, the girls the elder. The boys were not yet in their teens,
+but Molly and Isabel Tristram were about the same age as the young
+Cardews. Molly was, in fact, a year older, and was a very sympathetic,
+strong-minded, determined girl. She and her sister Isabel had not been
+educated at home, but had been sent to foreign schools both in France
+and Germany; and Molly, in her heart of hearts, rather looked down
+upon what she considered the meager attainments of the young Cardews
+and their want of knowledge of the world.
+
+"It is ridiculous!" she was heard to say to Isabel on that very July
+morning when this story opens. "Of course they are nice girls, and
+would be splendid if they could do anything or knew what to do; but,
+as it is, they are nothing whatever but half-grown-up children, with
+no more idea of the world than has that baby-kitten disporting itself
+at the present moment on the lawn."
+
+"Oh, they're right enough," said Isabel. "They will learn by-and-by. I
+don't suppose Mr. and Mrs. Cardew mean to keep them always shut up in
+a nutshell."
+
+"I don't know," replied Molly. "Mr. and Mrs. Cardew are like no other
+people. I have heard father say that he thinks it a great pity that
+girls should be so terribly isolated."
+
+"Well, as to that," replied Isabel, "I wouldn't be in their shoes for
+creation. I have so enjoyed my time at Hanover and in France; and now
+that we are to have two years at Aylmer House, in Kensington, I
+cannot tell you how I look forward to it."
+
+"Yes, won't it be fine?" replied Molly. "But now we had better go up
+at once to Meredith Manor and ask the girls if we may bring Maggie
+Howland with us this afternoon. Father has sent the pony-trap to the
+station to meet her, and she may arrive any moment."
+
+"All right," said Isabel; "but one of us had better stay at home to
+receive her. You, Molly, can run up to the Manor and ask the girls if
+we may bring our visitor."
+
+"All right," replied Molly. Then she added "I wonder if Maggie is as
+fascinating as ever. Don't you remember, Belle, what a spell she cast
+over us at our school at Hanover? She was like no one else I ever met.
+She seems to do what she likes with people. I shall be deeply
+interested to know what she thinks of Cicely and Merry."
+
+"Thinks of them!" replied Isabel. "It's my opinion she won't tolerate
+them for a minute; and we are bound to take her with us, for of course
+they will give permission."
+
+"Well," said Molly, "I'll be off at once and secure that permission.
+You' look after Maggie--won't you, Isabel?--and see that her bedroom
+is all right." As Molly spoke she waved her hand to her sister, then
+departed on her errand.
+
+She was a bright, fairly good-looking girl, with exceedingly handsome
+eyes and curling dark-brown hair. She was somewhat square in build and
+athletic in all her movements. In short, she was as great a contrast
+to the twin Cardew girls as could be found. Nevertheless she liked
+them, and was interested in them; for were not the Cardews the great
+people of the place? There was nothing of the snob about Molly; but it
+is difficult even for the most independent English girl to spend the
+greater part of her life in a village where one family reigns as
+sovereign without being more or less under its influence.
+
+Mr. Tristram, too, was a very great friend of Mr. Cardew's; and
+Molly's fat, round, good-natured mother, although a little afraid of
+Mrs. Cardew, who was a very stately lady in her way, nevertheless held
+her in the greatest respect and admiration. It was one of the rules of
+the house of Tristram that no invitation sent to them from Meredith
+Manor should be refused. They must accept that invitation as though it
+were the command of a king.
+
+The girls, brought up mostly at foreign schools, had in some ways
+wider ideas of life than had their parents. But even they were more or
+less influenced by the fact that the Cardews were the great people of
+the place.
+
+The day was a very hot one; rather oppressive too, with thunder-clouds
+in the distance. But Molly was very strong, and did not feel the heat
+in the least. The distance from the rectory to the Manor was a little
+over a mile. In addition, it was all uphill. But when you passed the
+village--so exquisitely neat, such a model in its way--you found
+yourself entering a road shaded by overhanging elm-trees. Here it was
+cool even on the hottest summer day. There were deep pine-woods at
+each side of the road, and the road itself had been cut right through
+a part of the forest, which belonged to the Meredith estate. After
+going uphill for nearly three-quarters of a mile you arrived at the
+handsome wrought-iron gates which led to the avenue that brought you
+to the great front door of Meredith Manor.
+
+Molly often took this walk, but she generally did so in the company of
+her sister Isabel. Isabel's light chatter, her gay, infectious
+laughter, her merry manner, soothed the tedium of the road. To-day
+Molly was alone; but by no means on this account did she feel a sense
+of weariness; her mind was very busy. She was greatly excited at the
+thought of seeing Maggie Howland again. Maggie had made a remarkable
+impression on her. She made that impression on all her friends.
+Wherever she went she was a leader, and no one could quite discover
+where her special charm or magnetism lay; for she was decidedly plain,
+and not specially remarkable for cleverness--that is, she was not
+remarkable for what may be termed school-cleverness. She was
+indifferent to prizes, and was just as happy at the bottom of her form
+as at the top; but wherever she appeared girls clustered round her,
+and consulted her, and hung on her words; and to be Maggie Howland's
+friend was considered the greatest honor possible among the girls
+themselves at any school where she spent her time.
+
+Maggie was the daughter of a widow who lived in London. Her father had
+died when she was a very little girl. He was a man of remarkable
+character. He had great strength of will and immense determination;
+and Maggie, his only child, took after him. She resembled him in
+appearance also, for he was very plain of face and rather ungainly of
+figure. Maggie's mother, on the other hand, was a delicate, pretty,
+blue-eyed woman, who could as little manage her headstrong young
+daughter as a lamb could manage a young lion. Mrs. Howland was
+intensely amiable. Maggie was very good to her mother, as she
+expressed it; and when she got that same mother to yield to all her
+wishes the mother thought that she was doing the right thing. She had
+a passionate love for her daughter, although she deplored her plain
+looks, and often told the girl to her face that she wished she had
+taken after her in personal appearance. Maggie used to smile when this
+was said, and then would go away to her own room and look at her
+queer, dark face, and rather small eyes, and determined mouth, and
+somewhat heavy jaw, and shake her head solemnly. She did not agree
+with her mother; she preferred being what she was. She liked best to
+take after her father.
+
+It was Maggie Howland who had persuaded Mr. Tristram, during a brief
+visit which he had made to town at Christmas, to send his daughters to
+Aylmer House. Maggie was fond of Molly and Isabel. With all her
+oddities, she had real affection, and one of her good qualities was
+that she really loved those whom she influenced.
+
+Mr. Tristram went to see Mrs. Ward, the head-mistress of that most
+select establishment for young ladies at Kensington. Mrs. Ward was all
+that was delightful. She was a noble-minded woman of high aspirations,
+and her twenty young boarders were happy and bright and contented
+under her influence.
+
+Maggie joined the school at Easter, and spent one term there, and was
+now coming on a visit to the rectory.
+
+"I wonder what she will have to tell us! I wonder if she is as
+fascinating as ever!" thought Molly Tristram as she hurried her
+steps.
+
+She had now reached that point in the avenue which gave a good view of
+the old Manor, with its castellated walls and its square towers at
+each end. The gardens were laid out in terraces after an old-world
+fashion. There was one terrace devoted to croquet, another to tennis.
+As Molly approached she saw Cicely and Merry playing a game of croquet
+rather languidly. They wore simple white frocks which just came down
+above their ankles, and had white washing-hats on their heads. Their
+thick, rather fair hair was worn in a plait down each young back, and
+was tied with a bunch of pale-blue ribbon at the end.
+
+"Hello!" shouted Molly.
+
+The girls flung down their rackets and ran joyfully to meet her.
+
+"Oh, I am so glad you have come!" said Cicely. "It's much too hot to
+play tennis, and even croquet is more than we can manage. Are you
+going to stay and have lunch with us, Molly?"
+
+"No," replied Molly; "I must go back immediately."
+
+"Oh dear! I wish you would stay," continued Merry. "We could go and
+sit in the arbor, and you could tell us another fascinating story
+about that school of yours at Hanover."
+
+"Yes, yes," said Cicely; "do stay--do, Molly! We want to hear a lot
+more about that remarkable girl Maggie Howland."
+
+"I can't stay," said Molly in a semi-whisper; "but I tell you what,
+girls." She seized a hand of both as she spoke. "I have come with
+news."
+
+"What?" "What?" asked the twins eagerly.
+
+"There's very seldom much news going on here," said Cicely. "Not that
+we mind--not a little bit; we're as happy as girls can be."
+
+"Of course we are," said Merry. "We haven't a care in the world."
+
+"All the same," said Cicely, "tell us your news, Molly, for you do
+look excited."
+
+"Well," said Molly, who enjoyed the pleasure of giving her friends a
+piece of information which she knew would interest them intensely,
+"you know we are to come up here this afternoon to have tea and buns,
+aren't we?"
+
+"Oh, don't talk in that way!" said Merry. "One would suppose you were
+school children, when you are our darling, dear friends."
+
+"Our only friends," said Cicely. "You are the only girls in the world
+father allows us to be the least bit intimate with."
+
+"Oh, well," said Molly, "of course Belle and I are very fond of you
+both, naturally."
+
+"Naturally!" echoed Cicely. But then she added, "How queer you look,
+Molly, as though you were keeping something back!"
+
+"Well, yes, I am," said Molly; "but I'll have it out in a minute."
+
+"Oh, please, be quick!" said Merry. "Anything a little bit out of the
+common is very interesting.--Isn't it, Cicely?"
+
+"Very," said Cicely; "more particularly in the holidays. When we are
+busy with our lessons things don't so much matter, you know.--But do
+be quick, Molly; what is it?"
+
+"Well," said Molly, "you've asked us to spend the afternoon with
+you."
+
+"Of course, and you're both coming, surely?"
+
+"We are--certainly we are--that is, if you will allow us to
+bring"----
+
+"To bring"----interrupted Cicely. "Oh Molly, do speak!"
+
+"Well, I will; only, don't jump, you two girls. To bring Maggie
+Howland!"
+
+Cicely's face grew very pink. Merry, on the contrary, turned a little
+pale. They were both silent for a brief space. Then Merry said
+excitedly, "Maggie Howland--_the_ Maggie Howland?"
+
+"Yes, _the_ Maggie Howland; the one who has got the power, the charm,
+the fascination."
+
+"Oh, oh!" said Cicely. "But why is she with you? How has it
+happened?"
+
+"She is not absolutely with us yet; and as to how it happened I cannot
+exactly tell you. We had a telegram from her late last night asking if
+she might come to-day to spend a week or fortnight, and of course we
+wired back 'Yes.' We are delighted; but of course you may not like
+her, girls."
+
+"Like her! like her!" said Cicely; "and after all you have said too!
+We shall be certain to more than like her."
+
+"She's not a bit pretty, so don't expect it," said Molly.
+
+"We were brought up," said Merry a little stiffly, "not to regard
+looks as anything at all."
+
+"Nonsense!" replied Molly. "Looks mean a great deal. I'd give I don't
+know what to be beautiful; but as I am not I don't mean to fret about
+it. Well, Maggie's downright plain; in fact--in fact--almost ugly, I
+may say; and yet--and yet, she is just Maggie; and you are not five
+minutes in her society before you'd rather have her face than any
+other face in the world. But the immediate question is: may she come
+this afternoon, or may she not?"
+
+"Of course--of course she may come," said Cicely; "we'll be delighted,
+we'll be charmed to see her. This _is_ pleasant news!"
+
+"I think, perhaps," said Merry, "we ought to go and ask mother. Don't
+you think so, Cis?"
+
+"Of course we ought," said Cicely. "I forgot that. Just stay where you
+are, Molly, and I'll run to the house and find mother. It's only to
+ask her, for of course she will give leave."
+
+Cicely ran off at once, and Merry and Molly were left alone.
+
+"I know you'll be delighted with her," said Molly.
+
+"It will be very delightful to see her," replied Merry.
+
+"You must expect to be disappointed at first, all the same," continued
+Molly.
+
+"Oh, looks do not matter one scrap," said Merry.
+
+"Isabel and I are going to her school; you know that, don't you,
+Merry?"
+
+"Yes," said Merry with a sigh. "What fun you do have at your different
+schools! Don't you, Molly?"
+
+"Well, yes," said Molly rather gravely; "but it isn't only the fun; we
+see a lot of the world, and we mix with other girls and make
+friends."
+
+"Mother prefers a home education for us, and so does father," remarked
+Merry. "Ah! here comes Cicely. She is flying down the terrace. Of
+course mother is delighted."
+
+This proved to be the case. Mrs. Cardew would welcome any girl
+introduced to her daughters through her dear friend Mr. Tristram. She
+sent a further invitation for the three young people to remain to an
+impromptu supper, which was pleasanter than late dinner in such hot
+weather, and asked if Mr. and Mrs. Tristram would join them at the
+meal.
+
+"Hurrah!" cried Molly. "That will be fun! I must be off now, girls.
+We'll be with you, all three of us, between four and five o'clock."
+
+
+
+
+CHAPTER II.
+
+SPOT-EAR.
+
+
+Isabel took great pains arranging Maggie Rowland's bedroom. At the
+Castle (or Manor) there were always troops of servants for every
+imaginable thing; but at the rectory the servants were few, and the
+girls did a good many odds and ends of work themselves. They were
+expected to dust and keep in perfect order their exceedingly pretty
+bedrooms, they were further required to make their own beds, and if a
+young visitor arrived, they were obliged to wait on her and see to her
+comfort. For the Tristrams had just an income sufficient to cover
+their expenses, with nothing at all to put by. Mr. Tristram had his
+two little boys to think of as well as his two girls. His intention
+was to give his children the best education possible, believing that
+such a gift was far more valuable to them than mere money. By-and-by,
+when they were old enough, the girls might earn their own living if
+they felt so inclined, and each girl might become a specialist in her
+way.
+
+Molly was exceedingly fond of music, and wished to excel in that
+particular. Isabel, on the contrary, was anxious to obtain a post as
+gymnasium teacher with the London County Council. But all these things
+were for the future. At present the girls were to study, were to
+acquire knowledge, were to be prepared for that three-fold battle
+which includes body, soul, and spirit, and which needs triple armor in
+the fight.
+
+Mr. Tristram was a man of high religious principles. He taught his
+children to love the good and refuse the evil. He wanted his girls to
+be useful women by-and-by in the world. He put usefulness before
+happiness, assuring his children that if they followed the one they
+would secure the other.
+
+Belle, therefore, felt quite at home now as she took out pretty mats
+and laid them on little tables in the neat spare room which had been
+arranged for the reception of Maggie Howland. She saw that all the
+appointments of the room were as perfect as simplicity and cleanliness
+could effect, and then went out into the summer garden to pick some
+choice, sweet-smelling flowers. She selected roses and carnations,
+and, bringing them in, arranged them in vases in the room.
+
+Hearing the sound of wheels, she flew eagerly downstairs and met her
+friend as she stepped out of the little governess-cart.
+
+"Well, here I am!" said Maggie. "And how is Belle? How good-natured of
+you all to have me, and how delightful it is to smell the delicious
+country air! Mother and I find town so hot and stuffy. I haven't
+brought a great lot of luggage, and I am not a bit smart; but you
+won't mind that--will you, dear old Belle?"
+
+"You always talk about not being smart, Maggie; but you manage to look
+smarter than anyone else," said Isabel, her eager brown eyes devouring
+her friend's appearance with much curiosity. For Maggie looked, to use
+a proverbial phrase, as if she had stepped out of a bandbox. If she
+was plain of face she had an exceedingly neat figure, and there was a
+fashionable, trim look about her which is uncommon in a girl of her
+age; for Maggie was only just sixteen, and scarcely looked as much. In
+some ways she might almost have been a French girl, so exceedingly
+neat and _comme il faut_ was her little person. She was built on a
+_petite_ scale, and although her face was so plain, she had lovely
+hands and beautiful small feet. These feet were always shod in the
+most correct style, and she took care of her hands, never allowing
+them to get red or sunburnt.
+
+"Where's Molly?" was her remark, as the two girls, with their arms
+twined round each other, entered the wide, low hall which was one of
+the special features of the old rectory.
+
+"She has gone up to see the Cardews."
+
+"Who are the Cardews?"
+
+"Why, surely, Mags, you must have heard of them?"
+
+"You don't mean," said Maggie with a laugh, and showing a gleam of
+strong white teeth, "the two little ladies who live in a bandbox?"
+
+"Oh, you really must not laugh at them," said Isabel, immediately on
+the defensive for her friends; "but they do lead a somewhat exclusive
+life. Molly has gone up to the Castle, as we always call Meredith
+Manor, to announce your arrival, and to ask permission to bring you
+there to a tennis-party this afternoon; so you will soon see them for
+yourself. Now, come in and say good-morning to the mater; she is
+longing to see you."
+
+"Hello, Peterkins!" called out Maggie at that moment, as a small boy
+with a smut across his face suddenly peeped round a door.
+
+"I'm not Peterkins!" he said angrily.
+
+Maggie laughed again. "I am going to call you Peterkins," she said.
+"Is this one of the little brothers, Belle?"
+
+"Yes.--Come here at once, Andrew, and speak to Miss Howland."
+
+The boy approached shyly. Then his eyes looked up into the queer face
+of the girl who looked down at him. The sulkiness cleared away from
+his brow, and he said, in an eager, hurried, half-shy,
+half-confidential way, "I say, do you like rabbits?"
+
+"Dote on 'em," said Maggie.
+
+"Then I'm your man, and I don't mind being Peterkins to you; and will
+you--will you come and see mine? I've got Spot-ear, and Dove, and
+Angelus, and Clover. And Jack, he has five rabbits, but they're not
+near as nice as mine. You'll come and see my rabbits, won't you,
+Miss--Miss-----"
+
+"Oh, I am Maggie," said the girl. "I'll come and see your rabbits,
+Peterkins, in a minute; and I won't look at Jack's; but you must let
+me talk to your mother first."
+
+"There you are, Maggie," said Belle when the boy had disappeared;
+"fascinating Andrew in your usual way; and Jack will be just furious,
+for he's the elder, you know, and he has a temper, and you mustn't set
+one of them against the other--promise you won't."
+
+"Trust me," said Maggie. "Peterkins is a nice little fellow, and I'll
+manage Jackdaw too."
+
+"You don't mean to say you'll call them by those names?"
+
+"Yes, yes. I always have my own way with people, as you know."
+
+"Indeed I do. Oh, come along, you queer creature. Here's the darling
+mums. Mater dearest, here is Maggie Howland."
+
+"Delighted to see you, my dear," said Mrs. Tristram. "I hope you are
+not tired after your journey from town."
+
+"Not in the least, thank you, Mrs. Tristram," said Maggie, speaking in
+a voice of very peculiar quality; it was sweet and rich and full of
+many intonations. She had the power of putting a world of meaning into
+the most commonplace expressions.
+
+Mrs. Tristram had not seen Maggie before, and it was Mr. Tristram who
+had been completely bowled over by the young lady just at
+Christmas-time.
+
+"I bid you a hearty welcome to the rectory," said the good clergyman's
+wife, "and I hope you will have a pleasant time with my children."
+
+"I'll have a fascinating time," said Maggie. "I'm just too delighted
+to come. It was sweet of you to have me; and may I, please, give you a
+kiss?"
+
+"Of course you may, dear child," said Mrs. Tristram.
+
+Maggie bestowed the kiss, and immediately afterward was conducted to
+her room by the worshiping Belle.
+
+"I do hope you'll like it," said Belle in an almost timorous voice. "I
+prepared it for you myself."
+
+"Why, it's sweet," said Maggie, "and so full of the country! Oh, I
+say, what roses! And those carnations--Malmaisons, aren't they? I must
+wear a couple in this brown holland frock; they'll tone with it
+perfectly. What a delicious smell!"
+
+Maggie sniffed at the roses. Belle lounged on the window-seat.
+
+"Molly will be jealous," she said. "Think of my having you these few
+moments all to myself!"
+
+"I am delighted to come, as you know quite well," replied Maggie.
+"It's all right about school, isn't it, Belle?"
+
+"Yes, quite, quite right. We are to join you there in September."
+
+"It's a perfectly splendid place," said Maggie. "I will describe it to
+you later on."
+
+"But can it be nicer," said Belle, "than our darling school at
+Hanover?"
+
+"Nicer!" exclaimed Maggie. "You couldn't compare the two places. I
+tell you it's perfect. The girls--well, they're aristocratic; they're
+girls of the Upper Ten. It's the most select school. You are in luck
+to be admitted, I can tell you. You will learn a lot about society
+when you are a member of Mrs. Ward's school."
+
+"But what possible good will that do us when we are never going into
+it?" said Belle.
+
+Maggie slightly narrowed her already narrow eyes, took off her hat,
+and combed back her crisp, dark hair from her low, full, very broad
+forehead. Then she said, with a smile, "You are to stay two years at
+Mrs. Ward's, are you not?"
+
+"Yes, I think that is the arrangement."
+
+"And I am to stay there for two years," said Maggie; "I mean two
+more. I will ask you, Isabel Tristram, what good society is worth at
+the end of your two years. I expect you will tell me a very different
+story then."
+
+At this moment there came a hurried, nervous, excited knock at the
+room door.
+
+"Aren't you coming, Miss--Miss--Maggie? Clover and Dove and Spot-ear
+and Angelus are all waiting. Their hutch is beautiful and clean, and I
+have all their lettuces waiting for them just outside, so they sha'n't
+begin to nibble till you come. Do, do come, please, Miss Maggie."
+
+"Of course I will, my darling Peterkins," replied Maggie in her joyful
+voice. "Oh, this is--this is--this _is_ fun!--Come along, Belle; come
+along."
+
+"But don't let poor Jack get into a temper," said Isabel in a
+half-frightened whisper.
+
+Maggie took no notice of her. She opened the bedroom door and flew
+downstairs, holding the dirty, hot little hand of Andrew, _alias_
+Peterkins, while Isabel followed in their wake.
+
+In a far-away part of the rectory garden, on a bit of waste land at
+the other side of the great vegetable garden, were two hutches which
+stood side by side, and these hutches contained those most adorable
+creatures, the pets, the darlings of the Tristram boys.
+
+The Tristram boys were aged eleven and ten years respectively. Jack
+was eleven, Andrew ten. They were very sturdy, healthy, fine little
+fellows. At present they went to a good day-school in the
+neighborhood, but were to be sent to a boarding-school about the same
+time as their sisters were to begin their education at Aylmer House in
+Kensington. Their passion above all things was for pets. They had
+tried every sort: white mice (these somehow or other were sacrificed
+to the reigning cat) and waltzing mice (that shared an equally
+luckless fate); these were followed by white rats, which got into the
+garden and did mischief, and were banished by order of the rector, who
+was a most determined master in his own house. Dogs were also
+forbidden, except one very intelligent Airedale, that belonged to the
+whole family and to no one in particular. But the boys must find vent
+for their passion in some way, and rabbits were allowed them. At the
+present moment Jack owned five, Andrew four.
+
+In trembling triumph, Andrew brought his new friend to see his
+darlings. He greatly hoped that Jack would not appear on the scene
+just now. While Maggie was up in her bedroom taking off, her hat, he
+had, with herculean strength, managed to move an old wooden door and
+put it in such a position that Jack's hutch was completely hidden,
+while his hutch shone forth in all its glory, with those fascinating
+creatures Spot-ear, Angelus, Dove, and Clover looking through their
+prison-bars at the tempting meal that awaited them.
+
+"Here they are! here they are!" said Andrew. "Beauties, all four; my
+own--my very own! Maggie, you may share one of them with me while you
+are here. He must live in his hutch, but he shall be yours and mine.
+Would you like Spot-ear? He is a character. He's the finest old cove
+you ever came across in your life. Look at him now, pretending he
+doesn't care anything at all for his lettuce, and he's just dying for
+it. Clover is the greedy one. Clover would eat till he-burst if I let
+him. As to Angelus, she squeaks sometimes--you'll hear her if you
+listen hard--that's why I called her Angelus; and Dove--why, she's a
+dear pet; but the character of all is Spot-ear. You'd like to share
+him with me, wouldn't you, Maggie?"
+
+"Yes, yes; he is so ugly; he is quite interesting," said Maggie. She
+flung herself on the ground by the side of the hutch, and gazed in at
+the occupants as though her only aim in life was to worship rabbits.
+
+"You take that leaf of lettuce and give it to Spot-ear your very own
+self," said Peterkins. "He'll love you ever after; he's a most
+affectionate old fellow."
+
+Maggie proceeded to feed the rabbit. Peterkins hopped about in a state
+of excitement which he had seldom experienced before. Maggie asked
+innumerable questions. Belle seated herself on the fallen trunk of an
+old oak-tree and looked on in wonder.
+
+Maggie was a curious girl. She seemed to have a power over every one.
+There was Andrew--such a shy little fellow as a rule--simply pouring
+out his heart to her.
+
+Suddenly Belle rose. "It's time for lunch," she said, "and you must be
+hungry. Andrew, go straight to the house and wash your face and hands.
+No lady would sit down to lunch with such a dirty boy as you are."
+
+"Oh, I say, am I?" said Andrew. "Do you think so, Maggie?"
+
+"You are a most disreputable-looking little scamp," said Maggie.
+
+"Then I won't be--I won't, most truly. I'll run off at once and get
+clean, and I'll get into my Sunday best if you wish it."
+
+"Dear me, no!" said Maggie; "I don't wish it. But clean hands and
+face--well, they are essential to the ordinary British boy, if he's a
+gentleman."
+
+"I am your gentleman--for evermore," said Andrew.
+
+"I think you are, Peterkins."
+
+"Then I'm off to clean up," said the small boy.
+
+"I say, Andrew," cried his sister; "before you go take that door away
+from Jack's hutch. He'll be so furious at your keeping the light and
+air away from his rabbits."
+
+"Not I. I can't be bothered," said Peterkins.
+
+"Please take it away at once," said Maggie.
+
+Andrew's brow puckered into a frown.
+
+"But you'll see 'em, and he's got five!" he said in a most distressed
+voice.
+
+"Honor bright," said Maggie, "I'll turn my back and shut my eyes.
+Jackdaw shall show me his rabbits himself."
+
+Peterkins immediately removed the door, dragging it to its former
+place, where it leaned against a high wall. He then rushed up to
+Maggie.
+
+"I've done it," he said. "Promise you won't like his bunnies."
+
+"Can't," said Maggie, "for I'll love 'em."
+
+"Well, at least promise you won't love him."
+
+"Can't," said Maggie again, "for I shall."
+
+"I'll die of raging jealousy," said Peterkins.
+
+"No, you won't, you silly boy. Get off to the house and make yourself
+tidy. Come along, Belle."
+
+"I say, Maggie," said Belle, "you mustn't set those two boys by the
+ears. They're fond enough of each other."
+
+"Of course I'll do nothing of the kind," said Maggie. "That's a
+charming little chap, and Spot-ear is my rabbit as well as his.
+Jackdaw shall share two of his rabbits with me. Oh, it is such fun
+turning people round your little finger!"
+
+Just then Molly, rather red in the face, ran up.
+
+"Oh, you darling, darling Maggie!" she said. "So you've come!"
+
+"Come!" cried Maggie. "I feel as if I'd been here for ever."
+
+"I am delighted to see you," said Molly.
+
+She kissed her friend rapturously. Maggie presented a cool, firm,
+round cheek.
+
+"Oh, how sweet you look, Mags!"
+
+"Don't talk nonsense, Molly; I'm not a bit sweet-looking."
+
+"To me," said Molly with fervor, "You're the loveliest girl in all the
+wide world."
+
+"I'm very ugly, and you know that perfectly well," said Maggie; "but
+now don't let's talk of looks."
+
+"Whatever were you doing in this part of the garden?" inquired Molly.
+
+"Oh, she was making love to Andrew," remarked Belle. "She calls him
+Peterkins, and he allows it, and he has given her one-half of
+Spot-ear; and she means to make love to Jack, and he's to give her a
+couple of his rabbits--I mean, to share them with her. She's more
+extraordinary than ever, more altogether out of the common."
+
+"As if I didn't know that," said Molly. "It's all right about this
+afternoon, Maggie. Oh, what do you think? We're to stay to supper, and
+I have a special invitation for father and mother to come and join us
+then. Won't it be fun! I do wonder, Maggie, if you will like the
+Cardew girls."
+
+"Probably not," replied Maggie in a very calm voice; "but at least I
+can promise you one thing: they'll both like me."
+
+"No doubt whatever on that point," replied Belle with fervor.
+
+They entered the house, and soon found themselves seated round the
+table. Mr. Tristram greeted Maggie with his usual gentle dignity.
+Molly delivered herself of her message from the Castle. Mr. and Mrs.
+Tristram said that they would be delighted to join the Cardews at
+supper.
+
+The meal was proceeding cheerfully, and Maggie was entertaining her
+host and hostess by just those pleasant little pieces of information
+which an exceedingly well-bred girl can impart without apparently
+intending to do so, when a shy and very clean little figure glided
+into the room, a pair of bright-brown eyes looked fixedly at Maggie,
+and then glared defiance at Belle, who happened to be seated near that
+adorable young person.
+
+Peterkins was making up his mind that in future that coveted seat
+should be his--for he and Maggie could talk in whispers during the
+meal about Spot-ear, Angelus, and the rest--when his father said, "Sit
+down, my boy; take your place at once. You are rather late."
+
+The boy slipped into his seat.
+
+"I am glad to see you looking so tidy, Andrew," said his mother
+approvingly.
+
+Andrew looked across at Maggie. Maggie did not once glance at him. She
+was talking in her gentle, lady-like tone to the rector.
+
+Presently another boy came in, bigger and broader than Andrew.
+
+Andrew said in a raised voice, "Here's Jack, and his hands aren't a
+bit clean."
+
+"Hush!" said the rector.
+
+Jack flushed and looked defiantly at Maggie.
+
+Maggie raised her eyes and gave him a sweet glance. "Are you really
+Jack?" she said. "I am so glad to know you. I have been making friends
+with your brother Andrew, whom I call Peterkins. I want to call you
+Jackdaw. May I?"
+
+Jack felt a great lump in his throat. His face was scarlet. He felt
+unable to speak, but he nodded.
+
+"I have been looking at Peterkins's rabbits," continued Maggie. "I
+want to see yours after lunch."
+
+"They're beauties!" burst from Jack. "They're ever so many times
+better than Andrew's. I've got a cream-colored Angora. His name is
+Fanciful, and I've got----"
+
+"Hush, my boy, hush!" said the rector. "Not so much talking during
+meals. Well, Maggie, my dear--we must, of course, call you by your
+Christian name----"
+
+"Of course, Mr. Tristram; I should indeed feel strange if you
+didn't."
+
+"We are delighted to see you," continued the rector, "and you must
+tell the girls all about your new school."
+
+"And you too, sir," said Maggie, in her soft, rich voice. "Oh! you'll
+be delighted--delighted; there never was such a woman as Mrs. Ward."
+
+"I took a very great liking to her," said the rector. "I think my
+girls fortunate to be placed under her care. She has been good, very
+good and kind, to me and mine."
+
+"I wonder what he means by that," thought Maggie; but she made no
+remark aloud.
+
+
+
+
+CHAPTER III.
+
+LADY LYSLE.
+
+
+At about a quarter to four that same afternoon three girls prepared to
+walk over to Meredith Manor. It was for such golden opportunities that
+Molly and Isabel kept their best frocks; it was for just such
+occasions that they arrayed themselves most neatly and becomingly.
+Their dress, it must be owned, was limited in quantity and also in
+quality; but on the present occasion, in their pretty white spotted
+muslins, with pale-blue sashes round their waists and white muslin
+hats to match, they looked as charming a young pair of English girls
+as could be found in the length and breadth of the land. It is true
+their feet were not nearly as perfectly shod as Maggie's, nor were
+their gloves quite so immaculate; but then they were going to play
+tennis, and shoes and gloves did not greatly matter in the country.
+Maggie thought otherwise. Her tan tennis-shoes exactly toned with her
+neatly fitting brown holland dress. The little hat she wore on her
+head was made of brown straw trimmed very simply with ribbon; it was
+an ugly hat, but on Maggie's head it seemed to complete her dress, to
+be a part of her, so that no one noticed in the least what she wore
+except that she looked all right.
+
+Two boys with worshiping eyes watched the trio as they stepped down
+the rectory avenue and disappeared from view. Two boys fought a little
+afterward, but made it up again, and then lay on the grass side by
+side and discussed Maggie, pulling her to pieces in one sense, but
+adoring her all the same.
+
+Meanwhile the girls themselves chatted as girls will when the heart is
+light and there is no care anywhere. It was very hot, even hotter than
+it had been in the morning; but when they reached the road shaded so
+beautifully by the elm-trees they found a delicious breeze which
+fanned their faces. Somehow, Maggie never seemed to suffer from
+weather at all. She was never too cold; she was never too hot; she was
+never ill; no one had ever heard her complain of ache or pain. She was
+always joyous, except when she was sympathizing with somebody else's
+sorrow, and then her sympathy was detached--that is, it did not make
+her personally sad, although it affected and helped the person who was
+the recipient of it to a most remarkable extent. One of Maggie's great
+attractions was her absolute health, her undiminished strength, the
+fact that she could endure almost any exertion without showing a trace
+of fatigue.
+
+Molly and Isabel were also strong, hearty, well-made girls, and the
+excitement of this expedition caused them to chatter more volubly than
+usual. Maggie had a good deal to tell them with regard to the new
+school, and they had a great deal to tell her with regard to the
+Cardews.
+
+Just as they were entering the avenue Maggie turned and faced her two
+companions. "May I say something?" she asked eagerly.
+
+"Why, of course, Mags," said Molly.
+
+"Well, it's this: from what you told me of your friends, they must be
+the most profoundly uninteresting girls."
+
+"Oh no, indeed they are not!" said Isabel stanchly. "Merry has a great
+deal in her, and Cicely is so nice-looking! We think she will be
+beautiful by-and-by; but Merry undoubtedly has the most character.
+Then there is something dignified and aristocratic about them, and yet
+they are not really proud, although they might be, for they are so
+rich, and Meredith Manor is such a wonderful old house."
+
+"Didn't you tell me," said Maggie, "that Meredith Manor belonged to
+Mrs. Cardew?"
+
+"Did I?" said Isabel, coloring in some confusion. "I am sure I don't
+know; I don't remember saying it. I don't think Mrs. Cardew is the
+sort of woman who would call anything hers apart from her husband. She
+is devoted to him, and no wonder, for he is quite charming. He is
+nearly as charming as father, and that's saying a great deal."
+
+"Do let's come on. We'll be late!" said Molly impatiently.
+
+"No, not quite yet, please," said Maggie. "I want to understand the
+position. Mrs. Cardew was a Miss Meredith?"
+
+"Yes, dear Maggie; but what does that matter?"
+
+"And," continued Maggie, "she was the heiress of Meredith Manor?"
+
+"I suppose so. Father can tell you exactly."
+
+"Oh, I don't want to question him, but I want to get my bearings. On
+the mother's side, the Cardew girls belong to the country. Isn't that
+so?"
+
+"Yes, yes, yes. Do come on."
+
+"But their father," continued Maggie, "he is in trade, isn't he?"
+
+"He's a perfect gentleman," said Isabel stoutly; "no one looks down on
+trade in these days."
+
+"Of course not. I adore trade myself," said Maggie. She now proceeded
+to walk very slowly up the avenue. She was evidently thinking hard.
+After a time she said, "I mean to get those girls to come to school
+with you, Molly, and with you, Isabel, in September."
+
+Both the Tristrams burst into a peal of merry laughter. "Oh Mags!"
+they cried, "we never did think before that you were conceited. You
+certainly overrate even your powers when you imagine that you will get
+Mr. Cardew to change his mind."
+
+"What do you mean by his changing his mind?"
+
+"Why, this," said Belle. "He has set his face from the very first
+against his girls leaving home. He wishes them to have a home
+education, and that alone."
+
+"Oh, that is all right," said Maggie cheerfully. "Well, what will you
+bet, girls, that I have my way?"
+
+"We don't want you to lose, Maggie; but you certainly will not get
+your way in this particular."
+
+"Well, now, I am going to be generous. I am not rich; but I have got
+two gold bracelets at home, and I will give one to each of you for
+your very own if I succeed in bringing Cicely and Merry Cardew to Mrs.
+Ward's school."
+
+"Oh! oh!" exclaimed both the Tristram girls.
+
+"You'll get your bracelets," said Maggie in a most confident tone,
+"and I can assure you they are beauties; my darling father brought
+them from India years and years ago. He brought a lot of jewels for
+mother and me, and I will get the bracelets for you--one each--if I
+succeed; but you must allow me to manage things my own way."
+
+"But you won't do anything--anything--to upset the Cardews?" said
+Isabel.
+
+"Upset them!" said Maggie. "Well, yes, I do mean to upset them. I mean
+to alter their lives; I mean to turn things topsyturvy for them; but
+I'll manage it in such a fashion that neither you, nor Molly, nor your
+father, nor your mother, nor anyone will suspect how I have got my
+way, but get it I will. I thought I'd tell you, that's all. You'd like
+to have them at school with you, wouldn't you?"
+
+"Oh yes, very much indeed," said Molly.
+
+"I am not so sure," said Isabel. "It's rather fun coming back to the
+rectory in the holidays and telling the Cardew girls all about what we
+do and how we spend our time. There'll be nothing to tell them if we
+all go to the same school."
+
+"Well," said Maggie, "I don't agree with you. I expect, on the
+contrary, you'll find a vast lot more to talk about. But come, let's
+hurry now; I want to be introduced to them, for I have no time to
+lose."
+
+Neither Isabel nor Molly could quite make out why they felt a certain
+depression after Maggie Howland had explained her views. The thought
+of the possible possession of the bracelets did not greatly elate
+them. Besides, there was not the most remote chance of even such a
+fascinating young person as Maggie succeeding in her project. She
+would meet her match, if not in Mrs. Cardew, then in Mr. Cardew. There
+was no doubt whatever on that point. But they greatly wished she would
+not try. They did not want her to upset the placid existence of their
+young friends. The girls who lived at the Castle, the girls who
+pursued their sheltered, happy, refined life, were in a manner
+mysterious and remote to the young Tristrams, and they thought that
+they would not love them any more if they were brought into closer
+contact with them.
+
+A turn in the avenue now brought the old manor-house into view. Some
+friends of Mrs. Cardew's had arrived, but there were no other young
+people to be seen. Cicely and Merry were standing talking to a lady of
+middle age who had come to pay an afternoon call, when Cicely found
+herself changing color and glancing eagerly at Merry.
+
+"Oh, will you excuse me?" she said in her pretty, refined voice. "Our
+special friends the Tristrams, the rector's daughters, and a friend of
+theirs, a Miss Howland, are coming up the avenue."
+
+"Certainly, my dear," said Lady Lysle; and Cicely and Merry were off
+down the avenue like arrows from the bow to meet their friends.
+
+Lady Lysle watched the two girls, and then turned to speak to Mrs.
+Cardew.
+
+"What name was that I heard Cicely say?" was her remark. "Of course I
+know the Tristrams, but who was the girl who was with them?"
+
+"A special friend of theirs, a Miss Howland. She has been their school
+companion abroad. She is staying with them at the rectory. Why, what
+is the matter, Lady Lysle? Do you know anything about her?"
+
+"I don't know her," said Lady Lysle, "but I know a little bit about
+her mother. I should not have supposed the Tristram girls and Miss
+Howland were in the same set."
+
+"Why, what is wrong?" said Mrs. Cardew, who was exceedingly particular
+as regarded the people whom her daughters knew.
+
+"Oh, nothing, nothing," said Lady Lysle. "I happen not particularly to
+like Mrs. Howland; but doubtless I am prejudiced."
+
+She turned to talk to a neighbor, and by this time the five girls had
+met. There was an eager interchange of greetings, and then Maggie
+found herself walking up the avenue by Merry's side, while Cicely
+found a place between the two Tristram girls.
+
+"I am so glad you've come!" said Merry in her gentle, polite voice.
+
+"It is kind of you to ask me," replied Maggie. "Do you know," she
+added, turning and fixing her curious eyes on her companion's face,
+"that I am one of those poor girls who have never seen a beautiful
+house like yours before."
+
+"I am so glad you like our house," said Merry; "but you haven't seen
+it yet."
+
+"I am looking at it now. So this is what I am accustomed to hear
+spoken of as one of the 'Homes of England'?"
+
+"It certainly is a home," said Merry, "and an old one, too. Parts of
+the Manor have been centuries in existence, but some parts, of course,
+are comparatively new."
+
+"Will you take me all over it, Miss Cardew?" asked Maggie.
+
+"Indeed, I shall be delighted; but you must come another day for
+that, for we want to make up some sets of tennis without any delay. We
+have all our afternoon planned out. There are three or four young
+people who may arrive any moment, so that we shall be able to make two
+good sets."
+
+"How wonderful it all is!" said Maggie, who kept on looking at the
+house with ever-increasing admiration, and did not seem particularly
+keen about tennis.
+
+"Don't you like tennis, Miss--Miss Howland?" said Merry.
+
+"Oh yes," replied Maggie after a pause; "but then I think," she added,
+after yet another pause, "that I like every nice thing in all the
+world."
+
+"How delightful that must be!" said Merry, becoming more and more
+attracted by Maggie each moment. "And you know a lot, too, don't you?
+For you have seen so much of the world."
+
+"I know very little," replied Maggie; "and as to having seen the
+world, that is to come. I am quite young, you know--only just
+sixteen."
+
+"But Isabel and Molly told me that you knew more than any other girl
+of their acquaintance."
+
+Maggie gave a cheerful laugh, and said, "You mustn't mind what they
+say, poor darlings! The fact is, they're fond of me, and they magnify
+my knowledge; but in reality it doesn't exist. Only, I must tell you,
+Miss Cardew, I mean to see everything, and to know everything. I mean
+to have a glorious future."
+
+The enthusiasm in the charming voice was also seen, to shine through
+those queer, narrow eyes. Merry felt her heart beat. "I am going to
+tell you something in return," she said, speaking, for a wonder,
+without diffidence, for she was naturally very shy and retiring. "I
+wish with all my heart that I could live a glorious life such as you
+describe."
+
+"And surely you can?" said Maggie.
+
+"No, I must be satisfied with a very quiet life. But we won't talk of
+it now. I am really very happy. I should consider myself a most
+wicked, discontented girl were I anything else. And, please, may I
+take you to see mother?"
+
+Merry brought up her new friend to introduce her to Mrs. Cardew, who
+for the first moment, remembering what Lady Lysle had said, was a
+trifle stiff to Maggie Howland, but two minutes afterward was chatting
+to her in a pleasant and very friendly manner. She even went the
+length of personally introducing Maggie to Lady Lysle, excusing
+herself for the act by saying that Lady Lysle knew her mother.
+
+Maggie also succeeded in charming Lady Lysle, who said to Mrs. Cardew
+afterward, "I am glad you have introduced the girl to me. She is not
+in the least like her commonplace, affected mother. She seems a very
+good sort, and I like plain girls."
+
+"But is she plain?" said Mrs. Cardew in some astonishment. "Do you
+know, I never noticed it."
+
+Lady Lysle laughed. "You never noticed how remarkably plain that girl
+is, my dear friend?" she said.
+
+"To be frank with you," said Mrs. Cardew, "I didn't think of her face
+at all. She has a pretty manner and a nice, sensible, agreeable way of
+talking. I do not think my girls can suffer injury from her."
+
+"They seem to like her, at any rate," said Lady Lysle, looking
+significantly as she spoke at the distant part of the grounds, where
+Maggie, with Cicely at one side of her and Merry at the other, was
+talking eagerly. "Oh yes, she seems a nice child," continued the great
+lady, "and it would be unfair to judge a girl because her mother is
+not to one's taste."
+
+"But is there anything really objectionable in the mother?" asked Mrs.
+Cardew.
+
+"Nothing whatsoever, except that she is pushing, vulgar, and shallow.
+I am under the impression that the Howlands are exceedingly poor. Of
+course they are not to be blamed for that, but how the mother can
+manage to send the girl to expensive schools puzzles me."
+
+"Ah, well," said Mrs. Gardew in her gentle voice, "the child is
+evidently very different from her mother, and I must respect the
+mother for doing her best to get her girl well educated."
+
+"Your girls are not going to school, are they, Sylvia?" asked Lady
+Lysle.
+
+"Mine? Of course not. Their father wouldn't hear of it."
+
+"On the whole, I think he is right," said Lady Lysle, "though there
+are advantages in schools. Now, that school at Kensington, Aylmer
+House, which my dear friend Mrs. Ward conducts with such skill and
+marvelous dexterity, is a place where any girl might receive
+advantages."
+
+"Is it possible," said Mrs. Cardew, "that Mrs. Ward is your friend?"
+
+"My very great friend, dear. I have known her all my life. Aylmer
+House is particularly select. My niece Aneta is at the school, and her
+mother is charmed with it."
+
+"But that is very strange," said Mrs. Gardew after a pause. "You must
+talk to-night to our rector when he comes. Oh yes, of course you'll
+stay to supper."
+
+"I cannot, I regret to say."
+
+"Well, then, if you won't, there's no use in pressing you. But I have
+something curious to say. The rector's two little girls are going to
+Aylmer House in September, and that little Miss Howland whom I just
+introduced to you is also one of the girls under Mrs. Ward's care."
+
+"Then she will do well," said Lady Lysle alter a pause, during which
+her face looked very thoughtful.
+
+"I wonder if she knows your niece," said Mrs. Cardew.
+
+Lady Lysle laughed. "I presume she does. The school only contains
+twenty boarders--never any more. I happen to know that there are two
+vacancies at the present moment. Really, if I were you, Sylvia, I
+would give your girls a couple of years there. It would do them a
+world of good, and they would acquire some slight knowledge of the
+world before they enter it."
+
+"Impossible! quite impossible!" said Mrs. Cardew; "their father would
+never consent."
+
+
+
+
+CHAPTER IV.
+
+POWER WAS EVERYTHING TO MAGGIE.
+
+
+Meanwhile the young people enjoyed themselves vastly. Maggie was very
+modest with regard to her tennis, but she quickly proved that she
+could play better than any one else at the Manor that day. The
+visitors walking about the grounds paused to remark on her excellent
+play and to inquire who she was. She took her little triumph very
+modestly, saying that she was rather surprised at herself, and
+supposed that it was the fresh and delicious air of the country which
+had put her into such good form.
+
+"She is ridiculously overmodest," said Isabel Tristram to Merry, "for
+she always did play every sort of game better than the rest of us. She
+is not quite so good at her books; except, indeed, at certain things,
+such as recitation. I wish you could see and hear her then. She is
+almost a genius. She looks like one inspired."
+
+"I think her quite delightful," said Merry; "and as to being
+plain----"
+
+"I told you, didn't I?" said Belle, "that you'd never notice her looks
+after you had seen her for a minute or two."
+
+By-and-by it was time for the family to go into the house for supper
+at Meredith Manor. The three girls from the rectory were taken
+upstairs, to a spacious bedroom to wash their hands and brush their
+hair. Molly and Isabel were both most anxious to know what Maggie
+thought of Cicely and Merry.
+
+"What I think of them?" said Maggie. "Oh, they're first-rate, and not
+really dull at all; and the whole place is lovely, and all the people
+I met to-day were so nice, except, indeed, that Lady Lysle."
+
+"Lady Lysle!" exclaimed Molly in a tone of astonishment. "Why, she is
+Mrs. Cardew's greatest friend. Do you mean to say you were introduced
+to her?"
+
+"Yes, Mrs. Cardew was kind enough to do so, though I am sure I didn't
+want it at all."
+
+"But I can't imagine why she did it," said Molly in a tone of
+astonishment. "Mrs. Cardew never introduces either of us to the
+grown-up people."
+
+"Well, her ostensible reason," said Maggie, "was that Lady Lysle knows
+my mother."
+
+"Does she, indeed?" said Isabel in a tone of great respect.
+
+"But that doesn't make me like her any the better," said Maggie. "And
+now I will tell you why, girls, only you must faithfully promise you
+won't repeat it to any one."
+
+"Of course not," said the girls eagerly, who were accustomed to
+receive secrets from their schoolfellows, though Maggie, as a rule,
+never gave her secrets to anyone.
+
+"Well, I will tell you," said Maggie, the color flushing into her face
+and then leaving it pale again. "Aneta Lysle is one of the girls at
+Aylmer House. She is Lady Lysle's niece; and--well--you know I am
+tolerant enough, but I can't bear Aneta Lysle."
+
+Molly and Isabel were silent for a minute.
+
+"If _you_ can't bear her," said Isabel, "then I don't suppose we'll
+like her either when we go to the school."
+
+"Oh yes, you will; you'll adore her--sure to. Now promise once again
+that you will never repeat this."
+
+"We certainly will not," said Molly.
+
+Isabel nodded emphatically. "We don't tell secrets," she said. Then
+she added, "We had best go downstairs now, if you're quite tidy,
+Mags."
+
+During supper that night Mrs. Cardew, who found herself seated near
+her favorite rector, began to ply him with questions with regard to
+Aylmer House. How had he heard of it, and why had he specially fixed
+on that establishment for his daughters?
+
+The rector smiled. He had twinkling dark eyes, and they now looked
+down the long table until they rested for a brief moment on Maggie's
+young figure. She was talking to Mr. Cardew, who, stately and reserved
+as he was, took her remarks with good-natured tolerance.
+
+"A nice, unaffected child," he kept saying to himself, and neither did
+he remark how plain she was.
+
+"That young person yonder," said Mr. Tristram to Mrs. Cardew, "is the
+influence that has induced me to make arrangements for my girls at
+Aylmer House."
+
+"Miss Howland! You don't mean to say that you are influenced by a
+schoolgirl?"
+
+Mr. Tristram looked grave. "In this case I may as well confess at once
+that I have been influenced," he said. "I have heard a great deal of
+the child from Molly and Isabel, for they were all three at the same
+excellent school in Hanover. I met little Miss Howland when I was in
+London at Christmas. Being such a great friend of my children's, I
+naturally talked to her. She told me of Mrs. Ward and of the new
+delightful school to which she was going. She certainly never once
+pressed me to send my girls there, but it occurred to me that I would
+visit Mrs. Ward and see if it could be arranged. My girls are quite
+proficient for their ages in foreign languages; but I want them now
+thoroughly to learn literature and English history, and also those
+numerous small accomplishments which are so necessary for a
+gentlewoman. There is also no place in the world like London, in my
+opinion, for hearing good music and seeing good art. I saw Mrs. Ward.
+A short interview with her was all-sufficient. I could not desire to
+put my girls in safer hands."
+
+Mrs. Cardew listened very attentively.
+
+"Then you think, Mr. Tristram," she said after a pause, "that
+school-life is really good for girls?"
+
+"In my humble opinion, Mrs. Cardew, it is essential. A girl must find
+her level. She can only find it at school."
+
+"Then what about my dear girls?" said Mrs. Cardew.
+
+The rector bowed in a very courteous manner. "School-life may not be
+really necessary for them," he said; "although you know my opinion--in
+short you know what I would do with them did they belong to me."
+
+Mrs. Cardew was silent for a minute or two. Then she continued the
+conversation by saying, "It is really a curious fact that Lady Lysle,
+my great friend, who was here this afternoon, spoke to me in terms of
+the warmest approbation with regard to Mrs. Ward and Aylmer House. She
+says that her own niece Aneta is a member of the school. She further
+said that there were two vacancies at present, and she urged me to
+send my girls there. But, alas I cannot do that, for their father
+would not hear of it."
+
+"I do wish he would hear of it," said Mr. Tristram with some feeling.
+"You will never have your girls properly taught unless they go to
+school. It is impossible at this distance from London to command the
+services of the best masters and governesses. You will not have a
+resident governess in the house--forgive me if I speak freely, dear
+lady, but I love your children as though they were my own--and if you
+could persuade Mr. Cardew to seize this opportunity and let them go to
+school with Molly and Isabel I am certain you would never regret it."
+
+"I wish I could persuade him," said Mrs. Cardew; "more particularly as
+that excellent music master, Mr. Bennett, has just written to say he
+must discontinue giving his music-lessons, as the distance from
+Warwick is too far for his health, and Miss Beverley, their daily
+governess, has also broken down. But there, I know my husband never
+will agree to part with the girls."
+
+"Then the next best thing," said Mr. Tristram, speaking in a cheerful
+tone, "is for you to take up your abode in your London house, and give
+the girls the advantages of masters and mistresses straight from the
+Metropolis. Why, you will be bringing them out in a couple of years,
+Mrs. Cardew, and you would like them to have all possible advantages
+first."
+
+"Something must be done, certainly," said Mrs. Cardew; "and I like
+that girl, Miss Howland, although Lady Lysle seemed prejudiced against
+her at first."
+
+"Oh, she is a girl in a thousand," said Mr. Tristram; "so
+matter-of-fact and amiable and agreeable. See how she is talking to
+your husband at this very moment! I never saw a nicer or more modest
+young creature, but she is so exceedingly clever that she will push
+her own way anywhere. She has bowled over my two young urchins
+already, although she has been only a few hours at the rectory. What
+could Lady Lysle have to say against Maggie Howland?"
+
+"Oh, nothing--nothing at all, and I ought not to have spoken; but it
+seems she does not much care for Mrs. Howland."
+
+"I think I can explain that," said Mr. Tristram. "Mrs. Howland means
+well, but is a rather silly sort of woman. The girl manages her in the
+sweetest way. The girl herself takes after her father, poor Howland
+the African explorer, who lost his life in his country's cause. He
+had, I am told, a most remarkable personality."
+
+When Molly and Isabel Tristram, accompanied by Maggie Howland, the
+rector, and his wife, walked back to the rectory that evening, Maggie
+was in excellent spirits. It was natural that the three young people
+should start on in front. Maggie talked on various subjects; but
+although the Tristrams were most anxious to get opinions from her with
+regard to the Cardews, she could not be led to talk of them until they
+were approaching the house.
+
+It was now nearly eleven o'clock, and a perfect summer night. The
+boys, Jack and Andrew, had gone to bed, but a few lights were
+twinkling here and there in the dear old rectory.
+
+"Oh, I am not a scrap sleepy", said Maggie. "This air stimulates one;
+it is splendid. By the way, girls," she added, suddenly turning and
+facing her companions, "would you like your bracelets to have rubies
+in them or sapphires?"
+
+"Nonsense!" said Molly, turning crimson.
+
+Belle laughed. "You don't suppose you are accomplishing that?" she
+said.
+
+Maggie spoke rather slowly. "Mother has one dozen bracelets in her
+jewelry-case. Father brought them to her in the course of his travels.
+Some he got in India and some in Africa. They are very valuable and
+exceedingly quaint, and I recall now to my memory, and can-see clearly
+in my mind's eye one lovely gold bracelet fashioned like a snake and
+with eyes of ruby, and another (which I think he must have got at
+Colombo) that consists of a broad gold band studded here and there
+with sapphires. How pretty those bracelets would look on your dear
+little arms, Molly and Isabel; and how glad--how very, very glad--your
+Maggie will be to give them to you!"
+
+"And, of course, when you do give them to us we'll be delighted to
+have them," said Molly and Isabel.
+
+Then Isabel laughed and said, "But what is the good of counting your
+chickens before they're hatched?"
+
+"I consider my chickens hatched," was Maggie's remark, "What fun we
+shall all have together next winter! Aneta won't have much chance
+against us. Yes, girls, of course I like your friends Cicely and
+Merry; but they'll be twice three times--the girls they are when they
+have been for a short time at Mrs. Ward's school."
+
+"Aren't you tired, Maggie?" was Molly's remark. "Wouldn't you like to
+go to bed?"
+
+"I am not a scrap tired, and I don't want to go to bed at all; but I
+suppose that means that you would?"
+
+"Well, I must own to feeling a little sleepy," said Molly.
+
+"And so am I," said Belle.
+
+"Girls, girls, come in; your father wants to lock up," called Mrs.
+Tristram at that moment.
+
+The girls all entered the house, lit their candles, and went upstairs
+to their rooms.
+
+As Maggie was wishing her two dear friends good-night she said
+quietly, "I hope you won't mind; but Merry Cardew--or, as I ought to
+call her, Miss Cardew--has asked me to go over to the Manor to-morrow
+morning in order to show me the old house. I said I'd be there at ten
+o'clock, and could then get back to you in time for lunch. I do trust
+you don't mind."
+
+"Of course we don't," said Molly in a hearty tone. "Now, good-night,
+Mags."
+
+"But if you think, Maggie," said Isabel, "that you will succeed in
+that scheme of yours you will find yourself vastly mistaken."
+
+Maggie smiled gently, and the next moment she found herself alone. She
+went and stood by the open window. There was a glorious full moon in
+the sky, and the garden, with its deep shadows and brilliant avenues
+of light, looked lovely. But Maggie was not thinking of the scenery.
+Her thoughts were busy with those ideas which were always running riot
+in her busy little head. She was not unamiable; she was in reality a
+good-hearted girl, but she was very ambitious, and she sighed, above
+all things for power and popularity.
+
+When she came to visit Molly and Isabel she had not the faintest idea
+of inducing Cicely and Merry to join that select group who were taught
+by Mrs. Ward at Aylmer House. But when once the idea had entered her
+brain, she determined, with her accustomed quickness, to carry it into
+execution. She had never yet, in the whole course of her life, met
+with defeat. At the various schools where she had been taught she had
+always been popular and had won friends and never created an enemy-but
+at Aylmer House, extraordinary and delightful as the life was, there
+was one girl who excited her enmity--who, in short, roused the worst
+that was in her. That girl's name was Aneta Lysle. No sophistries on
+the part of Maggie, no clever speeches, no well-timed and courteous
+acts, could win the approval of Aneta; and just because she was
+impossible to get at, because she carried her young head high, because
+she had that which Maggie could never have--a stately and wonderful
+beauty--Maggie was jealous of her, and was determined, if she could
+not win Aneta over to be her friend, to use her own considerable
+powers against the girl. She had not for a single moment, however,
+thought that she could be helped by Cicely and Merry in this
+direction, and had intended to get them to come to the school simply
+because they were aristocratic and rich, in the first instance. But
+when she saw Lady Lysle--Lady Lysle, who hated her mother and before
+whom her mother trembled and shrank; Lady Lysle, who was Aneta's
+aunt--she knew that Cicely and Merry might be most valuable aids to
+her in carrying out her campaign against Aneta, and would help her to
+establish herself once and for all as the most powerful and important
+person in Mrs. Ward's school.
+
+Power was everything to Maggie. By power she meant to rule her small
+school-world, and eventually by the aid of that same gift to take her
+position in the greater world that lies beyond school. In her heart of
+hearts she considered Cicely and Merry tiresome, silly, ignorant
+little girls; but they could be made to play into her hands. They must
+come to Aylmer House--oh yes! and already she felt certain she had put
+the thin end of the wedge beneath that opposition which she knew she
+must expect from Mr. Cardew. She would see him again on the morrow.
+Indeed, greater schemes than hers could be carried into effect within
+a fortnight.
+
+Maggie was the soul of common-sense, however, and had no idea of
+wearing herself out thinking when she ought to be asleep. She
+accordingly soon turned from the window, and, getting into bed,
+dropped at once into healthy slumber.
+
+When she awoke she felt remarkably light-hearted and cheerful. She got
+up early, and went with Andrew and Jack to see the adorable rabbits.
+So judicious was she on this occasion that both boys returned with her
+to breakfast in the highest good-humor.
+
+"Mother, mother," cried Jackdaw, "she loves Fanciful because he's so
+beautiful."
+
+"And she adores Spot-ear because he's so ugly," said Peterkins.
+
+The boys were exceedingly happy at being allowed to sit at breakfast
+one on each side of Maggie, who, when she did not speak to them--for
+she wanted to ingratiate herself with every one present, and not with
+them alone--contrived to pat their hands from time to time, and so
+keep them in a subdued state of exceeding good-humor.
+
+Soon after breakfast she flew up to her room, put on that strangely
+becoming brown hat, which would have suited no other girl but herself,
+and went off to the Manor. She was met at the gate by Merry, who was
+anxiously waiting for her appearance.
+
+"I am so sorry that Cicely isn't here too," said Merry; "but mother
+wanted Cicely to drive into Warwick with her this morning. We're
+going for a long motor-ride this afternoon. Don't you love motors?"
+
+"I have never been in one in my life," replied Maggie.
+
+"Oh dear!" said Merry; "then you shall come with us, although I know I
+can't ask you to-day, but perhaps to-morrow we could manage."
+
+"I must not be too much away from Molly and Isabel, for it would not
+be kind--would it, Miss Cardew?"
+
+"Do call me Merry. 'Miss Cardew' sounds so stiff, and you know I feel
+that I have known you all my life, for Molly and Isabel have always
+been talking about you. Mother was so pleased when she heard that you
+wanted to see the old house; and, do you know, Maggie----You don't
+mind my saying Maggie?"
+
+"Of course not, Merry--dear Merry."
+
+"Well--would you believe it?--father is going to show you the
+manuscript-room himself. I can tell you that is an honor."
+
+"I am so delighted!" said Maggie. "Your father is a most charming
+man."
+
+"Indeed, that he is," said Merry; "but I never saw him get on so well
+with a young girl before."
+
+"Oh," said Maggie in her modest way, "it was just that I wanted to
+listen to him; what he said was so very interesting."
+
+The girls were now walking up the avenue.
+
+"Please," said Merry suddenly, "tell me more about your school--I mean
+that new, wonderful school you are at in London."
+
+"Aylmer House?" said Maggie.
+
+"Yes, Aylmer House. Mother was talking about it this morning. She was
+quite interested in it."
+
+"Your mother was talking about it?"
+
+"Yes. It seems Mr. Tristram had been praising it to her like anything
+last night."
+
+"Well, he can't say too much in its favor," said Maggie. "Any girl who
+didn't get good from it ought to be ashamed of herself."
+
+"What is that you are saying, Miss Howland?" said the voice of Mr.
+Cardew at that moment.
+
+"Oh father! I never saw you," cried Merry.
+
+Mr. Cardew came up and shook hands with Maggie. "I was walking just
+behind you on the grass," he said, "and I heard your enthusiastic
+remarks with regard to the school that the young Tristrams are going
+to. I am heartily pleased; I take a great interest in the Tristrams."
+
+"Oh sir," said Maggie suddenly, "I only wish--oh! I hardly dare to say
+it--but I only do wish that your girls were coming too!"
+
+Merry turned crimson and then grew pale. "Father doesn't approve of
+schools," she said in a faint voice.
+
+"As a rule, I do not," said Mr. Cardew decidedly; "but of course I am
+bound to say there are schools and schools. You shall tell me all
+about your school presently, Miss Howland. And now, I will allow my
+daughter to entertain you."
+
+"But, father darling, you promised to show Maggie the manuscript-room
+yourself."
+
+"Are you interested in black-letter?" said Mr. Cardew.
+
+"I am interested in everything old," replied Maggie.
+
+"Well, then, I will show you the manuscript-room with pleasure; but if
+you want to go over the Manor you have a heavy morning's work before
+you, and Merry is an excellent guide. However, let me see. I will meet
+you in the library at a quarter to twelve. Until then, adieu."
+
+
+
+
+CHAPTER V.
+
+"WHAT DID YOU TALK ABOUT?"
+
+
+Maggie and Merry had now reached the great porch which overshadowed
+the entrance to the old house. The next instant they found themselves
+in the hall. This, supported by graceful pillars, was open up to the
+roof of the house. It was a magnificent hall, and Merry began
+enthusiastically to explain its perfections. Maggie showed not a
+pretended but a real interest. She asked innumerable and sensible
+questions. Her queer, calm, narrow eyes grew very bright. She smiled
+now and then, and her face seemed the personification of intelligence.
+With that smile, and those gleaming white teeth, who could have
+thought of Maggie Howland as plain?
+
+They went from the hall into the older part of the house, and there
+Merry continued her duties as guide. Never before had she been in the
+company of so absolutely charming a companion. Maggie was the best
+listener in the world. She never interrupted with tiresome or
+irrelevant questions. When she did speak it was with the utmost
+intelligence, showing clearly that she understood what she was being
+told.
+
+By-and-by they found themselves in the picture-gallery. There Merry
+insisted on their sitting down for a time and taking a rest. She
+touched a bell as she spoke, and then motioned Maggie to recline in a
+deep arm-chair which faced the picture of a beautiful lady who was the
+grandmother of the present Mrs. Cardew.
+
+"That lady's name," said Merry, "was Cicely Meredith, and she was the
+wife of the last Meredith but one who owned the Manor. It was little
+supposed in those days that my darling mother would inherit the place,
+and that Cardews should live at Meredith Manor after all. Ah, here
+comes Dixon!--Dixon, will you put our lunch on that small table? Thank
+you very much."
+
+One of the servants in the Cardew livery had appeared. He was bearing
+a small tray of tempting drinks, fruit, and cake.
+
+"Now, Maggie, eat; do eat," said Merry.
+
+"I declare I am as hungry as a hawk," said Maggie, and she munched
+cake and ate fruit and felt that she was, as she expressed it to
+herself--although she would not have used the words aloud--in clover.
+
+Nevertheless, she was not going to lose sight of that mission which
+she had set herself. She turned and looked thoughtfully at Merry.
+Merry had a pretty profile, with the short upper-lip and the graceful
+appearance of a very high-bred girl.
+
+"Do you," said Maggie after a pause, "happen to know Aneta Lysle?"
+
+"Why, of course," said Merry. "Do you mean Lady Lysle's niece?"
+
+"Yes," replied Maggie.
+
+"I don't know her well, but she has stayed here once or twice. Is she
+a friend of yours, Maggie?"
+
+"Oh no; scarcely a friend, although we are schoolfellows."
+
+"How stupid of me!" said Merry, speaking with some warmth. "Of course,
+I quite forgot that she is at Mrs. Ward's school. She is older than
+you, isn't she, Maggie?"
+
+"Yes, a year older, as days are counted; but she appears even more
+than her age, which is just seventeen. Don't you think her very
+beautiful, Merry?"
+
+"Now that I recall her, I do; but she never made a special impression
+on me. She never stayed here long enough."
+
+"Nevertheless, she is a sort of cousin of yours?"
+
+"Yes, Lady Lysle is mother's cousin; but then one doesn't love all
+one's relations," said Merry carelessly. "Have another piece of cake,
+Maggie."
+
+"Thanks," said Maggie, helping herself. "How delicious it is!"
+
+"And put some more cream over your raspberries. The raspberries at
+Meredith Manor are celebrated."
+
+Maggie helped herself to some more cream. "I do wish" she said
+suddenly.
+
+"That I would go on telling you about the pictures?" said Merry. "But
+you must be tired. I never knew any one take in interesting things so
+quickly."
+
+"I am glad you think I do; but it so happens that I do not want to
+hear about the pictures this morning. I think perhaps I am, after all,
+a bit tired. It is the pleasure, the delight of knowing you and your
+sister, and of being with those sweet girls Molly and Isabel."
+
+"Yes, aren't they darlings'?" said Merry.
+
+"I want you to tell me a lot about yourself," said Maggie.
+
+"We have half-an-hour yet before I am to meet your father in the
+manuscript-room. Begin at the beginning, and tell me just everything.
+You are not schoolgirls?"
+
+"Oh, no," said Merry, speaking slowly. "We are taught at home."
+
+"But have you a resident governess?"
+
+"No; father objects. This is holiday-time of course; but as a rule we
+have a daily governess and masters."
+
+"It must be dull," said Maggie, speaking in a low tone--so low that
+Merry had to strain her ears to hear it.
+
+She replied at once, "'Tisn't nearly so interesting as school; but
+we--we are--quite--_quite_ satisfied."
+
+"I wonder you don't go to school," said Maggie.
+
+"Father doesn't wish it, Maggie."
+
+"But you'd like it, wouldn't you?"
+
+"Like it!" said Merry, her eyes distended a little. "Like to see the
+world and to know other girls? Well, yes, I should like it."
+
+"There'd be discipline, you know," said Maggie. "It wouldn't be all
+fun."
+
+"Of course not," said Merry. "How could one expect education to be all
+fun?"
+
+"And you would naturally like to be very well educated, wouldn't you?"
+said Maggie.
+
+"Certainly; but I suppose we are--that is, after a fashion."
+
+"Yes," said Maggie, "after a fashion, doubtless; but you will go into
+society by-and-by, and you'll find--well, that home education leaves
+out a great many points of knowledge which cannot possibly be attained
+except by mixing with other girls."
+
+"I suppose so," said Merry, speaking with a slight degree of
+impatience; "but then Cicely and I can't help it. We have to do what
+father and mother wish."
+
+"Yes, exactly, Merry; and it's so awfully sweet and amiable of you!
+Now, may I describe to you a little bit of school-life?"
+
+"If you like, Maggie. Molly and Isabel have often told me of what you
+did in Hanover."
+
+"Oh, Hanover?" said Maggie with a tone of slight contempt. "We don't
+think of Hanover now in our ideas of school-life. We had a fairly good
+time, for a German school; but to compare it with Mrs. Ward's house!
+Oh, I cannot tell you what a dream of a life I have lived during the
+last term! It is only to see Mrs. Ward to love her; and all the other
+mistresses are so nice, and the girls are so very select and
+lady-like. Then we take a keen interest in our lessons. You're the
+musical one, aren't you, Merry?"
+
+"Yes. How ever did you find that out?"
+
+"Well," said Maggie, "I looked at you, and I guessed it. Besides, I
+heard you hum an air under your breath yesterday, and I knew at once
+that you had a lovely voice."
+
+"I am sure I haven't; and I'm too young to begin singing-lessons."
+
+"Not a bit of it. That's quite an exploded idea. If, for
+instance----Oh, of course I know you won't be there; but if you
+were so lucky as to be a pupil at Mrs. Ward's you would be
+taught to sing, and, what is more valuable, you would hear
+good, wonderful, beautiful singing, and wonderful, beautiful
+music of all sorts. Once a week we all go to a concert at
+Queen's Hall. Have you ever been there?"
+
+"No! I don't know London at all."
+
+"Well, then, another day in the week," continued Maggie, "we go to
+the different museums and picture-galleries, and we get accustomed to
+good art, and we are taught to discern good from bad. We learn
+architecture at St. Paul's and the Abbey and some of the other
+churches. You see, Mrs. Ward's idea is to teach us everything
+first-hand, and during the summer term she takes us on long
+expeditions up the river to Kew and Hampton Court and all those dear
+old places. Then, in addition, she has what she calls reunions in
+the evenings. We all wear evening-dress, and she invites two or
+three friends, and we sing and play among ourselves, and we are taught
+the little observances essential to good society; and, besides all
+the things that Mrs. Ward does, we have our own private club and our
+own debating society, and--oh, it is a full life!--and it teaches
+one, it helps one."
+
+Merry's soft brown eyes were very bright, and her cheeks had a
+carnation glow on them, and her pretty red lips were slightly parted.
+"You do all these things at school--at school?" she said.
+
+"Why, of course; and many, many more things that you can't even
+imagine, for it's the whole influence of the place that is so
+delightful. Then you make friends--great friends--and you get to
+understand character, and you get to understand the value of real
+discipline, and you are taught also that you are not meant to live a
+worldly and selfish life, for Mrs. Ward is very philanthropic. Each
+girl in her school has to help a poor girl in East London, and the
+poor girl becomes in a sort of manner her property. I have got a dear
+little lame girl. Her name is Susie Style. I am allowed to see her
+once or twice a year, and I write her a letter every week, and she
+writes back to me, and I collect enough money to keep her in a
+cripples' home. I haven't enough of my own, for I am perhaps the
+poorest girl in the school; but that makes no difference, for Mrs.
+Ward doesn't allow the word money or rank to be spoken of--she lives
+above all that. She says that money is a great talent, and that people
+who are merely purse-proud are detestable. Oh, but I've told you
+enough, haven't I?"
+
+"Yes, oh yes!" said Merry. "Thanks very, very much. And so Aneta is
+there; and as Molly and Isabel will be there, they will tell me more
+at Christmas. Perhaps we ought to go down now to meet father in the
+manuscript-room."
+
+Maggie rose with alacrity. She followed her companion quite
+cheerfully. She felt assured within herself that the thin end of the
+wedge had been well inserted by now.
+
+Mr. Cardew was exceedingly courteous and pleasant, and Maggie charmed
+him by her intelligence and her marvellous gift of assimilating
+knowledge. Not a word was said with regard to the London school, and
+at ten minutes to one Maggie bade good-bye to Mr. Cardew and Merry,
+and went back to the rectory in considerable spirits.
+
+Molly and Isabel were all impatience for her return.
+
+"Well, what did you do?" said Molly. "Who was there to meet you?"
+
+"Only Merry. Cicely had gone with Mrs. Cardew to Warwick."
+
+"Oh, well, Merry is the jollier of the two, although they are both
+perfectly sweet," said Molly. "And did she show you all the house,
+Maggie?"
+
+"No," said Maggie; "I really couldn't take it all in; but she took me
+round the armory and into the old tower, and then we went into the
+picture-gallery."
+
+"Oh, she took you into the picture-gallery! There are Romneys and
+Gainsboroughs and Sir Joshua Reynoldses, and all sorts of magnificent
+treasures there."
+
+"Doubtless," said Maggie. "But when I tell you what we did you will
+laugh."
+
+"What did you do? Do tell us, Mags."
+
+"We sat in easy-chairs. I faced the portrait of a very beautiful lady
+after whom Cicely Cardew is called."
+
+"Of course I know her well--I mean her picture," said Isabel. "That is
+a Gainsborough. Didn't you admire it?"
+
+"Yes; but I want to look at it again; I'm going to do the gallery
+another day, and on that occasion I think I shall ask Cicely to
+accompany me."
+
+"Why, what do you mean? Don't you like our sweet little Merry?"
+
+"Like her? I quite love her," said Maggie; "but the fact is, girls, I
+did my duty by her this morning, and now I want to do my duty by
+Cicely."
+
+"Oh Mags, you are so mysterious!" said Molly; "but come upstairs and
+take off your hat, for the gong will sound for lunch in a moment."
+
+Maggie went upstairs, Molly and Isabel following her. "Come into my
+room, girls," she said. Then she added, dropping her voice, "I think
+those bracelets are pretty secure."
+
+Molly colored. Isabel looked down.
+
+"You will never succeed," said Molly.
+
+Then Isabel said, "Even if you do, I don't think we ought, perhaps,
+to--to take them, for it would seem as though they were a sort
+of--sort of--bribe."
+
+"Oh, you old goose!" said Maggie, kissing her. "How could they be a
+bribe when I don't ask you to do anything at all? But now, listen. We
+were tired when we got to the gallery; therefore that sweet little
+Merry of yours ordered fruit and milk and cake, and we ate and
+talked."
+
+"What did you talk about?"
+
+"School, dear."
+
+"What was the good of your talking about school to Merry when she
+can't go?"
+
+"Can't go?" said Maggie. "Why, she is going; only, it was my bounden
+duty to make her want to go. Well, I succeeded in doing that this
+morning. There's the gong, and, notwithstanding my lunch, I am quite
+hungry."
+
+"Well, Andrew and Jack are perfectly mad to see you; you'll have to
+devote a bit of your time to them. Dear me, Mags!" said Molly, "it
+must be tiresome to be a sort of universal favorite, as you are."
+
+"Tiresome!" said Maggie, glancing round with her queer, expressive
+eyes, "when I love it like anything? Let's get up a sort of play
+between ourselves this afternoon, and let the boys join in; and, oh!
+couldn't we--don't you think we might--get your two friends Cicely and
+Merry to join us, just for an impromptu thing that we could act
+beautifully in the hay-field? Wouldn't their father consent?"
+
+"Why, of course he would. I'll run round the minute lunch is over and
+get them," said Isabel. "You are a girl for planning things, Mags!
+It'll be quite glorious."
+
+"We might have tea in the hay-field too," continued Maggie. "I am sure
+Peterkins and Jackdaw will help us."
+
+"Capital! capital! and we'll get David"--David was the gardener's
+boy--"to pick lots of fruit for the occasion."
+
+
+
+
+CHAPTER VI.
+
+FORBIDDEN FRUIT.
+
+
+Meanwhile a little girl stood all alone on one of the terrace walks at
+Meredith Manor. Mrs. Cardew and Cicely would not arrive until rather
+late for lunch, and Merry and her father were to partake of it alone.
+Merry paced up and down very slowly. What a lovely day it was, and how
+beautiful the place looked with its long lines of stately trees, and
+its background of woods, and its terraces of bright flowers and green,
+green grass!
+
+As far as the eye could reach the land belonged to the Cardews, and
+yet Merry Cardew, the joint-heiress with Cicely of all this wealth,
+did not feel either happy or contented at that moment. A girl had come
+into her life who had suddenly turned her gold to gray, her sunshine
+to shadow. She was a very nice girl, too--exceedingly nice. There was
+something about her which Merry found impossible to define, for Merry
+had no acquaintances just then in her sheltered life who possessed the
+all-important and marvelous power of charm. Merry knew quite well that
+Maggie Howland was neither rich nor beautiful. She was just a little
+schoolgirl, and yet she could not get Maggie out of her head. She
+sighed for the girl's companionship, and she sighed yet more for the
+forbidden fruit which Maggie had placed so enticingly before her
+mental vision: the school-life, the good life, the energetic,
+purposeful life. Music--oh, how passionately Merry loved the very
+little music she had ever heard! And art--Merry and Cicely had learned
+a little bit of art in their own picture-gallery; but of all there was
+outside they knew nothing. Then that delightful, wonderful scheme of
+having an East End girl for your very own to train, and help, and
+write to, and support; and the companionship, and all the magical
+things which the Tristrams had more or less enjoyed in foreign
+schools, but which seemed to have reached a delicacy of perfection at
+Aylmer House!
+
+Yes, doubtless these were forbidden fruits; but she could not help, as
+she paced alone on the terrace, contrasting her mode of education with
+that which was put within the reach of her friends Molly and Isabel,
+and of Maggie herself. How dull, after all, were her lessons! The
+daily governess, who was always tired when she arrived, taught her out
+of books which even Molly and Isabel declared to be out of date; who
+yawned a good deal; who was always quite, quite kind, but at the same
+time had no enthusiasm; who said, "Yes, my dears; very nicely done,"
+but never even punished; and who only uttered just that mild phrase
+which was monotonous by reason of its repetition. Where was the good
+of reading Racine aloud to Miss Beverley day after day, and not being
+able to talk French properly at all? And where was the use of
+struggling through German with the same instructress?
+
+Then the drawing-master who came from Warwick: he was better than Miss
+Beverley; but, after all, he taught what Molly and Isabel said was now
+quite exploded--namely, freehand--and he only came once a week.
+Merry's passion was for music more than for drawing; it was Cicely who
+pleased Mr. Vaughan, the drawing-master, best. Then there was the
+music-master, Mr. Bennett; but he never would allow her to sing a
+note, and he taught very dull, old-fashioned pieces. How sick she was
+of pieces, and of playing them religiously before her father at least
+once a week! Her dancing was better, for she had to go to Warwick to a
+dancing-class, and there were other girls, and they made it exciting.
+But compared to school, and in especial Mrs. Ward's school, Merry's
+mode of instruction was very dull. After all, Molly and Isabel,
+although they would be quite poor girls, had a better time than she
+and Cicely with all their wealth.
+
+"A penny for your thoughts, my love," said her father at that moment,
+and Merry turned her charming little face towards him.
+
+"I ought not to tell them to you, dad," she said, "for they are--I'm
+ever so sorry--they are discontented thoughts."
+
+"You discontented, my dear child! I did feel that I had two little
+girls unacquainted with the meaning of the word."
+
+"Well, I'll just tell you, and get it over, dad. I'll be perfectly all
+right once I have told you."
+
+"Then talk away my child; you know I have your very best interests at
+heart."
+
+"Indeed I know that, my darling father. The fact is this," said Merry;
+"I"----She stopped; she glanced at her father. He was a most
+determined and yet a most absolutely kind man. Merry adored him;
+nevertheless, she was a tiny little bit in awe of him.
+
+"What is the matter?" he said, looking round at her. "Has your
+companion, that nice little Miss Howland, been putting silly thoughts
+into your head? If so, she mustn't come here again."
+
+"Oh father, don't say that! You'll make me quite miserable. And indeed
+she has not been putting silly thoughts into my head."
+
+"Well, then, what are you so melancholy about?"
+
+"The fact is--there, I will have it out," said Merry--"I'd give
+anything in the world to go to school."
+
+"What?" said Mr. Cardew.
+
+"Yes," said Merry, gaining courage as she spoke; "Molly and Isabel are
+going, and Aneta Lysle is there, and Maggie Howland is there, and I'd
+like to go, too, and I'm sure Cicely would; and, oh, father! I know it
+_can't_ be; but you asked me what was the matter. Well, that's the
+matter. I do want most awfully to go to school!"
+
+"Has that girl Miss Howland been telling you that you ought to go to
+school?"
+
+"Indeed no, she has not breathed such a word. But I am always
+interested, as you know--or as perhaps you don't know--in schools; and
+I have always asked--and so has Cicely--Molly and Isabel to tell us
+all about their lives at school."
+
+"I did not know it, my little Merry."
+
+"Well, yes, father, Cicely and I have been curious; for, you see, the
+life is so very different from ours. And so to-day, when Maggie and I
+were in the picture-gallery, I asked her to tell me about Aylmer
+House, and she--she did."
+
+"She made a glowing picture, evidently," said Mr. Cardew.
+
+"Oh father, it must be so lovely! Think of it, father--to get the best
+music and the best art, and to be under the influence of a woman like
+Mrs. Ward. Oh, it must be good! Do you know, father, that every girl
+in her school has an East End girl to look after and help; so that
+some of the riches of the West should be felt and appreciated by those
+who live in the East. Oh father! I could not help feeling a little
+jealous."
+
+"Yes, darling, I quite understand. And you find your life with Miss
+Beverley and Mr. Vaughan and Mr. Bennett a little monotonous compared
+to the variety which a school-life affords?"
+
+"That is it, father darling."
+
+"I don't blame you in the least, Merry--not in the very least; but the
+fact is, I have my own reasons for not approving of school-life. I
+prefer girls who are trained at home. If, indeed, you had to earn your
+living it would be a different matter. But you will be rich, dear,
+some day, and----Well, I am glad you've spoken to me. Don't think
+anything more about it. Come in to lunch now."
+
+"I'll try not to think of it, father; and you're not really angry?"
+
+"Angry!" said Mr. Gardew. "I'll never be angry with you, Merry, when
+you tell me all the thoughts of your heart."
+
+"And you won't--you won't," said Merry in an anxious tone--"vex
+darling mother by talking to her about this?"
+
+"I make no promises whatsoever You have trusted me; you must continue
+to trust me."
+
+"I do; indeed I do! You are not angry with dear, nice Miss Howland,
+are you, father?"
+
+"Angry with her! Why should I be? Most certainly not. Now, come in to
+lunch, love."
+
+At that meal Mr. Cardew did his very utmost to be pleasant to Merry;
+and as there could be no man more charming when he pleased, soon the
+little girl was completely under his influence, and forgot that
+fascinating picture of school-life which Maggie had so delicately
+painted for her edification.
+
+Soon after lunch Mrs. Cardew and Cicely returned; and Merry, the
+moment she was with her sister, felt her sudden fit of the blues
+departing, and ran out gaily with Cicely into the garden. They were
+seated comfortably in a little arbor, when Isabel's voice was heard
+calling them. She was hot and panting. She had come up to tell them of
+the proposed arrangements for the afternoon, and to beg of them both
+to come immediately to the rectory.
+
+"How more than delightful!" said Merry.--"Cicely, you stay still, for
+you're a little tired. I'll run up to the house at once and ask father
+and mother if we may go."
+
+"Yes, please do," said Isabel; "and I'll rest here for a little, for
+really the walk up to your house is somewhat fatiguing." She mopped
+her hot forehead as she spoke. "You might as well come back with me,
+both of you girls," she added. But she only spoke to Cicely, for Merry
+had already vanished.
+
+"Father! mother!" said the young girl, bursting abruptly into their
+presence. "Belle Tristram has just come up to ask us to spend the
+afternoon at the rectory. Tea in the hay-field, and all kinds of fun!
+May we go?"
+
+"Of course you may, dears," said Mrs. Cardew at once. "We intended
+motoring, but we can do that another day."
+
+Mr. Cardew looked dubious for a moment. Then he said, "All right, only
+you must not be out too late. I'll send the pony-trap down to the
+rectory for you at half-past eight o'clock."
+
+"Oh, but, father," said Merry, "we can walk home."
+
+"No dear; I will send the little carriage. Now, go and enjoy yourself,
+my child."
+
+He looked at her with great affection, and she felt herself reddening.
+Had she hurt that most dear father after all? Oh! no school that ever
+existed was worth that.
+
+
+
+
+CHAPTER VII.
+
+DISCONTENT.
+
+
+On that special afternoon Mr. and Mrs. Cardew happened to be alone.
+The girls had gone down to the rectory. This was not Mrs. Cardew's At
+Home day, and she therefore did not expect any visitors. She was a
+little tired after her long drive to Warwick, and was glad when her
+husband suggested that they should go out and have tea all alone
+together under one of the wide-spreading elm-trees.
+
+Mrs. Cardew said to herself that this was almost like the old, old
+times of very long ago. She and her husband had enjoyed an almost
+ideal married life. They had never quarreled; they had never even had
+a small disagreement. They were blessed abundantly with this world's
+good things, for when Sylvia Meredith of Meredith Manor had accepted
+the hand of Cyril Cardew she had also given her heart to him.
+
+He and she were one in all particulars. Their thoughts were almost
+identical. She was by no means a weak-minded woman--she had plenty of
+character and firmness; but she deferred to the wishes of her husband,
+as a good wife should, and was glad! to feel that he was slightly her
+master. Never, under any circumstances, did he make her feel the yoke.
+Nevertheless, she obeyed him, and delighted in doing so.
+
+The arrival of their little twin-daughters was the crown of their
+bliss. They never regretted the fact that no son was born to them to
+inherit the stately acres of Meredith Manor; they were the last sort
+of people to grumble. Mrs. Cardew inherited the Meredith property in
+her own right, and eventually it would be divided between her two
+daughters.
+
+Meanwhile the children themselves absorbed the most loving care of
+their parents. Mr. Cardew was, as has already been said, a great
+merchant-prince. He often went to London to attend to his business
+affairs, but he spent most of his time in the exquisite country home.
+It was quite true that discontent seemed far, very far away from so
+lovely a spot as Meredith Manor. Nevertheless, Mr. Cardew had seen it
+to-day on the face of his best-loved child, his little Merry. The
+look had hurt him; and while he was having lunch with her, and joking
+with her, and talking, in his usually bright and intelligent way, her
+words, and still more the expression of her face and the longing look
+in her sweet brown eyes, returned to him again and again.
+
+He was, therefore, more thoughtful than usual as he sat by his wife's
+side now under the elm-tree. He had a pile of newspapers and magazines
+on the grass at his feet, and his favorite fox-terrier Jim lay close
+to his master. Mrs. Cardew had her invariable knitting and a couple of
+novels waiting to occupy her attention when Mr. Cardew took up one of
+the newspapers. But for a time the pair were silent. Mrs. Cardew was
+thinking of something which she wanted to say, and Mr. Cardew was
+thinking of Merry. It was, as is invariably the case, the woman who
+first broke the silence.
+
+"Well, Cyril," said his wife, "to find ourselves seated here all
+alone, without the children's voices to listen to reminds me of the
+old times, the good times, the beautiful times when we were first
+married."
+
+"My dear," he answered, starting slightly as she spoke, "those were
+certainly good and beautiful times, but surely not more good and
+beautiful than now, when our two dear little girls are growing up and
+giving us such great happiness."
+
+"That is true. Please don't misunderstand me, love; but you come even
+before the children."
+
+He felt touched as she said this, and glancing at her, said to himself
+that he was indeed in luck to have secured so priceless a woman as his
+wife.
+
+"We have had happy times together, Cyril," she said, returning his
+glance.
+
+"Yes, Sylvia," he answered, and once again he thought of Merry's
+face.
+
+"Nothing can alter that," she continued.
+
+"Nothing, my love," he said.
+
+Then he looked at her again, and saw that she was a little troubled
+about something; and, as was his custom, he determined to take the
+bull by the horns.
+
+"You have something on your mind, Sylvia. What is it?"
+
+"I have," she said at once; "and something of very great importance. I
+have a sort of fear that to talk of it with you may possibly trouble
+you a little. Shall we defer it, dear? The day is so peaceful, and we
+are so happy."
+
+"No, no," he replied at once. "We will take the opportunity of the
+children being perfectly happy at the rectory to discuss the thing
+that worries you. But what can it be?" he continued. "That is more
+than I can imagine. I have never seen you worried before."
+
+Again he thought of Merry, but it was impossible to connect his wife's
+trouble with his child's discontent.
+
+"Well, I will tell you just out, Cyril," said his wife. "I urge
+nothing, but I feel bound to make a suggestion. I know your views with
+regard to the girls."
+
+"My views, dear! What do you mean?"
+
+"With regard to their education, Cyril."
+
+"Yes, yes, Sylvia; we have done our very best. Have you any reason to
+find fault with Miss Beverley or with Vaughan or Bennett?"
+
+"Unfortunately," said Mrs. Cardew, "Miss Beverley, who, you know, is
+an admirable governess, and whom we can most thoroughly trust, wrote
+to me yesterday morning saying that she was obliged to resign her post
+as daily governess to our girls. She finds the distance from Warwick
+too far; in fact, she has her physician's orders to take work nearer
+home. She regrets it immensely, but feels that she has no
+alternative."
+
+"Provoking!" said Mr. Cardew; "but really, Sylvia, I wouldn't allow it
+to upset me if I were you. Surely there are plenty of other Miss
+Beverleys in the world; and"--again he thought of Merry--"we might
+perhaps find some one a little less old-fashioned."
+
+"I am afraid, dear, that is impossible, for you will not allow a
+resident governess in the house."
+
+"I will not," said Mr. Cardew with decision. "Such an arrangement
+would break in on our family life. You know my views."
+
+"Yes, dear; and I must say I approve of them."
+
+"You must find some one else in Warwick who is not too tired to take
+the train journey. Doubtless it would be quite easy," said Mr.
+Cardew.
+
+"I went to Warwick this morning in order to make inquiries," said Mrs.
+Cardew in her gentle voice, "and I grieve to say there is no one who
+can in the least take the post which dear Miss Beverley has so
+worthily filled. But I have further bad news to give you. Mr. Bennett
+is leaving Warwick for a better post in London, and we shall be at our
+wits' end to get the girls good music-lessons for next term."
+
+"How provoking! how annoying!" said Mr. Cardew, and his irritation was
+plainly shown in his face. "It does seem hard," he said after a
+moment's pause, "that we, with all our wealth, should be unable to
+give our girls the thorough education they require."
+
+"The fact is this, dear," said Mrs. Cardew, "and I must speak out
+plainly even at the risk of displeasing you--Cicely and Merry are
+exceedingly clever girls, but at the present moment they are very far
+behind other girls of their age. Their knowledge of foreign languages
+is most deficient. I have no doubt Miss Beverley has grounded them
+well in English subjects; but as to accomplishments, they are not
+getting the advantages their rank in life and their talent demand.
+Dear Cyril, we ought to forget ourselves and our interests for the
+children."
+
+"What has put all this into your head?" said Mr. Cardew. "As, for
+instance--" He paused. "It seemed impossible----"
+
+"What, dear?" asked his wife very earnestly.
+
+"Well, I may as well say it. Has Merry been talking to you?"
+
+"Our little Merry!" said Mrs. Cardew in astonishment. "Of course not.
+What in the world do you mean?"
+
+"I will not explain just at present, dear. You have some idea in your
+head, or you wouldn't speak to me as you do."
+
+"Well, the fact is, when my cousin, Lucia Lysle, was here yesterday
+she spoke very strongly to me on the subject of the girls' education,
+and urged me to do what I knew you would never for a moment consent
+to."
+
+"And what is that?" asked Mr. Gardew. "I seem to be an awful bugbear
+in this business."
+
+"No, dear, no. I quite understand your scruples, and--and--respect
+them. But Lucia naturally wanted us to seize the opportunity of two
+vacancies at Aylmer House, Mrs. Ward's school."
+
+"I shall soon begin to hate the name of Mrs. Ward," said Cardew with
+some asperity.
+
+"My cousin spoke most highly of the school," continued Mrs. Cardew.
+"She said that two years there, or perhaps a little longer, would give
+the girls that knowledge of life which will be all-essential to them
+in the future."
+
+"Home education is best; I know it is best," said Mr. Cardew. "I hate
+girls' schools."
+
+"I gave her to understand, dear, that those were your views; but I
+have something else to tell you. You know how attached we both are to
+the dear Tristrams."
+
+"Of course, of course," said Mr. Cardew with impatience.
+
+"Well, at supper yesterday evening Mr. Tristram began to talk to me on
+the very same subject as my cousin, Lady Lysle, had spoken of earlier
+in the day."
+
+"Very interfering of Tristram," replied Mr. Cardew.
+
+"He didn't mean it in that way, I assure you, my love; nothing could
+be nicer than the way he spoke. I was telling him--for I had not
+mentioned the fact to you, and it was troubling me a little--about
+Miss Beverley and Mr. Bennett, and asking his advice, as I often do.
+He immediately urged Aylmer House as the best possible substitute for
+Miss Beverley and Mr. Bennett. I repeated almost the same words I had
+used to Lucia Lysle--namely, that you were dead-set against girls'
+schools."
+
+"That was scarcely polite, my love, seeing that he sends his own
+daughters to school."
+
+"Well, yes," said Mrs. Cardew; "but of course their circumstances are
+very different."
+
+"I would be sorry if he should feel that difference, Sylvia. Tristram
+is a most excellent fellow."
+
+"He is--indeed he is!" said Mrs. Cardew. "Feeling for him, therefore,
+as you do, dear, you may perhaps be more inclined to listen to an
+alternative which he proposed to me."
+
+"And what is that, my dear?"
+
+"Well, he thinks we might occupy our house in London during the school
+terms of each year----"
+
+"During the school terms of each year!" echoed Mr. Cardew in a voice
+of dismay. "But I hate living in London."
+
+"Yes, dearest; but you see we must think of our girls. If you and I
+took the children to town they could have governesses and masters--the
+very best--and would thus be sufficiently educated to take their place
+in society."
+
+Mr. Cardew was quite silent for a full minute after his wife had made
+this suggestion. To tell the truth, she had done a somewhat
+extraordinary thing. Amongst this great lady's many rich possessions
+was a splendid mansion in Grosvenor Street; but, as she hated what is
+called London society, it had long been let to different tenants, for
+nothing would induce the Cardews to leave their delightful home, with
+its fresh air and country pursuits, for the dingy old house in town.
+They knew that when the girls came out--a far-distant date as
+yet--they would have to occupy the house in Grosvenor Street for the
+season; but Mrs. Cardew's suggestion that they should go there almost
+immediately for the sake of their daughters' education was more
+annoying to her husband than he could possibly endure.
+
+"I consider the rector very officious," he said. "Nothing would induce
+me to live in town."
+
+"I thought you would feel like that, dear. I was certain of it."
+
+"You surely would not wish it yourself, Sylvia?"
+
+"I should detest it beyond words," she replied.
+
+"Besides, the house is occupied," said Mr. Cardew, catching at any
+excuse not to carry out this abominable plan, as he termed it.
+
+"Well, dear, at the present moment it is not. I had a letter a week
+ago from our agent to ask if he should relet it for the winter and
+next season, and I have not yet replied to him."
+
+"Nonsense, nonsense, Sylvia! We cannot go to live there."
+
+"I don't wish it, my love."
+
+The pair sat quite silent after Mrs. Cardew had made this last
+remark.
+
+After a time her husband said, "We're really placed in a very cruel
+dilemma; but doubtless there are schools and schools. Now, I feel that
+the time has arrived when I ought to tell you about Merry."
+
+"What about the dear child?" asked her mother. "Isn't she well?"
+
+"Absolutely and perfectly well, but our dear little girl is consumed
+by the fever of discontent."
+
+"My dear, you must be mistaken."
+
+"I am not. Listen, and I will tell you what has happened."
+
+Mr. Cardew then related his brief interview with Merry, and Merry's
+passionate desire to go to Aylmer House.
+
+"And what did you say to her, love?" asked his wife.
+
+"I told her it was impossible, of course."
+
+"But it really isn't, dear, you know," said Mrs. Cardew in a low tone;
+"and as you cannot make up your mind to live in London, those two
+vacancies at Aylmer House seem providential."
+
+At these words Mr. Cardew sprang to his feet. "Nothing will ever shake
+my opinion with regard to school-life," he said.
+
+"And yet the life in town----"
+
+"That is impossible. Look me straight in the face, Sylvia. If by any
+chance--don't, please, imagine that I'm giving way--but if, by any
+possible chance, I were to yield, could you, my darling, live without
+your girls?"
+
+"With you--I could," she answered, and she held out her hand to him,
+which he raised to his lips and kissed.
+
+"Well, I am upset," he said. "If only Miss Beverley and Bennett were
+not so silly, we should not be in this awkward fix. I'll go for a
+ride, if you don't mind, Sylvia, and be back with you in an hour's
+time."
+
+During that ride Mr. Cardew felt as a strong man does when his most
+cherished wishes are opposed, and when circumstance, with its
+overpowering weight, bears down every objection. Beyond doubt the
+girls must be educated. Beyond doubt the scheme of living in London
+could not be entertained. Country life was essential. Meredith Manor
+must not be deserted for the greater part of the year. He might visit
+the girls whenever he went to London; but, after all, he was now more
+or less a sleeping partner in his great firm. There was no necessity
+for him to go to London more than four or five times a year. Oh!
+school was hateful, but little Merry had longed for it. How
+troublesome education was! Surely the girls knew enough.
+
+He was riding home, his thoughts still in a most perturbed condition,
+when he suddenly drew up just in front of a little figure who stood by
+the roadside, attired as a gipsy, with a scarlet bandana handkerchief
+twisted round her head, a short skirt reaching not quite to her ankles
+made also of scarlet, and a little gay blue shawl across her
+shoulders. She was carrying a tambourine in one hand and in the other
+a great bunch of many-colored ribbons.
+
+This little, unexpected figure was seen close to the rectory grounds,
+and Mr. Cardew was so startled by it, and so also was his horse, that
+he drew up abruptly and looked imperiously at the small suppliant for
+his favor.
+
+"If you please, sir," said Maggie Howland, speaking in her most
+enticing voice, and knowing well that her dress magnified her charms,
+"will you, kind sir, allow me to cross your hand with silver and let
+me tell your fortune?"
+
+Mr. Cardew now burst into a merry laugh.
+
+"Why, Miss Howland," he said, "I beg your pardon; I did not recognize
+you."
+
+Maggie dropped a low curtsy. "I'm the gipsy girl Caranina, and I
+should like to tell your fortune, kind and generous sir."
+
+Just then the pretty face of Cicely was seen peeping over the rectory
+grounds. She was dressed as a flower-girl, and looked more lovely than
+he had ever seen her before.
+
+"Why, dad, dad," she cried, "oh! you must come in and join our fun.
+Mustn't he, Maggie?"
+
+"I am Caranina, the gipsy girl," said Maggie, dropping another low
+curtsy, and holding her little tambourine in the most beseeching
+attitude; "and you are Flora, queen of the flowers."
+
+"Well, really, this is entertaining," said Mr. Cardew. "What queer
+little minxes you all are! And may I really come in and see the fun?"
+
+"Indeed you may, dad," said the flower-girl. "Oh, and please we want
+you to look at Merry. Merry's a fairy, with wings. We're going to have
+what we call an evening revel presently, and we are all in our dress
+for the occasion. But Maggie--I mean Caranina--is telling our
+fortunes--that is, until the real fun begins."
+
+"Do please come in, Mr. Cardew. This is the height of good luck," said
+Mrs. Tristram, coming forward herself at this moment. "Won't you join
+my husband and me under the shadow of the tent yonder? The young
+people are having such a good time."
+
+"I will come for a minute or two," said Cardew, dismounting as he
+spoke. "Can some one hold Hector for me?"
+
+David was quickly summoned, and Mr. Cardew walked across the hay-field
+to where the hastily improvised tent was placed.
+
+"No one can enter here who doesn't submit to the will of the gipsy,"
+remarked Caranina in her clear and beautiful voice. "This is my tent,
+and I tell the fortunes of all those kind ladies and gentlemen who
+will permit me to do so."
+
+"Then you shall tell mine, with pleasure, little maid," said Mr.
+Cardew, who felt wonderfully cheered and entertained at this _al
+fresco_ amusement.
+
+Quick as thought Maggie had been presented with a silver coin. With
+this she crossed the good gentleman's palm, and murmured a few words
+with regard to his future. There was nothing whatever remarkable in
+her utterance, for Maggie knew nothing of palmistry, and was only a
+very pretense gipsy fortune-teller. But she was quick--quicker than
+most--in reading character; and as she glanced now into Mr. Cardew's
+face an inspiration seized her.
+
+"He is troubled about something," thought the girl. "It's the thin end
+of the wedge; I'll push it in a little farther."
+
+Her voice dropped to a low tone. "I see in your hand, kind sir," she
+said, "all happiness, long life, and prosperity; but I also see a
+little cross, just here--" she pointed with her pretty finger--"and it
+means self-sacrifice for the sake of a great and lasting good. Kind
+sir, I have nothing more to add."
+
+Mr. Cardew left the tent and sat down beside the rector and his wife.
+Maggie's words were really unimportant. As one after the other the
+merry group of actors went to have their fortunes told he paid no
+attention whatever to them. Gipsy fortune-tellers always mixed a
+little sorrow with their joyful tidings. It was a bewitching little
+gipsy after all. He could not quite make out her undefined charm, but
+he was interested in her; and after a time, when the fortune-telling
+had come to an end and Maggie was about to change her dress for what
+they called the evening revels, he crossed the field and stood near
+her.
+
+"So you, Miss Howland, have been telling my daughter Merry a good many
+things with regard to your new school?"
+
+She raised her queer, bright eyes, and looked him full in the face. "I
+have told Merry a few things," she said; "but, most of all, I have
+assured her that Aylmer House is the happiest place in the world."
+
+"Happier than home? Should you say it was happier than home, Miss
+Howland?"
+
+"Happier than my home," said Maggie with a little sigh, very gentle
+and almost imperceptible, in her voice. "Oh, I love it!" she continued
+with enthusiasm; "for it helps--I mean, the life there helps--to make
+one good."
+
+Mr. Cardew said nothing more. After a time he bade his friends good-by
+and returned to Meredith Manor. In course of time the little
+pony-carriage was sent down to the rectory for the Cardew girls, who
+went back greatly elated.
+
+How delightful their evening had been, and what a marvelous girl
+Maggie Howland was.'
+
+"Why, she even manages to subdue and to rule those really tiresome
+boys," said Cicely.
+
+"Yes," remarked Merry, "she is like no one else."
+
+"You have quite fallen in love with her, haven't you, Merry?"
+
+"Well, perhaps I have a little bit," said Merry. She looked
+thoughtful. She longed to say to Cicely, "How I wish beyond all things
+on earth that I were going to the same school!" But a certain fidelity
+to her father kept her silent.
+
+She was startled, therefore, when Cicely herself, who was always
+supposed to be much calmer than Merry, and less vehement in her
+desires, clasped her sister's hand and said with emphasis, "I don't
+know, after all, if it is good for us to see too much of Maggie
+Howland."
+
+"Why, Cissie? What do you mean?"
+
+"I mean this," said Cicely: "she makes me--yes, I will say
+it--discontented."
+
+"And me too," said Merry, uttering the words with an emphasis which
+astonished herself.
+
+"We have talked of school over and over again," said Cicely, "with
+Molly and Belle; but notwithstanding their glowing accounts we have
+been quite satisfied with Miss Beverley, and dear, gray-haired Mr.
+Bennett, and Mr. Vaughan; but now I for one, don't feel satisfied any
+longer." "Nor do I," said Merry.
+
+"Oh Merry!"
+
+"It is true," said Merry. "I want to go to Aylmer House."
+
+"And I am almost mad to go there," said Cicely.
+
+"I'll tell you something, Cissie. I spoke to father about it to-day."
+
+"Merry! you didn't dare?"
+
+"Well, I just did. I couldn't help myself. It is hateful to be
+under-educated, and you know we shall never be like other girls if we
+don't see something of the world."
+
+"He didn't by any chance agree with you?" said Cicely.
+
+"Not a bit of it," said Merry. "We must bear with our present life,
+only perhaps we oughtn't to see too much of Maggie Howland."
+
+"Well," said Cicely, "I've something to tell you, Merry."
+
+"What's that?"
+
+"You don't know just at present why mother and I went to Warwick this
+morning?"
+
+"No," said Merry, who was rather uninterested. "I had a very good time
+with Maggie, and didn't miss you too dreadfully."
+
+"Well, you will be interested to know why we did go, all the same,"
+said Cicely. "It's because Miss Beverley is knocked up and can't teach
+us any more, and Mr. Bennett is going to London. Mother can't hear of
+anyone to take Miss Beverley's place, or of any music-teacher equal to
+Mr. Bennett; so, somehow or other, I feel that there are changes in
+the air. Oh Merry, Merry! suppose----"
+
+"There's no use in it," said Merry. "Father will never change. We'll
+get some other dreadfully dull daily governess, and some other
+fearfully depressing music-master, and we'll never be like Molly and
+Belle and Maggie and our cousin Aneta. It does seem hard."
+
+"We must try not to be discontented," said Cicely.
+
+"Then we had best not ask Maggie here too often," replied Merry.
+
+"Oh, but they're all coming up to-morrow morning, for I have asked
+them," said Cicely.
+
+"Dear, dear!" replied Merry.
+
+"We may as well have what fun we can," remarked Cicely, "for you know
+we shall be going to the seaside in ten days."
+
+
+
+
+CHAPTER VIII.
+
+MRS. WARD'S SCHOOL.
+
+
+It is to be regretted that Mr. Cardew spent a restless night. Mrs.
+Cardew, on the contrary, slept with the utmost peace. She trusted so
+absolutely in her husband's judgment and in in his power to do the
+very best he could on all possible occasions for her and hers that she
+was never deeply troubled about anything. Her dear husband must not be
+forced to live in London if he did not like to do so, and some
+arrangement must be made for the girls' home education if he could not
+see his way to sending them to school.
+
+Great, therefore, was her astonishment on the following morning when
+he came hastily into her room.
+
+"My dear," he said, "I am off to London for the day."
+
+"What for?" she asked.
+
+"I will tell you, darling, when I return to-night."
+
+"Cyril, may I not come with you?"
+
+"I think not, my love. Make all the young people as happy as you can.
+I'm just off to the station, in the motor-car."
+
+Mr. Cardew left his wife's room. The girls were told at breakfast that
+their father had gone to London; but as this frequently happened, and
+was invariably connected with that business which they knew nothing
+whatever about, they were not keenly interested. As a matter of fact,
+they were much more absorbed in getting things ready for the
+entertainment of their friends; and in this Mrs. Cardew very heartily
+joined them. She proposed that during Maggie Howland's visit the five
+girls should have as happy a time together as possible; and as the
+weather was perfect the invariable picnics and gipsy teas were
+arranged for their benefit.
+
+"You can all make yourselves happy here to-day, my darlings," said
+Mrs. Cardew, addressing Cicely and Merry. "To-morrow, when your father
+is here, the Tristrams, he and I, and you girls will have a very
+pleasant picnic to the Aldersleigh woods. We will arrange it to-day,
+for there is nothing your father enjoys more than a whole, long, happy
+day in the open air. I will speak to Mrs. Fairlight, and tell her to
+have all things in readiness for our picnic."
+
+"Oh mummy, how good! how good!" said Merry, clasping her mother's
+hand. Then she added, "Mummy, is it true that Miss Beverley is never
+going to teach us any more?"
+
+"I am afraid it is only too true, Merry; but this is holiday-time,
+darling; we needn't talk of your education just at present."
+
+"Only, we must be educated--mustn't we, mother?"
+
+"Of course, dearest. Your father will see to that."
+
+Merry ran off to join her sister, and it is not too much to say that
+the whole of that glorious day was one of unalloyed pleasure. The
+Tristram girls were always delightful to the Cardew girls, but now
+that they were accompanied by Maggie Howland there was a great
+addition to their charm. Nevertheless, Maggie, with her purpose full
+in view, with her heart beating a little more quickly than usual when
+she heard that Mr. Cardew had gone to London, religiously avoided the
+subject of the life at Aylmer House. She felt, somehow, that she had
+done her part. A great deal of her own future depended on these two
+girls coming to Aylmer House. She would make use of them--large use of
+them--at school. She was fond of Molly and Belle; but they were poor.
+Maggie herself was poor. She wanted to have rich friends. The Cardews
+were rich. By their means she would defeat her enemy, Aneta Lysle, and
+establish herself not only in the school but with regard to her future
+life. Maggie felt that she could make herself indispensable to Cicely
+and Merry. Oh yes, they would certainly go to Aylmer House in
+September. She need not worry herself any further, therefore, with
+regard to that matter. Little would they guess how much she had really
+done toward this desirable goal, and how fortunate circumstances had
+been in aiding her to the accomplishment of her desire. It was enough
+for Maggie that they were certainly going. She could, therefore, give
+herself up to enjoyment.
+
+With Maggie Howland enjoyment meant a very different thing from what
+it does to the average English girl. She enjoyed herself with all her
+heart and soul, without one single reservation. To see her face at
+such moments was to behold pure sunshine; to hear her voice was to
+listen to the very essence of laughter and happiness. She had a
+marvelous power of telling stories, and when she was happy she told
+them with such verve that all people within earshot hung on her words.
+Then she could improvise, and dance, and take off almost any
+character; in short, she was the life of every party who admitted her
+within their circle.
+
+Meanwhile a rather tired and rather sad man found himself, very much
+against his will, in London. He said to himself, "This wonderful Mrs.
+Ward will not be at Aylmer House now. These are the holidays, and she
+will be probably miles away. I will go to see her. Yes, but she won't
+be in; that alone will clinch the matter. But first I will pay a visit
+to Lucia Lysle; she said she would be in London--she told my dear wife
+so. But Lucia is so erratic, it is most improbable that she either
+will be at home."
+
+Mr. Cardew drove first of all to Lady Lysle's house in Hans Place. He
+asked if she was within, and, very much to his annoyance, the servant
+replied in the affirmative. He entered Lady Lysle's drawing-room
+feeling rather silly. The first person he saw there was a tall, slim,
+lovely girl, whom he did not recognize at first, but who knew him and
+ran up to him and introduced herself as Aneta.
+
+"Why, my dear," he said, "how are you? How you have grown!"
+
+"How is dear Cousin Sylvia, and how are Cicely and Merry?" asked
+Aneta. "Oh, I am very well indeed, Mr. Cardew; I don't suppose anybody
+could be anything but well who was lucky enough to be at Aylmer
+House."
+
+"Mrs. Ward's school?" said Mr. Cardew, feeling rather shy and almost
+self-conscious.
+
+"Of course. Don't you know Mrs. Ward, Mr. Cardew?"
+
+"No, my dear, I don't."
+
+"It's the most marvelous school in the world," said Aneta with
+enthusiasm. "I do wish you would send Cicely and Merry there. They
+would have a good time."
+
+"Is your aunt in?" said Mr. Cardew, a little restlessly.
+
+"Oh yes; she'll be down in a minute."
+
+Lady Lysle now hurried into the room.
+
+"How do you do, Cyril?" she said. "I didn't expect to find you in town
+just now. Is there anything I can do for you?"
+
+"I am rather anxious to have a chat with you," replied Mr. Cardew.
+
+"Aneta darling, you had better leave us," said her aunt.
+
+The girl went off with a light laugh. "Auntie," she said, "I've just
+been telling Mr. Cardew that he ought to send Cicely and Merry to
+Aylmer House." She closed the door as she made this parting shot.
+
+"As a matter of fact, I agree with Aneta," said Lady Lysle. "A couple
+of years at that splendid school would do the girls no end of good."
+
+Mr. Cardew was silent for a minute. "I may as well confess something
+to you, Lucia," he said then.
+
+"What is it, Cyril?"
+
+"I have by no means made up my mind; but we are very much annoyed at
+the illness of our daily governess Miss Beverley, and at the girls'
+music-master Mr. Bennett removing to London. So I just thought I would
+ask you a question or two about this wonderful Mrs. Ward. I don't
+suppose for a single moment I should dream of sending the children
+there; and, besides, she is not in London now, is she?"
+
+"Yes, she is," replied Lady Lysle. Mr. Cardew felt at that moment that
+he hated Mrs. Ward. "She came to see me only last evening. She is
+leaving town to-morrow; but if by any chance you would like to go and
+see her, and thus judge of the school for yourself--it would commit
+you to nothing, of course--she will, I know, be at home all this
+morning."
+
+"Dear, dear!" said Mr. Cardew. "How very provoking!"
+
+"What do you mean, Cyril?"
+
+"Nothing, nothing, of course, Lucia. But if, as you say, the school is
+so popular, there will be no vacancies, for I think some one told me
+that Mrs. Ward only took a limited number of pupils."
+
+"There are two vacancies at the present moment," said Lady Lysle in
+her calm voice, "although they are likely to be filled up immediately,
+for Mrs. Ward has had many applications; but then she is exceedingly
+particular, and will only take girls of high birth and of very
+distinguished character."
+
+"Doubtless she has filled up the vacancies by this morning," said Mr.
+Cardew, rising with some alacrity. "Well, thank you, Lucia. As I am in
+town--came up on business you know--I may as well just have a look at
+Aylmer House and Mrs. Ward. It will satisfy my dear wife."
+
+"Why, surely you don't for a minute really intend to send the girls
+there?" said Lady Lysle with a superior smile.
+
+"I cannot tell what I may do. When a man is distracted, and when a
+valuable daily governess breaks down, and--and--don't question me too
+closely, Lucia, and keep our little interview to yourself. As I have
+just said, nothing will probably come of this; but I will go and see
+the lady just to satisfy myself."
+
+"Aneta will be delighted if you do send the girls to Aylmer House,"
+was Lady Lysle's last word.
+
+She laughed as she spoke, and Mr. Cardew found himself turning rather
+red. He left her, called a hansom, and got into it.
+
+"Of course the vacancies will be filled up," he said to himself as he
+was driving in the direction of South Kensington. He further thought,
+"Although that good Mrs. Ward is remaining for such an unconscionable
+time in town, she will very probably be out this morning. If she is
+out that puts an end to everything; but even if she is in, she must
+ave filled up her vacancies. Then I shall be able to return to the
+Manor with a quiet mind. I'll have done my best, and the thing will be
+taken out of my hands. Dear little Merry! I didn't like that
+discontent on her sweet face. Ah, well, she can't guess what school is
+like. It's not home; but I suppose the educational advantages would be
+greater, and a man must sacrifice himself for his children. Odd what
+that queer little Miss Howland told me last night: that I was
+approaching a deed of self-sacrifice. She's a queer girl, but quite
+nice; and Aneta is a charming creature. I could never desire even one
+of my own precious girls to look nicer than Aneta does. Well, here I
+am. Now, then, what will Fate decide?"
+
+Mr. Cardew sprang from the hansom, desired the man to wait, ran up
+some low steps, and rang the bell at the front door of a stately
+mansion.
+
+A smiling, very bright-looking maid-servant opened it for him.
+
+"Is Mrs. Ward, within?" questioned Cardew.
+
+"Yes, sir."
+
+"Good heavens!" murmured Cardew under his breath.
+
+"Is she disengaged, and can she give me a few moments of her time?"
+continued the much-disappointed gentleman.
+
+"Certainly, sir. Will you come into the drawing-room? What name shall
+I say?"
+
+Cardew produced one of his cards.
+
+"Have the goodness to tell your mistress that if she is particularly
+engaged I can "--he hesitated--"call another time."
+
+"I will tell her, sir; but Mrs. Ward is not particularly engaged. She
+will see you, I am sure, directly."
+
+The girl withdrew, and Cardew sank into a low chair.
+
+He had to wait a few minutes, and during that time had abundant
+leisure to look round the beautiful room in which he found himself. It
+was so furnished as to resemble a fresh country room. The wall-paper
+was white; the pictures were all water-colors, all original, and all
+the works of well-known artists. They mostly represented country
+scenes, but there were a few admirable portraits of charming girls
+just in the heyday of youth and happiness. The floor was of polished
+oak and had a large pale-blue drugget in the center, which could be
+rolled up at any moment if an impromptu dance was desirable. The large
+windows had boxes of flowers outside, which were fresh and well kept,
+and had evidently been recently watered, for some sparkling drops
+which looked almost like summer rain still glistened on them. The room
+itself was also decked with flowers in every available corner, and all
+these flowers were fresh and beautifully arranged. They were country
+flowers--and of course roses, roses everywhere. There were also great
+bowls of mignonette and large glass vases filled with sweet peas.
+
+The air of the room was fresh and full of delicate perfume. Mr. Cardew
+had to admit to himself that this was a room in which the most refined
+young ladies in the world might sit with pleasure and profit. There
+was a shelf for books running round the dado, and the books therein
+were good of their kind and richly and handsomely bound. There were no
+small tables anywhere. Mr. Cardew was glad of that--he detested small
+tables; but there was a harp standing close to the magnificent grand
+piano, and several music stands, and a violin case on a chair near
+by.
+
+The furniture of the room was covered with a cool, fresh chintz. In
+short, it was a charming room, quite different from the rooms at
+Meredith Manor, which, of course, were old and magnificent and
+stately; but it had a refreshing, wholesome look about it which, in
+spite of himself, Mr. Cardew appreciated.
+
+He had just taken in the room and its belongings when the door was
+opened and a lady of about thirty-five years of age entered. She was
+dressed very simply in a long dress made in a sort of Empire fashion.
+The color was pale blue, which suited her calm, fair face, her large,
+hazel-brown eyes, and her rich chestnut hair to perfection. She came
+forward swiftly.
+
+"I am Mrs. Ward," she said, and held out her hand.
+
+Mr. Cardew considered himself a connoisseur as regards all women, and
+he was immediately impressed by a certain quality in that face: a
+mingling of sweetness and power, of extreme gentleness and extreme
+determination. There was a lofty expression in the eyes, too, and
+round the mouth, which further appealed to him; and the hands of the
+lady were perfect--they were white, somewhat long, with tapering
+fingers and well-kept nails. There was one signet ring on the left
+hand, worn as a guard to the wedding-ring--that was all.
+
+Mr. Cardew was a keen observer, and he noted these things at a
+glance.
+
+"I have come to talk to you, Mrs. Ward," he said; "and, if you will
+forgive me, I should like to be quite frank with you."
+
+"There is nothing I desire better," said Mrs. Ward in her exceedingly
+high-bred and sympathetic voice.
+
+That voice reminded Cardew of Maggie Howland, and yet he felt at once
+that it was infinitely superior to hers.
+
+"Sit down, won't you, Mr. Cardew?" said Mrs. Ward, and she set him the
+example by seating herself in a low chair as she spoke.
+
+"I hope I am not taking up too much of your time," he said; "for, if
+so, as I said to your servant, I can call again."
+
+"By no means," said Mrs. Ward; "I have nothing whatever to do this
+morning. I am, therefore, quite at your service. You will tell me what
+you wish?" she said in that magnetic voice of hers.
+
+"The fact is simply this," he said. "My friend Tristram, who is rector
+of Meredith, in Warwickshire, is sending his two daughters to your
+school."
+
+"Yes," said Mrs. Ward gently. "Molly and Isabel are coming to me next
+term."
+
+"I am Tristram's near neighbor," said Mr. Cardew, "I live at Meredith
+Manor. At the present moment the Tristram girls have another pupil of
+yours staying with them--Miss Howland."
+
+"Yes," said Mrs. Ward very quietly.
+
+"Lady Lysle's niece Aneta is also one of your pupils."
+
+"That is true, Mr. Cardew."
+
+"Lady Lysle is my wife's cousin."
+
+Mrs. Ward bowed very slightly.
+
+"I will come to the point now, Mrs. Ward. I am the father of two
+little girls. They are of the same age as Molly and Isabel Tristram;
+that is, they are both just sixteen. They are twins. They are my only
+children. Some day they will be rich, for we have no son, and they
+will inherit considerable property." Mrs. Ward looked scarcely
+interested at this. "Hitherto," continued Mr. Cardew, "I have stoutly
+opposed school-life for my children, and in consequence they have been
+brought up at home, and have had the best advantages that could be
+obtained for them in a country life. Things went apparently all right
+until two or three days ago, when I discovered that my girl--her name
+is Meredith; we call her Merry for short--was exceedingly anxious to
+change her home-life for school-life. At the same time, our excellent
+daily governess and the music-master who taught the children have been
+obliged to discontinue their work. The girls are at an age when
+education is essential; and, although I _hate_ schools, I have come
+here to talk over the possibility of your receiving them."
+
+"Had you delayed coming to me, Mr. Cardew, until this evening I should
+have had no vacancy, for at the present moment I have twelve
+applications for the two vacancies which are to be filled at Aylmer
+House. But do you really wish me to consider the proposal of taking
+your girls when you hate school-life for young ladies?"
+
+Mr. Cardew could not help smiling. "Then you are not anxious to have
+them?"
+
+"Certainly not, unless you yourself and Mrs. Cardew most earnestly
+desire to send them to me. Suppose, before we go any further, that I
+take you over the house."
+
+"Thank you," said Mr. Cardew in a tone of relief.
+
+Mrs. Ward rose immediately, and for the next hour the head-mistress
+and the owner of Meredith Manor went from one dainty room to another.
+They visited the gymnasium; they entered the studio. All the different
+properties of the music-room were explained to the interested visitor.
+The excellent playground was also inspected.
+
+By-and-by, when Mr. Cardew returned to the drawing-room, Mrs. Ward
+said, "My number of pupils is limited. You have seen for yourself that
+sisters are provided with a room together, and that girls who are not
+related have rooms to themselves. The house is well warmed in winter,
+and at all seasons of the year I keep it bright and cheerful with
+flowers and everything that a judicious expenditure of money can
+secure. I have my own special plan for educating my girls. I believe
+in personal influence. In short, Mr. Cardew, I am not at all ashamed
+to tell you that I believe in my own influence. I have never yet met a
+girl whom I could not influence."
+
+"If by any chance my Cicely and Merry come to you," said Mr. Cardew,
+"you will find them--I may at least say it--perfect ladies in word and
+thought and deed."
+
+Mrs. Ward bowed. "I could receive no others within this
+establishment," she said. "If," continued Mrs. Ward, "you decide
+to entrust your daughters to me, I will leave no stone unturned to
+do my best for them, to educate them in a three-fold capacity:
+to induce their minds to work as God meant them to work--without
+overtoil, without undue haste, and yet with intelligence and
+activity; to give them such exercises as will promote health to
+their bodies; and to teach them, above all things, to live for
+others, not for themselves. Please, Mr. Cardew, give me no answer
+now, but think it over. The vacancies at Aylmer House will
+remain at your disposal until four o'clock this afternoon. Will
+you send me before that hour a telegram saying 'Yes' or 'No'?"
+
+"I thank you," said Mr. Cardew. He wrung Mrs. Ward's hand and left the
+house.
+
+The hall was as spacious and nearly as beautiful as the drawing-room,
+and the pretty, bright parlor-maid smiled at the gentleman as he went
+out. Mrs. Ward remained for a time alone after her visitor had left.
+
+"I should like to have those girls," she said to herself. "Any girls
+related to such a splendid, lofty character as Aneta could not but be
+welcome to me. Their poor father, he will feel parting with them; but
+I have no doubt that I shall receive them next September at this
+house."
+
+The thought had scarcely passed through her mind before there came a
+brisk ring at the front door, and Lady Lysle and Aneta were
+announced.
+
+"Oh, dear Mrs. Ward!" said Lady Lysle, speaking in her quick,
+impulsive manner, "have you seen my dear friend and cousin, Mr.
+Cardew?"
+
+"And are the girls coming to the school?" asked Aneta.
+
+"I have seen Mr. Cardew," said Mrs. Ward. "He is a very charming man.
+He will decide whether he will send his daughters here or not during
+the course of to-day."
+
+"But," said Lady Lysle, "didn't you urge him?"
+
+"No, dear friend; I never urge any one to put a girl in my care. I
+should feel myself very wrong in doing so. If Mr. Cardew thinks well
+of what he has seen here he may send his daughters to me, but I
+certainly did nothing to urge him."
+
+"Oh dear!" said Aneta, "I should so like them to come. You can't
+think, Mrs. Ward, what nice people the Cardews are; and the
+girls--they do want school-life. Don't they, auntie darling?"
+
+"Such a school as this would do them a world of good," said Lady
+Lysle.
+
+"Well, I really hope they will come," said Mrs. Ward; "but I quite
+understand their father's objections. They are evidently very precious
+treasures, and he has the sort of objection which exists in the minds
+of many country gentlemen to sending his girls to school."
+
+"Ah," said Aneta, "but there are schools and schools!"
+
+"The girls will be exceedingly rich," said Lady Lysle. "Their mother
+was a Meredith and belonged to an old county family. She inherits vast
+wealth _and_ the old family place. Their father is what may be termed
+a merchant-prince. By-and-by all the money of the parents will go to
+these girls. They are very nice children, but know nothing whatever of
+the world. It seems to me a cruel thing that they should be brought up
+with no knowledge of the great world where they must eventually
+live."
+
+"I hope they will come here," said Mrs. Ward. "Great wealth means
+great responsibility. They can make magnificent use of their money. I
+should be interested to have them."
+
+"I know you would, my dear friend," said Lady Lysle, "and they are
+really quite sweet girls. Now, come, Aneta; we must not keep Mrs. Ward
+any longer."
+
+When her visitors had left her Mrs. Ward still remained in the
+pleasant drawing-room. She sank into a low chair, folded her hands in
+her lap, and remained very still. Although she was only thirty-five
+years of age, she had been a widow for over ten years. She had married
+when quite a young girl, and had lost her husband and child before she
+was five-and-twenty. It was in her generous and noble nature to love
+most passionately and all too well. For a time after her terrible
+trouble she scarcely know how to bear her grief. Then she took it to
+the one place where such sorrow can be borne--namely, to the foot of
+the throne of God; and afterwards it occurred to her to devote her
+life to the education of others. She was quite well-off, and did not
+need to work for her living. But work, to a nature such as hers, was
+essential. She also needed the sympathy of others, and the love of
+others; and so, aided by her friends, her small but most select school
+in South Kensington was started.
+
+From the very first it was a success. It was unlike many other
+schools, for the head-mistress had broader and nobler views of life.
+She loved all her girls, and they all loved her; but it was impossible
+for her not to like some girls more than others, and of all the girls
+at present at her school Aneta Lysle was the one she really loved
+best. There was also, it is sad to relate, a girl there whom she did
+not love, and that girl was Maggie Howland. There was nothing whatever
+with regard to Maggie that her mistress could lay hold of. She was
+quite aware of the girl's fascination, and of her powerful influence
+over her schoolfellows. Nevertheless, she never thought of her without
+a sense of discomfort.
+
+Maggie was one of the girls who were educated at Aylmer House for a
+very low fee; for Mrs. Ward was quite rich enough and generous enough
+to take girls who could not afford her full terms for very much less.
+Maggie's fees, therefore, were almost nominal, and no one knew this
+fact better than Maggie herself and her mother, Mrs. Howland. None of
+her schoolfellows knew, for she learned just what they did, and had
+precisely the same advantages. She was treated just like the others.
+No one could guess that her circumstances were different. And
+certainly Maggie would never tell, but none the less did she in her
+heart hate her position.
+
+As a matter of fact, Molly and Isabel Tristram were also coming to the
+school on specially low terms; but no one would know this. Maggie,
+however, suspected it, and intended, if necessary, to make the fact an
+added power over her young friends when they all assembled at Aylmer
+House.
+
+"Yes," said Mrs. Ward, half-aloud, half to herself, "I don't quite
+trust Maggie Howland. But I cannot possibly dismiss her from the
+school. I may win her round to a loftier standard of life, but at
+present there is no doubt she has not that high ideal in view which I
+think my other girls aim at."
+
+Between three and four o'clock that day Mrs. Ward received a telegram
+from Mr. Cardew. It contained the following words:
+
+"After consideration, I have made up my mind to do myself the great
+honor of confiding my girls to your care. Their mother and I will
+write to you fully in a day or two."
+
+Mrs. Ward smiled when she received the telegram. "I will do my best
+for those children," she said to herself.
+
+
+
+
+CHAPTER IX.
+
+THE NEWS.
+
+
+Mr. Cardew arrived at Meredith Manor very late that evening. The long
+and happy day had come to an end. The Tristram girls and Maggie
+Howland had returned to the rectory. Cicely and Merry were having a
+long, confidential chat together. They were in Merry's bedroom. They
+had dismissed their maid. They were talking of the pleasures of the
+day, and in particular were discussing the delightful fact that their
+beautiful cousin Aneta had wired to say she would be with them in two
+days' time.
+
+They had not seen Aneta for some years, but they both remembered her
+vividly. Her memory shone out before them both as something specially
+dazzling and specially beautiful. Maggie Howland, too, had spoken of
+Aneta's beauty. Maggie had been told that Aneta was coming, and Maggie
+had expressed pleasure. Whatever Maggie's private feelings may have
+been, she was very careful now to express delight at Aneta's
+appearance at Meredith Manor.
+
+"What a darling she is!" said Merry. "I doubt very much--I suppose
+it's rank heresy to say so, Cicely, but I really greatly doubt whether
+I shall ever prefer Aneta to Maggie. What are mere looks, after all,
+when one possesses such charm as Maggie has? That seems to me a much
+greater gift."
+
+"We need not compare them, need we?" said Cicely.
+
+"Oh, certainly not," said Merry; "but, Cicely darling, doesn't it seem
+funny that such a lot of girls who are all to meet in September at
+Aylmer House should be practically staying with us at the present
+moment?"
+
+"Yes, indeed," said Cicely. "I feel almost as though I belonged to it,
+which of course is quite ridiculous, for we shall never by any chance
+go there."
+
+"Of course not," said Merry, and she sighed.
+
+After a time Cicely said, "I wonder what father went to town for
+to-day."
+
+"Well, we don't know, so where's the use of troubling?" said Merry.
+
+"I asked mother," said Cicely, "why he went to town, and she said she
+couldn't tell me; but she got rather red as she spoke."
+
+"Cicely," said Merry after a long pause, "when these glorious holidays
+come to an end, and the Aylmer House girls have gone to Aylmer House,
+what shall you and I do?"
+
+"Do," said Cicely--"do? I suppose what we've always done. A fresh
+governess will be found, and another music-master, and we'll work at
+our lessons and do the best we can."
+
+Merry gave a deep sigh.
+
+"We'll never talk French like Belle Tristram," she said, "and we'll
+never play so that any one will care to listen to us. We'll never,
+never know the world the way the others know it. There seems very
+little use in being rich when one can't get education."
+
+It was just at that moment that there came a light tap at the girls'
+door. Before they could reply, it was opened and Mrs. Cardew came in.
+She looked as though she had been crying; nevertheless, there was a
+joyful sort of triumph on her face. She said quickly, "I thought,
+somehow, you two naughty children would not be in bed, and I told
+father that I'd come up on the chance of finding you. Father has come
+back from London, and has something important to tell you. Will you
+come down with me at once?"
+
+"Oh mother! mother! what is it?" said Merry in a tone of excitement
+which was slightly mingled with awe.
+
+"Your father will tell you, my darling," said Mrs. Cardew.
+
+She put her arm round Merry's slight waist and held Cicely's hand, and
+they came down to the great drawing-room where Mr. Cardew was waiting
+for them.
+
+He was pacing slowly up and down the room, his hands folded behind his
+back. His face was slightly tired, and yet he too wore that odd
+expression of mingled triumph and pain which Mrs. Cardew's eyes
+expressed.
+
+When the mother and the girls entered the room he at once shut the
+door. Mr. Cardew looked first of all at Merry. He held out his hand to
+her. "Come to me, little girl," he said.
+
+She flew to him and put her arms round his neck. She kissed him
+several times. "Oh dad! dad!" she said, "I know I was downright horrid
+and unkind and perfectly dreadful yesterday, and I don't--no, I
+_don't_--want to leave you and mother. If I was discontented then, I
+am not now."
+
+Merry believed her own words at that moment, for the look on her
+father's face had struck to her very heart.
+
+He disengaged her pretty arms very gently, and, still holding her
+hand, went up to Cicely, who was clinging to her mother. "I have just
+got some news for you both," he said. "You know, of course, that Miss
+Beverley cannot teach you any longer?"
+
+"Poor old Beverley," said Cicely; "we are so sorry. But you'll find
+another good governess for us, won't you, dad?"
+
+"I am afraid I can't," said Mr. Cardew, "So I sent for you to-night
+to tell you that I have broken the resolve which I always meant to
+keep."
+
+"You have what?" said Merry.
+
+"I have turned my back on a determination which I made when you were
+both very little girls, and to-day I went up to town and saw Mrs.
+Ward."
+
+"Oh!" said Merry. She turned white and dropped her father's hand, and,
+clasping her own two hands tightly together, gazed at him as though
+she would devour his face.
+
+"Well, it's all settled, children," said Mr. Cardew, "and: when
+September comes you will go with your friends Molly and Belle to
+Aylmer House."
+
+This announcement was received at first in total silence. Then Merry
+flew to her father and kissed him a great many times, and Cicely
+kissed her mother.
+
+Then Merry said, "We can't talk of it to-night; we can't quite realize
+it to-night; but--but--we are glad!"
+
+Then she took Cicely's hand, and they went out of the room. Mr. and
+Mrs. Cardew watched them as the little figures approached the door.
+Merry opened it, and they both passed out.
+
+"I wonder," said Mr. Cardew, looking at his wife, "if they are going
+out of our lives."
+
+"Indeed, no," said Mrs. Cardew; "from what you have told me of Mrs.
+Ward, she must be a good woman--one of the best."
+
+"She is one of the very, very best, Sylvia; and I think the very
+happiest thing for us both would be to run up to town to-morrow, and
+for you to see her for yourself."
+
+"Very well, darling; we will do so," said Mrs. Cardew.
+
+
+
+
+CHAPTER X.
+
+ANETA.
+
+
+So everything was settled. Cicely and Merry scarcely slept at all that
+night. They were too much excited; the news was too wonderful. Now
+that their wish was granted, there was pain mingled with their joy. It
+seems as though perfect joy must have its modicum of pain to make it
+perfect.
+
+But when the next morning dawned the regret of the night before seemed
+to have vanished. In the first place, Mr. and Mrs. Cardew had gone
+early to London; and the mere fact that their father and mother were
+not present was a sort of relief to the excited girls. The picnic need
+not be postponed, for Mr. and Mrs. Tristram could act as chaperons on
+this auspicious occasion.
+
+They were all to meet at the Manor at eleven o'clock; and, punctual to
+the hour, a goodly array of happy young people walked up the avenue
+and entered the porch of the old-house. Andrew, devoted to Maggie, was
+present. Jack, equally Maggie's slave, was also there. Maggie herself,
+looking neat and happy, was helping every one. Molly and Belle, all
+in white, and looking as charming as little girls could, were full of
+expectation of their long and delightful day.
+
+One wagonette could hold the whole party, and as it drove round to the
+front door the boys fiercely took possession of the box-seat, fighting
+with the coachman, who said that there would be no room for Miss
+Howland to sit between them.
+
+"Well then, Mags, if that is the case," said Peterkins, "you get along
+in at once, and take this corner close to me; then, whenever we want,
+we can do a bit of whispering."
+
+"You won't whisper more than your share," said Jackdaw. "I've a
+frightful lot to say to Mags this morning."
+
+"Hush, boys!" said Maggie; "if you quarrel about me I shall not speak
+to either of you."
+
+This threat was so awful that the boys glanced at each other, remained
+silent and got quietly into their places. Then the hampers were put on
+the floor just under their feet.
+
+Presently Cicely and Merry came out to join the group. They were
+wearing pretty pink muslins, with pink sashes to match. Merry's
+beautiful dark eyes were very bright. Mr. and Mrs. Tristram inquired
+for their host and hostess.
+
+"Oh, I have news for you!" said Merry.
+
+"Yes," said Cicely, "Merry will tell."
+
+"Well, it's Just this," said Merry, almost jerking out her words in
+excitement: "Father and mother have been obliged to go rather
+unexpectedly to town."
+
+"Why?" said Maggie; then she restrained herself, knowing that it was
+not her place to speak.
+
+"They have gone to town," said Merry, scarcely looking at Maggie now,
+and endeavoring with all her might and main not to show undue
+excitement, "because a great and wonderful thing has happened;
+something so unexpected that--that Cicely and I can scarcely believe
+it."
+
+Maggie glanced at the sweet little faces. She said to herself, "All
+right," and got calmly into the wagonette, where she sat close under
+the box-seat which contained those obstreperous young heroes Andrew
+and Jack. The others clustered round Merry.
+
+"As I said, I can scarcely believe it," said Merry; "but father has
+done the most marvelous thing. Oh Belle! oh Molly! it is too
+wonderful! For after all--after all, Cicely and I are to go with you
+to Aylmer House in September, and--and--that is why father and mother
+have gone to town. Father went up yesterday and saw Mrs. Ward, and
+he--he settled it; and father and mother have gone up to-day--both of
+them--to see her, and to make final arrangements. And we're to go!
+we're to _go_!"
+
+"Hurrah!" cried Molly. Immediately the boys, and Maggie and Belle, and
+even Mr. and Mrs. Tristram, took up the glad "Hurrah!"
+
+"Well, children," said Mr. Tristram when the first excitement had
+subsided, "I must say I am heartily pleased. This is delightful! I
+take some credit to myself for having helped on this most excellent
+arrangement."
+
+"No one thanks me for anything," thought Maggie; but she had the
+prudence to remain silent.
+
+"We had better start on our picnic now," said Mr. Tristram, and
+immediately the whole party climbed into the wagonette. The horses
+started; the wheels rolled. They were off.
+
+By-and-by Merry felt her hand taken by Maggie. Maggie just squeezed
+that hand, and whispered in that very, very rich and wonderfully
+seductive voice of hers, "Oh, I am glad! I am very, very glad!"
+
+Merry felt her heart thrill as Maggie uttered those words. She
+answered back, turning her face to her young companion, "To be with
+you alone would be happiness enough for me."
+
+"Is it true, Cicely," said Mrs. Tristram at the moment, "that your
+cousin, Aneta Lysle, is coming to stay with you?"
+
+"Oh yes; but I had half-forgotten it in all this excitement," said
+Cicely. "She will arrive to-morrow.--Maggie, you'll be glad, won't
+you?"
+
+"More than delighted," said Maggie.
+
+"It is too wonderful," said Cicely. "Why, it will soon come to pass
+that half Mrs. Ward's school will be all together during the holidays.
+Fancy, we two, and you two"--she touched one of the Tristram
+girls--"and you, Maggie, and then dear Aneta; why, that'll make six.
+What a lot we shall have to talk about! Maggie, you and Aneta will be
+our two heroines; we shall always be applying to you for
+information."
+
+The conversation was here interrupted by Jackdaw, who pinched Maggie
+on the arm. "You're not attending to us," he said.
+
+"Nonsense, Jackdaw!"
+
+"Well, stand up for a minute; I want to whisper to you."
+
+Maggie, who never lost a chance of ingratiating herself with any one,
+obeyed.
+
+"Jack dear, don't be troublesome," said his mother.
+
+"I am not," said Jackdaw. "She loves it, the duck that she is!"
+
+"Be quick, Jackdaw; it's very difficult for me to keep my hold
+standing up," said Maggie.
+
+"How many chocolates can you eat at a pinch?" whispered Jackdaw in her
+ear.
+
+"Oh, forty," replied Maggie; "but I should be rather ill afterwards."
+
+"We've got some in our pockets. They're a little bit clammy, but you
+don't mind that?"
+
+"I don't want any just now, dear boy; and I'll tell you why. I want
+to be really starving hungry when the picnic begins."
+
+"That's a good notion, isn't it?" said Jackdaw.--"I say, Andrew, she
+wants to be starving hungry when the picnic begins!"
+
+Maggie resumed her seat, and the boys went on whispering together, and
+kicking each other at intervals, and rather upsetting that very stolid
+personage, Mr. Charles, the Meredith Manor coachman.
+
+The picnic was a perfect success. When people are very happy there is
+no room for discontent in their hearts, and all the members of that
+party were in the highest spirits. The Cardew girls had no time yet
+for that period of regret which must invariably follow a period of
+intense excitement. They had no time yet to realize that they must
+part with their father and mother for the greater portion of the
+year.
+
+To children so intensely affectionate as Cicely and Merry such a
+parting must mean considerable pain. But even the beginning of the
+pain did not come to them on that auspicious day, and they returned to
+the house after the picnic in the highest good-humor.
+
+Mr. and Mrs. Tristram, however, were wise in their generation; and
+although Cicely and Merry begged and implored the whole party to come
+to the Manor for supper, they very firmly declined. It is to be
+regretted that both Jack and Andrew turned sulky on this occasion.
+
+As the rectory girls and Maggie and the boys and Mr. and Mrs. Tristam
+were all going homewards the two girls and Maggie fell behind.
+
+"Isn't this real fun? Isn't it magnificent?" said Molly Tristram.
+
+"It's a very good thing indeed for your friends Cicely and Merry,"
+said Maggie. Then she added, "Didn't I tell you, girls, that you would
+win your bracelets?"
+
+Belle felt herself changing color.
+
+"We don't want them a bit--we really don't," said Molly.
+
+"Of course we don't want them," said Isabel.
+
+"You'll have them all the same," said Maggie. "They are my present to
+you. Surely you won't refuse my present?"
+
+"But such a very rich and handsome present we ought not to accept,"
+said Molly.
+
+"Nonsense, girls! I shall be unhappy unless you wear them. When I
+return to mother--which, alas! I must do before many days are over--I
+shall send you the bracelets."
+
+"I wish you wouldn't, Maggie," said Belle Tristram; "for I am certain
+father and mother would not like us to wear jewelry while we are so
+young."
+
+"Well, then," said Maggie, "I will give them to you when we all meet
+at Aylmer House. You must take them; you know you promised you would.
+You will hurt me most frightfully if you don't."
+
+As Molly and Isabel certainly did not wish to hurt Maggie, they
+remained silent, and during the rest of the walk the three girls
+scarcely spoke. Meanwhile Cicely and Merry entered the Manor House and
+waited impatiently for the return of their father and mother.
+
+"We must get everything extra nice for them," said Cicely to her
+sister. "I do think it is so wonderfully splendid of them to send us
+to school."
+
+The sun had already set, and twilight had come on; but it would be
+quite impossible for Mr. and Mrs. Cardew to arrive at the Manor until
+about ten o'clock. What, therefore, was the amazement of the girls
+when they heard carriage-wheels in the distance!
+
+"Father and mother could not possibly have done their business and
+caught the early train," said Merry in some excitement. "Who can be
+coming now?"
+
+The next moment their doubts were set at rest, for Aneta Lysle entered
+the hall.
+
+"I came to-day after all," she said. "Auntie thought it would be more
+convenient. You got my telegram, didn't you?"
+
+These words were uttered while her two cousins, in rapture and
+delight, were kissing her.
+
+"No, no," said Merry, "we got no telegram; but, oh, Aneta! we are glad
+to see you."
+
+"Here's the telegram on the hall-table," said Aneta, and she took up a
+yellow envelope. This was addressed to "Cardew, Meredith Manor." "Yes,
+I know this must be from me," said Aneta. "But why didn't you open
+it?"
+
+"Well, the fact is," said Cicely, "father and mother were in London,
+and the rest of us were out on a picnic. But it doesn't matter a bit;
+you've come, and the sooner the better. Oh, it is nice to see you
+again! But how tall you are, Neta, and how grown up you look!"
+
+"I am seventeen, remember," said Aneta. "I don't feel grown-up, but
+auntie says I look it."
+
+"Oh, come into the light--do," said Merry, "and let's see you! We've
+heard so very much of you lately, and we want to look at your darling
+face again."
+
+"And I want to look at you both," said Aneta in her affectionate
+manner.
+
+The servants had conveyed Miss Lysle's luggage into the house, and now
+the three girls, with their arms twined round each other, entered the
+same big drawing-room where Mr. Cardew had given his wonderful news of
+the night before. There was a blaze of electric light, and this,
+judiciously softened with rose-colored silk, was most becoming to all
+those who came under its influence. But the strongest glare of light
+could not disfigure any one so absolutely beautiful as Aneta Lysle.
+Her delicate complexion, the wonderful purity and regularity of her
+features, her sweet, tender young mouth, her charming blue eyes, and
+her great luxuriance of golden hair made people who looked at her
+once long to study that charming face again and yet again.
+
+There was no vanity about this young girl; her manner, her expression,
+were simplicity itself. There was a certain nobility about her fine
+forehead, and the shape of her head was classical, and showed
+undoubted talent. Her clear, musical voice was in itself a charm. Her
+young figure was the very personification of grace. Beside her, Cicely
+and Merry felt awkward and commonplace; not that they were so, but
+very few people could attain to Aneta Lysle's incomparable beauty.
+
+"Well, girls," she said, "you do look sweet, both of you!"
+
+"Oh Neta, what a darling you are!" said Merry, who worshipped beauty,
+and had never come across any one so lovely as her cousin. "It's two
+years since we met," she continued, "and you have altered, and not
+altered. You're more grown-up and more--more stately, but your face is
+the same. Whenever we want to think of the angels we think of you too,
+Neta."
+
+"That is very sweet of you, darlings; but, indeed, I am far from being
+an angel. I am just a very human girl; and, please, if you don't mind,
+we won't discuss my looks any more."
+
+Cicely and Merry both save their cousin a thoughtful glance. Then they
+said eagerly, "You must come to your room and wash your hands, and get
+refreshed for supper, for of course you are starving."
+
+"I shall like to have something to eat," said Aneta. "What room am I
+to have, girls?"
+
+"Oh, the white room, next to ours; we arranged it all this morning,"
+said Cicely.
+
+"Well, come along at once," said Aneta.
+
+Soon the three girls found themselves in the beautiful bedroom which
+had been arranged for Aneta's reception. As soon as ever they got
+there Cicely clasped one of her cousin's arms and Merry the other.
+
+"We have news for you--news!" they said.
+
+"Yes?" said Aneta, looking at them with her bright, soft eyes.
+
+"Most wonderful--most extraordinary--most--most beautiful!" said
+Merry, speaking almost with passion. "We're going to your school; yes,
+to yours--to Aylmer House, in September. Could you have believed it?
+Think of father consenting, and just because I felt a little
+discontented. Oh, isn't he an angel? Father, of all people, who until
+now would not hear of our leaving home! But we're going."
+
+"Well," said Aneta, "I am not greatly surprised, for I happen to know
+that your father, Cousin Cyril, came to see auntie yesterday, and
+afterwards he went to visit Mrs. Ward, and after his visit we saw Mrs.
+Ward; and, although he had not quite made up his mind then whether he
+would send you or not, we quite thought he would do so. Yes, this is
+splendid. I'll he able to tell you lots about the school; but, after
+all, it isn't the school that matters."
+
+"Then what matters, Aneta?"
+
+"It's Mrs. Ward herself," said Aneta; "it's she who makes the whole
+thing so perfect. She guides us; she enlightens us. Sometimes I can
+scarcely talk of her, my love for her and my passion for her are so
+deep."
+
+Cicely and Merry looked thoughtful for a minute.
+
+"I'm ready now to come downstairs," said Aneta; and they went down, to
+find supper prepared for them, and the old butler waiting to attend on
+his young ladies.
+
+After the meal was over the girls retired to the drawing-room, where
+they all three sat by one of the windows waiting for Mr. and Mrs.
+Cardew's return.
+
+Merry then said, "It is so funny of you, Aneta, to speak as though the
+school was Mrs. Ward."
+
+"But it is," said Aneta.
+
+"Surely, surely," said Merry, "it's the girls too."
+
+"You will be surprised, perhaps, Aneta, to hear," said Cicely, "that
+our dear, darling friends--our greatest girl-friends, except yourself
+perhaps, and you're a sort of sister--Molly and Isabel Tristram are
+also going to Aylmer House in September. They are so nice--you will
+like them; and then, of course, there's Maggie Howland, one of the
+most charming girls we have come across."
+
+"Whom did you say?" asked Aneta.
+
+"Maggie Howland. She is here."
+
+"In this house?" said Aneta.
+
+"No; she is at the rectory. She is a special friend of Molly and
+Isabel. She has been at school with them before in Hanover. You know
+her, of course? She is one of the girls at Aylmer House."
+
+"I know her--oh yes, I know her," said Aneta.
+
+"And you like her, you feel her charm, you--you almost worship her,
+don't you, Neta?"
+
+Aneta was silent.
+
+"Oh, I know she is considered plain," said Merry, "but there's
+something about her which prevents one even considering her features.
+She is the most unselfish, most fascinating girl we have ever come
+across. You love her, don't you, Neta?"
+
+There had come a curious change over Aneta's face. After a brief pause
+she said, "I have no right to say it, but you two are my cousins"----
+
+"Yes, yes! What does this mean?" said Cicely with great eagerness.
+
+"Well, I know you will be faithful and not repeat it to any one; but I
+don't love Maggie Howland."
+
+"Oh, Neta!"
+
+"And," continued Aneta, "you; as my cousins, I most earnestly hope,
+will not make her your special friend at Aylmer House."
+
+"But we have done so already, Neta. Oh, Neta darling! you are mistaken
+in her."
+
+"I say nothing whatever against her," said Aneta, "except that
+personally I do not care for her. I should be very glad if I found
+that I had misjudged her."
+
+"Then why don't you want us to be friends with her? We are friends
+with her."
+
+"I cannot control you, darlings. When you come to school you will see
+a variety of girls, and most of them--indeed, all of them--nice, I
+think."
+
+"Then why shouldn't we like poor Maggie?"
+
+"You do like her, it seems, already."
+
+"Yes; but you are so mysterious, Neta."
+
+"I cannot say any more; you must forgive me," answered Aneta. "And I
+hear the sound of wheels. Your father and mother are coming."
+
+"Yes, yes, the darlings!" said Merry, rushing into the hall to meet
+her parents.
+
+Aneta and Cicely followed her example, and there was great excitement
+and much talk. Mrs. Cardew was now as anxious that the girls should go
+to Aylmer House as though she herself had always wished for such an
+arrangement, while Mr. Cardew could not say enough in Mrs. Ward's
+praise.
+
+"You agree with me, Aneta," said Mrs. Cardew, "that the school is
+quite unique and above the ordinary."
+
+"Mrs. Ward is unique and above the ordinary," was Aneta's reply.
+
+When the girls retired to their own rooms that night, Cicely and Merry
+met for a brief moment.
+
+"How funny of Aneta not to like Maggie!" said Merry.
+
+"Well, if I were you, Merry," said Cicely, "I wouldn't talk about it.
+I suppose Aneta is prejudiced."
+
+"Yes," said Merry; "but against Maggie, of all people! Well, I, for my
+part, will never give her up."
+
+"I suppose," said Cicely, who was more conscientious than her sister,
+"that we ought to think something of Aneta's opinion."
+
+"Oh, that's very fine," said Merry; "but we ought to think something,
+too, of Molly's opinion, and Belle's opinion. They have known Maggie
+longer than Aneta has."
+
+"Yes," replied Cicely; "I forgot that. But isn't Aneta herself
+delightful? It's a pure joy to look at her."
+
+"It certainly is," said Merry; "and of course I love her dearly and am
+very proud of her; but I confess I did not quite like her when she
+spoke in that queer way about dear little Maggie. I, at least, am
+absolutely determined that nothing will induce me to give Maggie up."
+
+"Of course we won't give her up," said Cicely. But she spoke with
+thought.
+
+
+
+
+CHAPTER XI.
+
+TEN POUNDS.
+
+
+In perfect summer weather, when the heart is brimful of happiness, and
+when a great desire has been unexpectedly fulfilled, what can there
+possibly be more delightful than an open-air life? This was what the
+girls who belonged to the rectory and the girls who belonged to the
+Manor now found. Mr. and Mrs. Cardew and Mr. and Mrs. Tristram could
+not do enough for their benefit. Maggie could only stay for one week
+longer with her friends; but Aneta had changed her mind with regard to
+Belgium, and was to go with the young Cardews to the seaside, and Mrs.
+Cardew had asked the Tristram girls to accompany them. She had also
+extended her invitation to Maggie, who would have given a great deal
+to accept it. She wrote to her mother on the subject. Mrs. Howland
+made a brief reply: "You know it is impossible, Maggie. You must come
+back to me early next week. I cannot do without you, so say no more
+about it."
+
+Maggie was a girl with a really excellent temper, and, recognizing
+that her mother had a good reason for not giving her the desired
+holiday, made the best of things.
+
+Meanwhile Cicely and Merry watched her carefully. As to Aneta, she was
+perfectly cordial with Maggie, not talking to her much, it is true,
+but never showing the slightest objection to her society.
+Nevertheless, there was, since the arrival of Aneta on the scene, a
+strange, undefinable change in the atmosphere. Merry noticed this more
+than Cicely. It felt to her electrical, as though there might be a
+storm brewing.
+
+On the day before Maggie was to return to London to take up her abode
+in her mother's dull house in Shepherd's Bush, a magnificent picnic on
+a larger scale even than usual was the order of the hour. Some young
+girls of the name of Heathfield who lived a little way off were asked
+to Meredith Manor to spend the night, and these girls, who were
+exceedingly jolly and bright and lively, were a fresh source of
+delight to all those whom they happened to meet. Their names were
+Susan and Mary Heathfield. They were older than the Tristrams and the
+Cardews, and had, in fact, just left school. Their last year of
+school-life had been spent in Paris; they were highly educated, and
+had an enviable proficiency in the French tongue.
+
+Mr. and Mrs. Heathfield, the parents of these girls, were also guests
+at the Manor, so that the picnic on this last day of Maggie's visit to
+the rectory was quite a large one. They drove nearly twenty miles to a
+beautiful place not far from Warwick. There the usual picnic
+arrangements were made with great satisfaction; dinner was eaten
+out-of-doors, and presently there was to be a gipsy-tea. This all the
+girls looked forward to, and Andrew and Jack were wild with delight
+over the prospect of making the kettle boil. This particular task was
+given to them, and very proud they were of the trust reposed in them.
+
+But now, dinner being over, the older people took shelter from the
+fierce rays of the sun under the wide-spreading trees, and the young
+people moved about in groups or in couples. Merry Cardew found herself
+alone with Maggie Howland. Without intending to do so, she had
+slightly, very slightly, avoided Maggie during the last day or two;
+but Maggie now seized her arm and drew her down a shady glade.
+
+"Come with me, Merry," she said; "I have a lot I want to say to you."
+
+Merry looked at her. "Of course I will come with you, Maggie," she
+answered.
+
+"I want just to get quite away from the others," continued Maggie,
+"for we shall not meet again until we meet in the autumn at Aylmer
+House. You don't know, perhaps--do you, Merry--that you owe the great
+joy of coming to that lovely school to me?"
+
+"To you!" said Merry in the utmost amazement.
+
+"Yes," replied Maggie in her calmest tone, "to me."
+
+"Oh, dear Maggie!" replied Merry, "you surely must be mistaken."
+
+"I don't intend to explain myself," said Maggie; "I simply state what
+is a fact. You owe your school-life to me. It was I who inserted the
+thin end of the wedge beneath your father's fixed resolution that you
+were to be educated at home. It was I, in short, who acted the part of
+the fairy princess and who pulled those silken reins which brought
+about the desire of your heart."
+
+"I don't understand you, Maggie," said Merry in a distressful tone;
+"but I suppose," she added, "as you say so, it is the case. Only, I
+ought to tell you that what really and truly happened was this"----
+
+"Oh, I know quite well what really and truly happened," interrupted
+Maggie. "Let me tell you. I know that there came a certain day when a
+little girl who calls herself Merry Cardew was very discontented, and
+I know also that kind Mr. Cardew discovered the discontent of his
+child. Well, now, who put that discontent into your mind?"
+
+"Why, I am afraid it was you," said Merry, turning pale and then red.
+
+Maggie laughed. "Why, of course it was," she said; "and you suppose I
+didn't do it on purpose?"
+
+"But, Maggie, you didn't really mean--you couldn't for a minute
+mean--that I was to be miserable at home if father didn't give his
+consent?"
+
+"Of course not," said Maggie lightly; "but, you see, I meant him to
+give his consent--I meant it all the time. I own that there were
+several favoring circumstances; but I want to tell you now, Merry, in
+the strictest confidence of course, that from the moment I arrived at
+the rectory I determined that you and Cicely were to come with Molly
+and Isabel to Aylmer House."
+
+"It was very kind of you, Maggie," said Merry; but she felt a certain
+sense of distress which she could not quite account for as she spoke.
+
+"Why do you look so melancholy?" said Maggie, turning and fixing her
+queer, narrow eyes on the pretty face of her young companion.
+
+"I am not really melancholy, only I would much rather you had told me
+openly at the time that you wished me to come to school."
+
+Maggie gave a faint sigh. "Had I done so, darling," she said, "you
+would never have come. You must leave your poor friend Maggie to
+manage things in her own way. But now I have something else to talk
+about."
+
+They had gone far down the glade, and were completely separated from
+their companions.
+
+"Sit down," said Maggie; "it's too hot to walk far even under the
+shade of the trees."
+
+They both sat down.
+
+Maggie tossed off her hat. "To-morrow," she said, "you will perhaps be
+having another picnic, or, at any rate, the best of good times with
+your friends."
+
+"I hope so," replied Merry.
+
+"But I shall be in hot, stifling London, in a little house, in poky
+lodgings; to-morrow, at this hour, I shall not be having what you call
+a good time."
+
+"But, Maggie, you will be with your mother."
+
+"Yes, poor darling mother! of course."
+
+"Don't you love her very much?" asked Merry.
+
+Maggie flashed round an excited glance at her companion. "Love her?
+Yes," she said, "I love her."
+
+"But you must love her tremendously," said Merry--"as much as I love
+my mother."
+
+"As a rule all girls love their mothers," said Maggie. "We are not
+talking about that now, are we?"
+
+"What do you want to say to me in particular, Maggie?" was Merry's
+response.
+
+"This. We shall meet at school on the 20th of September. There will
+be, as I have told you already, twenty boarders at Aylmer House. You
+will arrive at the school as strangers; so will Molly and Isabel
+arrive as strangers; but you will have two friends--Aneta Lysle and
+myself. You're very much taken, with your cousin Aneta, are you not?"
+
+"Taken with her?" said Merry. "That seems to me a curious expression.
+She is our cousin, and she is beautiful."
+
+"Merry, I must tell you something. At Aylmer House there are two
+individuals who lead the school."
+
+"Oh," said Merry, "I thought Mrs. Ward led the school."
+
+"Of course, of course, Mrs. Ward is just splendid; but, you see, you,
+poor Merry, know nothing of school-life. School-life is really
+controlled--I mean the inner part of it--by the girls themselves. Now,
+there are two girls at Aylmer House who control the school: one of
+them is your humble servant, Maggie Howland; the other is your cousin,
+Aneta Lysle. Aneta does not love me; and, to be frank with you, I hate
+her."
+
+Merry found herself turning very red. She remembered Aneta's words on
+the night of her arrival.
+
+"She has already told you," said Maggie, "that she doesn't like me."
+
+Merry remained silent.
+
+"Oh, you needn't speak. I know quite well," said Maggie.
+
+Merry felt more and more uncomfortable.
+
+"The petition I have to make to you is this," continued Maggie: "that
+at school you will, for a time at least--say for the first month or
+so--be _neutral_. I want you and Cicely and Molly and Isabel to belong
+neither to Aneta's party nor to mine; and I want you to do this
+because--because I have been the person who has got you to Aylmer
+House. Just remain neutral for a month. Will you promise me that?"
+
+"I don't understand you. You puzzle me very much indeed," said Merry.
+
+"You will understand fast enough when you get to Aylmer House. I wish
+I were not going away; I wish I hadn't to return to mother. I wish I
+could go with you all to Scarborough; but I am the last girl on earth
+to neglect my duties, and my duty is to be with poor dear mother. You
+will understand that what I ask is but reasonable. If four new girls
+came to the school, and altogether went over to Aneta's side, where
+should I be? What chance should I have? But I do not ask you to come
+to my side; I only ask you to be neutral. Merry, will you promise?"
+
+"You distress me more than I can say," replied Merry. "I feel so
+completely in the dark. I don't, of course, want to take any side."
+
+"Ah, then you will promise?" said Maggie.
+
+"I don't know what to say."
+
+"Let me present a picture to you," continued Maggie. "There are two
+girls; they are not equally equipped for the battle of life. I say
+nothing of injustice in the matter; I only state a fact. One of them
+is rich and highly born, and endowed with remarkable beauty of face.
+That girl is your own cousin, Aneta Lysle. Then there is the other
+girl, Maggie Howland, who is ugly."
+
+"Oh no--no!" said Merry affectionately.
+
+"Yes, darling," said Maggie, using her most magnetic voice, "really
+ugly."
+
+"Not in my eyes," said Merry.
+
+"She is ugly," repeated Maggie, speaking with great calm;
+"and--yes--she is poor. I will tell you as a great secret--I have
+never breathed it to a soul yet--that it would be impossible for this
+girl to be an inmate of Aylmer House if Mrs. Ward, in the kindness of
+her great heart, had not offered her very special terms. You will
+never breathe that, Merry, not even to Cicely?"
+
+"Oh, poor Maggie!" said Merry, "are you really--really as poor as
+that?"
+
+"Church mice aren't poorer," said Maggie. "But never mind; I have got
+something which even your Aneta hasn't got. I have talent, and I have
+the power--the power of charming. I want most earnestly to be your
+special friend, Merry. I have a very affectionate heart, and I love
+you and Cicely and Molly and Isabel more than I can say; but of all
+you four girls I love you the best. You come first in my heart; and to
+see you at my school turning away from me and going altogether to
+Aneta's side would give me agony. There, I can't help it. Forgive me.
+I'll be all right in a minute."
+
+Maggie turned her face aside. She had taken out her handkerchief and
+was pressing it to her eyes. Real tears had filled them, for her
+emotions were genuine enough.
+
+"Don't you think," she said after a pause, "that you, who are so rich
+in this world's goods, might be kind and loving to a poor little plain
+girl who loves you but who has got very little?"
+
+"Indeed, indeed, I shall always love you, dear Maggie," said Merry.
+
+"Then you will do what I want?"
+
+"I don't like to make promises, and I am so much in the dark; but I
+can certainly say this--that, whatever happens, I shall be your friend
+at school. I shall look to you to help me in a hundred ways."
+
+"Will you indeed, darling Merry?"
+
+"Of course I shall. I always intended to, and I think Cicely will do
+just the same."
+
+"I don't want you to talk to Cicely about this. She doesn't care for
+me as much as you do."
+
+"Perhaps not quite," said honest Merry.
+
+"Oh, I am sure--certain of it. Then you will be my friend as I shall
+be yours, and when we meet at Aylmer House you will talk of me to
+others as your friend?"
+
+"Of course I shall."
+
+"That's what I require. The thought of your friendship when I love you
+so passionately makes sunshine in my heart. I sha'n't be miserable at
+all to-morrow after what you have said. I shall think of our pleasant
+talk under this great oak-tree; I shall recall this lovely, perfect
+day. Merry, you have made me very happy!"
+
+"But please understand," said Merry, "that, although I am your friend,
+I cannot give up Aneta."
+
+"Certainly not, dear; only, don't take what you call sides. It is
+quite reasonable to suppose that girls who have only just come to
+school would prefer to be there at first quite free and untrammeled;
+and to belong to a certain set immediately trammels you."
+
+"Well, I, for one, will promise--at any rate at first--that I won't
+belong to any set," said Merry. "Now, are you satisfied, Maggie?"
+
+"Oh, truly I am! Do let me kiss you, darling."
+
+The girls kissed very affectionately.
+
+Then Maggie said, "Now I am quite happy." After a pause, she continued
+as though it were an after-thought, "Of course you won't speak of this
+to any one?"
+
+"Unless, perhaps, to Cicely," said Merry.
+
+"No, not even to Cicely; for if you found it hard to understand, she
+would find it impossible."
+
+"But," said Merry, "I never had a secret from her in my life. She is
+my twin, you know."
+
+"Please, please," said Maggie, "keep this little secret all to
+yourself for my sake. Oh, do think how important it is to me, and how
+much more you have to be thankful for than I have!"
+
+"If you feel it like that, poor Maggie," said Merry, "I will keep it
+as my own secret."
+
+"Then I have nothing further to say." Maggie sprang to her feet.
+"There are the boys running to meet us," she said. "I know they'll
+want my help in preparing the fire for the gipsy-kettle."
+
+"And I will join the others. There's Susan Heathfield; she is all
+alone," said Merry. "But one moment first, please, Maggie. Are you
+going to make Molly and Isabel bind themselves by the same promise?"
+
+"Dear me, no!" said Maggie. "They will naturally be my friends without
+any effort; but you are the one I want, for you are the one I truly
+love."
+
+"Hallo! there you are," called Andrew's voice, "hobnobbing, as usual,
+with Merry Cardew."
+
+"I say, Merry," cried Jack, "it is unfair of you to take our Maggie
+away on her last day."
+
+The two boys now rushed up.
+
+"I am going to cry bottles-full to-morrow," said Andrew; "and,
+although I am a boy, about to be a man, I'm not a bit ashamed of it."
+
+"I'll beat you at that," said Jackdaw, "for I'll cry basins-full."
+
+"Dear me, boys, how horrid of you!" said Maggie. "What on earth good
+will crying do to me? And you'll both be so horribly limp and damp
+after it."
+
+"Well, come now," said Jackdaw, pulling her by one arm while Peterkin
+secured the other.--"You've had your share of her, Merry, and it's our
+turn."
+
+Maggie and her devoted satellites went off in the direction where the
+bonfire was to be made; and Merry, walking slowly, joined Susan
+Heathfield.
+
+Susan was more than two years older than Merry, and on that account
+the younger girls looked up to her with a great deal of respect. Up to
+the present, however, they had had no confidential talk.
+
+Susan now said, "So you are to be a schoolgirl after all?"
+
+"Yes. Isn't it jolly?" said Merry.
+
+"Oh, it has its pros and cons," replied Susan. "In one sense, there is
+no place like school; but in the best sense of all there is no place
+like home."
+
+"Were you long at school, Susan?"
+
+"Of course; Mary and I went to a school in Devonshire when we were
+quite little girls. I was eleven and Mary ten. Afterwards we were at a
+London school, and then we went to Paris. We had an excellent time at
+all our schools; but I think the best fun of all was the thought of
+the holidays and coming home again."
+
+"That must be delightful," said Merry. "Did you make many friends at
+school?"
+
+"Well, of course," said Susan. "But now let me give you a word of
+advice, Merry. You are going to a most delightful school, which, alas!
+we were not lucky enough to get admitted to, although mother tried
+very hard. It may be different at Aylmer House from what it is in the
+ordinary school, but I would strongly advise you and Cicely not to
+join any clique at school."
+
+"Oh dear, how very queer!" said Merry, and she reddened deeply.
+
+"Why do you look like that?" said Susan.
+
+"Nothing, nothing," said Merry.
+
+Susan was silent for a minute or two. Then she said, "That's a
+curious-looking girl."
+
+"What girl?" said Merry indignantly.
+
+"I think you said her name was Howland--Miss Howland."
+
+"She is one of the most delightful girls I know," replied Merry at
+once.
+
+"Well, I don't know her, you see, so I can't say. Aneta tells me that
+she is a member of your school."
+
+"Yes; and I am so delighted!" said Merry.
+
+Again Susan Heathfield was silent, feeling a little puzzled; but Merry
+quickly changed the conversation, for she did not want to have any
+more talk with regard to Maggie Howland. Merry, however, had a very
+transparent face. Her conversation with her friend had left traces of
+anxiety and even slight apprehension on her sweet, open face. Merry
+Cardew was oppressed by the first secret of her life, and it is
+perhaps to be regretted, or perhaps the reverse, that she found it
+almost impossible to keep a secret.
+
+"Well," Cicely said to her as they were hurrying from the shady woods
+in the direction of the picnic-tea, "what is wrong with you, Merry?
+Have you a headache?"
+
+"Oh no; I am perfectly all right," said Merry, brightening up. "It's
+only--well, to say the truth, I am sorry that Maggie is going
+to-morrow."
+
+"You are very fond of her, aren't you?" said Cicely.
+
+"Well, yes; that is it, I am," said Merry.
+
+"We'll see plenty of her at school, anyway," said Cicely.
+
+"I wish she were rich," said Merry. "I hate to think of her as poor."
+
+"Is she poor?" asked Cicely.
+
+"Oh yes; she was just telling me, poor darling!"
+
+"I don't understand what it means to be poor," said Cicely. "People
+say it is very bad, but somehow I can't take it in."
+
+"Maggie takes it in, at any rate," said Merry. "Think of us to-morrow,
+Cicely, having more fun, being out again in the open air, having
+pleasant companions all round us, and our beautiful home to go back
+to, and our parents, whom we love so dearly; and then, next week, of
+the house by the sea, and Aneta and Molly and Isabel our companions."
+
+"Well, of course," said Cicely.
+
+"And then think of poor Maggie," continued Merry. "She'll be shut up
+in a musty, fusty London lodging. I can't think how she endures it."
+
+"I don't know what a musty, fusty lodging is," said Cicely; "but she
+could have come with us, because mother invited her."
+
+"She can't, because her own mother wants her. Oh dear! I wish we could
+have her and her mother too."
+
+"Come on now, Merry, I don't think we ought to ask father and mother
+to invite Mrs. Howland."
+
+"Of course not. I quite understand that," replied Merry.
+"Nevertheless, I am a little sad about dear Maggie."
+
+Merry's sadness took a practical form. She thought a great deal about
+her friend during the rest of that day, although Maggie rather avoided
+her. She thought, in particular, of Maggie's poverty, and wondered
+what poverty really meant. The poor people--those who were called poor
+at Meredith--did not really suffer at all, for it was the bounden duty
+of the squire of the Manor to see to all their wants, to provide them
+with comfortable houses and nice gardens, and if they were ill to give
+them the advice of a good doctor, also to send them nourishing food
+from the Manor. But poor people of that sort were quite different from
+the Maggie Howland sort. Merry could not imagine any lord of the manor
+taking Maggie and Mrs. Howland in hand and providing them with all the
+good things of life.
+
+But all of a sudden it darted through her eager, affectionate little
+heart that she herself might be lord of the manor to Maggie, and might
+help Maggie out of her own abundance. If it were impossible to get
+Maggie Howland and her mother both invited to Scarborough, why should
+not she, Merry, provide Maggie with means to take her mother from the
+fusty, dusty lodgings to another seaside resort?
+
+Merry thought over this for some time, and the more she thought over
+it the more enamored she was of the idea. She and Cicely had, of
+course, no special means of their own, nor could they have until they
+came of age. Nevertheless, they were allowed as pocket-money ten
+pounds every quarter. Now, Merry's ten pounds would be due in a week.
+She really did not want it. When she got it she spent it mostly on
+presents for her friends and little gifts for the villagers; but on
+this occasion she might give it all in one lump sum to Maggie Howland.
+Surely her father would let her have it? She might give it to Maggie
+early to-morrow morning. Maggie would not be too proud to accept it
+just as a tiny present.
+
+Merry had as little idea how far ten pounds would go toward the
+expenses of a visit to the seaside as she had of what real poverty
+meant. But it occurred to her as a delightful way of assuring Maggie
+of her friendship to present Maggie with her quarter's pocket-money.
+
+On their way home that evening, therefore, she was only too glad to
+find herself by her father's side.
+
+"Well, little girl," he said, "so you're forsaking all your young
+companions and wish to sit close to the old dad?"
+
+The old dad, it may be mentioned, was driving home in a mail-phaeton
+from the picnic, and Merry found herself perched high up beside him as
+he held the reins and guided a pair of thoroughbred horses.
+
+"Well, what is it, little girl?" he said.
+
+"I wonder, father, if you'd be most frightfully kind?"
+
+"What!" he answered, just glancing at her; "that means that you are
+discontented again. What more can I do for you, Merry?"
+
+"If I might only have my pocket-money to-night."
+
+"You extravagant child! Your pocket-money! It isn't due for a week."
+
+"But I do want it very specially. Will you advance it to me just this
+once, dad?"
+
+"I am not to know why you want it?"
+
+"No, dad darling, you are not to know."
+
+Mr. Cardew considered for a minute.
+
+"I hope you are not going to be a really extravagant woman, Merry," he
+said. "To tell the truth, I hate extravagance, although I equally hate
+stinginess. You will have no lack of money, child, but money is a
+great and wonderful gift and ought to be used to the best of best
+advantages. It ought never to be wasted, for there are so many people
+who haven't half enough, and those who are rich, my child, ought to
+help those who are not rich."
+
+"Yes, darling father," said Merry; "and that is what I should so
+awfully like to do."
+
+"Well, I think you have the root of the matter in you," said Mr.
+Cardew, "and I, for one, am the last person to pry on my child. Does
+Cicely also want her money in advance?"
+
+"Oh no, no! I want it for a very special reason."
+
+"Very well, my little girl. Come to me in the study to-night before
+you go to bed, and you shall have your money."
+
+"In sovereigns, please, father?"
+
+"Yes, child, in sovereigns."
+
+"Thank you ever so much, darling."
+
+During the rest of the drive there was no girl happier than Merry
+Cardew. Mr. Cardew looked at her once or twice, and wondered what all
+this meant. But he was not going to question her.
+
+When they got home he took her away to his study, and, opening a
+drawer, took out ten sovereigns.
+
+"I may as well tell you," he said as he put them into her hand, "that
+when you go to school I shall raise your pocket-money allowance to
+fifteen pounds a quarter. That is quite as large a sum as a girl of
+your age ought to have in the year. I do this because I well
+understand that at Mrs. Ward's school there will be special
+opportunities for you to act in a philanthropic manner."
+
+"Oh, thank you, thank you, father!" said Merry.
+
+
+
+
+CHAPTER XII.
+
+SHEPHERD'S BUSH.
+
+
+While Merry was in a state of high rejoicing at this simple means of
+helping her friend, Maggie Howland herself was not having quite such a
+good time. She had been much relieved by her conversation with Merry,
+but shortly after the picnic-tea Aneta had come up to her.
+
+"Would you like to walk with me," said Aneta, "as far as the giant
+oak? It isn't a great distance from here, and I'll not keep you
+long."
+
+"Certainly I will come with you, Aneta," said Maggie; but she felt
+uncomfortable, and wondered what it meant.
+
+The two girls set off together. They made a contrast which must have
+been discernible to the eyes of all those who saw them: Aneta the very
+essence of elegance; Maggie spotlessly neat, but, compared to her
+companion, downright plain. Aneta was tall and slim; Maggie was short.
+Nevertheless, her figure was her good point, and she made the most of
+it by having perfectly fitting clothes. This very fact, however, took
+somewhat from her appearance, and gave her the look of a grown-up
+girl, whereas she was still only a child.
+
+As soon as ever the girls got out of earshot, Aneta turned to Maggie
+and said gravely, "My cousins the Cardews are to join us all at Aylmer
+House in September."
+
+Maggie longed to say, "Thank you for nothing," but she never dared to
+show rudeness to Aneta. No one had ever been rude to the stately young
+lady.
+
+"Yes," she said. Then she added, "I am so glad! Aren't you?"
+
+"For some reasons I am very glad," said Aneta.
+
+"But surely for all, aren't you?"
+
+"Not for all," replied Aneta.
+
+How Maggie longed to give her companion a fierce push, or otherwise
+show how she detested her!
+
+"I will tell you why I regret it," said Aneta, turning her calm,
+beautiful eyes upon Maggie's face.
+
+"Thank you," said Maggie.
+
+"I regret it, Maggie Howland, because you are at the school."
+
+"How very polite!" said Maggie, turning crimson.
+
+"It is not polite," said Aneta, "and I am sorry that I have to speak
+as I do; but it is necessary. We needn't go into particulars; but I
+have something to say to you, and please understand that what I say I
+mean. You know that when first you came to the school I was as anxious
+as any one else to be kind to you, to help you, to be good to you. You
+know the reason why I changed my mind. You know what you did. You know
+that were Mrs. Ward to have the slightest inkling of what really
+occurred you would not remain another hour at Aylmer House. I haven't
+told any one what I know; but if you, Maggie, tamper with Cicely and
+Merry Cardew, who are my cousins and dear friends--if you win them
+over to what you are pleased to call your side of the school--I shall
+consider it my duty to tell Mrs. Ward what I have hitherto kept back
+from her."
+
+Maggie was trembling very violently.
+
+"You could not be so cruel," she said after a pause.
+
+"I have long thought," continued Aneta, speaking in her calm, gentle
+voice, "that I did wrong at the time to keep silent; but you got my
+promise, and I kept it."
+
+"Yes, yes," said Maggie, "I got your promise; you wouldn't dare to
+break it?"
+
+"You are mistaken," said Aneta. "If the circumstances to which I have
+just alluded should arise I would break that promise. Now you
+understand?"
+
+"I think you are the meanest, the cruellest--I think you are----There,
+I hate you!" said Maggie.
+
+"You have no reason to. I will not interfere with you if you, on your
+part, leave those I love alone. Cicely and Merry are coming to the
+school because I am there, because my aunt recommends the school,
+because it is a good school. Leave off doing wrong, and join us,
+Maggie, in what is noble and high; but continue your present course at
+your peril. You would do anything for power; you go too far. You have
+influenced one or two girls adversely already. I am convinced that
+Mrs. Ward does not trust you. If you interfere with Cicely or Merry,
+Mrs. Ward will have good reason to dislike you, for I myself shall
+open her eyes."
+
+"You will be an informer, a tell-tale?"
+
+"You can call me any names you like, Maggie; I shall simply do what I
+consider my duty."
+
+"Oh, but----I hate you!" said Maggie again.
+
+"I am sorry you hate me, for it isn't necessary; and if I saw you in
+the least like others I should do all in my power to help you. Now,
+will you give me your promise that you won't interfere with Cicely and
+Merry?"
+
+"But does this mean--does this mean," said Maggie, who was almost
+choking with rage, "that I am to have nothing to do with the
+Cardews?"
+
+"You are on no account to draw the Cardews into the circle of your
+friends, who are, I am thankful to say, limited. If you do, you know
+the consequences, and I am not the sort of girl to go back when I have
+firmly made up my mind on a certain point."
+
+Maggie suddenly clutched hold of her companion's arm.
+
+"I am miserable enough already," she said, "and you make my life
+unendurable! You don't know what it is to have a mother like mine, and
+to be starvingly poor."
+
+"I am very sorry you are poor, Maggie, and I am very sorry for you
+with regard to your mother, although I do not think you ought to speak
+unkindly of her. But your father was a very good man, and you might
+live up to his memory. I saw you and Merry together to-day. Beware how
+you try to influence her."
+
+"Oh, I can't stand you!" said Maggie.
+
+"I have said my say. Shall we return to the others?" said Aneta in her
+calm voice.
+
+"If she would only get into a rage and we might have a hand-to-hand
+fight I should feel better," thought Maggie. But she was seriously
+alarmed, for she well remembered something which had happened at
+school, which Aneta had discovered, and which, if known, would force
+Mrs. Ward to dismiss her from the establishment. Such a course would
+spell ruin. Maggie had strong feelings, but she had also self-control;
+and by the time the two joined the others her face looked much as
+usual.
+
+On the following morning early a little girl ran swiftly from the
+Manor to the rectory. Maggie was to leave by the eleven o'clock train.
+Merry appeared on the scene soon after nine.
+
+"I want you, Maggie, all quite by yourself," said Merry, speaking with
+such excitement that Molly and Belle looked at her in unbounded
+amazement.
+
+"You can't keep her long," said Peterkins and Jackdaw, "for it is our
+very last day, and Spot-ear and Fanciful want to say good-bye to her.
+You can't have the darling more than three minutes at the most."
+
+"I am going to keep Maggie for ten minutes, and no longer.--Come along
+at once, Maggie," said Merry Cardew.
+
+They went out into the grounds, and Merry, putting her hand into her
+pocket, took out a little brown leather bag. She thrust it into her
+companion's hand.
+
+"What is it?" said Maggie.
+
+"It is for you--for you, darling," said Merry. "Take it, as a loan, if
+you like--only take it. It is only ten pounds. I am afraid you will
+think it nothing at all; but do take it, just as a mere loan. It is my
+pocket-money for the next quarter. Perhaps you could go from the
+musty, fusty lodgings to some fresher place with this to help you.
+Do--do take it, Maggie! I shall so love you if you do."
+
+Maggie's narrow eyes grew wide. Maggie's sallow face flushed. There
+came a wild commotion in her heart--a real, genuine sense of downright
+love for the girl who had done this thing for her. And ten pounds,
+which meant so very little to Merry Cardew, held untold possibilities
+for Maggie.
+
+"You will hurt me frightfully if you refuse," said Merry.
+
+Maggie trembled from head to foot. Suppose, by any chance, it got to
+Aneta's ears that she had taken this money from Merry; suppose it got
+abroad in the school! Oh, she dared not take it! she must not!
+
+"What is it, Maggie? Why don't you speak?" said Merry, looking at her
+in astonishment.
+
+"I love you with all my heart and soul," said Maggie; "but I just
+can't take the money."
+
+"Oh Maggie! but why?"
+
+"I can't, dear; I can't. It--it would not be right. You mustn't lower
+me in my own estimation. I should feel low down if I took your money.
+I know well I am poor, and so is dear mother, and the lodgings are
+fusty and musty, but we are neither of us so poor as that. I'll never
+forget that you brought it to me, and I'll love you just more than I
+have ever done; but I can't take it."
+
+"Do come on, Maggie!" shouted Jackdaw. "Fanciful is dying for his
+breakfast; and as to Peterkins, he has got Spot-ear out of his cage.
+Peterkins is crying like anything, and his tears are dropping on
+Spot-ear, and Spot-ear doesn't like it. Do come on!"
+
+"Yes, yes; I am coming," said Maggie--"Good-bye, darling Merry. My
+best thanks and best love."
+
+That evening, or in the course of the afternoon, Maggie appeared at
+Shepherd's Bush. She had been obliged to travel third-class, and the
+journey was hot and dusty.
+
+She lay back against the cushions with a tired feeling all over her.
+For a time she had been able to forget her poverty. Now it had fully
+returned to her, and she was not in the mood to be good-natured. There
+was no need to show any charm or any kindliness to her neighbors, who,
+in their turn, thought her a disagreeable, plain girl, not worth any
+special notice.
+
+It was, therefore, by no means a prepossessing-looking girl who ran up
+the high flight of steps which belonged to that lodging-house in
+Shepherd's Bush where Mrs. Howland was staying. Maggie knew the
+lodgings well, although she had never spent much time there. As a
+rule, she contrived to spend almost all her holidays with friends;
+but on this occasion her mother had sent for her in a very summary
+manner; and, although Maggie had no real love for her mother, she was
+afraid to disobey her.
+
+Mrs. Howland occupied the drawing-room floor of the said lodgings.
+They were kept by a Mrs. Ross, an untidy and by no means too
+clean-looking woman. Mrs. Ross kept one small "general," and the
+general's name was Tildy. Tildy had bright-red hair and a great many
+freckles on her round face. She was squat in figure, and had a
+perpetual smut either on her cheek or forehead. In the morning she was
+nothing better than a slavey, but in the afternoon she generally
+managed to put on a cap with long white streamers and an apron with a
+bib. Tildy thought herself very fine in this attire, and she had
+donned it now in honor of Miss Howland's arrival. She had no
+particular respect for Mrs. Howland, but she had a secret and
+consuming admiration for Maggie.
+
+Maggie had been kind to Tildy once or twice, and had even given the
+general a cast-off dress of her own. Maggie was plain, and yet people
+liked her and listened to her words.
+
+"Oh miss," said Tildy when she opened the front door, "it's me that's
+glad to see you! Your ma is upstairs; she's took with a headache, but
+you'll find her lyin' down on the sofy in the drawin'-room."
+
+"Then I'll run up at once, Matilda," said Maggie. "And how are you?"
+she added good-naturedly. "Oh, you've got your usual smut."
+
+"Indicate the spot, miss, and it shall be moved instancious," said
+Tildy. "Seems to me as if never could get rid of smuts, what with the
+kitchen-range, and missus bein' so exacsheous, and Tildy here, Tildy
+there; Tildy do this, Tildy do t'other, soundin' in my hears all day
+long."
+
+"You are a very good girl," said Maggie, "and if I were in your place
+I'd have a hundred smuts, not one. But take it off now, do; it's on
+the very center of your forehead. And bring me some tea to the
+drawing-room, for I'm ever so thirsty."
+
+"You've been in a blessed wondrous castle since, haven't you, missie?"
+said Matilda in a voice of suppressed awe.
+
+"I know some young ladies who live in a castle; but I myself have been
+at a rectory," said Maggie. "Now, don't keep me. Oh, here's a shilling
+for the cabman; give it to him, and get my box taken upstairs."
+
+Maggie flew up the steep, badly carpeted stairs to the hideous
+drawing-room. Her spirits had been very low; but, somehow, Tildy had
+managed to revive them. Tildy was plain, and very much lower than
+Maggie in the social scale; but Tildy admired her, and because of that
+admiration made her life more or less endurable in the fusty, musty
+lodgings. She had always cultivated Tildy's good will, and she thought
+of the girl now with a strange sense of pity.
+
+"Compared to her, I suppose I am well off," thought Maggie. "I have
+only five weeks at the most to endure this misery; then there will be
+Aylmer House."
+
+She opened the drawing-room door and entered. Mrs. Howland was lying
+on a sofa, which was covered with faded rep and had a broken spring.
+She had a handkerchief wrung out of aromatic vinegar over her
+forehead. Her eyes were shut, and her exceedingly thin face was very
+pale. When her daughter entered the room she opened a pair of faded
+eyes and looked at her, but no sense of pleasure crossed Mrs.
+Howland's shallow face. On the contrary, she looked much worried, and
+said, in a cross tone, "I wish you would not be so noisy, Maggie.
+Didn't Tildy tell you that I had an acute headache?"
+
+"Yes, mother; and I didn't know I was noisy," replied Maggie. "I came
+upstairs as softly as possible. That door"--she pointed to the door by
+which she had entered--"creaks horribly. That is not my fault."
+
+"Excusing yourself, as usual," said Mrs. Howland.
+
+"Well, mother," said Maggie after a pause, "may I kiss you now that I
+have come back against my will?"
+
+"I knew you'd be horribly discontented," said Mrs. Howland; "but of
+course you may kiss me."
+
+Maggie bent down and touched her mother's cheek with her young lips.
+
+"I was having a beautiful time," she said, "and you don't seem glad
+now that I have come back. What is the matter?"
+
+"I have something to communicate to you," said Mrs. Howland. "I did
+not think I could write it; therefore I was obliged to have you with
+me. But we won't talk of it for a little. Have you ordered tea?"
+
+"Yes, mother. Tildy is bringing it."
+
+"That's right," said Mrs. Howland. "What a hot day it is!" she
+continued.
+
+"This room is stifling," replied Maggie. "Do you mind if I pull down
+the Venetian blinds? That will keep some of the sun out."
+
+"The blinds are all broken," said Mrs. Howland. "I have spoken to that
+woman Ross till I am tired, but she never will see to my wishes in any
+way."
+
+"I can't imagine why we stay here, mother."
+
+"Oh! don't begin your grumbles now," said Mrs. Howland. "I have news
+for you when tea is over."
+
+Just then the drawing-room door was opened by means of a kick and a
+bump, and Tildy entered, weighed down by an enormous tea-tray. Maggie
+ran to prepare a table for its reception, and Tildy looked at her with
+eyes of fresh admiration. Mrs. Howland raised herself and also looked
+at the girl.
+
+"Have you kept the cakes downstairs, and the muffins that I ordered,
+and the gooseberries?"
+
+"No, um," said Tildy. "I brought them up for Miss Maggie's tea."
+
+"I told you they were not to be touched till Mr. Martin came."
+
+"Yes, um," said Tildy; "but me and Mrs. Ross thought as Miss Maggie
+'u'd want 'em."
+
+Mrs. Howland glanced at her daughter. Then all of a sudden, and quite
+unexpectedly, her faded face grew red. She perceived an expression of
+inquiry in Maggie's eyes which rather frightened her.
+
+"It's all right," she said. "Now that you've brought the things up,
+Tildy, leave them here, and go. When Mr. Martin comes, show him up.
+Now leave us, and be quick about it."
+
+Tildy departed, slamming the door behind her.
+
+"How noisy that girl is!" said Mrs. Howland. "Well, I am better now;
+I'll just go into our bedroom and get tidy. I'll be back in a few
+minutes. I mustn't be seen looking this fright when Mr. Martin
+comes."
+
+"But who is Mr. Martin?" said Maggie.
+
+"You will know presently," said Mrs. Howland. "It's about him that I
+have news."
+
+Maggie felt her heart thumping in a very uncomfortable manner. The
+bedroom which she and her mother shared together--that is, when Maggie
+was with her mother--was at the back of the drawing-room. Mrs. Howland
+remained there for about five minutes, and during that time Maggie
+helped herself to a cup of tea, for she was feverishly hot and
+thirsty.
+
+Her mother returned at the end of five minutes, looking wonderfully
+better, and in fact quite rejuvenated. Her dress was fairly neat. She
+had a slight color in her pale cheeks which considerably brightened
+her light-blue eyes. Her faded hair was arranged with some neatness,
+and she had put on a white blouse and a blue alpaca skirt.
+
+"Oh mother," said Maggie, hailing this change with great relief, "how
+much better you look now! I am a comfort to you, am I not, mums? I
+sha'n't mind coming back and giving up all my fun if I am a real
+comfort to you."
+
+"I wouldn't have sent for you but for Mr. Martin," said Mrs. Howland.
+"It was he who wished it. Yes, I am much better now, though I cannot
+honestly say that you are the cause. It's the thought of seeing Mr.
+Martin that cheers me up; I must be tidy for him. Yes, you may pour
+out a cup of tea for me; only see that you keep some really strong tea
+in the teapot for Mr. Martin, for he cannot bear it weak. He calls
+weak tea wish-wash."
+
+"But whoever is this mysterious person?" said Maggie.
+
+"I will tell you in a minute or two. You may give me one of those
+little cakes. No, I couldn't stand muffins; I hate them in hot
+weather. Besides, my digestion isn't what it was; but I shall be all
+right by-and-by; so will you too, my dear. And what I do, I do for
+you."
+
+"Well, I wish you would tell me what you are doing for me, and get it
+over," said Maggie. "You were always very peculiar, mums,
+always--even when dear father was alive--and you're not less so now."
+
+"That's a very unkind way for a child to speak of her parent," said
+Mrs. Howland; "but I can assure you, Maggie, that Mr. Martin won't
+allow it in the future."
+
+Maggie now sprang to her feet.
+
+"Good gracious, mother! What has Mr. Martin to do with me? Is he--is
+he--it cannot be, mother!"
+
+"Yes, I can," said Mrs. Howland. "I may as well have it out first as
+last. I am going to marry Mr. Martin."
+
+"Mother!"
+
+There was a wailing cry in Maggie's voice. No girl can stand with
+equanimity her mother marrying a second time; and as Maggie, with all
+her dreams of her own future, had never for an instant contemplated
+this fact, she was simply staggered for a minute or two.
+
+"You will have to take it in the right spirit, my dear," said her
+mother. "I can't stand this life any longer. I want money, and
+comforts, and devotion, and the love of a faithful husband, and Mr.
+Martin will give me all these things. He is willing to adopt you too.
+He said so. He has no children of his own. I mean, when I say that,
+that his first family are all settled in life, and he says that he
+wouldn't object at all to a pleasant, lively girl in the house. He
+wants you to leave school."
+
+"Leave Aylmer House!" said Maggie. "Oh no, mother!"
+
+"I knew you'd make a fuss about it," said Mrs. Howland. "He has a
+great dislike to what he calls fine folks. He speaks of them as
+daisies, and he hates daisies."
+
+"But, mother--mother dear--before he comes, tell me something about
+him. Where did you meet him? Who is he? A clergyman--a barrister? What
+is he, mother?"
+
+Mrs. Howland remained silent for a minute. Then she pressed her hand
+to her heart. Then she gave way to a burst of hysterical laughter.
+
+"Just consider for a minute, Maggie," she said, "what utter nonsense
+you are talking. Where should I be likely to meet a clergyman or a
+barrister? Do clergymen or barristers or people in any profession come
+to houses like this? Do talk sense when you're about it."
+
+"Well, tell me what he is, at least."
+
+"He is in--I am by no means ashamed of it--in _trade_."
+
+Now, it so happened that it had been duly impressed upon Maggie's mind
+that Mr. Cardew of Meredith Manor was also, so to speak, in trade;
+that is, he was the sleeping partner in one of the largest and
+wealthiest businesses in London. Maggie therefore, for a minute, had a
+glittering vision of a great country-house equal in splendor to
+Meredith Manor, where she and her mother could live together. But the
+next minute Mrs. Howland killed these glowing hopes even in the moment
+of their birth.
+
+"I want to conceal nothing from you," she said. "Mr. Martin keeps the
+grocer's shop at the corner. I may as well say that I met him when I
+went to that shop to get the small articles of grocery which I
+required for my own consumption. He has served me often across the
+counter. Then one day I was taken rather weak and ill in the shop, and
+he took me into his back-parlor, a very comfortable room, and gave me
+a glass of excellent old port; and since then, somehow, we have been
+friends. He is a widower, I a widow. His children have gone into the
+world, and each one of them is doing well. My child is seldom or never
+with her mother. It is about a week ago since he asked me if I would
+accept him and plenty, instead of staying as I am--a genteel widow
+with so little money that I am half-starved. His only objection to our
+marriage is the thought of you, Maggie; for he said that I was
+bringing you up as a fine lady, with no provision whatever for the
+future. He hates fine ladies, as he calls them; in fact, he is dead
+nuts against the aristocracy."
+
+"Oh mother!" wailed poor Maggie; "and my father was a gentleman!"
+
+"Mr. Martin has quite a gentlemanly heart," said Mrs. Howland. "I
+don't pretend for a moment that he is in the same position as my late
+lamented husband; but he is ten times better off, and we shall live in
+a nice little house in Clapham, and I can have two servants of my own;
+he is having the house refurnished and repapered for me--in his own
+taste, it is true, for he will not hear of what he calls Liberty
+rubbish. But it is going to be very comfortable, and I look forward to
+my change of surroundings with great satisfaction."
+
+"Yes, mother," said Maggie, "you always did think of yourself first.
+But what about me?"
+
+"You had better not talk to me in that strain before Mr. Martin. He is
+very deeply devoted to me," said Mrs. Howland; "and do not imagine
+that we have not given you careful consideration. He is willing to
+adopt you, but insists on your leaving Aylmer House and coming to
+Laburnum Villa at Clapham. From what he says, you are quite
+sufficiently educated, and your duty now is to look after your mother
+and your new father, to be pleasant to me all day long, and to be
+bright and cheerful with him when he comes back from business in the
+evening. If you play your cards well, Maggie, he will leave you well
+provided for, as he is quite rich--of course, not rich like those
+people you are staying near, but rich for his class. I am very much
+pleased myself at the engagement. Our banns were called last Sunday in
+church, and we are to be married in a fortnight. After that, you had
+best stay on here until we desire you to join us at Laburnum Villa."
+
+"I can't, mother," said Maggie. "I can't--and I won't."
+
+"Oh, come, I hear a step on the stairs," said Mrs. Howland. "That is
+Mr. Martin. Now, you will restrain yourself for my sake."
+
+There _was_ a step on the stairs--firm, solid, heavy. The
+drawing-room door was opened about an inch, but no one came in.
+
+Mrs. Howland said in a low whisper to her daughter, "He doesn't know
+you have returned; he is very playful. Just stay quiet. He really is a
+most amusing person."
+
+"Bo-peep!" said a voice at the door; and a round, shining, bald head
+was popped in and then disappeared.
+
+"Bo-peep!" said Mrs. Howland in response.
+
+She stood up, and there came over her faded face a waggish expression.
+She held up her finger and shook it playfully. The bald head appeared
+again, followed immediately by a very round body. The playful finger
+continued to waggle.
+
+"Ducksie dear!" said Mr. Martin, and he clasped Mrs. Howland in his
+arms.
+
+Maggie gave a smothered groan.
+
+"It's the child," said Mrs. Howland in a whisper. "She is a bit upset;
+but when she knows you, James, she'll love you as much as I do."
+
+"Hope so," said Mr. Martin. "I'm a duckle, Little-sing; ain't I,
+Victoria?" Here he chuckled the good lady under the chin. "Ah, and so
+this is Maggie?--How do, my dear? How do, Popsy-wopsy?"
+
+"How do you do?" said Maggie.
+
+"Come, come," said Mr. Martin. "No flights and vapors, no fine airs,
+no affected, mincing ways. A little girl should love her new parent. A
+little girl should kiss her new parent."
+
+"I won't kiss you, Mr. Martin," said Maggie.
+
+"Oh, come, come--shy, is she? Let me tell you, Popsy-wopsy, that every
+man wouldn't want to kiss you.--She is not a bit like you, my dear
+Victoria. Wherever did she get that queer little face? She is no
+beauty, and that I will say.--Now, your mother, Popsy, is a most
+elegant woman; any one can see that she is a born aristocrat; but I
+hate 'em, my dear--hate 'em! I am one of those who vote for the
+abolition of the House of Lords. Give me the Commons; no bloated Lords
+for me. Well, you're a bit took aback, ain't you? Your mother and
+me--we settled things up very tidy while you were sporting in the
+country. I like you all the better, my dear, for being plain. I don't
+want no beauties except my beloved Victoria. She's the woman for
+me.--Ain't you, my Little-sing? Eh dear! Eh dear! It's we three who'll
+have the fun.--I'll take you right into my heart, Popsy-wopsy, and
+snug and comfortable you'll find yourself there."
+
+Poor Maggie! The overwhelming contrast between this scene and the
+scenes of yesterday! The awful fact that her mother was going to marry
+such a being as Mr. Martin overpowered her with such a sense of horror
+that for the time she felt quite dumb and stupid.
+
+Mr. Martin, however, was in a radiant humor. "Now then, Little-sing,"
+he said, addressing Mrs. Howland, "where's the tea! Poor Bo-peep wants
+his tea. He's hungry and he's thirsty, is Bo-peep. Little-sing will
+pour out Bo-peep's tea with her own pretty, elegant hands, and butter
+his muffins for him, and Cross-patch in the corner can keep herself
+quiet."
+
+"May I go into our bedroom, mother?" said Maggie at that juncture.
+
+"No, miss, you may not," said Martin, suddenly rousing himself from a
+very comfortable position in the only easy-chair the room afforded. "I
+have something to say to you, and when I have said it you may do what
+you please."
+
+"Stay quiet, dear Maggie, for the present," said Mrs. Howland.
+
+The poor woman felt a queer sense of shame. Bo-peep and Little-sing
+had quite an agreeable time together when they were alone. She did not
+mind the boisterous attentions of her present swain; but with Maggie
+by there seemed to be a difference. Maggie made her ashamed of
+herself.
+
+Maggie walked to the window, and, taking a low chair, sat down. Her
+heart was beating heavily. There was such a misery within her that she
+could scarcely contain herself. Could anything be done to rescue her
+mother from such a marriage? She was a very clever girl; but, clever
+as she was, she could see no way out.
+
+Meanwhile Mr. Martin drank his tea with huge gulps, ate a quantity of
+muffins, pooh-poohed the gooseberries as not worth his attention, and
+then said, "Now, Victoria, my dearest dear, I am ready to propound my
+scheme to your offspring.--Come forward, Popsy-wopsy, and listen to
+what new pa intends to do for you."
+
+Maggie rose, feeling that her limbs were turned to ice. She crossed
+the room and stood before Mr. Martin.
+
+"Well?" she said.
+
+"None of those airs, Popsy."
+
+"I want to know what you mean to do," said Maggie, struggling hard to
+keep her temper.
+
+"Well, missie miss, poor Bo-peep means to marry your good ma, and he
+wants a nice 'ittle dirl to come and live with ma and pa at Clapham;
+pretty house, solid furniture, garden stocked with fruit-trees, a
+swing for good 'ittle dirl, a nice room for dear Popsy to sleep in, no
+more lessons, no more fuss, no more POVERTY! That's what new pa
+proposes to ma's 'ittle dirl. What does 'ittle dirl say?"
+
+There was a dead silence in the room. Mrs. Howland looked with wild
+apprehension at her daughter. Mr. Martin had, however, still a jovial
+and smiling face.
+
+"Down on its knees ought Popsy-wopsy to go," he said. "Tears might
+come in Popsy-wopsy's eyes, and the 'ittle dirl might say, 'Dearest pa
+that is to be, I love you with all my heart, and I am glad that you're
+going to marry ma and to take me from horrid school.'"
+
+But there was no sign on the part of Maggie Howland of fulfilling
+these expectations on the part of the new pa. On the contrary, she
+stood upright, and then said in a low voice, "This has been a very
+great shock to me."
+
+"Shock!" cried Martin. "What do you mean by that, miss?"
+
+"I must speak," said Maggie. "You must let me, sir; and, mother, you
+must let me. It is for the last time. Quite the last time. I will
+never be here to offend you any more."
+
+"'Pon my word!" said Martin, springing to his feet, and his red,
+good-humored face growing crimson. "There's gratitude for you! There's
+manners for you!--Ma, how ever did you bring her up?"
+
+"Let me speak," said Maggie. "I am sorry to hurt your feelings, sir.
+You are engaged to my mother."
+
+"Ra-_ther_!" said Mr. Martin. "My pretty birdling hopped, so to speak,
+into my arms. No difficulties with her; no drawing back on the part of
+Little-sing. She wanted her Bo-peep, and she--well, her Bo-peep wanted
+her."
+
+"Yes, sir," said Maggie. "I am exceedingly sorry--bitterly sorry--that
+my mother is going to marry again; but as she cares for you"----
+
+"Which I _do_!" said Mrs. Howland, who was now reduced to tears.
+
+"I have nothing more to say," continued Maggie, "except that I hope
+she will be happy. But I, sir, am my father's daughter as well as my
+mother's, and I cannot for a single moment accept your offer. It is
+impossible. I must go on with my own education as best I can."
+
+"Then you _re-fuse_," said Martin, "to join your mother and me?"
+
+"Yes," said Maggie, "I refuse."
+
+"Has she anything to live on, ma?" asked Mr. Martin.
+
+"Oh, dear James," said Mrs. Howland, "don't take all the poor child
+says in earnest now! She'll be down on her knees to you to-morrow. I
+know she will. Leave her to me, James dear, and I'll manage her."
+
+"You can manage most things, Little-sing," said Mr. Martin; "but I
+don't know that I want that insolent piece. She is very different from
+you. If she is to be about our pleasant, cheerful home snubbing me and
+putting on airs--why, I'll have none of it. Let her go, Victoria, I
+say--let her go if she wants to; but if she comes to me she must come
+in a cheerful spirit, and joke with me, and take my fun, and be as
+agreeable as you are yourself, Little-sing."
+
+"Well, at least," said Mrs. Howland, "give us till to-morrow. The
+child is surprised; she will be different to-morrow."
+
+"I hope so," said Mr. Martin; "but if there's any philandering, or
+falling back, or if there's any _on_-gratitude, I'll have naught to do
+with her. I only take her to oblige you, Victoria."
+
+"You had best leave us now, dear," said Mrs. Howland. "I will talk to
+Maggie, and let you know."
+
+Mr. Martin sat quite still for a minute. Then he rose, took not the
+slightest notice of Maggie, but, motioning Mrs. Howland to follow him,
+performed a sort of cake-walk out of the room.
+
+When he reached the door and had said good-bye, he opened it again and
+said, "Bo-peep!" pushing a little bit of his bald head in, and then
+withdrawing it, while Mrs. Howland pretended to admire his antics.
+
+At last he was gone; but by this time Maggie had vanished into the
+bedroom. She had flung herself on her knees by the bed, and pushed her
+handkerchief against her mouth to stifle the sound of her sobs. Mrs.
+Howland gently opened the door, looked at her daughter, and then shut
+it again. She felt thoroughly afraid of Maggie.
+
+An hour or two later a pale, subdued-looking girl came out of the
+bedroom and sat down by her mother.
+
+"Well," said Mrs. Howland, "he is very pleasant and cheerful, isn't
+he?"
+
+"Mother, he is horrible!"
+
+"Maggie, you have no right to say those things to me. I want a good
+husband to take care of me. I am very lonely, and no one appreciates
+me."
+
+"Oh mother!" said poor Maggie--"my father!"
+
+"He was a very good man," said Mrs. Howland restlessly; "but he was
+above me, somehow, and I never, never could reach up to his heights."
+
+"And you really tell me, his child, that you prefer that person?"
+
+"I think I shall be quite happy with him," said Mrs. Howland. "I
+really do. He is awfully kind, and his funny little ways amuse me."
+
+"Oh mother!"
+
+"You will be good about it, Maggie; won't you?" said Mrs. Howland.
+"You won't destroy your poor mother's happiness? I have had such
+lonely years, and such a struggle to keep my head above water; and now
+that good man comes along and offers me a home and every comfort. I am
+not young, dear; I am five-and-forty; and there is nothing before me
+if I refuse Mr. Martin but an old age of great poverty and terrible
+loneliness. You won't stand in my way, Maggie?"
+
+"I can't, mother; though it gives me agony to think of your marrying
+him."
+
+"But you'll get quite accustomed to it after a little; and he is
+really very funny, I can assure you; he puts me into fits of laughter.
+You will get accustomed to him, darling; you will come and live with
+your new father and me at Laburnum Villa?"
+
+"Mother, you must know that I never will."
+
+"But what are you to do, Maggie? You've got no money at all."
+
+"Oh mother!" said poor Maggie, "it costs very little to keep me at
+Aylmer House; you know that quite, quite well. Please do let me go on
+with my education. Afterwards I can earn my living as a teacher or in
+some profession, for I have plenty of talent. I take after father in
+that."
+
+"Oh yes, I know I always was a fool," said Mrs. Howland; "but I have a
+way with people for all that."
+
+"Mother, you have a great deal that is quite sweet about you, and
+you're throwing yourself away on that awful man! Can't we go on as we
+did for a year or two, you living here, and I coming to you in the
+holidays? Then, as soon as ever I get a good post I shall be able to
+help you splendidly. Can't you do it, mother? This whole thing seems
+so dreadful to me."
+
+"No, I can't, and won't," said Mrs. Howland in a decided voice. "I am
+exceedingly fond of my Bo-peep--as I call him--and greatly enjoy the
+prospect of being his wife. Oh Maggie, you have not returned to be a
+thorn in our sides? You will submit?"
+
+"Never, never, never!" said Maggie.
+
+"Then I don't know what you are to do; for your new father insists on
+my keeping the very little money I have for my own personal use, and
+if you refuse to conform to his wishes he will not allow me to spend a
+farthing of it on you. You can't live on nothing at all."
+
+"I can't," said Maggie. "I don't know quite what to do. Are you going
+to be so very cruel as to take away the little money you have hitherto
+spent on me?"
+
+"I must, dear; in fact, it is done already. Mr. Martin has invested it
+in the grocery business. He already provides for all my wants, and we
+are to be married in a fortnight. I have nothing whatever to spend on
+you."
+
+"Well, mother, we'll say no more to-night. I have a headache, but I'll
+sleep on the sofa here; it's less hot than the bedroom."
+
+"Won't you sleep with your poor old mother?"
+
+"No, I can't, really. Oh, how dreadfully hot this place is!"
+
+"You are spoilt by your fine life, Maggie; but I grant that these
+lodgings are hot. The house at Clapham, however, is very cool and
+fresh. Oh Maggie! My dear Bo-peep is getting such a sweet little
+bedroom ready for you. I could cry when I think of your cross
+obstinacy."
+
+But even the thought of the sweet little bedroom didn't move Maggie
+Howland. Tildy presently brought up a meagre supper, of which the
+mother and daughter partook almost in silence. Then Mrs. Howland went
+to her room, where she fell fast asleep, and Maggie had the
+drawing-room to herself. She had arranged a sort of extempore bed on
+the hard sofa, and was about to lie down, when Tildy opened the door.
+
+"I say," said Tildy, "ain't he cunnin'?"
+
+"What do you mean, Matilda?" said Maggie.
+
+"Oh my," said Tildy, "wot a 'arsh word! Does you know, missie, that
+he's arsked me to go down to Clap'am presently to 'elp wait on your
+ma? If you're there, miss, it'll be the 'eight of 'appiness to me."
+
+"I may as well say at once, Matilda, that I shall not be there."
+
+"You don't like 'im, then?" said Tildy, backing a step. "And 'e is so
+enticin'--the prettiest ways 'e 'ave--at least, that's wot me and Mrs.
+Ross thinks. We always listen on the stairs for 'im to greet your ma.
+We like 'im, that we do."
+
+"I have an old dress in my trunk, Tildy, which I will give you. You
+can manage to make it look quite nice for your new post as parlor-maid
+at Laburnum Villa. But now go, please; for I must be alone to think."
+
+Tildy went. She crept downstairs to the kitchen regions. There she met
+Mrs. Ross.
+
+"The blessed young lady's full of ructions," said Tildy.
+
+"And no wonder," replied Mrs. Ross. "She's a step above Martin, and
+Martin knows it."
+
+"I 'ope as she won't refuse to jine us at Laburnum Villa," said
+Tildy.
+
+"There's no sayin' wot a spirited gel like that'll do," said Mrs.
+Ross; "but ef she do go down, Martin 'll be a match for 'er."
+
+"I don't know about that," replied Tildy. "She 'ave a strong,
+determined w'y about 'er, has our Miss Maggie."
+
+If Mrs. Howland slept profoundly, poor Maggie could not close her
+eyes. She suddenly found herself surrounded by calamity. The
+comparatively small trials which she had thought big enough in
+connection with Aylmer House and Cicely and Merry Cardew completely
+disappeared before this great trouble which now faced her. Her
+mother's income amounted to a hundred and fifty pounds a year, and out
+of that meagre sum the pair had contrived to live, and, owing to Mrs.
+Ward's generosity, Maggie had been educated. But now that dreadful Mr.
+Martin had secured Mrs. Howland's little property, and the only
+condition on which it could be spent on Maggie was that she should
+accept a home with her future stepfather. This nothing whatever would
+induce her to do. But what was to be done?
+
+She had no compunction whatever in leaving her mother. They had never
+been really friends, for the girl took after her father, whom her
+mother had never even pretended to understand. Mrs. Howland, when she
+became Mrs. Martin, would be absolutely happy without Maggie, and
+Maggie knew well that she would be equally miserable with her. On the
+other hand, how was Maggie to live?
+
+Suddenly it flashed across her mind that there was a way out, or at
+least a way of providing sufficient funds for the coming term at
+Aylmer House. Her mother had, after all, some sort of affection for
+her, and if Maggie made her request she was certain it would not be
+refused. She meant to get her mother to give her all that famous
+collection of jewels which her father had collected in different parts
+of the world. In especial, the bracelets flashed before her memory.
+These could be sold, and would produce a sum which might keep Maggie
+at Aylmer House, perhaps for a year--certainly for the approaching
+term.
+
+
+
+
+CHAPTER XIII.
+
+BREAKFAST WITH BO-PEEP.
+
+
+After Maggie's restless night she got up early. The day promised to be
+even hotter than the one before; but as the drawing-room faced west it
+was comparatively cool at this hour.
+
+Tildy brought her favorite young lady a cup of tea, and suggested that
+she should go for an outing while Tildy herself freshened up the room.
+Maggie thought that a good idea, and when she found herself in the
+street her spirits rose a trifle.
+
+A curious sort of fascination drew her in the direction of Martin's
+shop. It was a very large corner shop, had several entrances, and at
+this early hour the young shopmen and shopwomen were busy dressing the
+windows; they were putting appetizing sweetmeats and cakes and
+biscuits and all kinds of delectable things in the different windows
+to tempt the passers-by.
+
+Maggie felt a hot sense of burning shame rising to her cheeks as she
+passed the shop. She was about to turn back, when whom should she see
+standing in the doorway but the prosperous owner himself! He
+recognized her immediately, and called out to her in his full, pompous
+voice, "Come along here, Wopsy!"
+
+The young shop-people turned to gaze in some wonder as the
+refined-looking girl approached the fat, loud-mannered man.
+
+"I'm in a hurry back to breakfast with my mother," said Maggie in her
+coldest voice.
+
+"Well, then, I will come along with you, my dear; I am just in the
+mood. Little-sing, she will give me breakfast this morning. I'll be
+back again in the shop soon after nine. It's a fine shop, ain't it,
+Popsy?"
+
+"It does seem large," said Maggie.
+
+"It's the sort of shop," responded Martin, "that takes a deal of
+getting. It's not done in a day, nor a month, nor a year. It takes a
+lifetime to build up premises like these. It means riches, my
+dear--riches." He rolled out the words luxuriously.
+
+"I am sure it does," said Maggie, who felt that for her own sake she
+must humor him.
+
+"You think so, do you?" said Martin, giving her a keen glance.
+
+"Of course I do," replied Maggie.
+
+Martin gazed at her from head to foot. She was plain. He rather liked
+her for that. He admired her, too, for, as he expressed it, standing
+up to him. His dear Little-sing would never stand up to him. But this
+girl was not the least like her mother. She had a lot of character;
+Little-sing had none.
+
+"You'd make an admirable accountant, Popsy," he said. "How would you
+like to take that post by-and-by in my shop?"
+
+Maggie was about to reply that nothing would induce her to accept such
+a position, when a quick thought darted through her mind. She could
+scarcely hope to make anything of her mother, for, alack and alas!
+Mrs. Howland was one of those weak characters who slip away from you
+even as you try to grasp them. But Martin, with his terrible vulgarity
+and awful pleasantry, was at least fairly strong.
+
+"Mr. Martin," said Maggie then, "instead of going in to breakfast with
+mother, will you take me to some restaurant and give me a good meal,
+and let me talk to you?"
+
+"Well, now," said Martin, chuckling, "you _are_ a girl! You have
+cheek! I am not a man to waste my money, and breakfast with
+Little-sing won't cost me anything."
+
+"But under the circumstances you will waste a little money in order to
+oblige me?" said Maggie.
+
+"There now, I admire your cheek. So be it. You don't deserve anything
+from me, for a ruder 'ittle dirl than you were yesterday to poor
+Bo-peep could not have been found in the length and breadth of
+England."
+
+"You could scarcely expect me to be pleased, sir. The news was broken
+to me very suddenly, and I was tired after my long journey, too."
+
+"Yes; and you vented your spite on me, on poor old Bo-peep, who has
+the kindest heart in Christendom."
+
+"I may have said some things that I regret," said Maggie; "but, at any
+rate, I had the night to think matters over, and if you give me some
+breakfast I can talk to you."
+
+"I will take you to Harrison's for breakfast," said Martin. "You'll
+get a topper there, I can tell you--eggs, bacon, kidneys, liver,
+game-pie, cocoa, coffee, tea, chocolate; anything and everything you
+fancy, and the best marmalade in London."
+
+Maggie felt rather hungry, and when the pair entered Harrison's she
+was not displeased at the liberal supply of food which her future
+stepfather ordered. He pretended to hate the aristocracy, as he called
+them, and poor Maggie could certainly never claim this distinction in
+her own little person. Nevertheless, she was entirely superior to
+Martin, and he felt a sort of pride in her as she walked up the long
+restaurant by his side.
+
+"Now, waiter," he said to the man who approached to take orders, "you
+look slippy. This young 'oman and me, we want a real comfortable,
+all-round, filling meal. You give us the best the house contains; and
+look slippy, I say."
+
+The waiter did look "slippy," whatever that word might imply, and
+Martin proceeded to treat Maggie to really excellent viands and to
+satisfy himself to his heart's content. Maggie ate with a certain
+amount of relish, for, as has been said, she was really hungry.
+
+"Like it, don't you?" said Martin as he watched her consuming her eggs
+and bacon.
+
+"Oh yes, very much indeed," said Maggie.
+
+"I'm fond of a good table myself," said Martin. "This is the sort of
+thing you'll have on all occasions and at every meal at Laburnum
+Villa. We'll soon fill your poor mother's thin cheeks out, and get her
+rosy and plump, and then she'll be a more charming Little-sing to her
+own Bo-peep than ever."
+
+Maggie was silent.
+
+"Come, come," said Martin, patting her hand; "it's all right about
+Laburnum Villa, ain't it, my girl?"
+
+"No, Mr. Martin," said Maggie then.
+
+She withdrew her hand and turned and looked at him fixedly. "I want to
+tell you all about myself," she said. "I was really rude to you
+yesterday, and I am sorry; but I couldn't go to live with you and
+mother at Laburnum Villa. I will tell you the principal reason why I
+couldn't go."
+
+"Oh, come, come, you're only a child; you must do what you are told.
+Your mother has no money to give you, and you can't live on air, you
+know. Air is all very well, but it don't keep folks alive. You'll have
+to come to me whether you like it or not."
+
+"Before you come to that determination, Mr. Martin, may I tell you
+something about myself?"
+
+"Oh dear! I hope it isn't a long story."
+
+"It's very important, and not very long. I am not the least like
+mother"----
+
+"My good girl, any one can see that. Your mother's a remarkably pretty
+and elegant woman, and you're the plainest young person I ever came
+across."
+
+"I am plain," said Maggie; "and, in addition, I am by no means
+good-natured."
+
+"Oh, you admit that? For shame!"
+
+"I was born that way," said Maggie. "I'm a very high-spirited girl,
+and I have got ideas with regard to my future. You said just now that
+perhaps some day you might make me accountant in your shop. That was
+kind of you, and I might be a good accountant; but, of course, all
+that is for the future. I shouldn't mind that--I mean, not
+particularly. But if you were to follow out your plan, and take me to
+live with you and mother at Laburnum Villa, you would never have a
+happy moment; for, you see, I am much stronger in character than
+mother, and I couldn't help making your life miserable; whereas you
+and mother would be awfully happy without me. Mother says that she
+loves you, and wishes to be your wife"--
+
+"Now, what are you driving at, Popsy? For if you have nothing hanging
+on your hands I have a vast lot hanging on mine, and time is
+precious."
+
+"I will tell you quite frankly what I want you to do, Mr. Martin. You
+are taking mother."
+
+"I am willing to take you too. I can't do any more."
+
+"But then, you see, I don't want to be taken. Until you came forward
+and proposed to mother to be your wife she spent a little of her money
+on my education. She tells me that she has put it now into your
+business."
+
+"Poor thing!" said Martin. "She was making ducks and drakes of it; but
+it is safe enough now."
+
+"Yes," said Maggie in a determined voice; "but I think, somehow, that
+a part of it does lawfully belong to me."
+
+"Oh, come! tut, tut!"
+
+"I think so," said Maggie in a resolute tone; "for, you see, it was
+father's money; and though he left it absolutely to mother, it was to
+go to me at her death, and it was meant, little as it was, to help to
+educate me. I could ask a lawyer all about the rights, of course."
+
+For some extraordinary reason Martin looked rather frightened.
+
+"You can go to any lawyer you please," he said; "but what for? let me
+ask. If I take you, and do for you, and provide for you, what has a
+lawyer to say in the matter?"
+
+"Well, that is just it--that's just what I have to inquire into;
+because, you see, Mr. Martin, I don't want you to provide for me at
+all."
+
+"I think now we are coming to the point," said Martin. "Stick to it,
+Popsy, for time's precious."
+
+"I think you ought to allow me to be educated out of mother's money."
+
+"Highty-tighty! I'm sure you know enough."
+
+"I don't really know enough. Mrs. Ward, of Aylmer House, has taken me
+as an inmate of her school for forty pounds a year. Her terms for most
+girls are a great deal more."
+
+Martin looked with great earnestness at Maggie.
+
+"I want to go on being Mrs. Ward's pupil, and I want you to allow me
+forty pounds a year for the purpose, and twenty over for my clothes
+and small expenses--that is, sixty pounds a year altogether. I shall
+be thoroughly educated then, and it seems only fair that, out of
+mother's hundred and fifty a year, sixty pounds of the money should be
+spent on me. There's no use talking to mother, for she gets so easily
+puzzled about money; but you have a very good business head. You see,
+Mr. Martin, I am only just sixteen, and if I get two more years'
+education, I shall be worth something in the world, whereas now I am
+worth nothing. I hope you will think it over, Mr. Martin, and do what
+I wish."
+
+Martin was quite silent for a minute. The waiter came along and was
+paid his bill, with a very substantial tip for himself thrown in.
+Still Martin lingered at the breakfast-table with his eyes lowered.
+
+"There's one thing--and one thing only--I like about this,
+Popsy-wopsy," he said.
+
+"And what is that?" asked Maggie.
+
+"That you came to me on the matter instead of going to your mother;
+that you recognized the strength and force of my character."
+
+"Oh, any one can see that," said Maggie.
+
+"You put it straight, too, with regard to your own disagreeable
+nature."
+
+"Yes, I put it straight," said Maggie.
+
+"Well, all I can say at present is this: I will think it over. You go
+home to your mother now, and tell her that her Bo-peep will be in as
+usual to tea; and you, little girl, may as well make yourself scarce
+at that hour. Here's a sovereign for you. Go and have a jolly time
+somewhere."
+
+"Oh, Mr. Martin, I"----began Maggie, her face crimson.
+
+"You had best not put on airs," said Martin; and Maggie slipped the
+sovereign into her pocket.
+
+When she reached her mother's lodgings she felt well assured that she
+had done the right thing. Hitherto she had been too stunned and
+miserable to use any of her power--that strange power which she
+possessed--on Mr. Martin. But she felt well assured that she could do
+so in the future. She had gauged his character correctly. He was
+hopelessly vulgar, but an absolutely good-natured and straight
+person.
+
+"He will do what I wish," she thought. Her uneasiness vanished as soon
+as the first shock of her mother's disclosure was over. She entered
+the house.
+
+"Why, missie?" said Tildy, "w'erehever 'ave you been? The breakfast's
+stony cold upstairs, and Mrs. 'Owland's cryin' like nothin' at all."
+
+"Thank you, Tildy; I'll see mother immediately," said Maggie. "And I
+don't want any breakfast, for I've had it already."
+
+"With the haristocracy?" asked Tildy in a low, awed kind of voice.
+"You always was one o' they, Miss Maggie."
+
+"No, not with the aristocracy," said Maggie, trying to suppress her
+feelings. "Tildy, your smut is on your left cheek this morning. You
+can remove the breakfast-things, and I'll go up to mother."
+
+Maggie ran upstairs. Mrs. Howland had eaten a little, very indifferent
+breakfast, and was looking weepy and washed-out as she sat in her
+faded dressing-gown near the open window.
+
+"Really, Maggie," she said when her daughter entered, "your ways
+frighten me most terribly! I do wish poor Mr. Martin would insist on
+your coming to live with us. I shall never have an easy moment with
+your queer pranks and goings-on."
+
+"I am sure you won't, dear mother," said Maggie. "But come, don't be
+cross with me. Here's Matilda; she'll clear away the breakfast-things
+in no time, and then I have something I want to say to you."
+
+"Oh dear! my head is so weak this morning," said Mrs. Howland.
+
+"If I were you, Miss Maggie," said Tildy as she swept the cups and
+saucers with noisy vehemence on to a tray, "I wouldn't worrit the poor
+mistress, and she just on the eve of a matrimonial venture. It's
+tryin' to the nerves, it is; so Mrs. Ross tells me. Says she, 'When I
+married Tom,' says she, 'I was on the twitter for a good month.' It's
+awful to think as your poor ma's so near the brink--for that's 'ow
+Mrs. Ross speaks o' matrimony."
+
+"Please be quick, Tildy, and go," said Maggie in a determined voice.
+
+Matilda cleared the table, but before she would take her departure she
+required definite instructions with regard to dinner, tea, and
+supper.
+
+Mrs. Howland raised a distracted face. "Really, I can't think," she
+said, "my head is so weak."
+
+"Well, mum," said Matilda, "s'pose as missus and me does the
+'ousekeepin' for you to-day. You ain't fit, mum; it's but to look at
+you to know that. It's lyin' down you ought to be, with haromatic
+vinegar on your 'ead."
+
+"You're quite right, Matilda. Well, you see to the things to-day. Have
+them choice, but not too choice; fairly expensive, but not too
+expensive, you understand."
+
+"Yus, 'um," said Tildy, and left the room.
+
+Maggie found herself alone with her mother. "Mother," she said
+eagerly, "now I will tell you why I was not home for breakfast this
+morning."
+
+"Oh, it doesn't matter, Maggie," said Mrs. Howland; "I am too weak to
+be worried, and that's a fact."
+
+"It won't worry you, mother. I breakfasted with Mr. Martin."
+
+"What--what!" said Mrs. Howland, astonishment in her voice, and with
+eyebrows raised almost to meet her hair.
+
+"And an excellent breakfast we had," said Maggie. "He isn't a bad sort
+at all, mother."
+
+"Well, I am glad you've found that out. Do you suppose your mother
+would marry a man who was not most estimable in character?"
+
+"He is quite estimable, mother; the only unfortunate thing against him
+is that he is not in your rank in life."
+
+"A woman who lives in these rooms," said Mrs. Howland, "has no rank in
+life."
+
+"Well, dear mother, I cannot agree with you. However, as I said, I
+breakfasted with him."
+
+"Then you're coming round?" said Mrs. Howland. "You're going to be
+good, and a comfort to us both?"
+
+"No, mother, I haven't come round a bit. When I was breakfasting with
+Mr. Martin I fully explained to him what a fearful trial I should be
+to him; how, day by day and hour by hour, I'd annoy him."
+
+"You did that! Oh you wicked child!"
+
+"I thought it best to be frank, mother. I made an impression on him. I
+did what I did as much for your sake as for mine."
+
+"Then he'll break off the engagement--of course he will!" said Mrs.
+Howland. She took a moist handkerchief from her pocket and pressed it
+to her eyes.
+
+"Not he. He is just devoted to you, mother; you need have no such
+apprehension."
+
+"What else did you say to him?"
+
+"Well, mother darling, I said what I thought right."
+
+"Oh, of course you won't confide in me."
+
+"I think not. I will let him do that. He is coming to tea this
+afternoon, and he has given me a sovereign"--how Maggie felt inclined
+to kick that sovereign!--"to go and have some pleasure somewhere. So I
+mean to take the train to Richmond, and perhaps get a boatman to take
+me out on the river for a little."
+
+"He is certainly more playful and amusing when you are not here," said
+Mrs. Howland, a faint smile dawning on her face.
+
+"I am certain of that," said Maggie; "and what's more, he is very fond
+of good living. I mean to go out presently and get some excellent
+things for his tea."
+
+"Will you, Maggie? Will you, my child? Why, that will be quite sweet
+of you."
+
+"I will do it with pleasure, mother. But now I want you to do
+something for me."
+
+"Ah," said Mrs. Howland, "I thought you were coming to that."
+
+"Well, it is this," said Maggie. "When he talks to you about me, don't
+oppose him. He will most probably propound a scheme to you, as his own
+perhaps; and you are to be quite certain to let him think that it is
+his own scheme. And you might make out to him, mother, that I am
+really very disagreeable, and that nothing in all the world would make
+me anything else. And if you are a very wise little mother you will
+tell him that you are happier alone with him."
+
+"Which I am--I am," said Mrs. Howland. "He is a dear, quite a dear;
+and so comical and amusing!"
+
+"Then it's all right," said Maggie. "You know I told you yesterday
+that nothing would induce me to live at Laburnum Villa; but I will
+certainly come to you, mums, in the holidays, if you wish it."
+
+"But, dear child, there is no money to keep you at that expensive
+school. There isn't a penny."
+
+"Oh, well, well, mother, perhaps that can be managed. But now we
+needn't talk any more about my future until after Mr. Martin has had
+tea with you to-day. If you have any news for me when I return from
+Richmond you can let me know."
+
+"You are a very independent girl to go to Richmond by yourself."
+
+"Oh, that'll be all right," said Maggie in a cheerful tone.
+
+"Have you anything else to say to me?"
+
+"Yes. You know all that beautiful jewellery that my dear father
+brought back with him from those different countries where he spent
+his life."
+
+Mrs. Howland looked mysterious and frightened.
+
+"It was meant for me eventually, was it not?" said Maggie.
+
+"Oh, well, I suppose so; only, somehow, I have a life-interest in
+it."
+
+"You won't want for jewellery when you are Mr. Martin's wife."
+
+"Indeed no; why, he has given me a diamond ornament for my hair
+already. He means to take me out a great deal, he says."
+
+"Out!--oh mother--in his set!"
+
+"Well, dear child, I shall get accustomed to that."
+
+"Don't you think you might give me father's jewellery?" said Maggie.
+
+"Is it worth a great deal?" said Mrs. Howland. "I never could bear to
+look at it--that is, since he died."
+
+"You haven't given it to Mr. Martin, have you, mother?"
+
+"No, nor said a word about it to him either."
+
+"Well, suppose, now that we have a quiet time, we look at the
+jewellery?" said Maggie.
+
+"Very well," said Mrs. Howland. Then she added, "I was half-tempted to
+sell some of it; but your father was so queer, and the things seemed
+so very ugly and unlike what is worn, that I never had the heart to
+part with them. I don't suppose they'd fetch a great deal."
+
+"Let's look at them," said Maggie.
+
+Mrs. Howland half-rose from her chair, then sank back again.
+
+"No," she said, "I am afraid of them. Your father told me so many
+stories about each and all. He courted death to get some of them, and
+others came into his hands through such extraordinary adventures that
+I shudder at night when I recall what he said. I want to forget them.
+Mr. Martin would never admire them at all. I want to forget all my
+past life absolutely. You're like your father, and perhaps you admire
+that sort of thing; but they are not to my taste. Here's the key of my
+wardrobe. You will find the tin boxes which hold the jewels. You can
+take them; only never let out a word to your stepfather. He doesn't
+know I posses them--no one does."
+
+"Thank you, mother," said Maggie in a low voice. "Will you lie down on
+the sofa, mums? Oh, here's a nice new novel for you to read. I bought
+it coming up in the train yesterday. You read and rest and feel quite
+contented, and let me go to the bedroom to look at the jewels."
+
+"Very well," said Mrs. Howland; "you can have them. I consider them of
+little or no importance; only don't tell your stepfather."
+
+"He is not that yet, mums."
+
+"Well, well," said Mrs. Howland, "what does a fortnight matter? He'll
+be your stepfather in a fortnight. Yes, take the key and go. I shall
+be glad to rest on the sofa. You're in a much more reasonable frame of
+mind to-day."
+
+"Thank you, dear mother," said Maggie.
+
+She entered the bedroom and closed the door softly behind her. She
+held her mother's bunch of keys in her hand. First of all she unlocked
+the wardrobe, and then, removing the tin boxes, laid them on the table
+which stood at the foot of the bed. She took the precaution first,
+however, to lock the bedroom door. Having done this, she seated
+herself at the table, and, selecting the proper keys, unlocked the two
+tin boxes. One of them contained the twelve famous bracelets which
+Maggie had described to Molly and Isabel Tristram. She would keep her
+word: she would give a bracelet to each girl. She recognized at once
+the two which she considered suitable for the girls, and then examined
+the others with minute care.
+
+Her mother could not admire what was strange in pattern and dimmed by
+neglect; but Maggie, with her wider knowledge, knew well that she
+possessed great treasures, which, if possible, she would keep, but
+which, if necessary, she could sell for sums of money which would
+enable her to start in life according to her own ideas.
+
+She put the twelve bracelets back into their case, and then, opening
+the second tin box, took from it many quaint curios, the value of
+which she had no means of ascertaining. There was a great deal of gold
+and silver, and queer beaten-work in brass, and there were pendants
+and long chains and brooches and queer ornaments of all kinds.
+
+"Poor father!" thought the girl. She felt a lump in her throat--a
+choking sensation, which seemed to make her mother's present conduct
+all the more intolerable. How was she to live in the future with the
+knowledge that her father's memory was, as she felt, profaned? But at
+least she had got his treasures.
+
+She relocked the two tin boxes, and, stowing them carefully away in
+her own trunk, transferred the keys from her mother's bunch to her
+own, and brought her mother's keys back to Mrs. Howland.
+
+"Have you looked at them? Are they worth anything, Maggie?"
+
+"Memories mostly," said Maggie evasively.
+
+"Oh, then," said Mrs. Howland, "I am glad you have them; for I hate
+memories."
+
+"Mother," said Maggie, and she went on her knees to her parent, "you
+have really given them to me?"
+
+"Well, of course, child. Didn't I say so? I don't want them. I haven't
+looked at the things for years."
+
+"I wonder, mums, if you would write something on a piece of paper for
+me."
+
+"Oh dear! oh dear!" said Mrs. Howland. "Mr. Martin doesn't approve of
+what he calls documents."
+
+"Darling mother, you're not Mr. Martin's wife yet. I want you to put
+on paper that you have given me father's curios. He always meant them
+for me, didn't he?"
+
+"He did! he did!" said Mrs. Howland. "One of the very last things he
+said--in his letter, I mean, for you know he died in Africa--was:
+'The treasures I am sending home will be appreciated by my little
+girl.'"
+
+"Oh mother! yes, and they are. Please, mother, write something on this
+bit of paper."
+
+"My head is so weak. I haven't an idea what to say."
+
+"I'll dictate it to you, if I may."
+
+"Very well, child; I suppose I can't prevent you."
+
+Maggie brought paper, blotting-pad, and pen, and Mrs. Howland
+presently wrote: "I have given, on the eve of my marriage to Mr.
+Martin, her father's treasures to my daughter, Margaret Howland."
+
+"Thank you, mother," said Maggie.
+
+The date was affixed. Mrs. Howland added the name she was so soon to
+resign, and Maggie almost skipped into the bedroom.
+
+"It's all right now," she said to herself.
+
+She unlocked her trunk, also unlocking one of the tin boxes. In the
+box which contained the twelve bracelets she put the piece of paper in
+her mother's handwriting. She then relocked the box, relocked the
+trunk, and came back to her mother, restored to perfect good-humor.
+
+Maggie was in her element when she was planning things. Yesterday was
+a day of despair, but to-day was a day of hope. She sat down by her
+mother's desk and wrote a long letter to Molly Tristram, in which she
+told Molly that her mother was about to be married again to a very
+rich man. She mentioned the coming marriage in a few brief words, and
+then went on to speak of herself, and of how delightful it would be to
+welcome Molly and Isabel when they arrived at Aylmer House. Not by the
+faintest suggestion did she give her friend to understand the step
+down in the social scale which Mrs. Howland's marriage with Mr. Martin
+meant.
+
+Having finished her letter, she thought for a minute, then wrote a
+careful line to Merry Cardew. She did not tell Merry about her
+mother's approaching marriage, but said that Molly would have news for
+her. In other respects her letter to Merry was very much more
+confidential than her letter to Molly. She assured Merry of her deep
+love, and begged of her friend to regard this letter as quite private.
+"If you feel you must show it to people, tear it up rather than do
+so," said Maggie, "for I cannot bear that our great and sacred love
+each for the other should be commented on."
+
+When Merry received the letter she neither showed it to any one else
+nor tore it up. She could not forget Maggie's face as she parted from
+her, and the fact that she had refused to accept the ten pounds which
+the little girl had wanted to give her in order to remove her from
+musty, fusty lodgings had raised Maggie considerably in her friend's
+estimation.
+
+Meanwhile Maggie Howland, having finished her letters, went out and
+posted them. She then changed her sovereign, and bought some excellent
+and appetizing fruit and cakes for her mother's and Mr. Martin's tea.
+She consulted with Tildy as to how these dainties were to be
+arranged, and Tildy entered into the spirit of the thing with
+effusion, and declared that they were perfect crowns of beauty, and
+that most assuredly they would melt in Mr. Martin's mouth.
+
+On hearing this Maggie hastened to change the conversation; but when
+she had impressed upon Tildy the all-importance of a snowy cloth being
+placed upon the ugly tray, and further begged of her to polish up the
+teapot and spoons, Tildy thought that Miss Maggie was more wonderful
+than ever.
+
+"With them as is about to step into the life-matrimonial, pains should
+be took," thought Tildy, and she mentioned her sentiments to Mrs.
+Ross, who shook her head sadly, and replied that one ought to do the
+best one could for the poor things.
+
+At three o'clock Maggie put on her hat, drew her gloves on, and,
+taking up a parasol, went out.
+
+"Good-bye, darling," she said to her mother.
+
+After all, she did not go to Richmond; it was too far off, and she was
+feeling a little tired. Besides, the thought of her father's wonderful
+treasures filled her mind. She determined to go to South Kensington
+and look at similar jewels and ornaments which she believed she could
+find there. It occurred to her, too, that it might be possible some
+day to consult the manager of the jewel department with regard to the
+worth of the things which her dear father had sent home; but this she
+would not do to-day.
+
+Her visit to the South Kensington Museum made her feel positively
+assured that she had articles of great value in the tin boxes.
+
+Meanwhile Mrs. Howland waited impatiently for Mr. Martin. She was
+puzzled about Maggie, and yet relieved. She wondered much what Maggie
+could have said to Mr. Martin that day when she breakfasted with him.
+She was not really alarmed. But had she been able to look into Mr.
+Martin's mind she would have felt a considerable amount of surprise.
+The worthy grocer, although an excellent man of business, knew little
+or nothing about law. Maggie's words had made him distinctly
+uncomfortable. Suppose, after all, the girl could claim a right in her
+father's beggarly hundred and fifty pounds a year? Perhaps the child
+of the man who had settled that little income on his wife must have
+some sort of right to it? It would be horrible to consult lawyers;
+they were so terribly expensive, too.
+
+There was a man in the shop, however, of the name of Howard. He was
+the principal shopwalker, and Mr. Martin had a great respect for him.
+Without mentioning names, he put the case before him--as he himself
+expressed it--in a nutshell.
+
+Howard thought for a few minutes, then said slowly that he had not the
+slightest doubt that a certain portion of the money should be spent on
+the child--in fact, that the child had a right to it.
+
+Martin did not like this. A heavy frown came between his brows. The
+girl was a smart and clever girl, not a bit like Little-sing, and she
+could make herself very disagreeable. Her modest request for sixty
+pounds a year did not seem unreasonable. He thought and thought, and
+the more he thought the more inclined he felt to give Maggie her way.
+
+When he arrived at Mrs. Ross's house he did not look quite as cheerful
+as usual. He went upstairs, as Tildy expressed it, "heavy-like"; and
+although both she and Mrs. Ross watched for that delightful scene when
+he was "Bo-peep" to "Little-sing," Martin entered the drawing-room
+without making any exhibition of himself. The room looked quite clean
+and inviting, for Maggie had dusted it with her own hands, and there
+was a very nice tea on the board, and Mrs. Howland was dressed very
+prettily indeed. Martin gave a long whistle.
+
+"I say, Little-sing," he remarked, "whoever has been and done it?"
+
+"What do you mean, James?" said Mrs. Howland.
+
+"Why, the place," said Martin; "it looks sort of different."
+
+"Oh, it's Maggie," said Mrs. Howland. "She went out and bought all
+those cakes for you herself."
+
+"Bless me, now, did she?" said Martin. "She's a smart girl--a _ver_-ry
+smart girl."
+
+"She's a very clever girl, James."
+
+"Yes, that's how I put it--very clever. She has a way about her."
+
+"She has, James. Every one thinks so."
+
+"Well, Little-sing, give me a good meal, and then we'll talk."
+
+Mrs. Howland lifted the teapot and was preparing to pour out a cup of
+tea for Mr. Martin, when he looked at her, noticed her extreme
+elegance and grace, and made a spring toward her.
+
+"You haven't give Bo-peep one kiss yet, you naughty Little-sing."
+
+Mrs. Howland colored as she kissed him. Of course she liked him very
+much; but somehow Maggie had brought a new atmosphere into the house.
+Even Mrs. Howland felt it.
+
+"Let's eat, let's eat," said Martin. "I never deny myself the good
+things of life. That girl knows a thing or two. She's a ver-ry clever
+girl."
+
+"She is, James; she is."
+
+"Now, what on earth do you call me James for? Ain't I Bo-peep--ain't
+I?"
+
+"Yes, Bo-peep, of course you are."
+
+"And you are Little-sing. You're a wonderfully elegant-looking woman
+for your years, Victoria."
+
+
+
+
+CHAPTER XIV.
+
+IN THE PARK.
+
+
+Mrs. Howland did not like to have her years mentioned. Mr. Martin had
+been careful never to do so until Maggie appeared on the scene. On
+the contrary, he had dropped hints that his birdling, his Little-sing,
+his Victoria, was in the early bloom of youth. But now he said that
+she was a wonderful woman for her years.
+
+Mrs. Howland bridled slightly. "I am not old, James," she said.
+
+"Come, come," said the good-natured grocer; "no 'Jamesing' of me. I'm
+your Bo-peep. What does it matter whether you are old or young,
+Victoria, if you suit me and I suit you? This is a first-rate tea, and
+that girl's clever--uncommon clever. By the way, how old may she
+happen to be?"
+
+"Sixteen her last birthday," said Mrs. Howland. "I was very, very
+young, a mere child, when I married, James."
+
+"There you are with your 'James' again! Strikes me, you're a bit huffy
+to-day, Little-sing."
+
+"No, I am not; only I've been worried since Maggie came back. She was
+so rude to you yesterday. I felt it terribly."
+
+"Did you now? Well, that was very sensible of you. We'll finish our
+tea before we begin our talk. Come, Little-sing, eat your cake and
+drink your tea, and make yourself agreeable to your Bo-peep."
+
+Mrs. Howland felt cheered. She did enjoy her meal; and, if she liked
+it, Mr. Martin liked it immensely also.
+
+"What a useful girl that would be!" he said. "We could make her
+housekeeper at Laburnum Villa in no time. She has a head on her
+shoulders."
+
+Mrs. Howland was silent. She was dreading inexpressibly the little
+scene which she felt must be endured between her and her intended.
+
+"We'll ring the bell now," said Martin, wiping a few crumbs from his
+mouth and dusting his trousers with his pocket-handkerchief. "We'll
+get Tildy to remove all these things, and then what do you say to my
+taking you for a drive to the Park?"
+
+"Oh, I should like that!" said Mrs. Howland in surprise,
+
+"Thought so. Never say that Bo-peep isn't thoughtful.--Ah, here you
+be, Tildy. You clear away--smart, my girl, and then whistle for a
+'ansom. Do you hear me? A 'ansom, not a four-wheeler. Look as sharp as
+you can, my girl, and I'll give you sixpence."
+
+"Thank you, sir," said Tildy. She looked with admiring eyes at the
+pair who were so close to the matrimonial venture, and quickly removed
+all traces of the meal.
+
+"Now then, Little-sing, go into your room and get dressed for your
+drive."
+
+Mrs. Howland did so. She put on an elegant sort of bonnet-hat which
+had been presented to her by Martin, a lace fichu over her shoulders,
+and a pair of long white gloves. She had also been presented with a
+white parasol by Martin. He thought that no one could look more
+beautiful than his ladylove when she reappeared in the drawing-room.
+
+"The 'ansom's at the door," he said. "We'll go now and start on our
+drive."
+
+Mrs. Howland rose, and Tildy agreed with Martin as to Mrs. Howland's
+appearance when she stepped into that hansom. Tildy said she looked
+bride-like. Mrs. Ross remarked that as elegant women before now had
+become widows in no time. Tildy shuddered, and said that Mrs. Ross
+should not say things of that sort. Mrs. Ross replied that she
+invariably spoke the truth, and then returned to her dismal kitchen.
+
+Meanwhile Martin and Mrs. Howland were driven swiftly in the direction
+of Hyde Park. London society people were fast going out of town, for
+it was very nearly the end of July; but still there were a few
+carriages about, and some fine horses, and some gaily dressed ladies
+and several smart-looking men. Martin provided a couple of chairs for
+himself and his future wife, and they sat for some little time
+enjoying the fresh air and looking on at the gay scene.
+
+"It is wonderful," said Martin, "what a sight of money is wasted in
+this sort of thing."
+
+"But they enjoy it, don't they?" said Mrs. Howland.
+
+"Yes, my pet," he replied, "but not as you and me will enjoy Laburnum
+Villa. And now, Little-sing, can you attend to business?"
+
+"I have a very weak head for business, Bo-peep," was the reply.
+
+"Don't I know it, my pet; and I am the last person on earth to allow
+you to be worried; but I tell you what it is, Victory, if your head is
+weak as regards money matters, your girl has a topping good brain in
+that direction. Now, I have a notion in my head about her."
+
+"You can't do anything with her," said Mrs. Howland; "she is quite
+impossible. I never thought she would treat you as she did. I could
+weep when I think of it. I shouldn't be surprised if, on account of
+her rudeness and ingratitude, we broke off the engagement. I shouldn't
+really, James."
+
+"What do you take me for?" said James. "It isn't the girl I want to
+marry! it's you."
+
+"Oh dear!" said Mrs. Howland; "of course, I know."
+
+"She ain't a patch on you, Little-sing--that is, I mean as regards
+looks. But now, don't you fret. If you have been turning things over
+in your mind, so have I been turning things over in my mind, and the
+sum and substance of it all is that I believe that girl's right after
+all."
+
+"Right after all! But dear, dear James, the child can't live on
+nothing!"
+
+"Who said she was to live on nothing?" said Martin. "Don't tremble,
+Little-sing; it's more than I can stand. I have been thinking that a
+sharp young miss like that wants a bit more training. She wants
+breaking in. Now, I've no mind to the job. I can manage my
+shop-people--not one of them can come round me, I can tell you--but a
+miss like your daughter, brought up altogether, I will say, above her
+station, is beyond me. What I have been turning over in my mind is
+this, that a year or two's training longer will do her no sort of
+harm."
+
+"Oh!" said Mrs. Howland. She was trembling exceedingly.
+
+"I think, too," continued Martin, "that Laburnum Villa might not be
+agreeable to her at present; and if it ain't agreeable to her she'll
+put on the sulks, and that's more than I _can_ abide. Cheerfulness I
+must have. My joke I must be allowed to make. My fun in my own way I
+must enjoy. You and me--we'll hit it off splendid, and let the girl go
+for the present."
+
+"But she must go somewhere," said Mrs. Howland.
+
+"Good gracious, my lady! do you suppose I'd allow the girl to be
+destitute? No; I'm ready to do the generous; and now, I'll tell you
+something. You mustn't blame her too much. She repented of her
+ill-natured manner last night, and came to me as pretty as you please
+this morning, and asked me to breakfast with her. I was taken aback,
+but she came round me, and we went to Harrison's and had a topping
+meal. Then she spoke to me very sensible, and explained that she
+wanted more 'parlez-vooing' and more 'pi-annofortying,' and all the
+rest of the so-called ladies' accomplishments. She consulted me very
+pretty and very proper indeed; and the long and the short of it is
+that I am willing to allow her forty pounds a year for her education
+at that blessed Aylmer House where all the swells go, and to keep her
+there for two years certain; and I am willing, further, to give her
+twenty pounds a year to spend on dress. Of course she takes her
+holidays with us. Then, if at the end of that time she turns out what
+I hope she will, I will make her an accountant in the shop; it will be
+a first-rate post for her, and I am sure, from the way she talks, she
+has a splendid head for business. Now, what do you say to that,
+Little-sing?"
+
+"I say there never was your like, Bo-peep."
+
+Mr. Martin rubbed his hands. "Thought you'd be pleased," he said. "The
+girl spoke very proper indeed this morning, and she is a good
+girl--plain and sensible, and I couldn't but take notice of her words.
+Now then, s'pose we take a fresh 'ansom, and hurry home; and I'll take
+you out and give you a right good bit of dinner, and afterwards we'll
+go to the play."
+
+"Oh dear!" said Mrs. Howland, "you are good to me, Bo-peep."
+
+
+
+
+CHAPTER XV.
+
+TWO SIDES.
+
+
+Mrs. Ward's school reopened on the 20th of September. For two or three
+days beforehand the immaculate and beautiful house was being made, if
+possible, still more immaculate and still more lovely. The
+window-boxes were refilled with flowers; the dainty little bedrooms
+were supplied with fresh curtains to the windows and fresh drapery for
+the beds.
+
+Mrs. Ward herself arrived at the school about a week before her pupils
+made their appearance. She had much to settle during this week. She
+had, in short, to prepare her plan of campaign for the ensuing term:
+to interview her different masters and mistresses, to consult with her
+resident English governess (a charming girl of the name of Talbot), to
+talk over matters with Fraeulein Beck, and to reassure Mademoiselle
+Laplage, who was very lively, very conscientious, but at the same time
+very nervous with regard to her own powers. "_Les jeunes filles
+Anglaises sont bien capables et bien distinguees mais--ma foi! comme
+elles me fatiguent les nerfs!_" Mademoiselle Laplage would say; and,
+although she had been at Aylmer House for three terms, she always
+doubted her powers, and made the same speech over and over again at
+the beginning of each term. In addition to Miss Talbot, there was a
+very cheery, bright girl of the name of Johnson, who looked after the
+girls' wardrobes and helped them, if necessary, with their work, saw
+that they were punctual at meals, and occasionally took an English
+class. She was a great favorite with all the girls at Mrs. Ward's
+school. They called her Lucy, instead of Miss Johnson. She was quite
+young--not more than twenty years of age.
+
+These four ladies resided at Aylmer House; but masters and mistresses
+for various accomplishments came daily to instruct the girls. Mrs.
+Ward loved her teachers almost as much as she loved her girls, and
+they each and all adored her.
+
+Miss Talbot was an exceedingly clever woman, close on thirty years of
+age. She had taken very high honors at Cambridge, and was a person of
+great penetration of character, with a genius for imparting
+knowledge.
+
+Unlike most head-mistresses, Mrs. Ward seldom changed her staff of
+teachers. She had the gift of selection to a marvellous degree, and
+never was known to make a mistake with regard to the choice of those
+women who helped her in her great work of education.
+
+Summer was, of course, over when the girls assembled at Aylmer House.
+Nevertheless, there was a sort of afterglow of summer, which was
+further intensified by the beautiful flowers in the window-boxes and
+by the fresh, clean, fragrant atmosphere of the house itself.
+
+The two Cardews and the two Tristrams came up to Aylmer House by an
+early train. Mr. Tristram brought them to school, Mr. and Mrs. Cardew
+at the last moment feeling unequal to the task of parting with their
+darlings in the presence of their companions. The real parting had
+taken place the previous night; and that pain which Merry had felt at
+intervals during the end of the summer vacation was sharp enough to
+cause her to cry when she lay down to sleep on the night before going
+to school. But Merry was brave, and so was Cicely; and, although Merry
+did hate beyond words the thought of not seeing her beloved father and
+her dear mother until Christmas, she thought also that very good
+times were before her, and she was resolved to make the best of them.
+
+Molly and Isabel, who were quite accustomed to going to school, had no
+pangs of heart at all when they bade their mother good-bye. As to
+Peterkins and Jackdaw, as they were also going to school on the
+following day, they scarcely observed the departure of their sisters,
+only saying, when Belle hugged one and Molly the other, "What a fuss
+you girls do make! Now, if Spot-ear and Fanciful were to fret about us
+there'd be some reason in it. But mother's going to look after them;
+and mother's a brick, I can tell you." The girls laughed very merrily,
+and asked what message her two adorers would like to send to Maggie.
+
+The two adorers only vouchsafed the remark, "Don't bother; we're going
+to be with boys now, and boys are worth all the girls in creation put
+together."
+
+The journey to town was taken without any special adventure, and at
+about three o'clock in the afternoon an omnibus containing the four
+girls, accompanied by Mr. Tristram, with their luggage piled on the
+roof, stopped at Aylmer House.
+
+Aneta had already arrived; and as the girls entered with a new feeling
+of timidity through the wide-open doors they caught a glimpse of
+Maggie in the distance. There were other girls, absolute strangers to
+them, who peeped for a minute over the balusters and then retired from
+view. But, whatever the four strangers might have felt with regard to
+these interesting occurrences, every other feeling was brought into
+subjection by the appearance of Mrs. Ward on the scene.
+
+Mrs. Ward looked quite as stately as Mrs. Cardew, with her beautiful
+face still quite young; with her most kind, most gentle, most
+protective manner; with the glance of the eye and the pressure of the
+hand which spoke untold volumes of meaning. Merry felt her loving
+heart rise in sudden adoration. Cicely gave her a quick, adoring
+glance. As to Molly and Isabel, they were speechless with pleasure.
+
+"You have come, dears," said Mrs. Ward. "Welcome, all four!--These are
+your girls, Mr. Tristram"--she singled out Molly and Isabel without
+being introduced to them. "I know them," she said with a smile, "from
+their likeness to you. And these are the Cardews. Now, which is Cicely
+and which Merry? Ah, I think I can tell. This is Merry, is she not?"
+and she laid her hand on the pretty girl's shoulder.
+
+"Yes, I am Merry," replied Meredith Cardew in a voice which almost
+choked her.
+
+"And you, of course, are Cicely," said Mrs. Ward. "In this house all
+the girls speak to each other by their Christian names; and you will
+be Cicely and Merry to me, as Molly and Isabel Tristram will be Molly
+and Isabel to me. You know Aneta, of course. She is hovering near,
+anxious to take possession of you. Go with her, dears. I think all my
+girls have now come.--Is it not so, Miss Talbot?"
+
+"Yes, Mrs. Ward," replied Miss Talbot.
+
+"Miss Talbot, may I introduce my four new pupils to you, Cicely and
+Merry Cardew, and Molly and Isabel Tristram?--You will have a good
+deal to do with Miss Talbot, girls, for she is our English teacher,
+and my very great friend."
+
+Miss Talbot blushed slightly from pleasure. She said a gentle word to
+each girl, and a minute afterwards they had, so to speak, crossed the
+Rubicon, and were in the heart of Aylmer House; for Aneta had seized
+Merry's hand, and Cicely followed immediately afterwards, while Molly
+and Belle found themselves one at each side of Maggie Howland.
+
+"Oh, this is delightful!" said Maggie. "We have all met at last. Isn't
+the day glorious? Isn't the place perfect? Aren't you in love with
+Mrs. Ward?"
+
+"She seems very nice," said Molly in an almost timid voice.
+
+"How nice Merry and Cicely look!" continued Maggie.
+
+"You look nice, yourself, Maggie. Everything is wonderful," said
+Molly; "not a bit like the school in Hanover."
+
+"Of course not. Who could compare it?" said Maggie.
+
+Meanwhile Aneta, Cicely, and Merry had gone on in front. But as they
+were ascending the broad, low stairs, Merry turned and glanced at
+Maggie and smiled at her, and Maggie smiled back at Merry. Oh, that
+smile of Merry's, how it caused her heart to leap! Aneta, try as she
+would, could not take Merry Cardew quite away from her.
+
+Cicely and Merry had a bedroom together. Two little white beds stood
+side by side. The drugget on the floor was pale blue. The room was a
+study in pale blue and white. It was all exquisitely neat, fresh,
+airy, and the smell of the flowers in the window-boxes came in through
+the open windows.
+
+"Why," said Cicely with a gasp, "we might almost be in the country!"
+
+"This is one of the nicest rooms in the whole house," said Aneta. "But
+why should I say that," she continued, "when every room is, so to
+speak, perfect? I never saw Mrs. Ward, however, more particular than
+she was about your bedroom, girls. I think she is very much pleased at
+your coming to Aylmer House."
+
+Cicely ran to the window and looked out.
+
+"It is so nice to be in London," she said; "but somehow, I thought it
+would be much more noisy."
+
+Aneta laughed.
+
+"Aylmer House," she said, "stands in the midst of a great square. We
+don't have huge traffic in the squares; and, really, at night it is as
+quiet as the country itself."
+
+"But hark! hark!" said Merry, "there is a funny sound after all."
+
+"What do you take it for?" asked Aneta.
+
+"I don't know," said Merry. "I could almost imagine that we were by
+the seaside, and that the sound was the roar of the breakers on the
+beach."
+
+"It is the roar of human breakers," said Aneta. "One always hears
+that kind of sound even in the quietest parts of London. It is the
+great traffic in the thoroughfares not far away."
+
+"It is delightful! wonderful!" said Merry. "Oh, I long to know all the
+girls! You will introduce us, won't you, Aneta?"
+
+"Of course; and you must be very quick remembering names. Let me see.
+You two, and Molly and Isabel, and Maggie Howland, and I make six.
+There are twenty girls in the house altogether, so you have to make
+the acquaintance of fourteen others."
+
+"I never can possibly remember their names," said Merry.
+
+"You will have to try. That's the first thing expected of a
+schoolgirl--to know the names of her schoolfellows."
+
+"Well, I will do my best."
+
+"You had better do your best; it will be a good occupation for you
+during this first evening. Now, are you ready? And shall we go down?
+We have tea in the refectory at four o'clock. Mademoiselle Laplage
+presides over the tea-table this week."
+
+"Oh, but does she talk English?"
+
+"Of course not--French. How can you learn French if you don't talk
+it?"
+
+"I shall never understand," said poor Merry.
+
+"Well, I've no doubt she will let you off very easily during the first
+few days," said Aneta. "But afterwards she is just as particular as
+woman can be."
+
+The girls went downstairs, where a group of other girls--most of them
+wearing pretty white dresses, for they were all still in full summer
+attire--met in the wide, pleasant hall. Aneta performed the ceremony
+of introduction.
+
+"Henrietta and Mary Gibson, may I introduce my special friends and
+cousins, Cicely and Meredith--otherwise Merry--Cardew?"
+
+Two tall, fair, lady-like girls responded to this introduction with a
+hearty shake of the hand and a hearty welcome to the new-comers.
+
+"Here is Rosamond Dacre," continued Aneta, as a very dark, somewhat
+plain girl appeared in view.--"Rosamond, my friends and cousins,
+Cicely and Merry Cardew."
+
+Rosamond shook hands, but stiffly and without any smile. The next
+minute a laughing, merry, handsome little girl, with dark-blue eyes,
+very dark curling eyelashes, and quantities of curling black hair,
+tumbled rather than walked into view.
+
+"Ah Kathleen--Kitty, you're just as incorrigible as ever!" cried
+Aneta:--"Girls, this is our Irish romp, as we always call her. Her
+name is Kathleen O'Donnell.--Now then, Kathleen, you must be good, you
+know, and not too terribly Irish. I have the honor to present to you,
+Kathleen, my cousins Cicely and Merry Cardew."
+
+Kathleen did more than smile. She laughed outright. "I am delighted
+you have come," she said. "How are you? Isn't school glorious? I do
+love it! I have come straight from Glengariff--the most beautiful part
+of the whole of Ireland. Do you know Ireland? Have you ever seen
+Bantry Bay? Oh, there is no country in all the world like it, and
+there is no scenery so magnificent."
+
+"Come, Kitty, not quite so much chatter," said Aneta.--"Ah, there's
+the tea-gong."
+
+The girls now followed Aneta into a pleasant room which looked out on
+to a small garden. The garden, compared to the great, sweeping lawns
+and lovely parterres of Meredith Manor, was insignificant.
+Nevertheless, with the French windows of the refectory wide open, and
+the beds full of hardy flowers--gay geraniums, late roses, innumerable
+asters, fuchsias, etc.--it appeared as a fresh surprise to the country
+girls.
+
+"It isn't like London," thought Merry.
+
+At tea she found herself, greatly to her relief, at Maggie's side.
+There was also another piece of good fortune--at least so it seemed to
+the Cardews, whose conversational French was still almost
+_nil_--Mademoiselle Laplage was unexpectedly absent, the good lady
+being forced to remain in her room with a sudden, overpowering
+headache, and pleasant, good-natured Lucy--otherwise Miss
+Johnson--took her place.
+
+"Perfect freedom to-day, girls," said Miss Johnson.
+
+"Ah, good Lucy! thank you, Lucy!" exclaimed Kathleen.
+
+"That's right, Lucy! Hurrah for Lucy!" cried several other voices.
+
+"No discipline at all to-day," continued Lucy. "School doesn't begin
+until to-morrow."
+
+Cicely was seated near Aneta, with Kathleen O'Donnell at her other
+side. Just for a minute Aneta's eyes traveled across the table and
+fixed themselves on Maggie's face. Maggie found herself coloring, and
+a resentful feeling awoke in her heart. She could not dare to oppose
+Aneta; and yet--and yet--she was determined at any cost to keep the
+love of Merry Cardew for herself.
+
+Meanwhile Merry, who was equally delighted to find herself by Maggie's
+side, began to talk to her in a low tone.
+
+"You don't look very well, Mags," she said--"not nearly as robust as
+when I saw you last; and you never wrote to me after that first
+letter."
+
+"I have a great deal I want to tell you," said Maggie in a low tone.
+"Lucy is quite right; there are no lessons of any sort this evening.
+Mrs. Ward always gives us the first evening to settle and to get
+perfectly at home in, so we shall be able to chatter to our heart's
+content. This is going to be a glorious night, and we can walk about
+in the garden."
+
+"But won't there be a lot of other people in the garden?" asked
+Merry.
+
+"Why, of course," said Maggie in a surprised tone. "I suppose we'll
+all be there."
+
+"We can't talk any secrets, if that is what you mean," said Merry,
+"for the garden is so very small."
+
+Maggie laughed. "That's because you are accustomed to Meredith Manor,"
+she said. "Anyhow," she continued, dropping her voice, "I must talk to
+you. I have a great, great deal to say, and you'll have to listen."
+
+"Of course I will listen, dear," said Merry.
+
+Rosamond Dacre now joined in, and the conversation became general.
+Henrietta and Mary Gibson had a very agreeable way of describing
+things. Maggie felt herself reinstated in the life she loved; Merry,
+the girl she cared for best, was by her side, and she would not have
+had a single thorn in the flesh but for the presence of Aneta.
+
+It has been said that in this school there were two girls who held
+considerable sway over their companions. One of them was Aneta Lysle,
+the other Maggie Howland. Aneta had, of course, far and away the
+greater number of girls under her spell, if such a word could describe
+her high and noble influence over them. But Maggie had her own
+friends, among whom were Rosamond Dacre, Kathleen O'Donnell, Matty and
+Clara Roache, and Janet Burns. All these girls were fairly nice, but
+not so high-bred and not so noble in tone as the girls who devoted
+themselves to Aneta. Kathleen was, indeed, altogether charming; she
+was the romp of the school and the darting of every one. But Rosamond
+Dacre was decidedly morose and sulky. She was clever, and on this
+account her mistresses liked her; but she was a truly difficult girl
+to deal with, being more or less shut up within herself, and
+disinclined to true friendship with any one. She liked Kathleen
+O'Donnell, however, and Kathleen adored Maggie. Rosamond was,
+therefore, considered to be on Maggie's side of the school. Matty and
+Clara Roache were quite ordinary, everyday sort of girls, neither very
+good-looking nor the reverse, neither specially clever nor specially
+stupid. Their greatest friend was Janet Burns, a handsome little girl
+with a very lofty brow, calm, clear gray eyes, and a passionate
+adoration for Maggie Howland. Matty and Clara would follow Janet to
+the world's end, and, as Janet adhered to Maggie, they were also on
+Maggie's side.
+
+Maggie naturally expected to add to the numbers of her special
+adherents her own two friends, the Tristrams. She felt she could
+easily have won Merry also to join, the ranks of adorers; but then it
+suddenly occurred to her that her friendship for Merry should be even
+more subtle than the ordinary friendship that an ordinary girl who is
+queen at school gives to her fellows. She did not dare to defy Aneta.
+Merry must outwardly belong to Aneta, but if her heart was Maggie's
+what else mattered?
+
+When tea was over several of the girls drifted into the garden, where
+they walked in twos, discussing their holidays, their old friends, and
+the time which was just coming. There was not a trace of unhappiness
+in any face. The whole atmosphere of the place seemed to breathe peace
+and goodwill.
+
+Aneta and Cicely, with some of Aneta's own friends, two girls of the
+name of Armitage--Anne and Jessie--and a very graceful girl called
+Sylvia St. John, walked up and down talking quietly together for some
+little time.
+
+Then Cicely looked eagerly round her. "I can't see Merry anywhere,"
+she remarked.
+
+"She is all right, dear, I am sure," said Aneta. But Aneta in her
+inmost heart did not think so. She was, however, far too prudent to
+say a word to make her cousin Cicely uneasy.
+
+Meanwhile Maggie and Merry had found a cosy corner for themselves in
+one of the conservatories. They sat side by side in two little
+garden-chairs.
+
+"Well, you've come!" said Maggie. "I have carried out my design. My
+heart's desire is satisfied."
+
+"Oh, how sweet you are, Maggie!" said Merry. "I have missed you so
+much!" she added. "I have so often wished for you!"
+
+"Do you really love me?" asked Maggie, looking at Merry in her queer,
+abrupt manner.
+
+"You know I do," said Merry.
+
+"Well," said Maggie, "there are a great many girls in the school who
+love me very dearly."
+
+"It is easy to perceive that," said Merry. "Why, Maggie, at tea-time
+that handsome little Irish girl--Kathleen you call her--couldn't take
+her eyes off you."
+
+"Oh, Kitty," said Maggie. "Yes, she is on my side."
+
+"What do you mean by your side?"
+
+"Well, of course I have told you--haven't I?--that there are two of us
+in this school who are more looked up to than the others. It seems
+very conceited for me to say that I happen to be one. Of course I am
+not a patch on Aneta; I know that perfectly well."
+
+"Aneta is a darling," said Merry; "and she is my own cousin; but"--she
+dropped her voice--"Maggie, somehow, I can't help loving you best."
+
+"Oh," said Maggie with a start, "is that true?"
+
+"It is! it is!"
+
+Maggie was silent for a minute. At the end of that time she said very
+gently, "You won't be hurt at something I want to tell you?"
+
+"Hurt! No," said Merry; "why should I be?"
+
+"Well, it is just this: Aneta is frightfully jealous of me."
+
+"Oh! I don't believe it," said Merry indignantly. "It isn't in her
+nature to be jealous. It's very low-minded to be jealous."
+
+"There is no school," said Maggie, "where jealousy does not abound.
+There is no life into which jealousy does not enter. The world itself
+is made up of jealous people. Aneta is jealous of me, and I--I am
+jealous of her."
+
+"Oh, Maggie dear, you must not, and you ought not to be jealous of
+Aneta! She thinks so kindly, so sweetly of every one."
+
+"She loves you," said Maggie. "You just go and tell her how much you
+care for me, that you love me better than you love her, and see how
+she will take it."
+
+"But I wouldn't tell her that," said little Merry, "for it would hurt
+her."
+
+"There!" said Maggie with a laugh; "and yet you pretend that you don't
+think her jealous."
+
+"She will never be jealous of me, for I'll never give her cause--dear
+Aneta!" said Merry.
+
+Maggie was again silent and thoughtful for a few minutes. "Listen to
+me, Merry," she said. "In this school the girls follow the queens. If
+I wanted to make Aneta Lysle really mad with jealousy I'd get you over
+to me; but--don't speak for a minute--I won't get you over to me. You
+shall stay at school and be on Aneta's side."
+
+"I suppose--I suppose I ought," said Merry in a faint voice.
+
+"You must--you must be on Aneta's side of the school, and so must
+Cicely; but you can, all the same, love me best."
+
+"Can I?" said Merry, brightening up. "Then, if I can, I sha'n't mind a
+bit."
+
+Maggie patted her hand very gently. "You can, Merry; and you can help
+me. You will always take my part, won't you?"
+
+"Indeed--indeed I will! But it won't be necessary."
+
+"It may be," said Maggie very earnestly. "Promise that, if the time
+comes, you will take my part."
+
+"I promise, of course. What can be the matter with you, Maggie? You
+don't look a bit yourself."
+
+Maggie did not at once reply. "I shall have a great deal to do this
+term," she said after a pause; "and my party in the school won't be so
+weak after all. There'll be Rosamond Dacre----"
+
+"I didn't very much like Rosamond," said Merry, speaking in a low
+voice.
+
+"Oh, she is excellent fun when you know her," said Maggie; "but as she
+won't be on your side, nor in your form, you are not likely to have
+much to do with her. Then Matty and Clara are first-rate, and they're
+mine too; and Kathleen O'Donnell is a perfect brick; and Janet Burns,
+she's as strong as they make 'em. Of course the Tristrams will belong
+to me. Let me see: Tristrams, two; Rosamond, three; Kathleen, four;
+Matty and Clara, six; Janet, seven. Ah, well, I am quite in the
+minority. Aneta carries off eleven girls as her share."
+
+"Don't be sad about it, Maggie. Surely we might all be one in the
+school! Why should there be parties?" said Merry.
+
+"Little you know, Merry, how impossible school-life would be without
+parties, and great friends, and medium friends, and favorites, and
+enemies. Why, Merry, school is a little world, and the world is made
+up of elements such as these."
+
+"Tell me," said Merry after a pause, "what you did after you left
+us."
+
+Maggie colored. "Oh, stayed for a time in that horrid Shepherd's
+Bush."
+
+"In those fusty, musty lodgings?" said Merry.
+
+"Yes, and they were fusty, musty."
+
+"Oh dear! I am sorry for you. We had such a glorious time!"
+
+"I know it, dear; but glorious times don't come to girls like me."
+
+"Why, are you so very, very sad, Maggie? Oh, now I know--of course I
+know. I didn't like to write to you about it, for it seemed to me
+quite--you will forgive me, won't you?--quite dreadful that your
+mother should have married again. Is she married yet, Maggie?"
+
+Maggie nodded.
+
+"Oh, I can sympathize with you, dear Maggie! It must be so fearful to
+have a stepfather!"
+
+"It is," said Maggie.
+
+"Is he a nice man, Maggie? Or would you rather I didn't speak of
+him?"
+
+"No; you may speak of him if you like. He is a rich man--he is very
+rich."
+
+"I am glad of that at any rate," said Merry. "You will never be in
+fusty, musty lodgings any more."
+
+"Oh no, never! My mother's husband--I cannot speak of him as my
+stepfather--will see to that."
+
+"What is his name?"
+
+Maggie hesitated. Not for the world would she have let any of her
+schoolfellows know the real position; but she could not very well
+conceal her stepfather's name.
+
+"Martin," she said.
+
+"Spelt with a 'y'? We know some awfully nice Martyns. They live about
+twenty miles away from Meredith Manor. I wonder if your Mr. Martyn is
+related to them."
+
+"Oh, very likely," said Maggie.
+
+"Then perhaps you will go to stay with them--your mother, and
+your--your mother's husband, and you too; and we'll all meet. They
+live at a place-called The Meadows. It isn't as old or as beautiful as
+our Manor, but it's a sweet place, and the girls are so nice you'll be
+sure to like them."
+
+"Yes, I dare say I shall," said Maggie, who didn't care to contradict
+Merry's innocent ideas with regard to her mother's marriage.
+
+"Well, I am glad," said Merry, "that your dear mother has married a
+rich gentleman. Has he a country place of his own?"
+
+"Of course he has," said Maggie, who felt that she could at least
+utter these words with truth.
+
+"And is it far, far from London, or quite in the country?"
+
+"It is," said Maggie, "in--in the Norwood direction."
+
+This remark made no impression whatever on Merry, who had not the
+least idea where the Norwood direction was. But by-and-by, when she
+parted from Maggie and joined her sister and Aneta, she said, "I have
+a piece of rather good news to tell about dear Maggie Howland. She
+won't be poor any more."
+
+"That is a word we never discuss at school," said Aneta.
+
+"Well, we needn't after to-night," said Merry with a slight touch of
+irritation in her manner. "But although I haven't the faintest idea
+what poverty means, I think poor Maggie knows a good deal about it.
+Well, she won't have anything to do with it in future, for her mother
+has just married again."
+
+"Oh!" said Aneta, with a show of interest.
+
+"Yes; and a very nice gentleman he must be. He is a cousin of the
+Martyns of The Meadows. You know how you liked them when we spent a
+day there during these holidays--didn't you, Aneta?"
+
+"Yes," said Aneta, "most charming people. I felt quite sorry that the
+Martyn girls were too old for school. I wonder they didn't mention the
+fact of their cousin being about to marry Mrs. Howland; for you know
+we were talking of Maggie to them, or at least you were, Merry."
+
+"Of course I was," said Merry in a determined voice. "I am very, very
+fond of Maggie Howland."
+
+"Perhaps we had better go to bed now," said Aneta. "I may as well tell
+you, girls, that we have to get up at half-past six. Lucy comes to us
+and wakes us at that hour, and we are expected to be downstairs at
+seven. Lucy will tell you, too, girls, that it is expected of us all
+that we shall keep our rooms in perfect order. Now, shall we say
+good-night?"
+
+The Cardews kissed their cousin and went to their own pleasant room.
+
+As soon as they were there Merry said, "Cicely, I am glad about poor
+Maggie."
+
+"And so am I," said Cicely.
+
+"When we write home we must be sure to mention to mother about Mr.
+Martyn. I don't think dear Maggie knew anything about The Meadows; so
+perhaps, after all, he is a somewhat distant cousin; but it is such a
+comfort to know that he is rich and a gentleman."
+
+"Yes," said Cicely. Then she added, "I don't think Aneta wants you to
+make too great a friend of Maggie Howland."
+
+"Oh, nonsense!" said Merry, coloring slightly. "I am never going to
+give Maggie up, for I love her dearly."
+
+"Of course," said Cicely, "it would be very mean to give her up; but
+you and I, as Aneta's cousins, must be on her side in the school. What
+I am afraid of is that Maggie will try to induce you to join her
+set."
+
+"That shows how little you know her," said Merry, roused to the
+defensive. "She explained everything to me this afternoon, and said
+that I certainly must belong to Aneta."
+
+"Did she? Well, I call that splendid," said Cicely.
+
+
+
+
+CHAPTER XVI.
+
+BO-PEEP.
+
+
+When Aneta found herself alone that evening she stayed for a short
+time thinking very deeply. She felt a queer sense of responsibility
+with regard to the Cardews. If Maggie imagined that it was through her
+influence they had come to Aylmer House, Aneta was positive that they
+would never have entered the school but for her and her aunt, Lady
+Lysle. Besides, they were her very own cousins, and she loved them
+both dearly. She was not especially anxious about Cicely, who was a
+more ordinary and less enthusiastic girl than Merry; but about Merry
+she had some qualms. There was no doubt whatever that the girl was
+attracted by Maggie; and, in Aneta's opinion, Maggie Howland was in no
+sense of the word a proper companion for her.
+
+Aneta, as she sat calmly by her open window--for it was not necessary
+to hurry to bed to-night--thought much over the future which spread
+itself immediately in front of her and her companions. She was
+naturally a very reserved girl. She was born with that exclusiveness
+and reserve which a distinguished class bestows upon those who belong
+to it. But she had in her heart very wide sympathies; and, like many
+another girl in her position, she could be kind to the poor,
+philanthropic to the last degree to those in real distress, denying
+herself for the sake of those who wanted bread. Towards girls,
+however, who were only a trifle below her in the social scale she
+could be arbitrary, haughty, and strangely wanting in sympathy. Maggie
+Howland was exactly the sort of girl who repelled Aneta. Nevertheless,
+she was a member of the school; and not only was she a member of the
+school, but a very special member. Had she even been Janet Burns (who
+was so clever, and as far as learning was concerned carried all before
+her), or had she been as brilliant and witty as Kathleen O'Donnell,
+Aneta would not have troubled herself much over her. But Maggie was
+possessed of a curious sense of _power_ which was hers by heritage,
+which her father had possessed before her, and which caused him--one
+of the least prepossessing and yet one of the most distinguished men
+of his day--to be worshipped wherever he went. This power was greater
+than beauty, greater than birth, greater than genius. Maggie had it,
+and used it to such effect that she and Aneta divided the school
+between them. Aneta was never quite certain whether some of her
+special friends would not leave her and go over to Maggie's side; but
+she felt that she did not greatly care about this, provided she could
+keep Merry and Cicely altogether to herself.
+
+After thinking for a little time she sprang to her feet, and going to
+the electric bell, sounded it. After a short delay a servant
+appeared.
+
+"Mary," said Aneta, "will you have the goodness to ask Miss Lucy if I
+may speak to her for a minute?"
+
+"Yes, miss," replied Mary, closing the door behind her in her usual
+noiseless fashion.
+
+In a very few minutes Miss Johnson entered Aneta's room.
+
+"I was just thinking of going to bed, dear," said that good-natured
+young woman. "Can I do anything for you?"
+
+"I only want to say something to you, Lucy."
+
+"What is it, my love? I do not like to see that our dear Aneta looks
+worried, but your face almost wears that expression."
+
+"Well," said Aneta, "it is just this: I am a trifle worried about a
+matter which I hope I may set right. It is against the rules for girls
+to leave their rooms after they have gone to them for the night, and
+it would never do for me to be the first to break a rule at Aylmer
+House. Nevertheless, I do want to break it. May I, Miss Lucy?"
+
+"Well, Aneta, I do not think that there'll be the slightest
+difficulty, for we don't really begin school till to-morrow. What do
+you wish to do, dear?"
+
+"I want to go and visit one of my schoolmates, and stay with her for a
+time."
+
+"Of course you may go, Aneta. I give you permission; but don't remain
+too long, for we get up early to-morrow, as to-morrow school really
+begins."
+
+"I won't remain a minute longer than I can help. Thank you, Lucy,"
+said Aneta.
+
+Miss Johnson kissed her pupil and left the room.
+
+A minute later Aneta Lysle was running down the corridor in the
+direction of the bedroom occupied by Maggie Howland. It was some
+distance from her own room. She knocked at the door. She guessed
+somehow that Maggie would be still up.
+
+Maggie said, "Come in," and Aneta entered.
+
+Maggie was in a white dressing-gown, with her thick, handsome hair
+falling below her waist. Her hair was her strongest point, and she
+looked for the time being almost pretty.
+
+"What do you want, Aneta?" she said.
+
+"To speak to you, Maggie."
+
+"But it's against the rules," said Maggie, drawling out her words a
+little, and giving Aneta a defiant glance.
+
+"No," said Aneta. "I asked for permission to come and see you, and I
+have obtained it."
+
+"Well, sit down, won't you?" said Maggie.
+
+Aneta availed herself of the invitation, and took a chair.
+
+Maggie remained standing.
+
+"Won't you sit too, Maggie?" said Aneta.
+
+"I don't particularly want to, but I will if you insist on it. To tell
+the truth, I am a little sleepy. You won't keep me long, will you?"
+
+"That depends on yourself."
+
+Maggie opened her narrow eyes. Then she contracted them and looked
+fixedly at her companion. "Have you come here to talk about Merry
+Cardew?"
+
+"Yes, about her, and other matters."
+
+"Don't you trust me at all, Aneta?"
+
+Aneta looked full up at the girl. "No, Maggie," she said.
+
+"Do you think when you say so that you speak kindly?"
+
+"I am afraid I don't, but I can't help myself," said Aneta.
+
+Maggie gave a faint yawn. She was, in reality, far too interested to
+be really sleepy. Suddenly she dropped into a sitting position on the
+floor. "You have me," she said, "in the hollow of your hand. Do you
+mean to crush me? What have I done that you should hate me so much?"
+
+"I never said I hated you," said Aneta. "I don't hate you, but I am
+exceedingly anxious that you should not have any influence over my two
+young cousins who came here to-day."
+
+"I thought we discussed that when you were staying at Meredith Manor,"
+said Maggie. "You made me unhappy enough then, but I gave you my
+promise."
+
+"I was sorry to make you unhappy, Maggie; and you did give me your
+promise; but I have come here to-day to know why you have broken it."
+
+"Broken it!" said Maggie. "Broken it!"
+
+"Don't you understand me?" said Aneta. "You and Merry were together
+the greater part of the evening, and even Cicely wondered where her
+sister was. Why did you do it?"
+
+"Merry is my friend," said Maggie.
+
+"I don't wish her to be your friend."
+
+"I am afraid you can't help it," said Maggie. She looked a little
+insolent, and round her mouth there came a dogged expression. After a
+minute she said, "I did want to talk to Merry to-night; but, at the
+same time, I most undoubtedly did not forget my promise to you. I
+explained to Merry what I think she already knew: that there were two
+girls in the school who greatly influence their fellows; in short,
+that you and I are the two queens of the school. But I said that,
+compared to you, I had a comparatively small number of subjects. Merry
+was interested, and asked questions, and then I most particularly
+explained to her that, although I knew well she cared for me, and I
+cared for her, she was to be on your side in the school. If you don't
+believe me, you have but to ask Merry herself."
+
+"I have no reason not to believe you, Maggie," said Aneta, "and I am
+relieved that you have spoken as you did to Merry. But now I want to
+say something else. I have thought of it a good deal during the
+holidays, and I am firmly convinced that this taking sides, or rather
+making parties, in a school is pernicious, especially in such a small
+school as ours. I am willing to give up my queendom, if you, on your
+part, will give yours up. I want us all to be in unity--every one of
+us--all striving for the good of the school and for the happiness and
+welfare each of the other. If you will agree to this I will myself
+speak to Mrs. Ward to-morrow."
+
+"Mrs. Ward!" said Maggie. "What has she to do with it?"
+
+"I want to consult with her, so that _she_ may be the queen of the
+school--not one girl or two girls. She is so clever, so young, so
+resourceful, that she will more than make up to us for the little we
+lose in this matter. But, of course, there is no manner of use in my
+resigning my queendom if you won't resign yours."
+
+"I will never do it," said Maggie--"never! Two queens in the school
+means little or nothing at all. All it does mean is that I have
+special friends whom I can influence, and whom I love to influence,
+and you have special friends whom you love to influence. Well, go on
+influencing them as hard as ever you can, and I will do the same with
+my friends. Your cousins will belong to you. I could, I believe, have
+won Merry Cardew to my side, but I am not going to do so."
+
+"It would be very unwise of you," said Aneta in a low tone. "Very
+well, Maggie," she added after a pause, "if you won't give up being
+queen in the minds of a certain number of girls, I must, of course,
+continue my influence on the other side. It's a great pity, for we
+might all work together."
+
+"We never could work together," said Maggie with passion. "It is but
+to talk to you, Aneta, to know how you despise and hate me."
+
+"I neither despise nor hate you, Maggie."
+
+"Well, I despise and hate you, so I suppose it comes to the same
+thing."
+
+"I am very, very sorry, Maggie. Some day, perhaps, you will know me as
+I really am."
+
+"I know you now as you really are--eaten up with pride of birth, and
+with no sympathy at all for girls a trifle poorer than yourself."
+
+"You speak with cruelty, and I am sorry."
+
+To Aneta's astonishment, Maggie's face underwent a queer change. It
+puckered up in an alarming manner, and the next moment the girl burst
+into tears.
+
+The sight of Maggie's tears immediately changed Aneta Lysle's
+attitude. Those tears were genuine. Whether they were caused by anger
+or by sorrow she did not stop to discriminate. The next minute she was
+down on her knees by the other girl and had swept her young arms round
+Maggie's neck.
+
+"Maggie, Maggie, what is it? Oh, if you would only understand me!"
+
+"Don't!--don't touch me!" said Maggie. "I am a miserable girl!"
+
+"And I have hurt you, poor Maggie!" said Aneta. "Oh, I am terribly
+sorry! Sit here now, and let me comfort you."
+
+"Oh! I can't, Aneta. You don't understand me--not a bit."
+
+"Better than you think, perhaps; and I am terribly sorry you are
+troubled. Oh, perhaps I know. I was told to-night that your mother had
+married again. You are unhappy about that?"
+
+Maggie immediately dried her fast-falling tears. She felt that she was
+in danger. If Aneta found out, or if Mrs. Ward found out, who Maggie's
+stepfather was, she would certainly not be allowed to stay at Aylmer
+House. This was her dread of all dreads, and she had so managed
+matters with her mother that Mrs. Ward knew nothing at all of Mrs.
+Howland's change of name.
+
+"Yes, my mother is married again," said Maggie. "She is a rich woman
+now; but the fact is, I dearly loved my own father, and--it hurt me
+very much to see another put into his place."
+
+"Of course it did," said Aneta, with deep sympathy; "it would have
+driven me nearly wild. Does Mrs. Ward know that your mother is married
+again, Maggie?"
+
+"Well, I haven't told her; and, please, Aneta, will you promise me not
+to do so?"
+
+"But is there any occasion to keep it a secret, dear?"
+
+"I would so much rather she did not know. She received me here as
+Maggie Howland. I am Maggie Howland still; my mother having changed
+her name makes no difference, except, indeed, that she is very well
+off, whereas she was poor."
+
+"Well, that of course is a comfort to you," said Aneta. "Perhaps
+by-and-by you will learn to be glad that your mother has secured the
+care of a good husband. I am told that she has married one of those
+very nice Martyns who live in Warwickshire. Is that true?"
+
+Maggie nodded. She hated herself after she had given that inclination
+of her head; but she had done it now, and must abide by it. To own
+Martin the grocer as a stepfather was beyond her power.
+
+Aneta did not think it specially necessary to worry about Maggie's
+mother and her new husband. She said that the whole thing was Maggie's
+own affair; and, after trying to comfort the girl for a little longer,
+she kissed Maggie, and went to her own room. When there, she went at
+once to bed and fell fast asleep.
+
+But Maggie sat for a long time by her open window. "What an awful and
+ridiculous position I have put myself in!" she thought. "The Martyns
+of The Meadows and Bo-peep of Laburnum Villa to be connected! I could
+almost scream with laughter if I were not also inclined to scream with
+terror. What an awful idea to get into people's heads, and now I have,
+confirmed it! Of course I shall be found out, and things will be worse
+than ever."
+
+Before Maggie went to bed she sat down and wrote a brief note to her
+mother. She addressed it when written to Mrs. Martyn (spelt with a
+"y"), Laburnum Villa, Clapham. Maggie had seen Laburnum Villa, and
+regarded it as one of the most poky suburban residences she had ever
+had the pleasure of entering. The whole house was odiously cheap and
+common, and in her heart poor Maggie preferred Tildy and Mrs. Ross,
+and the fusty, musty lodgings at Shepherd's Bush.
+
+Her note to her mother was very brief:
+
+"I am back at school, and quite happy. Tell Mr. Martin, if he should
+happen to write to me, to spell his name with a 'y,' and please spell
+your name with a 'y.' Please tell Mr. Martin that I will explain the
+reason of this when we meet. He is so good to me, I don't know how to
+thank him enough."
+
+Maggie managed the next day to post this letter unknown to her
+fellows, and in course of time a remarkable post-card arrived for her.
+It was dated from Laburnum Villa, Clapham, and was written in a
+sprawly but business-like hand:
+
+"No 'y's' for me, thank you.--Bo-peep."
+
+Very fortunately, Maggie received her card when none of her
+schoolfellows were present; but it was certainly the reverse of
+reassuring.
+
+
+
+
+CHAPTER XVII.
+
+THE LEISURE HOURS.
+
+
+School-life began in real earnest, and school-life at Aylmer House was
+so stimulating, so earnest, so invigorating, that all that was best in
+each girl was brought to the fore. There was an admirable time-table,
+which allowed the girls periods for play as well as the most suitable
+hours for work. In addition, each day there were what were called the
+"leisure hours." These were from five to seven o'clock each evening.
+The leisure hours began immediately after tea, and lasted until the
+period when the girls went to their rooms to dress for dinner. During
+these two hours they were allowed to do precisely what they pleased.
+
+Mrs. Ward was most particular that no teacher should interfere with
+her girls during the leisure hours. From the very first she had
+insisted on this period of rest and absolute relaxation from all work.
+Work was strictly forbidden in the school from five to seven, and it
+was during that period that the queens of the school generally
+exercised their power. Aneta then usually found herself surrounded by
+her satellites in one corner of the girls' own special sitting-room,
+and Maggie was in a similar position at the farther end. Aneta's
+satellites were always quiet, sober, and well-behaved; Maggie's, it is
+sad to relate, were a trifle rowdy. There is something else also
+painful to relate--namely, that Merry Cardew cast longing eyes from
+time to time in the direction of that portion of the room where Maggie
+and her friends clustered.
+
+The girls had been about a fortnight at school, and work was in full
+swing, when Kathleen, springing from her seat, said abruptly, "Queen,
+I want to propose something."
+
+"Well, what is it?" asked Maggie, who was lying back against a pile of
+cushions and supplying herself daintily from a box of chocolates which
+her adorers had purchased for her.
+
+"I want us all," said Kathleen, "to give a party to the other queen
+and her subjects; and I want it to be about the very jolliest
+entertainment that can be found. We must, of course, ask Mrs. Ward's
+leave; but she is certain to give it."
+
+"I don't know that she is," said Maggie.
+
+"Oh, she is--certain sure," said Kathleen. "May I go and ask her
+now?"
+
+"Do you dare?" said Rosamond Dacre, looking at Kitty's radiant face
+with some astonishment.
+
+"Dare!" cried Irish Kitty. "I don't know the meaning of anything that
+I don't dare. I am off. I'll bring you word in a few minutes, girls."
+She rushed out of the room.
+
+Janet Burns looked after her, slightly raising her brows. Rosamond
+Dacre and the two Roaches began to sound her praises. "She is sweet,
+isn't she?"
+
+"Yes," said Clara; "and I do so love her pretty Irish brogue."
+
+"Mother tells me," said Janet, who was Scotch, "that Irish characters
+are not much good--they're not reliable, I mean."
+
+"Oh, what a shame!" said Matty Roache.
+
+"I don't think we need discuss characters," said Maggie. "I don't know
+a great deal about the Irish, but I do know that Kitty is a darling."
+
+"Yes, so she is--one of the sweetest girls in the whole school," said
+Molly Tristram, who was quite as excited as Kathleen herself with
+regard to the party scheme.
+
+Meantime Kitty found herself tapping at Mrs. Ward's private door. Mrs.
+Ward said, "Come in," and the pretty girl, with her great dark-blue
+eyes and wild-rose complexion, entered abruptly.
+
+"Well, Kathleen?" said Mrs. Ward in her pleasant tone.
+
+"Oh, please, Mrs. Ward, I've come with such a lovely scheme."
+
+"And you want me to help you?"
+
+"Oh yes, please, do say you will before I let you into the secret!"
+
+"I can't do that, dear; you must just tell me what is in your mind,
+and be satisfied with my decision. The only thing that I can assure
+you beforehand is that if it is a workable scheme, and likely to give
+you great pleasure, I will do my best to entertain it."
+
+"Then we're certain to have it--certain," said Kathleen.
+
+"It was I who thought of it. You will forgive me if I speak out just
+as plainly as possible?"
+
+"Of course, Kathleen dear."
+
+"Well, you know you are the head-mistress."
+
+"That is scarcely news to me, my child."
+
+"And people, as a rule," continued Kathleen, "respect their
+head-mistress."
+
+"Dear me," said Mrs. Ward with a smile, "have you come here, Kathleen,
+to say that you don't respect me?"
+
+"Respect you!" said Kathleen. "We do a jolly lot more than that. We
+adore you! We love you! You're--you're a sort of--of mother to us."
+
+"That is what I want to be," said Mrs. Ward with fervor, and she took
+the girl's hand and smoothed it gently.
+
+"I often want to hug you, and that's a fact," said Kathleen.
+
+"You may kiss me now if you like, Kitty."
+
+"Oh, Mrs. Ward!" Kitty bent down and bestowed a reverent kiss on that
+sweet face.
+
+"I have permitted you to kiss me, Kitty," said Mrs. Ward, "in order to
+show you that I sympathize with you, as I do with all my dear girls.
+But now, what is the matter?"
+
+"Well, the fact is this. We want, during the 'leisure hours' to give a
+party."
+
+"Is that all? Do you all want to give a party?"
+
+"Our side wants to give a party, and we want to invite the other side
+to it."
+
+"But what do you mean by 'our side' and 'the other side'?"
+
+"Oh, Mrs. Ward! you know--of course you know--that Aneta and Maggie
+divide the school."
+
+"I know," said Mrs. Ward after a pause, "that Aneta has considerable
+influence, and that Maggie also has influence."
+
+"Those two girls divide the school," said Kathleen, "the rest of us
+follow them. As a matter of fact, we only follow our leaders in the
+leisure hours; but as they come every day a good deal can be done in
+that time, can't it?"
+
+"Yes," said Mrs. Ward, and her tone was not exactly cheerful. "On
+which side are you, Kitty?"
+
+"Oh, dear Mrs. Ward, of course, on Maggie's! Do you think that a girl
+like me, with all my spirit and that irresistible sort of fun always
+bubbling up in me, could stand the stuck-ups?"
+
+"Kitty, you have no right to speak of any girls in the school by such
+an offensive term."
+
+"I am sorry," said Kitty. "I ought not to have said it to you. But
+they are stuck-ups; they really are."
+
+"And what do you call yourself?"
+
+"Oh, the live-and-let-live--that's our title. But it's only quite
+among ourselves, and perhaps I ought not to have said it."
+
+"I will never repeat what you have told me in confidence, dear. But
+now for your request?"
+
+"Well, we of Maggie's set want to invite the Aneta set to a sort of
+general party. We should like it to be on the half-holiday, if
+possible. We want to give them a right royal entertainment in order to
+knock some of their stuck-upness out of them. We wish for your leave
+in the matter."
+
+"You must describe your entertainment a little more fully."
+
+"I can't; for we haven't really and truly planned it all out yet. But
+I tell you what we'll do. If you give us leave to have the party, we
+will ask Queen Aneta and her satellites if possible this very evening,
+and then we'll submit our programme to you. Now, may we do this, or
+may we not?"
+
+"Who sent you to me, Kathleen?"
+
+"I came of my own very self, but of course the others approved. We
+have no intention of doing shabby things in the dark, as they do in
+some schools. That would be unfair to you."
+
+Mrs. Ward thought a little longer. "I will give you the required
+permission," she said, "on one condition."
+
+"Oh, Mrs. Ward, darling! what is that?"
+
+"You can have your party on Saturday week, and I will give you from
+early in the afternoon until bedtime to enjoy it."
+
+"Oh, Mrs. Ward, you are too angelic!"
+
+"Stop a minute. You may not care for it so much when I have finished
+what I have got to say."
+
+"What is it, dear Mrs. Ward?"
+
+"It is this: that you ask me too as one of your guests."
+
+"Oh! oh!" said Kathleen. Her expressive face changed from red to white
+and then to red again. Her eyes brimmed over with laughter, and then
+as suddenly filled with tears. "But would you--would you like it?"
+
+"Yes, and I don't want to destroy your pleasure; but I presume you
+will have a sort of supper or an entertainment which will include
+refreshments. Let me assist you with the expense of your supper, and
+may I be present at it as one of your guests? I will promise to leave
+soon after supper, and not to appear until supper. How will that do?"
+
+"Oh, it would be just, heavenly! It will give such distinction. I know
+the girls will love it."
+
+"I think I can make myself pleasant to you all," said Mrs. Ward, "and
+I should like to be there."
+
+"But as to paying anything, Mrs. Ward, you will come as our guest, and
+you know we have most of us plenty of money. Please, please, let us do
+the entertaining."
+
+"Very well, dear, I will not press that point. I hope I have made you
+happy, Kathleen."
+
+"Oh! you have--very, very happy indeed. And Saturday week is to be the
+day?"
+
+"Yes, Kathleen."
+
+Kathleen bent down, took one of Mrs. Ward's hands, and kissed it. Then
+she skipped out of the room and flew back to her companions. They were
+waiting for her in a state of suppressed eagerness.
+
+"Well, Kathleen--Kitty--Kit, what's the news?" asked Maggie.
+
+Room was made for Kathleen in the center of the group.
+
+"We have won! We may do it!" she said, speaking in a low tone. "Oh,
+she's--she's like no one else! I don't know how you will take it,
+girls; but if you're not just delighted you ought, to be. Why, what
+_do_ you think? She wants to come herself."
+
+"Mrs. Ward!" said Maggie in amazement.
+
+"Yes, just to supper. She says she will come--she wishes to come--that
+we're to invite her; in fact, she makes it a _sine qua non_. She will
+go away again after supper, and we're to have the whole glorious day,
+next Saturday week, from two in the afternoon until bedtime. Oh,
+sha'n't we have fun!"
+
+"Yes, of course," said Maggie. "It's much better even than I thought.
+I will write the letters of invitation immediately."
+
+"But why should you write a whole lot of letters?" said Kathleen. "You
+are one queen. Write to the other queen and mention that Mrs. Ward is
+coming."
+
+There was nothing like the present time for making arrangements; and
+Maggie wrote on a sheet of headed note-paper provided for her by her
+satellites the following words:
+
+  "Queen Maggie presents her compliments to Queen Aneta, and begs
+  for the pleasure of her company with all her subjects on
+  Saturday the 15th of October, to an entertainment from three to
+  nine o'clock. She hopes that the whole school will be present,
+  and writes in the names of her own subjects as well as of
+  herself.
+
+  "_P.S._--Mrs. Ward has most kindly promised to attend."
+
+This letter was subjected to the approval of the group of girls who
+surrounded Maggie. It was then addressed to "Queen Aneta," and
+Kathleen crossed the room with it and dropped it, there and then, into
+Aneta Lysle's lap.
+
+It caused very deep amazement in the hearts of all the girls who
+belonged to Aneta's party, and it is highly probable that they might
+have refused to accept the invitation but for that magical postscript,
+"Mrs. Ward has most kindly promised to attend." But there was no
+withstanding that patent fact, as Mrs. Ward knew very well when she
+made the proposal to Kathleen.
+
+After a lapse of about twenty minutes, Cicely Cardew crossed the room
+and laid the answer to Maggie's note in her lap:
+
+"Queen Aneta and her subjects have much pleasure in accepting Queen
+Maggie's invitation for the 15th inst."
+
+"Hip, hip, hurrah!" cried Kathleen. "The thing's arranged, and we'll
+have about the jolliest flare-up and the most enticing time that girls
+ever had at any school." She sprang from her seat, and began tossing a
+book which had lain in her lap into the air, catching it again. In
+short, the subjects of the two queens broke up on the spot and chatted
+gaily together, and Maggie and her subjects could not be induced to
+say one word of what was to take place on the 15th of October.
+
+"It is wonderful," thought Aneta to herself. "Why does Mrs. Ward come?
+But, of course, as she comes we must all come."
+
+
+
+
+CHAPTER XVIII.
+
+THE TREASURE.
+
+
+Maggie had by no means forgotten her promise to the Tristram girls to
+give them a bracelet apiece. It was easy to do this, for they were her
+very special friends in the school. The fact is that Molly and Belle
+had a somewhat peculiar position at Aylmer House, for they were not
+only Maggie's special friends, but also the undoubted friends and
+allies of Cicely, Merry, and also of Aneta. But they were such
+good-humored, good-natured, pleasant sort of girls--so lively, so
+jolly--that they could take up a position with ease which would
+oppress and distress other people.
+
+When Maggie presented them with their bracelets they were in wild
+raptures, accepting them gleefully, and on occasions when ornaments
+were permitted to be worn--which, as a matter of fact, was only in the
+leisure hours--they invariably had them on their arms.
+
+But other girls noticed them, and one and all admired them immensely.
+
+"Oh, I have others," said Maggie in a careless tone; "many more. My
+dear father was a great traveler, and these are some of the treasures
+he brought from the East."
+
+Maggie had by no means forgotten to bring her two boxes of jewellery
+to Aylmer House. These lay at the bottom of her little trunk, which
+was, it is true, stowed away in the box-room. But as the girls were at
+liberty to go there for anything they especially required, she was not
+troubled on this account.
+
+There came a day, shortly after the great party was arranged, when the
+rain poured incessantly, and some of the girls were a little restless.
+Molly and Isabel were wearing their queer Oriental bracelets. Kathleen
+suddenly caught sight of them, and demanded in an eager tone that
+Maggie should exhibit her treasures. Maggie, only too pleased to have
+anything to do which glorified herself, immediately complied. She ran
+to find Miss Lucy in order to obtain the key of the box-room.
+
+"What do you want it for, dear?" said Miss Johnson in her pleasant
+voice.
+
+"I have two boxes in the bottom of one of my trunks, Miss Lucy; they
+are full of curiosities which my father collected from time to time.
+The girls want to see them. Do you mind my showing them?"
+
+"Of course not, Maggie; but if they are of any value you had better
+give them to Mrs. Ward to take care of for you."
+
+"Oh, well," said Maggie, "I don't know really whether they are of
+value or not." She got rather red as she spoke.
+
+"I should like to see them myself," said Miss Johnson. "I know a
+little bit about gems and curios."
+
+"Certainly, Miss Lucy; do come," said Maggie. "We're in our
+sitting-room, and I shall be only too delighted to show them to you."
+
+Maggie fetched down her two precious boxes, and soon she was
+surrounded, not only by her own special satellites, but by every girl
+in the school. They were all loud in their expressions of rapture at
+the unique and lovely things which she exhibited to them.
+
+Kathleen, as usual, was quick in suggestion. "Would not Mrs. Ward love
+to see them?" she said.
+
+"I am sure she would," remarked Miss Johnson.--"I hadn't the least
+idea, Maggie, that you had such treasures in those old tin boxes. They
+must be carefully put away in the safe for you. My dear girl, they're
+worth a great deal of money."
+
+"Oh, I don't suppose they are," said Maggie, trying to speak
+carelessly, although she by no means wished to part with her
+treasures.
+
+"I tell you what," said Kathleen. "Can't we make an exhibition of them
+on _the_ day?"
+
+"Yes, why not?" said Molly and Isabel. "That would be quite lovely."
+
+"Oh yes, do!--do, Maggie darling!" said Merry Cardew.
+
+Maggie at once agreed; and Miss Johnson said, "Now, if you will put
+them all back in their boxes I will take them and lock them into the
+safe myself. I shouldn't have an easy moment if I thought such
+valuable things were in one of your school-trunks."
+
+"Oh!" said Maggie, looking up with flushed cheeks and bright eyes,
+"please--please let me keep them until after our party. Then we will
+consult Mrs. Ward, and she will tell me what to do."
+
+"If you must keep them, then, Maggie," said Miss Johnson, "you had
+better have them in your own bedroom. They would be at least safe
+there. Put them into your locked drawer, dear; I think it will hold
+both these boxes."
+
+"Thank you very much," said Maggie. She put the ten bracelets into
+their tin box, and the necklets and other curios into the other,
+locked each, and took them upstairs. "It would never, never do," she
+said to herself, "for me to lose control of these precious things. I
+am almost sorry now that I allowed the girls to tempt me to show
+them."
+
+After a few minutes she came downstairs. Her stepfather's allowance of
+pocket-money was certainly not ample, and she knew that at the party
+which was to be so specially distinguished she must give, if she
+wished to keep up her prestige in the school, a lion's share towards
+the expenses. There was a quaint little brooch in one of her boxes
+containing one large ruby and set with diamonds which she intended to
+sell in order to provide herself with funds. But what use would any of
+her treasures be if they were consigned to the safe at Aylmer House?
+
+After a great deal of consultation, it was resolved that the girls
+were to meet in their own special sitting-room at four o'clock, where
+tea and light refreshments were to be provided by Queen Maggie and her
+subjects. Afterwards they were to play games, have recitations, and
+amuse themselves in different ways until five o'clock; when a curtain
+which would be put across a portion of the room would be raised, and
+tableaux vivants, in which Maggie, Kathleen, and both the Tristram
+girls, who were all adaptable for this purpose, were to take special
+parts. The tableaux were under the management of Janet Burns, who was
+exceedingly clever, and had studied the scenes--which she took from
+different episodes in Scott's novels--with great care. The rehearsing
+for the tableaux was a little difficult, but this was done each
+evening after tea, when Maggie and her subjects had the sitting-room
+to themselves.
+
+Immediately after the tableaux there would be that wonderful supper,
+at which Mrs. Ward was to be the principal guest, and then the happy
+evening would end with all sorts of dances and frolics.
+
+Now, all these things would cost money, and it was arranged, after
+brief consultation, that each girl was to subscribe in an equal ratio
+towards the proposed entertainment. Janet, who had a head for figures
+as well as a taste for tableaux vivants, suggested that, to do the
+entertainment properly, they would have to expend something like
+fifteen shillings each. This was immediately agreed upon, and even the
+Tristrams did not feel embarrassed by the amount which was decided
+upon, for Mr. Tristram was wise in his generation, and would not send
+his girls to an expensive school if he could not give them a
+sufficient supply of pocket-money to make them feel independent. The
+only person who was short of funds on this occasion was Maggie, for
+her stepfather had arranged that she was to receive her allowance at
+the end of the term, not at the beginning. He had given her a few
+shillings to go to school with; but these she had already spent on
+chocolates, which were considered essential during the leisure hours.
+It is true that Mrs. Ward would have advanced a little money to
+Maggie, but Maggie could not bear to ask her. She had a great dislike
+to the subject of money being mentioned in Mrs. Ward's presence. She
+was afraid beyond everything else that the fact of her being received
+at such a select school for forty pounds a year might reach the ears
+of her fellow-pupils. What more easy than to sell that charming little
+Oriental brooch, which was one of the treasures in one of those tin
+boxes? But Maggie could not manage this in Miss Lucy's presence, and
+it was quite against the rules at Aylmer House for any girl to go
+shopping or even to leave the house unaccompanied.
+
+On one or two previous occasions Maggie had, however, managed to evade
+this rule without being found out, and she thought she could do so
+now. She planned the whole thing rather cleverly. She had a room to
+herself; which of course made it easier for her, and there were always
+the leisure hours. She made up her mind to feign headache or some
+slight indisposition, to go downstairs by the back way, and sell her
+brooch on a certain afternoon during the leisure hours. She must do it
+quickly, for the girls had proposed to put the necessary money for the
+entertainment into a bag on a certain Tuesday. Maggie must, therefore,
+go out on Monday in order to sell her brooch. Her absence from the
+little party in the girls' sitting-room was explained by Molly
+Tristram, who said that Maggie was upstairs lying down. No one
+troubled to make any comment with regard to this. Any girl might have
+a headache, and Mrs. Ward did not wish her girls to be catechised as
+to how they spent their leisure hours. Besides, Janet Burns was
+occupying all their attention with the tableaux vivants, Queen Aneta's
+girls most good-naturedly leaving them the sitting-room to themselves
+for this purpose.
+
+Maggie, in her distant bedroom, felt the quiet in the house. She had
+been lying down; now she rose noiselessly. This was the time when the
+servants had their tea, when Mrs. Ward was busy writing letters or
+resting in her own sitting-room, when Lucy Johnson and the other
+governesses were either reposing in their bedrooms, or were out, or
+were reading. There was, of course, the chance that Maggie might meet
+some one; but, having calculated all possibilities, she thought that
+she could most likely get out unobserved.
+
+During her expeditions with Miss Lucy Johnson she had noticed a
+jeweller's shop not far away, and resolved to go to him with her
+precious brooch. It was a very respectable shop, and she was certain
+he would give her fair value. She could be back again before she was
+missed, and, in fact, could join her companions in the girls'
+sitting-room long before the leisure hours had expired. The days were
+now getting very short, but this fact was in Maggie's favor rather
+than otherwise.
+
+She ran downstairs unnoticed by any one, opened a side-door which was
+used as a tradesmen's entrance, and got into the street. Then, putting
+wings to her feet, she quickly turned the corner, left the square
+where Aylmer House was situated, and reached the jeweller's shop. She
+entered. There were a few people standing by the counter; and the
+jeweller, a certain Mr. Pearce, was attending to them. Maggie felt
+impatient. She awaited her turn as best she could. How she disliked
+those showy-looking people who were purchasing goods of some value,
+whereas she only wanted to sell! She could scarcely restrain her great
+impatience, and was relieved when another shopman came forward.
+
+He asked her what he could do for her. She immediately showed him the
+quaint little brooch set with rubies and diamonds.
+
+"I want to sell this," said Maggie, speaking abruptly and the color
+flaming into her cheeks. "What will you give me for it?"
+
+"Oh my!" suddenly exclaimed one of the ladies who was purchasing
+jewels in Pearce's shop, "what a lovely curio! Wherever now did you
+get it from?"
+
+Maggie turned and said in a low tone, "It belongs to me. It was left
+to me by my father."
+
+The man who was attending to Maggie took up the brooch and examined it
+carefully. He took it into another room, where he subjected it to
+various tests. He then came back to Maggie.
+
+"I will give you five pounds for this, miss, if you can satisfy me
+that you have come rightly by it."
+
+"Oh my!" said the American lady, drawing near, and her eyes
+glistening.
+
+"What is your address, miss?"
+
+Maggie by no means wished to give her address. "I haven't, stolen that
+brooch," she said. "It belongs to me; I have a right to sell it."
+
+"Of course, miss, I shall never trouble you in any way, but I really
+must have your address. In purchasing secondhand from young ladies
+like yourself it is essential that everything should be above-board
+and quite correct."
+
+"Well," said Maggie in a hurried voice, "take the brooch and give me
+the money. I must get back as quickly as I can. I am one of Mrs.
+Ward's pupils at Aylmer House."
+
+The man looked at Maggie with all respect. "And your own name?"
+
+"Howland," said Maggie. "Miss Howland."
+
+The man entered name and address in his book, and then handed Maggie
+five sovereigns. She was hurrying from the shop, when the customer who
+had been standing near all the time, and listening with great
+attention, followed her.
+
+"I say, young lady," she exclaimed, "I am from New York, and I like
+your quaint old English things. That man cheated you, I take it. If
+you had offered me that brooch I'd have given you fifteen pounds for
+it, not five. If you have any more curios to sell, my address is Miss
+H. Annie Lapham, Langham Hotel. I am straight from the States, and
+would like to take a collection of beautiful things home with me."
+
+"Thank you," said Maggie in a hurried voice.
+
+She ran back to Aylmer House as quickly as she could. As soon as she
+was quite out of sight the lady re-entered the shop.
+
+"Say," she remarked to the shopman, "I witnessed that little
+transaction between you and Miss Howland. I want to buy that brooch
+for ten pounds."
+
+"I am sorry, madam," said the man, "but it is not for sale just at
+present."
+
+"That means," said Miss Lapham, coloring crimson, "that you have
+cheated the young lady. You ought to have given her four times as much
+for the brooch."
+
+The man shrugged his shoulders.
+
+Miss Lapham grew redder than ever, "I happen to know Miss Howland's
+address," she said. Then she went away without giving' him time to add
+a word.
+
+When she had left the shop the younger Mr. Pearce turned to his
+brother, took the little brooch from the drawer into which he had
+carelessly thrown it, and gave it to the elder Mr. Pearce to examine.
+"There's a find here," he said; "only, somehow, I feel a bit
+uncomfortable. How did one of the young ladies from Aylmer House come
+by a treasure of this sort?"
+
+The other man examined the brooch carefully. "It's worth a good bit,"
+he said. "What did you give her for it?"
+
+"Five pounds; but somehow I think that I ought not to have taken it
+for that sum."
+
+"It is worth at least two hundred," said the elder Mr. Pearce. "Where
+did you say she lived?"
+
+"She is one of the young ladies at Aylmer House--Miss Howland."
+
+"What! from Mrs. Ward's school?"
+
+"Yes."
+
+"You had better give me that brooch, Alfred," said his brother. "We'll
+have to consider what is to be done. We can't rob the young lady of
+it. We had best consult Mrs. Ward."
+
+"Oh, as to that," said the younger Pearce, "that sounds almost as
+shabby as giving the schoolgirl too little money."
+
+"Well, lock it up for the present," said the elder Pearce; "but I am
+an honest tradesman, and I can't see even a schoolgirl robbed."
+
+"She was up to some little lark," said the younger man, "and evidently
+did not know the value of the brooch. Why, I think she'd have taken a
+pound for it. But what she did know the value of was her precious
+time; she was very much annoyed at being kept waiting and at being
+asked for her address. It is plain she got out without leave; and
+although the brooch may belong to her--I am sure I hope it does--she
+has broken a rule, you mark my words. Those schoolgirls are always up
+to larks. Well, I'd never have thought it of one of Mrs. Ward's
+girls."
+
+"It is a pity you didn't consult me, Alfred," said his brother. "The
+best thing to do now is to put the brooch carefully away. We'll
+consider what is best to be done with it; but as to giving the young
+lady only five pounds for what we can sell any day at Christie's for a
+couple of hundred, that is not to be thought of."
+
+
+
+
+CHAPTER XIX.
+
+THE LETTER.
+
+
+Maggie got out and came back again without any apparent adventure. She
+had five pounds in her pocket, and thought herself rich beyond the
+dreams of avarice. What a delightful fairy-gift had been handed down
+to her by her dear dead father! She did not miss the brooch in the
+least, but she valued the small sum she had obtained for it
+exceedingly.
+
+But while Maggie thought herself so secure, and while the pleasant
+jingle of the sovereigns as she touched them with her little hand
+comforted her inexpressibly, things quite against Maggie Howland's
+supposed interests were transpiring in another part of the school.
+
+It was a strange fact that on this special afternoon both the queens
+should be prostrated with headache. It is true that Queen Maggie's
+headache was only a fiction, but poor Queen Aneta's was real enough.
+She was lying down in her pretty bedroom, hoping that quiet might
+still the throbbing of her temples, when the door was very softly
+opened, and Merry Cardew brought in a letter and laid it by her side.
+
+"May I bring you some tea upstairs, Aneta?" she said. "Is there
+anything I can do for you?"
+
+"Oh no, darling," said Aneta. "I can't eat or drink; but if I stay
+very still I shall be better by-and-by. Leave me now, dear; all I want
+is perfect quiet."
+
+"I am so sorry for you, Aneta," said Merry.
+
+"What are you doing downstairs?" said Aneta as the girl turned away.
+
+"Well, Maggie has a headache too."
+
+"Oh!" said Aneta.
+
+"So we are without our queens," continued Merry; "but Maggie's girls
+have taken possession of our sitting-room, and we are all in the
+schoolroom. We're having great fun and are very happy, so don't worry
+about us at all, Aneta."
+
+"I won't," said Aneta, closing her eyes, while a feeling of drowsy
+relief stole over her.
+
+Her anxiety with regard to Maggie was really making her ill. Her sense
+of responsibility with reference to the Cardew girls seemed to oppress
+her usually calm spirit. She could not conceal the fact from herself
+that Merry loved Maggie, most passionately. The knowledge, therefore,
+that Maggie was not downstairs gave her such a sense of comfort that
+she dropped into a doze, and when she awoke a short time afterwards
+her headache was gone.
+
+Yes, her headache had departed, but there lay by her pillow what is a
+great treasure to all schoolgirls--an unopened letter. She looked at
+the handwriting, and saw that it was from her aunt, Lady Lysle. Aneta
+was very fond of Lady Lysle; and, sitting up against her pillows, she
+tore open the letter and began to read. She was surprised to see that
+it was dated from Meredith Manor.
+
+  "MY DEAR ANETA"--it ran--"I have been staying with the dear
+  Cardews for the last week. We have been having a very pleasant
+  time; although, of course, the house is vastly different without
+  Cicely and Merry. But the dear Cardews are so sensible that they
+  never would regret anything that was for the real benefit of
+  their children.
+
+  "Your letter assuring me that the children were happy at school
+  gave me great delight, and when I told the Cardews they were
+  equally pleased. Altogether, this school-venture seems likely to
+  turn out most satisfactory, and the dear children will be
+  properly equipped for the brilliant life which lies before
+  them.
+
+  "But now I have a curious piece of information for you. You
+  told me about Miss Howland and her mother's second marriage to
+  one of the Martyns of The Meadows. Well, dear, we went there
+  yesterday, and I happened incidentally to speak on the subject;
+  and, whatever may be the position of Miss Howland's stepfather,
+  he certainly is no relation to our dear friends the Martyns.
+  They have no uncles or cousins in England at all. All their
+  people come from Australia, and they assured me that such a
+  marriage as I have described has, in the first place, never
+  reached their ears, and, in the next, is impossible, for they
+  have no marriageable relations in the country. I mention this to
+  show that your friend has made a mistake. At the same time, it
+  is strange of her to say that her mother, has married into such
+  a well-known and distinguished family. I can add no more
+  now.--Yours, with love, and in haste,
+
+                                                     LUCIA LYSLE."
+
+Aneta thought over this letter for some time. Her face was very grave
+as she tried to put two and two together. She rose from her bed,
+dressed herself with her usual immaculate neatness, and came down to
+supper, which took place each evening at half-past seven.
+
+All the girls were present, and each and all were in the best of
+good-humor. Maggie was radiant. Why not? She had performed a difficult
+task discreetly, and she had five lovely golden sovereigns in her
+drawer upstairs. She could put the required money into the bag for the
+school-treat, and she would have plenty over to buy chocolates and
+little things that she might require for herself. She did not in the
+least miss that one small brooch which her father had left her; but
+she thought with a feeling of intense satisfaction of her treasures.
+She need no longer be a penniless girl. She had but at rare intervals
+to visit Pearce the jeweler, and her pocket would be well lined. She
+had no romantic feeling with regard to those beautiful things which
+her father had collected on his travels. She had been so poor all her
+life that money to her represented power. She even thought of getting
+a couple of new dresses made by a fashionable dressmaker. She resolved
+to consult Lucy on the subject. She was never quite as well dressed as
+the other girls, although very plain clothes were the order of the
+hour at school.
+
+Immediately after supper those girls who required to look over their
+lessons went into the schoolroom and spent a quiet time there; but the
+others, as a rule, joined Mrs. Ward in the drawing-room. There those
+who could play were requested to do so, and those who could sing did
+likewise. Mrs. Ward was very fond of needlework. She could do rare and
+wonderful embroideries, and knew some of the tapestry stitches which
+were in vogue hundreds of years ago. The girls who cared to be taught
+those things she was only too glad to instruct; but she never pressed
+any one into her working-party. This was always an hour of relaxation
+for those girls who had all their lessons ready for the following
+day.
+
+Maggie, who was exceedingly clever and learned with the utmost ease,
+was generally a member of the drawing-room coterie. She wore a white
+dress on this evening, with a somewhat crude pink sash round her
+waist. She hated the crudity of the color, and it occurred to her that
+she could get some soft and becoming sashes out of part of the money
+which Pearce had given her for the brooch.
+
+By-and-by she found herself near Aneta. Aneta was working a
+center-piece which she meant to present to Lady Lysle at Christmas.
+Maggie was no good whatever at needlework, and seldom joined the band
+of needlewomen. But Aneta now motioned the girl to come and sit by her
+side. Maggie did so. Aneta looked full in her face.
+
+"Is your headache better, Maggie?" she asked.
+
+Maggie had to reflect for a time, she had so absolutely forgotten that
+she had pretended to have a headache that afternoon! Then she said,
+with a slight flush and a suspicious narrowing of her eyes, "Oh yes;
+thank you, I am quite all right again." Maggie had not heard of
+Aneta's headache. She, therefore, did not ask about it.
+
+"I pity people who have headaches," said Aneta. "I suffer from them
+very badly myself. Nothing cures me but perfect rest. I was lying down
+all the afternoon. Merry came to see me, and told me that you were
+also prostrated with headache. I was sorry for you."
+
+"Oh, thank you so much!" said Maggie. "Mine is quite gone; is yours?"
+
+"Yes, thank you."
+
+Aneta sat quiet and very still. When her face was in repose she never
+moved her body. There was an absolute sense of rest about her which
+was refreshing to those who really knew her well. But Maggie hated it.
+She wanted to leave her; she wanted to go and talk to Merry, who was
+playing a solitary game of patience in a distant part of the
+drawing-room; she wanted to do anything rather than remain by Aneta's
+side.
+
+Then Aneta looked up. "I had a letter this afternoon from my aunt,
+Lady Lysle."
+
+"Oh!" said Maggie. She could not quite understand why her heart beat
+so fast, but she had undoubtedly a premonition of some sort of trouble
+ahead.
+
+"Aunt Lucia is staying with the Cardews," continued Aneta.
+
+"Is she?" said Maggie. "Oh, that sweet and beautiful place!" she
+continued.
+
+"Yes," said Aneta, "Meredith Manor will always be lovely. There is no
+season of the year when it is not, in my opinion, more charming than
+any other place I know."
+
+"Is your aunt going to stay there long?" asked Maggie, who felt that
+she need not say anything further with regard to the delights of
+Meredith Manor just now.
+
+"I cannot tell you," replied Aneta. "She mentioned something rather
+curious. It is connected with you."
+
+"With poor little me?" said Maggie.
+
+"With you," said Aneta. "You remember telling me that your stepfather
+is one of the Martyns of The Meadows?"
+
+Maggie's face grew crimson, then turned pale.
+
+"Well," said Aneta, bringing out her words with great calmness, "it
+turns out to be a mistake. Your stepfather is no relation whatever to
+our friends the Martyns. Aunt Lucia and Mrs. Cardew went to call on
+them the other day, and asked the question. You made a mistake in
+announcing your stepfather as being a connection of our friends."
+
+"Did I? Perhaps so," said Maggie. "I thought he was, that's all."
+
+"You thought wrong," said Aneta. "I felt I would mention it to you. He
+may be just as well connected," she added quietly; "but he is _not_
+related to the Martyns of The Meadows."
+
+"You speak in a very disagreeable tone," said Maggie.
+
+"I don't mean to," replied Aneta; "but I thought I would tell you in
+order that you should not spread the report any further."
+
+"I am sure I don't want to. My stepfather has just as good connections
+as any one else."
+
+"No doubt," said Aneta gently; "only, he is not related to our special
+friends. You might let Merry and Cicely know."
+
+"Why?" asked Maggie in a dogged voice.
+
+"You can please yourself. I shall tell them if you don't."
+
+"Why do you hate me so much, Aneta?" said Maggie then.
+
+"I hate subterfuge and untruth," said Aneta. "I don't hate you. If you
+would be straight and open and above-board you would find me your best
+friend."
+
+"Thank you so much!" said Maggie in a sneering tone. "When I require
+you for my best friend it will be time enough for you to offer me that
+enviable position." Then she added, speaking in a low tone of intense
+dislike, "Is it likely that any girl would wish to make a best friend
+of another girl who accused her of subterfuge and want of
+truthfulness?"
+
+The delicate pink rose in Aneta's cheeks. She raised her eyes and
+looked full up at Maggie. Her clear, calm eyes seemed like mirrors.
+Maggie felt that she could not meet them.
+
+It was just at that moment that Cicely Cardew, in a state of
+suppressed excitement, came into the room.
+
+"Maggie," she said, coming straight up to Maggie Howland, "there's a
+very large parcel addressed to you in the hall. It has been paid for;
+we are all dying with curiosity to know what it is."
+
+Maggie rose abruptly.
+
+"I will go and look at it myself," she said. "A large parcel addressed
+to me! Who can have sent me anything?"
+
+"It looks like a huge dress-box," said Cicely. "We're all curious
+about it."
+
+Before any girl could leave the drawing-room it was necessary that she
+should ask Mrs. Ward's permission. So Maggie now went up to that good
+lady and asked if she might go and look at her parcel.
+
+"A parcel for you, dear?" said Mrs. Ward. "And you want to see its
+contents? But bring it in here; we shall all be delighted to look at
+it--sha'n't we, girls?"
+
+Maggie went away, wondering a good deal. Cicely accompanied her. Miss
+Johnson also appeared on the scene.
+
+"Why, Maggie," she said, "what can you have got? Such a huge box, and
+all covered over with brown paper! I don't suppose Mrs. Ward would
+really like that box to be brought into the drawing-room. I'll just go
+and ask her."
+
+One of Mrs. Ward's peculiarities, and perhaps one of the reasons why
+she was such a favorite and led her girls with such gentle, silken
+cords, was her power of entering into their pleasures. She used to
+confess with a smile that she was like a child herself over an
+unopened parcel; and when Miss Johnson appeared with the information
+that the box was large and cumbersome, Mrs. Ward still gave directions
+that it was to be brought into the drawing-room.
+
+"You can put some of the brown paper on the floor, if you like, Lucy,"
+she said, "and Maggie can show us its contents."
+
+Now, one glance at the parcel told Maggie Howland who had sent it. She
+recognized her stepfather's writing. That bold commercial hand was
+painfully visible on the label. She would have given worlds not to
+have anything selected for her by Martin exhibited in the drawing-room
+at Aylmer House. But to refuse to show the contents of the box would
+but raise strong suspicion against her. She therefore, although very
+unwillingly, followed Miss Johnson into the drawing-room. The box was
+laid on the floor. The lid was removed, some tissue-paper was next
+extricated, and beneath lay a wardrobe such as poor Maggie even in her
+wildest dreams had never imagined. There was a letter lying on the top
+which she clutched and put into her pocket. This letter was in her
+stepfather's writing. She could not read it before the others. Aneta
+and all the girls of her set, also Kathleen O'Donnell, Rosamond Dacre,
+Matty and Clara Roache, Janet Barns, the Tristrams, the Cardews, all
+clustered round the box.
+
+"Oh, what fun!" said Kathleen. "A box of dresses for you! You lucky
+Queen Maggie! How I wish some one would send me some clothes!"
+
+"Take them out, dear, and let us look at them," said Mrs. Ward.
+
+The first dress to be removed was a magenta cachemire. It was made
+with a short skirt trimmed with little frills of the same. The bodice
+had sleeves to the elbows, and long, coarse cream-colored lace sleeves
+below. The front of the dress was also much bedizened by the same
+coarse cream lace.
+
+Maggie felt her face nearly purple with rage. "Oh, why must all these
+things be looked at here?" she said; and there was a piteous note in
+her voice.
+
+"I don't see the necessity, dear," said Mrs. Ward kindly.
+
+"But, oh! please, please," said Kathleen, "we _must_ see the others.
+Here's a sage-green dress trimmed with bands of black silk: that will
+be quite useful in the winter, won't it, Mags?"
+
+She tried to speak kindly, for the sage-green dress was as little to
+her taste as the impossible magenta. Under the two dresses were
+ribbons of different shades and hues, some strong, coarse stockings,
+some square-toed shoes, and finally, below everything else, an
+evening-dress made of voile, and deep blue in tone.
+
+"Some of the things will he very useful," said Miss Johnson. "I will
+put them all back again now."
+
+"But whom have they come from?" said Mrs. Ward. "I saw you take a note
+and put it into your pocket, Maggie."
+
+"Yes, these are a present from my stepfather," said Maggie.
+
+"Miss Johnson, you will take them upstairs, won't you?" said Mrs.
+Ward.--"It is kind of your stepfather to think of you, Maggie."
+
+Maggie looked up and met Aneta's glance. Was Aneta thinking of the
+Martyns of The Meadows? The color rushed all over Maggie's face. She
+clenched her hands. "I hate the horrid, horrid things!" she said. "I
+won't wear one of them."
+
+"Oh, come, dear," said Mrs. Ward kindly; "your stepfather means very
+well indeed by you. He has doubtless had very little to do with
+dressing a lady before.--We can slightly alter those dresses, can we
+not, Miss Johnson?"
+
+Miss Johnson had now placed all the hideous garments back in the box.
+She said with a smile, "The sage-green dress can be made quite useful;
+but I rather despair of the magenta."
+
+"Well," said Mrs. Ward, "it was meant kindly. Perhaps, Maggie, if you
+gave me your stepfather's address I might write to him and tell him
+the sort of things that I like my girls to wear."
+
+Maggie turned crimson. That would indeed be the final straw. She
+murmured something which Mrs. Ward did not choose to hear. To her
+great relief, the hour for bed had arrived, and all the girls went to
+their rooms.
+
+Miss Johnson came down again after she had deposited the hideous
+dresses in Maggie's wardrobe. "I quite pity poor little Maggie," she
+said. "What frightful taste! There is really nothing in the whole of
+that box that she can possibly wear."
+
+"I must write to Mr. Martyn," said Mrs. Ward. "Didn't somebody tell me
+that he was a country gentleman--a relation of the Martyns of The
+Meadows? Such particularly nice people!"
+
+"I know nothing about that," said Miss Johnson. "I only know that the
+contents of the box are simply atrocious."
+
+"Well," said Mrs. Ward, "we won't say anything to annoy Maggie
+to-night; I could see that the poor dear child was greatly mortified.
+I only regret that I had the box opened here; but you know it is one
+of our customs to share all our pleasures. Poor little Maggie! The
+thing was most unlucky."
+
+Up in her room, Maggie had locked her door. She would unlock it again,
+but she must read that frightful letter without any chance of being
+disturbed. She opened it, tore it from its envelope, and read the
+contents:
+
+  "DEAR POPSY,--I came across a cheap lot of frocks the other day
+  at a bankrupt's sale, and thought at once of Little-sing and her
+  daughter Popsy-wopsy. I am sending the dresses off to you
+  without saying a word to Little-sing. You will be well off now
+  for some time, and won't require the five pounds from me for
+  dress at Christmas. Hope you're enjoying your fine young ladies
+  and fine life. Neither Little-sing nor me miss you a bit; but,
+  all the same, your room will be ready for you at Christmas. Take
+  care of those good clothes, for I can't often spend as much on
+  you.
+
+  "Good-bye for the present.--Your affectionate father,
+
+                                                         "BO-PEEP.
+
+  "_P.S._--I have a good mind to call on that fine-lady
+  schoolmistress of yours, Mrs. Ward. There's no saying but that
+  Little-sing and me may come along some afternoon when you least
+  expect us."
+
+Maggie crushed the letter in her hand. Fresh terrors seemed to
+surround her. Dreadful as the impossible clothes were, they were
+nothing to what the appearance on the scene would be of the impossible
+stepfather and her poor mother. Oh, why had she concealed the position
+of the man whom her mother had married? Already Aneta had detected her
+little act of deception with regard to the Martyns of The Meadows. But
+that, Maggie felt, could be got over. It was easy for a girl to make a
+mistake in a matter of that kind, and surely there were other Martyns
+in the country high-born and respectable and all that was desirable.
+But James Martin who kept a grocer's shop at Shepherd's Bush--James
+Martin, with "grocer" written all over him!--rich, it is true; but,
+oh, so vulgarly rich! Were he to appear and announce his relationship
+to her at the school, she felt that, as far as she was concerned, the
+end of the world would have arrived. What was she to do? There was not
+a minute to be lost. In one way or another she had seen a good deal of
+Bo-peep during the last half of those dreadful summer holidays, and
+she knew that he was, as he expressed it, as good as his word.
+
+Her only chance was in writing to her mother. But then, if, by any
+chance, Maggie's letter got into the hands of Bo-peep, his wrath would
+be so great that he would, in all probability, take her from the
+school at once. What was to be done? Poor Maggie felt herself between
+two fires. In either direction was danger. On the whole, she resolved
+to throw herself on her mother's mercy. Mrs. Martin, as she was now,
+would much prefer Maggie to remain at school, and she might be clever
+enough to keep Maggie's stepfather from putting in an appearance at
+Aylmer House.
+
+Maggie wrote a short and frantic letter. She was in the midst of it
+when there came a tap at her room-door.
+
+"It's I, Maggie," said Miss Johnson's voice from without. "Your light
+is still burning; you ought to be in bed."
+
+Maggie flew and opened the door. "I am sorry," she said. "I was a good
+deal upset about those detestable clothes. I am writing to my mother.
+Please, Lucy, let me finish the letter. When it's done--and I won't be
+a minute longer--I'll put it in the post-box myself, so that it can go
+by the first post in the morning."
+
+"Very well, dear," said Lucy, who was too kind not to be good to any
+girl in the school; "only be quick, Maggie," she said, "for you know
+you are breaking the rules."
+
+"Yes! oh yes!" said Maggie; "and I will never do it again."
+
+Miss Johnson left her, and Maggie flew back to bend over her paper and
+continue her writing:
+
+  "Darling, you must not let him come here. He threatens to come,
+  but you must keep him away. All will be up with me if he is seen
+  at the school. I beseech of you have a little mercy on me. For
+  the sake of my own father, keep him--do keep him--from Aylmer
+  House.--Your distracted daughter,
+
+                                                 "MAGGIE HOWLAND."
+
+This letter was addressed to Mrs. Martin (spelt this time with an
+"i"), Laburnum Villa, Clapham. Maggie stamped it, and, flying
+downstairs, popped it into the box which held the letters.
+
+
+
+
+CHAPTER XX.
+
+THE VILLA.
+
+
+Laburnum Villa, in the suburb of Clapham, was, in the new Mrs.
+Martin's eyes, quite a delightful place. She had never appreciated her
+first husband, Professor Howland, but she thoroughly appreciated
+Bo-peep, and after her own fashion was fond of him. He gave her
+comforts. She had lived so long without comforts that she appreciated
+these good things of life to the full. She had never really been much
+attached to Maggie, who was too like her own father and too unlike
+herself to allow of the existence of any sympathy between them.
+Maggie, even before Mrs. Howland met Martin the Shepherd's Bush
+grocer, had been more or less a thorn in the flesh to her mother.
+
+Laburnum Villa was furnished, as James Martin expressed it, with an
+eye to comfort. There were solid arm-chairs with deep seats and good
+springs, and these were covered with maroon-colored leather. There
+were thick, maroon-colored curtains to the dining-room windows, and
+all the furniture of the room was of solid oak. There was a rich
+Turkey carpet on the floor, and prints of different hunting scenes--by
+no means bad in their way--hanging on the walls. The paint-work of the
+room was of dull red, and the paper was of the same tone. It was a
+small room, and the furniture was large and heavy, but it represented
+in Martin's eyes the very essence of comfort. The fireplace was
+modern, and when it was piled up with goodly lumps of coal it caused a
+warmth to pervade the whole room which, as Mrs. Martin expressed it,
+was very stimulating. The house had electric light, which both Mr. and
+Mrs. Martin considered distinguished.
+
+They spent most of their time in the dining-room, although Mrs.
+Martin, with some faint instinct still left of her own life, would
+have preferred to use the drawing-room in the evenings; but when she
+suggested this Bo-peep said, "No, no, Little-sing; I can smoke here
+and sit by the fire, and enjoy the rest which I have rightly earned. I
+hate rooms full of fal-lals. You can keep your drawing-room for the
+time when I am out, Little-sing."
+
+Mrs. Martin knew better than to oppose her husband. She recognized her
+own weakness, and knew that against his fiat she could no more
+exercise her puny strength than a babbling stream can disturb a great
+rock. She used her drawing-room when Bo-peep was out, and regarded it
+with intense satisfaction. It is true that the colors were crude, for
+James Martin would have screamed at any Liberty tints. But the carpet
+was good of its kind, the pictures on the walls not too atrocious.
+Although they were in gilt frames, the large mirrors over the
+mantelpiece and at one end of the room were first rate; in short, the
+drawing-room was fairly presentable, and Mrs. Martin had some traces
+of her old life still lingering about her which gave a look of
+domesticity and even repose to the place. Her little work-basket, with
+its embroidery, was home-like and pleasant. She had forgotten how to
+play, but she always kept the piano open. Bo-peep suggested buying a
+pianola, and Mrs. Martin thought it would be a good idea.
+
+"We'll have all the comic operas on it," said Bo-peep; "nothing of the
+classic order for me--nothing over-my-head, but the popular tunes,
+plenty of them--no stint. What do you say, Little-sing?"
+
+Little-sing replied that it would be charming; but in her heart she
+somewhat shuddered, and was glad that the pianola was still a thing to
+be purchased.
+
+Tildy had been turned into a very presentable little parlor-maid.
+There was also a first-rate cook, for Martin was fond of the pleasures
+of the table. On the whole, the little household was comfortable, and
+Mrs. Martin enjoyed her life. She had some cards printed with her new
+name and address, and the notification that she was "at home" on the
+third, fourth, and fifth of each month. Tildy was very much excited
+about these At Home days; but the first month after Mrs. Martin's
+marriage passed without a single individual calling upon her.
+
+Mrs. Martin had been settled for over six weeks, and the day of Queen
+Maggie's great reception at the school in Kensington was drawing on
+apace. Mrs. Martin was in a state of subdued excitement. She was
+dressed in her best. Her best consisted of a light fawn-colored silk
+with velvet trimmings of the same. The silk rustled as she walked. On
+her fingers were many rings of much brilliancy, and she wore a small
+diamond brooch at her throat. The reason of all this festive attire
+was a simple one, a good one, a domestic one. James Martin was coming
+home. He had been in Liverpool, engaged on special business, for the
+greater part of a week; but he was now returning to his beloved
+Little-sing, who had missed him, and he was pleased to feel that he
+would be with her again. She knew his tastes to a nicety, and had
+desired the cook to prepare a very special dinner for his
+delectation.
+
+"Beef-steak pudding, cook," she said, "with mutton kidneys, and plenty
+of oysters; and be sure the crust is very light."
+
+Cook replied that if she did not know how to make beef-steak pudding
+she ought immediately to leave her "perfession." She was a stout,
+red-faced woman, and had a way of frightening Mrs. Martin, who
+generally retreated from the kitchen premises as quickly as possible.
+
+"Very well," said Mrs. Martin; "I am glad you quite understand. You
+know that my husband is very particular. Then we'll have potatoes and
+fried mushrooms, and I think afterwards apple-tart and cream."
+
+The cook, whose name was Horniman, condescended to signify her
+willingness to provide this dinner, and Mrs. Martin went up to the
+drawing-room.
+
+"You had better light a fire here, Matilda," she said. "It's going to
+be a very cold day."
+
+"I'd a sight rayther you called me Tildy, mum. It seems like as though
+a lump o' ice got on my 'eart when you say Mat-tilda."
+
+"'Matilda' is more refined and suitable," said Mrs. Martin with
+dignity.
+
+"Oh yes, 'um--'course, 'um. When 'ull Miss Maggie be comin' to see us,
+'um?"
+
+"Not before Christmas, you silly girl. Miss Maggie is at school."
+
+"So I 'ave 'eard," said Matilda. "You 'aven't give me no 'olidays,
+'um, sence I come to yer; and it were understood, sure-_ly_, that I
+were to 'ave my day out once a month."
+
+"You shall go out to-morrow, Matilda. I haven't the slightest wish to
+keep you indoors against your will."
+
+"To-morrer's cook's day, 'um."
+
+"Well, then, you shall go the next day."
+
+"Thank you, 'um. I thought I'd go and see Miss Maggie ef you'd give me
+her address."
+
+"Well, now, that's a very good idea," said Mrs. Martin. "I could write
+her a little note, and you could take it to her. That's very
+thoughtful of you, Tilda. Yes, I should like you to go and bring me
+word how she is."
+
+"It's longin' I am to lay eyes on 'er, mum. She's a bee-utiful way
+with 'er," said Matilda.
+
+When she was quite alone Mrs. Martin took that letter of Maggie's,
+which she had received during her husband's absence, from her pocket.
+She was terrified lest Bo-peep should read it. The letter had offended
+her. Maggie had written with great fire and distress: "You must not
+let him come here. All will be up with me if he is seen at the school.
+For the sake of my own father, keep him from Aylmer House."
+
+Mrs. Martin slipped it back into her pocket, and then sat by her
+comfortable drawing-room fire waiting for the arrival of the good
+Bo-peep. He was a very playful creature. His one idea of happiness
+consisted in endless jokes--practical jokes or otherwise, just as it
+suited him at the moment.
+
+He had done a very successful stroke of business in Liverpool, and was
+returning to Laburnum Villa in the highest spirits. While he was in
+the train he was planning how he could most effectively announce his
+return. To ring at his own hall-door, or to open it with a latch-key,
+or to walk in in the ordinary fashion of the master of the house did
+not content him at all. He must invent a more novel manner of return
+than that. He was really fond of Little-sing. She suited him to
+perfection. What he called her "fine-lady airs," when they were
+displayed to any one but himself, pleased him mightily. He thought of
+her as pretty and gracious and sweet. He really loved her after his
+own fashion, and would do anything in his power to make her happy. But
+he must, as he expressed it, have his joke.
+
+Mrs. Martin was seated by the fire in the drawing-room. It was getting
+late--nearly four o'clock; but, according to an expressed wish of
+Bo-peep, the window-blinds had not yet been drawn down. He liked, as
+he said, to see his home before he entered it. Mrs. Martin, therefore,
+with the electric light on, was perfectly visible from the road. Mr.
+Martin guessed that this would be the case, and he stopped the cab at
+a little distance from the house, paid the fare, shouldered his bag,
+and walked softly down the street. He went and stood outside the
+window. He looked in. The street was a quiet one, and at that moment
+there were no passers-by. Mrs. Martin was seated in her smart dress
+which he had given her, with her profile towards him. He thought her
+very beautiful indeed. His heart swelled with pride. She belonged to
+him. He hated fine ladies, as a rule; but a fine lady who was his very
+own was a different matter. He even felt romantic.
+
+She was reading a letter. Who could have been writing to Little-sing?
+Suddenly it occurred to him to slip down the area steps and stand
+close under the window. He did so, to the terror of cook and Tildy.
+Cook was about to scream, "Burglars!" but Tildy recognized her
+master.
+
+"It's his joke," she said. "'E's a wonderful man for jokes. Don't let
+on to Mrs. Martin that 'e's 'ere for your life. 'E'll do something so
+comic in a minute."
+
+The comicality of Martin consisted, in the present instance, of
+singing in a harsh baritone the song of the Troubadour:
+
+                       "Gaily the Troubadour
+                         Touched his guitar,
+                       When he was hastening
+                         Home from the war;
+                       Singing, 'From Palestine
+                         Hither I come.
+                       Ladye love! ladye love!
+                         Welcome me home.'"
+
+Mrs. Martin gave a shriek. She had the presence of mind to pop her
+letter into her pocket. Then she approached the window, trembling and
+blushing. Bo-peep uttered a huge laugh of delight, let himself in by
+the back way, and ran up the stairs.
+
+"Little-sing!" he said, and clasped his wife in his arms.
+
+During dinner James Martin was in high good humor, and it was not
+until dessert was put on the table and he had helped himself liberally
+to port wine, and was filling his pipe for his evening smoke, that it
+occurred to him to speak to his wife about Maggie.
+
+"By the way," he said, "I did a right good turn for that girl of
+yours, Little-sing, before I left for Liverpool. I sent her a box of
+clothes--two smart everyday dresses, an evening dress, and no end of
+fal-lals. She wrote to thank me, I suppose?"
+
+"She wrote to me, dear," said Mrs. Martin, trembling a good deal. "She
+was very much obliged to you."
+
+"And well she ought to be. Did she clearly understand that I sent her
+the things--that you had nothing to do with them?"
+
+"Oh yes, yes," said Mrs. Martin. "Won't you have some coffee, James?
+I'll tell Matilda to bring it in."
+
+"Coffee--fiddlestick!" said Martin; "and you know I hate to be called
+'James.' Where's Bo-peep?"
+
+"You are Bo-peep," said his wife with a funny smile.
+
+"Well, then, no 'Jamesing' of me. I think it is very queer of your
+daughter not to reply to me when I send her expensive and handsome
+things. What did she say in her letter to you?"
+
+"Oh, she was very grateful, of course, Bo-peep."
+
+"Well--but--where's the letter? I may as well see it. There's stuff in
+that girl. I don't despair of her yet. She has a head for business. I
+wouldn't have your dear little head muddled with business, but your
+daughter's a different person. She has nothing whatever to live on
+except what I allow her, and unless she is to starve she has got to
+please me."
+
+Mrs. Martin might have said, had she not been afraid, that Maggie was
+certainly entitled to her own father's money; but it is to be
+regretted that Little-sing had not much courage.
+
+Matilda came in with the coffee, which caused a slight diversion, more
+particularly as it was not to Martin's taste, who desired her to take
+it away again, and request Horniman to send him something fit to
+drink. When the door was closed behind Matilda he renewed the subject
+of the letter.
+
+"I saw you reading something as I came along," he said. "When I peeped
+in at the window you had a letter in your hand. Who has been writing
+to you?"
+
+"Only Maggie."
+
+"And that is the letter you spoke about?"
+
+"Yes, dear James--I mean Bo-peep--yes. The child is very grateful."
+
+"She ought to be. I'd like to see the letter. Where is it?"
+
+"I will go upstairs and fetch it," said Mrs. Martin, who knew well
+that it was safe in her pocket all the time.
+
+James Martin roused himself and gave her a studied look.
+
+"Do so," he said. "Bring it back to me at once. If I have to support
+that girl, and keep her at school, and pay for her clothing, I'll
+allow her to have no secrets from me. You understand that, don't you,
+Little-sing?"
+
+"Yes. I will fetch the letter," said Mrs. Martin.
+
+She left the room. Martin was fond of her, but he was no fool. He was
+certain now that there was something in the letter which his wife did
+not wish him to see, and his curiosity was instantly aroused. He was
+determined to read poor Maggie's letter at any cost. He waited
+impatiently, drumming his large, fat hand on the highly polished oak
+table the while. Tildy came in with fresh coffee.
+
+"Please, sir," she said, "cook wants to see you for a minute."
+
+"I can't see her now. Tell her so," replied Martin.
+
+"Which is no message for a woman of my class," said Horniman, entering
+the room and showing a very heated face. "I wishes to give notice that
+I leave your service this day month."
+
+"You can go to-morrow," said Martin.
+
+"As you please, sir; wages in full."
+
+"You go to-morrow," said Martin; "and if you say another word you go
+to-night. Leave the room."
+
+Tildy breathed a little quickly, felt inclined to pat master on the
+back, thought better of it, and left the room.
+
+"Whatever is keeping Little-sing?" thought Martin to himself.
+
+He was not going to worry about cook and her whims, but of
+Little-sing and the letter. He grew a little more suspicious, and
+consequently a little more angry.
+
+"She has that letter in her pocket; I saw her put it there when I was
+acting the part of the Troubadour," he said to himself. "She is
+destroying it now; but she sha'n't--not before I get it."
+
+He softly left the dining-room and crept with catlike steps upstairs.
+He stopped outside his wife's bedroom. There was a light burning
+there. He turned the handle of the door. It was locked.
+
+"Open the door at once," he said; and Mrs. Martin flew to do so.
+
+"Oh Bo-peep, you gave me a fright!"
+
+"Where is that letter, Victoria?"
+
+"It--it--I can't find it," she replied.
+
+"What are those papers lying on the floor?"
+
+Mrs. Martin gave a cry. Mr. Martin was too quick for her. He swept up
+the pieces of torn letter, collected them in his great hand, and,
+taking Mrs. Martin with the other hand, returned with her to the
+dining-room.
+
+"Now, you sit there, Little-sing," he said, "while I piece the letter
+together. There is something in it that you want hidden from me; but
+you've quite mistook your man. There are to be no secrets between you
+and me. I'm not the least bit angry with you, but I am not going to
+have that girl ruling you. You're frightened of that girl. Now, let's
+see what she has to say."
+
+Poor Mrs. Martin trembled from head to foot. Suddenly she went on her
+knees, clasped her hands round Bo-peep's arm, and looked into his
+face. "She was naughty. She was a silly child. Oh, forgive her! I
+ought to have destroyed the letter. I ought not to have kept it until
+you came back. Please--please, don't read it!"
+
+"Nonsense, Little-sing," he replied, restored once more to the height
+of good humor. "You have roused my curiosity; nothing will induce me
+not to see every word of the letter now."
+
+It took Martin some time to piece together poor Maggie's letter; but
+at last the greater part of its meaning was made plain to him. Mrs.
+Martin sat, white as death, looking at her lord and master. What was
+going to happen? What awful thing lay ahead of her? She felt crushed
+beyond words. Once again she struggled to get on her knees to implore
+him, to entreat; but Martin put out his great hand and kept her
+forcibly in her seat.
+
+When he had quite taken in the meaning of the letter he made no
+comment whatever, but carefully deposited the torn fragments in
+his pocket-book. Then he said quietly, "I don't blame you,
+Little-sing, not one bit. But we've got to punish this girl.
+To-morrow I shall be busy in town. The day after will be Friday, and
+I shall be busy then; but on Saturday we'll take a half-holiday and
+go to visit Miss Margaret Howland at Aylmer House--you and me
+together, Little-sing--the grocer and his wife together. Not a word,
+my love; not a word."
+
+
+
+
+CHAPTER XXI.
+
+TILDY'S MESSAGE.
+
+
+Nothing ever kept Mrs. Martin awake; and, notwithstanding her anxiety
+with regard to Maggie, she slept soundly that night. Bo-peep was his
+own delightful self. His jokes were really too good for anything! She
+regarded him as the wittiest man of her acquaintance. She laughed till
+the tears ran down her cheeks. He told her that he would take her to
+the theater on the following evening, and further said that he would
+engage a cook himself in town, send her out in the course of the
+morning, and that Horniman could go.
+
+Horniman came up to interview her mistress soon after Martin's
+departure. She was penitent now, and willing to stay; but nothing
+would induce Martin himself to forgive her, and, in consequence, Mrs.
+Martin did not dare to do so. The woman was paid her wages in full,
+and dismissed. Then it occurred to Mrs. Martin that here was her
+opportunity to send a short note of warning to Maggie. Why she did not
+send it by post it is hard to ascertain; but she thought that it would
+go more swiftly and surely if Tildy were the messenger.
+
+Accordingly she sent for Tildy and told her what she expected her to
+do.
+
+"Matilda," she said, "cook has gone, and I shall be quite content with
+tea and toast and a lightly boiled egg for my lunch. After lunch you
+can take the train to London and convey a message from me to Miss
+Maggie."
+
+"Oh mum, 'ow beauteous!" said Tildy.
+
+"I will have a letter ready which you are, if possible, to put into
+her own hands."
+
+"Yes, 'um; and don't I long to see 'er, jest!"
+
+"Well, this is the address," said Mrs. Martin. "Get everything cosy
+and comfortable in the house, and bring me my tea by one o'clock. A
+train will take you to Victoria at half-past one, which you ought to
+catch. You can easily be back here between four and five; by that time
+the new cook will have arrived."
+
+"Things ain't dull a bit to-day'," said Tildy. "They're much more
+Shepherd's Bushy, and I like 'em a sight better than I did."
+
+"Well, go now, and attend to your business," said Mrs. Martin.
+
+Having secured a messenger, Mrs. Martin next prepared to write to poor
+Maggie:
+
+  "MY DEAR CHILD,--Most unfortunately your father has discovered
+  the letter you wrote to me. He doesn't say much, but I can see
+  that he is furiously angry. He intends to take me with him to
+  call on you next Saturday--I presume, some time in the
+  afternoon. I will try to make him dress in as gentlemanly a
+  manner as possible, and also will endeavor to prevent his
+  talking about the shop. You must make the very best of things
+  you can, dear; for there's no possible way of keeping him from
+  Aylmer House.--Your affectionate mother,
+
+                                                "VICTORIA MARTIN."
+
+When the letter was finished Mrs. Martin put it into an envelope,
+addressed to Miss Maggie Howland, Aylmer House, Randal Square, South
+Kensington, and put it into Tildy's care. Tildy caught her train all
+in good time, arrived at Victoria, and took a bus to South Kensington.
+A very little inquiry enabled her to find Randal Square, and at about
+half-past two she was standing on the steps of that most refined and
+genteel home, Aylmer House. The look of the place impressed her, but
+did not give her any sense of intimidation. When the door was opened
+to her modest ring, and the pleasant, bright-looking parlor-maid
+answered her summons, Tildy gazed at her with great interest but
+without a scrap of shyness.
+
+"I've come from 'er 'ome to see Miss Maggie 'Owland," said Tildy; "and
+I've a message for 'er from 'er ma."
+
+The girl, whose name was Agnes, stared for a minute at Tildy. She
+recognized her "sort" in a moment. Tildy belonged to the lodging-house
+sort of girl. What she could have to do with one of Agnes's young
+ladies puzzled that young person considerably. It was the rule,
+however, at Aylmer House that no one, however poor or humble, should
+be treated with rudeness, and certainly a person bringing a message to
+one of the young ladies was entitled to respect. Agnes said,
+therefore, in a polite and superior tone, "Step in, will you, miss?
+and I will find out if Miss Howland is in."
+
+Tildy stepped into the hall, feeling, as she expressed it, "dream-like
+and queer all over." She did not dare to sit down, but stood on the
+mat, gazing with her bright, inquisitive eyes at the various things in
+this new world in which she found herself.
+
+"How beauteous!" she kept repeating at intervals. "Why, Laburnum Villa
+ain't a patch on this. How very beauteous! No wonder Miss Maggie 'ave
+the hair of a queen."
+
+Now, it so happened that Maggie Howland was out, and would not be back
+for some time. This was the day when she and the other girls belonging
+to her kingdom had gone forth to purchase all sorts of good things for
+the coming feast. Maggie, as queen, had put a whole sovereign into the
+bag. There would, therefore, be no stint of first-class provisions.
+Every sort of eatable that was not usually permitted at Aylmer House
+was to grace the board--jelly, meringues, frosted cake, tipsy cake, as
+well as chickens garnished in the most exquisite way and prepared
+specially by a confectioner round the corner; also different dainties
+in aspic jellies were to be ordered. Then flowers were to be secured
+in advance, so as to make the table really very beautiful.
+
+Maggie, Kathleen O'Donnell, and Janet were the people selected to
+arrange about the supper. Not a single thing was to be cooked in the
+establishment; this would give extra trouble to the servants, and was
+therefore not to be permitted. The girls would make their own
+sandwiches; and, oh, what troublesome thoughts they had over these!
+Maggie was in the highest spirits, and left the house with her
+companions--Miss Johnson, of course, in close attendance--half-an-hour
+before Tildy with her ominous letter appeared on the scene.
+
+Now, it so happened that Agnes knew nothing at all of the absence of
+the young ladies. They usually went out by a side-door which had been
+specially assigned to their use when the house was turned into a
+school. As Agnes was going upstairs, however, in order to try to find
+Maggie, she met Aneta coming down.
+
+"Oh miss," she said, "can you tell me if Miss Howland is in?"
+
+"No," said Aneta, "I happen to know that she is out, and I don't think
+she will be in for some little time."
+
+"Very well, miss; the young person will be sorry, I expect."
+
+"What young person?" asked Aneta, eager in her turn to find out why
+Maggie was inquired for.
+
+"A girl, miss, who has called, and has asked very particularly to see
+Miss Howland. She's rather a common sort of girl, miss, although I
+dare say she means well."
+
+"I will go and see her myself," said Aneta; "perhaps I can convey a
+message from her to Miss Howland, for I know she won't be back for
+some little time."
+
+Agnes, quite relieved in her mind, turned down the back-stairs and
+went to attend to her numerous duties. A few minutes after, Aneta, in
+all her slim grace, stood in the hall and confronted Tildy. Aneta was
+herself going out; she was going out with Mademoiselle Laplage. They
+had some commissions to execute. The day was a foggy one, and they
+were both rather in a hurry. Nevertheless, Aneta stopped to say a kind
+word to Tildy. Tildy gazed at her with open-eyed admiration. Beautiful
+as the house was, this young lady was indeed a radiant and dazzling
+vision.
+
+"She made me sort o' choky," said Tildy as she related the
+circumstance afterwards to Mrs. Martin. "There was a hair about her.
+Well, much as I loves our Miss Maggie, she ain't got the hair o' that
+beauteous young lady, with 'er eyes as blue as the sky, and 'er walk
+so very distinguishified."
+
+"What can I do for you?" said Aneta now, in a kind tone.
+
+Tildy dropped an awkward curtsy. "I've come, miss," she said, "to see
+our Miss Maggie."
+
+"Miss Howland is out," said Aneta.
+
+"Oh, miss!" replied Tildy, the corners of her mouth beginning to
+droop, "that's crool 'ard on me. Do you think, miss, if I may make so
+bold as to inquire, that Miss Maggie 'll be in soon?"
+
+"I do not think so," replied Aneta; "but I can convey any message you
+like to her, if you will trust me."
+
+"Oh miss," said Tildy, worshipping Aneta on the spot, "who wouldn't
+trust one like you?"
+
+"Well, what is it? What can I do for you?"
+
+"I was maid, miss--maid-of-all-work--at Shepherd's Bush when Miss
+Maggie and 'er ma used to live there; and when Mrs. 'Owland married
+Martin the grocer they was that kind they took me to live at Laburnum
+Villa. It's a very rich and comfortable 'ouse, miss; and the way they
+two goes on is most excitin'. It's joke, joke, and play, play, from
+morn till night--that's the ma and steppa of Miss Maggie. I've brought
+a letter from Mrs. Martin to be delivered straight to Miss Maggie."
+
+"I can give it to her," said Aneta in her calm voice.
+
+"You'll per'aps mention, miss," said Tildy, taking the letter from her
+pocket, "as I called, and as I love our dear Miss Maggie as much as I
+ever did. You'll per'aps say, miss, with my dutiful respects, that my
+'eart is 'ers, and always will be."
+
+"I will give her a kind message," said Aneta, "and safely deliver her
+mother's letter to her. I am afraid there's no use in asking you to
+stay, as Miss Howland is very much occupied just now."
+
+"Very well, miss, I've delivered my message faithful."
+
+"You have."
+
+As Aneta spoke she herself opened the hall-door.
+
+"Good-day, miss," said Tildy, dropping another curtsy, "and I wishes
+you well."
+
+"Good-day," replied Aneta.
+
+Tildy's little form was swallowed up in the fog, which was growing
+thicker each moment, and at that instant Mademoiselle Laplage, profuse
+in apologies for her brief delay, entered the hall.
+
+"Pardon me, _ma chere_, that I have caused you to wait. I was just
+ready to descend, when--see! the lace of my shoe was broken. But what
+will you? You will go out in this dreadful fog?"
+
+Aneta replied in French that she did not think the fog was too thick,
+and the French governess and the girl went out together into the
+street. But all the time Aneta Lysle was thinking hard. She was in
+possession of Maggie's secret. Her stepfather, instead of being
+related to the Martyns of The Meadows, was a grocer! Aneta belonged to
+that class of persons who think a great deal of good birth. She did
+not mind Tildy in the least, for Tildy was so far below her as to be
+after a fashion quite companionable; but--a grocer! Nevertheless,
+Aneta had a heart. She thought of Maggie, and the more she thought of
+her the more pitiful she felt towards her. She did not want to crush
+or humiliate her schoolfellow. She felt almost glad that the secret
+of Maggie's unhappiness had been made known to her. She might at last
+gain a true influence over the girl.
+
+Her walk, therefore, with Mademoiselle Laplage took place almost in
+silence. They hastily executed their commissions, and presently found
+themselves in Pearce's shop, where Aneta had taken a brooch a day or
+two ago to have a pin put on.
+
+The shopman, as he handed her the mended brooch, said at the same
+time, "If you will excuse me, miss, you are one of the young ladies
+who live at Aylmer House?"
+
+"Yes," said Aneta, "that is true."
+
+"Then I wonder, miss, if"----He paused a minute, looked hard at the
+girl, and then continued, "Might my brother speak to you for a minute,
+miss?"
+
+"But it make so cold!" said mademoiselle, who knew very little of the
+English tongue, "and behold--zee fog! I have such fear of it. It is
+not to joke when it fogs in your country, _ma chere. Il faute bien
+depecher_."
+
+"I shall be quite ready to come back with you in a minute or two,"
+said Aneta.
+
+Just then the man who had bought the brooch from Maggie appeared. "I
+am very sorry, miss," he said, "but I thought that, instead of writing
+to Miss Howland, I might send her a message; otherwise I should have
+to see Mrs. Ward on the matter."
+
+"But what matter is it?" said Aneta. "You want to see Miss Howland, or
+you want me to take her a message?"
+
+"Well, miss, it's no special secret; only my brother and I cannot
+afford to buy the brooch which she sold us the other day."
+
+"But I don't understand," said Aneta. "Miss Howland sold you a brooch?
+Then if she sold it, you did buy it."
+
+"The fact is, miss," said young Pearce, coloring rather deeply, "I was
+not myself quite aware of its value at the time, and I gave the young
+lady much too small a sum of money for it. I want her to return me the
+money, and I will give her back the brooch. My brother and I have been
+talking it over, and we cannot do an injustice to one of the ladies at
+Aylmer House--it is quite impossible."
+
+"I will give your message," said Aneta coldly. "Please do not purchase
+anything else from Miss Howland. She will doubtless call to see you
+to-morrow."
+
+"Thank you, miss; then that is all right," said the man, looking much
+relieved.
+
+Aneta hastened home. She felt perplexed and alarmed. She must see
+Maggie, and as soon as possible. It was a strange fact that while
+Maggie was in no danger at all, while everything seemed to be going
+right with her, and as long as she held an undeniable position in the
+school as one of the queens, Aneta could scarcely endure her; that now
+that Maggie Howland, was, so to speak, at her mercy, this girl, whose
+nature was fine and brave and good, felt a strong desire to help
+her.
+
+There were, however, very strict rules at Aylmer House, and one of
+them was that no girl on any account whatsoever was to sell any of her
+possessions in order to make money. This was one of the unwritten
+rules of the school; but the idea of an Aylmer House girl really
+requiring to do such a thing was never contemplated for an instant.
+There were broad lines of conduct, however, which no girl was expected
+to pass. Liberty was allowed to a great extent at Aylmer House; but it
+was a liberty which only those who struggle to walk in the right path
+can fully enjoy. Crooked ways, underhand dealings, could not be
+permitted in the school.
+
+Maggie had done quite enough to cause her to be expelled. There had
+been times when Aneta almost wished for this; when she had felt deep
+down in her heart that Maggie Howland was the one adverse influence in
+the school; when she had been certain that if Maggie Howland were
+removed all the other girls would come more or less under her own
+gentle sway, and she would be queen, not of the greater number of the
+girls at Aylmer House, but of all the girls, and very gentle, very
+loving, very sympathetic would be her rule. Her subjects should feel
+her sympathy, but at the same time they should acknowledge her power.
+Maggie's was a counter-influence; and now there was a chance of
+putting a stop to it.
+
+Aneta knew well that, kind as Mrs. Ward was to Maggie, she did not in
+her heart absolutely trust her. Therefore, if Maggie left it would
+also be a relief to Mrs. Ward. Miss Johnson might be sorry, and one or
+two of the girls might be sorry; in particular, dear little Merry.
+Aneta had a great love for Merry, and was deeply sorry to feel that
+Merry was under Maggie's spell; that was the case, although she did
+not openly belong to Maggie's party. So Merry too would be saved if
+Maggie left the school. Oh! it was most desirable, and Aneta held the
+key of the position in her hand. She also had in her pocket Mrs.
+Martin's letter. That did not perhaps so greatly matter, for Maggie's
+father, whatever her mother had done, was himself a gentleman; but the
+fact of Maggie's slipping out of doors alone to sell an ornament was a
+sufficiently grave offense to banish her from such a school as Aylmer
+House.
+
+Yes, Aneta could send her away, but it might be managed dexterously.
+Maggie might stay till the end of the present term and then go,
+knowing herself that she would never return, whereas the girls would
+know nothing about it until the beginning of the next term, when they
+would no longer see her familiar face or hear her pleasant voice. A
+few of them might be sorry, but they would quickly forget. The school
+would be the better for her absence. The thing could be done, and it
+would be done, if Aneta used that knowledge which she now possessed.
+
+The girls all met at tea, and Maggie was in the highest spirits. She
+knew nothing whatever of all the information which Aneta had gathered
+in her absence. She knew nothing of Tildy's arrival, of Tildy's
+departure, nor of the letter which Aneta had put into one of her
+drawers. Still less did she know anything of Pearce and his betrayal
+of her. She and her companions had had a very pleasant time, and
+immediately after tea, in the "leisure hours," they were to meet in
+the girl's private sitting-room to discuss matters officially.
+
+The Aneta girls had, by common consent, given up the room to them
+during these last important days. There were plenty of nooks and
+corners all over the cheerful house where they could amuse themselves
+and talk secrets, and have that sort of confidence which schoolgirls
+delight in.
+
+As soon as tea was over Maggie jumped up and said, "Now, Kitty"--she
+turned to Kathleen O'Donnell as she spoke--"you and I, and Rosamond
+and Jane, and Matty and Clara, and the Tristrams will get through our
+work as quickly as possible.--I suppose, girls"--here she glanced at
+Aneta in particular--"you will let us have the sitting-room as usual
+during the leisure hours?"
+
+"Of course we will," said Sylvia St. John in her gentle tone; but she
+had scarcely uttered the words before Aneta rose.
+
+"Of course you can have the sitting-room," she said; "but I want to
+talk to you, Maggie."
+
+"You can't, I am afraid, just now," said Maggie. "I am much too
+busy.--We have to go into accounts, girls," she added. "There are no
+end of things to be done, besides, at the rehearsal." Here she dropped
+her voice slightly.
+
+"The rest of you can go to the sitting-room and do what is necessary,"
+continued Aneta. "I want you, Maggie, and you had better come with
+me." She spoke very firmly.
+
+A dogged look came into Maggie's face. She threw back her head and
+glanced full at Aneta. "I go with you," she said, "just because you
+ask me, forsooth! You forget yourself, Queen Aneta. I also am a queen
+and have a kingdom."
+
+"My business with you has something to do with a person who calls
+herself Tildy," said Aneta in her gravest voice; and Maggie suddenly
+felt as though a cold douche had been thrown over her. She colored a
+vivid red. Then she turned eagerly to Kathleen.
+
+"I won't be a minute," she said. "You all go into the sitting-room and
+get the accounts in order. You might also go over that tableaux with
+Diana Vernon.--Kathleen, you know that you must put a little more life
+into your face than you did the other day; and--and--oh dear, how
+annoying this is!--Yes, of course I will go with you, Aneta. You won't
+keep me a minute?"
+
+Maggie and Aneta left the room.
+
+Merry turned to her sister and said in a troubled voice, "I can't
+imagine why it is that Aneta doesn't care for poor Maggie. I love
+Aneta, of course, for she is our very own cousin; but I cannot
+understand her want of sympathy for dearest Maggie."
+
+"I am not altogether quite so fond of Maggie as you are, Merry; and
+you know that," said Cicely.
+
+"I know it," said Merry. "You are altogether taken up with Aneta."
+
+"Oh, and with school generally," said Cicely, "it is all so splendid.
+But come, we are alone in the room, and losing some of our delightful
+leisure hours."
+
+The Maggie-girls had meanwhile retired into the sitting-room, where
+they stood together in groups, talking about the excitement which was
+to take place on the following Saturday (it was now Thursday), and
+paying very little heed to Maggie's injunctions to put the accounts in
+order.
+
+"Don't bother about accounts," said Kitty; "there's heaps of money
+left in the bag. Wasn't it scrumptious of old Mags to put a whole
+sovereign in? And I know she is not rich, the dear old precious!"
+
+"She is exactly the sort of girl who would do a generous thing," said
+Clara Roache, "and of course, as queen, she felt that she must put a
+little more money into the bag than the rest of us."
+
+"Well, she needn't," said Kathleen. "I'd have loved her just as much
+if she hadn't put a penny in. She is a duck, though! I can't think why
+I care so much about her, for she's not beautiful."
+
+"Strictly speaking, she is plain," said Janet Burns; "but in a case
+like Maggie's plain face doesn't matter in the least."
+
+"She has got something inside," said Matty, "which makes up for her
+plain features. It's her soul shining out of her eyes."
+
+"Yes, of course," said Kathleen O'Donnell; "and it fills her voice
+too. She has got power and--what you call charm. She is meant to rule
+people."
+
+"I admire her myself more than Aneta Lysle," said Janet Burns,
+"although of course all the world would call Aneta beautiful."
+
+"Yes, that is quite true," said Kathleen; "but I call Aneta a little
+stiff, and she is very determined too, and she doesn't like poor old
+Mags one single bit. Wasn't it jolly of Mags to get up this glorious
+day for us? Won't we have fun? Aneta may look to her laurels, for it's
+my opinion that the Gibsons and the Cardews will both come over to our
+side after Saturday."
+
+While this conversation was going on, and Maggie's absence was
+deplored, and no business whatever was being done towards the
+entertainment of Saturday, Maggie found herself seated opposite to
+Aneta in Aneta's own bedroom. Maggie felt queer and shaken. She did
+not quite know what was the matter. Aneta's face was very quiet.
+
+After a time she drew a letter from her pocket and put it into
+Maggie's hand.
+
+"Who brought this?" asked Maggie.
+
+"A person who called herself Tildy."
+
+Maggie held the letter unopened in her lap.
+
+"Why don't you read it?" said Aneta.
+
+Maggie took it up and glanced at the handwriting. Then she put it down
+again.
+
+"It's from my mother," she said. "It can keep."
+
+"I cannot imagine," said Aneta, "anybody waiting even for one moment
+to read a letter which one's own mother has written. My mother is
+dead, you know."
+
+She spoke in a low tone, and her pretty eyelashes rested on her softly
+rounded cheeks.
+
+Maggie looked at her. "Why did you bring me up here, Aneta, away from
+all the others, away from our important business, to give me this
+letter?"
+
+"I thought you would rather have it in private," said Aneta.
+
+"You thought more than that, Aneta."
+
+"Yes, I thought more than that," said Aneta in her gentlest tone.
+
+Maggie's queer, narrow, eyes flashed fire. Suddenly she stood up. "You
+have something to say. Say it, and be quick, for I must go."
+
+"I don't think you must go just yet, Maggie; for what I have to say
+cannot be said in a minute. You will have to give up your leisure
+hours to-day."
+
+"I cannot. Our entertainment is on Saturday."
+
+"The entertainment must wait," said Aneta. "It is of no consequence
+compared to what I have to say to you."
+
+"Oh, have it out!" said Maggie. "You were always spying and prying on
+me. You always hated me. I don't know what I have done to you. I'd
+have left you alone if you had left me alone; but you have interfered
+with me and made my life miserable. God knows, I am not too
+happy"--Maggie struggled with her emotion--"but you have made things
+twice as bad."
+
+"Do you really, really think that, Maggie? Please don't say any more,
+then, until you hear me out to the end. I will tell you as quickly as
+possible; I will put you out of suspense. I could have made things
+very different for you, but at least I will put you out of suspense."
+
+"Well, go on; I am willing to listen. I hope you will be brief."
+
+"It is this, Maggie. I will say nothing about your past; I simply tell
+you what, through no fault of mine, I found out to-day. You gave the
+girls of this school to understand that your mother's husband--your
+stepfather--was a gentleman of old family. The person called Tildy
+told me about Mr. Martin. He may be a gentleman by nature, but he is
+not one by profession."
+
+Maggie clutched one of her hands so tightly that the nails almost
+pierced her flesh.
+
+"I won't hurt you, Maggie, by saying much on that subject. Your own
+father was a gentleman, and you cannot help your mother having married
+beneath her."
+
+Maggie gasped. Such words as these from the proud Aneta!
+
+"But there is worse to follow," continued Aneta. "I happened to go to
+Pearce's to-day."
+
+Maggie, who had half-risen, sank back again in her seat.
+
+"And Pearce wants to see you in order to return a brooch which you
+sold him. He says that he cannot afford the right price for the
+brooch. He wants you to give him back the money which he lent you on
+it, and he wants you to have the brooch again in your possession. You,
+of course, know, Maggie, that in selling one of your belongings and in
+going out without leave you broke one of the fundamental rules of
+Aylmer House. You know that, therefore----Why, what is the matter?"
+
+Maggie's queer face was working convulsively. After a time slow, big
+tears gathered in her eyes. Her complexion changed from its usual dull
+ugliness to a vivid red; it then went white, so ghastly white that the
+girl might have been going to faint. All this took place in less than
+a minute. At the end of that time Maggie was her old disdainful, angry
+self once more.
+
+"You must be very glad," she said. "You have me in your power at last.
+My stepfather is a grocer. He keeps a shop at Shepherd's Bush. He is
+one of the most horribly vulgar men that ever lived. Had I been at
+home my mother would not have consented to marry him. But my mother,
+although pretty and refined-looking, and in herself a lady, has little
+force of character, and she was quite alone and very poor indeed. You,
+who don't know the meaning of the word 'poor,' cannot conceive what it
+meant to her. Little Merry guessed--dear, dear little Merry; but as to
+you, you think when you subscribe to this charity and the other, you
+think when you adopt an East End child and write letters to her, and
+give of your superabundance to benefit her, that you understand the
+poor. I tell you you _don't_! Your wealth is a curse to you, not a
+blessing. You no more understand what people like mother and like
+myself have lived through than you understand what the inhabitants of
+Mars do--the petty shifts, the smallnesses, the queer efforts to make
+two ends meet! You in your lovely home, and surrounded by lovely
+things, and your aunt so proud of you--how _can_ you understand what
+lodgings in the hot weather in Shepherd's Bush are like? Mother
+understood--never any fresh air, never any tempting food; Tildy, that
+poor little faithful girl as servant--slavey was her right name; Tildy
+at every one's beck and call, always with a smut on her cheek, and her
+hair so untidy, and her little person so disreputable; and mother
+alone, wondering how she could make two ends meet. Talk of your
+knowing what the poor people in my class go through!"
+
+"I don't pretend that I do know, Maggie," said Aneta, who was
+impressed by the passion and strength of Maggie's words. "I don't
+pretend it for a moment. The poverty of such lives is to me a sealed
+book. But--forgive me--if you are so poor, how could you come here?"
+
+"I don't mind your knowing everything now," said Maggie. "I am
+disgraced, and nothing will ever get me out of my trouble. I am up to
+my neck, and I may as well drown at once; but Mrs. Ward--she
+understood what a poor girl whose father was a gentleman could feel,
+and she--oh, she was good!--she took me for so little that mother
+could afford it. She made no difference between you and me, Aneta, who
+are so rich, and your cousins the Cardews, who are so rich too. She
+said, 'Maggie Howland, your father was a gentleman and a man of honor,
+a man of whom his country was proud; and I will educate you, and give
+you your chance.' And, oh, I was happy here! And I--and I should be
+happy now but for you and your prying ways."
+
+"You are unkind to me, Maggie. The knowledge that your stepfather was
+a grocer was brought to me in a most unexpected way. I was not to
+blame for the little person who called herself Tildy coming here
+to-day. Tildy felt no shame in the fact that your mother had married a
+grocer. She was far more lady-like about it than you are, Maggie. No
+one could have blamed you because your mother chose to marry beneath
+her. But you were to blame, Maggie, when you gave us to understand
+that her husband was in quite a different position from what he is."
+
+"And you think," said Maggie, stamping her foot, "that the girls of
+this house--Kathleen O'Donnell, Sylvia St. John, Henrietta and Mary
+Gibson, the Cardews, the Tristrams, you yourself--would put up with me
+for a single moment if it was known what my mother has done?"
+
+"I think you underrate us all," said Aneta. Then she came close to
+Maggie and took one of her hands. "I want to tell you something," she
+added.
+
+Maggie had never before allowed her hand to remain for a second in
+Aneta's grasp. But there was something at this moment about the young
+girl, a look in her eyes, which absolutely puzzled Maggie and caused
+her to remain mute. She had struggled for a minute, but now her hand
+lay still in Aneta's clasp.
+
+"I want to help you," said Aneta.
+
+"To--help me! How? I thought you hated me."
+
+"Well, as a matter of fact," said Aneta, "I did not love you
+until"----
+
+"Until?" said Maggie, her eyes shining and her little face becoming
+transformed in a minute.
+
+"Until I knew what you must have suffered."
+
+"You do not mean to say that you love me now?"
+
+"I believe," said Aneta, looking fixedly at Maggie, "that I could love
+you."
+
+"Oh!" said Maggie. She snatched her hand away, and, walking to the
+window, looked out. The fog was thicker than ever, and she could see
+nothing. But that did not matter. She wanted to keep her back turned
+to Aneta. Presently her shoulders began to heave, and, taking her
+handkerchief from her pocket, she pressed it to her eyes. Then she
+turned round. "Go on," she said.
+
+"What do you mean by that?" asked Aneta.
+
+"Say what you want to say. I am the stepdaughter of a grocer, and I
+have broken one of the strictest rules in the school. When will you
+tell Mrs. Ward? I had better leave at once."
+
+"You needn't leave at all."
+
+"What do you mean?"
+
+"I mean," said Aneta, "that if you will tell Mrs. Ward everything--all
+about your stepfather, and all about your selling that jewel and going
+out without leave--I am positively sure that dear Mrs. Ward will not
+expel you from the school. I am also sure, Maggie, that there will not
+be one girl at Aylmer House who will ever reproach you. As to your
+stepfather being what he is, no girl in her senses would blame you for
+that. You are the daughter of Professor Howland, one of the greatest
+explorers of his time--a man who has had a book written about him, and
+has largely contributed to the world's knowledge. Don't forget that,
+please; none of us are likely to forget it. As to the other
+thing--well, there is always the road of confession, and I am quite
+certain that if you will see Mrs. Ward she will be kind to you and
+forgive you; for her heart is very big and her sympathies very wide;
+and then, afterwards, I myself will, for your sake, try to understand
+your position, and I myself will be your true friend."
+
+"Oh Aneta!" said Maggie.
+
+She ran up to Aneta; she took her hand; she raised it to her lips and
+kissed it.
+
+"Give me till to-morrow," she said. "Promise that you won't say
+anything till to-morrow."
+
+Aneta promised. Maggie went to her room.
+
+
+
+
+CHAPTER XXII.
+
+ANETA'S PLAN.
+
+
+The girls downstairs wondered why Maggie Howland did not appear. After
+an hour of waiting Kathleen O'Donnell took the lead. The accounts were
+left alone, but the tableaux vivants were diligently rehearsed, the
+Tristrams and Jane Burns being the three critics; Rosamond Dacre,
+Kathleen O'Donnell, and Matty and Clara Roache the performers. But,
+somehow, there was no life in the acting, for the moving spirit was
+not there; the bright, quick eye was missed, the eager words were
+lacking, with the pointed and telling criticism. Then there was the
+scene where Maggie herself was to take a part. It was from _The
+Talisman_, and a night-scene, which she was able to render with great
+precision and even beauty, and the dun light would be in her favor. It
+was to be the crowning one, and the last of the tableaux. It was
+expected to bring down the house. But Maggie was not there, and the
+girls could not help feeling a little disconsolate and a little
+surprised.
+
+At supper that evening there were eager inquiries with regard to
+Maggie Howland. All the girls came up to ask Aneta where the other
+queen was.
+
+"She is not quite well, and has gone to bed," said Aneta. "She does
+not wish to be disturbed until the morning."
+
+Aneta's words had a curious effect upon every one who heard her speak.
+It was as though she had, for the first time in her life, absolutely
+taken Maggie's part. Her eyes, when she spoke of Maggie, were full of
+affection. The girls were puzzled; but Merry, as they turned away,
+suddenly ran back to Aneta, swept her arm round the girl's neck, and
+said, "Oh Neta, I do love you!"
+
+Aneta pressed Merry's hand. For the first time these two understood
+each other.
+
+Meanwhile poor Maggie was living through one of the most dreadful
+periods of her life. Her mother's intimation that she and her
+stepfather were coming without fail to Aylmer House on Saturday--_the_
+day, the glorious day when Maggie and her friends were to entertain
+Mrs. Ward and the rest of the school--drove the girl nearly wild.
+Aneta had discovered her secret, and Aneta had urged, as the one way
+out, the painful but salutary road of confession. Maggie writhed at
+the thought, but she writhed far more terribly at the news which her
+mother's letter contained.
+
+The girl said to herself, "I cannot stand it! I will run away! He has
+destroyed my last chance. I will run away and hide. I will go
+to-night. There is no use in waiting. Aneta is kind; she is far kinder
+than I could ever have given her credit for. She would, I believe,
+help me; and dear Mrs. Ward would help me--I am sure of that. And I
+don't really mind now that it comes to the point of losing my position
+in the school as queen; but for all the school--for the Tristrams, for
+Merry Cardew, for Kathleen--to see that man is beyond my power of
+endurance. He will call here, and he will bring poor mother, but as I
+won't be here I won't feel anything. I will go to-night. I'll slip
+downstairs and let myself out. I have some money--thank goodness for
+that!--and I have my father's treasures. I can take them out of the
+tin box and wear them on my person, and I can sell them one by one.
+Yes, I will run away. There's no help for it."
+
+Maggie, at Aneta's suggestion, had got into bed, but even to think of
+sleep was beyond her power. She got up again presently, dressed, and
+sat by the foggy window. The fog was worse; it was so thick now that
+you could not see your way even as far as the trees in the middle of
+the square. There were fog-signals sounding from time to time, and
+cabs going very slowly, and boys carrying torches to light belated and
+lost passengers.
+
+Maggie was safe enough in her room, which had, like all the other
+bedrooms at Aylmer House, a small fire burning in the grate. By-and-by
+some one tapped at the door. Maggie said, "Don't come in"; but her
+words were unheeded. The door was opened an inch or two, and Merry
+Cardew entered.
+
+"Oh Merry, you--of all people!" said Maggie.
+
+"And why not?" said Merry. "I am your friend--your own very, very
+great friend. What is the matter, Mags? You were so jolly at tea; what
+can have happened since?"
+
+"Something most dreadful," said Maggie; "but you will know on
+Saturday."
+
+"Oh!" said Merry, coming up to Maggie and dropping on her knees and
+fondling one of the girl's cold hands, "why should I wait till
+Saturday? Why should I not know now?"
+
+"I can't talk of it, Merry. I am glad you--you--_loved_ me. You won't
+love me in the future. But kiss me just this once."
+
+"I am not going to leave you like this," said Merry.
+
+"You must, dear; yes, you must. Please, please go! And--please, be
+quick. Some one will see us together. Lucy Johnson will come in. Oh!
+don't make matters worse for me. Good-night, Merry, good-night."
+
+Maggie seemed so anxious that Merry should go that the girl felt hurt
+and rose to her feet.
+
+"Good-night, Merry dear," said Maggie as Merry was walking towards the
+door. Then she added, in a semi-whisper which Merry did not catch,
+"And good-bye, Merry dear; we shall never meet again."
+
+Merry left the room, feeling full of apprehension. She thought for a
+minute as she stood outside. Then she went and knocked at Aneta's
+door.
+
+"Aneta, may I come in?"
+
+"Of course, dear. What is the matter?" said her cousin.
+
+Merry entered at once.
+
+"I have been to see Maggie. She is awfully queer. Oh, I know I broke
+the rules. I must tell Miss Johnson in the morning."
+
+"I did beg of you, Merry, not to go to her," said Aneta.
+
+"Yes, I know you did; but I could not help thinking and thinking about
+her. She is very queer. Her eyes look so strange."
+
+"I hoped she was in bed and asleep," said Aneta.
+
+"In bed!" said Merry. "Not a bit of it. She was up and sitting by the
+window gazing at the fog."
+
+"I will go and see her myself," said Aneta.
+
+"Will you, Neta? And you will be kind to her?"
+
+"Yes, darling, of course."
+
+"Somehow, she used to think that--that you didn't love her," said
+Merry.
+
+"Nor did I," said Aneta. "But I will be kind to her; don't be afraid.
+I think I can guess what is the matter."
+
+"It is all very queer," said Merry. "She was in such splendid spirits
+to-day; all the girls said so when they were out preparing for our
+party, and now she looks years older and utterly miserable."
+
+"Go to bed, Merry, and leave your friend in my care."
+
+"Then you don't think it wrong of me to be very fond of her?"
+
+"I do not, Merry. There was a time when I hoped you would not care for
+her; now I earnestly want you to be her true friend. There is a very
+great deal of good in her, and she has had many sorrows. Pray for her
+to-night. Don't be anxious. Everything will come as right as
+possible."
+
+"Oh Neta," said Merry, "you are a darling! And when you talk like that
+I love you more than I ever did before. You see, dear, I could not
+help caring for Maggie from the very first, and nothing nor anybody
+can alter my love."
+
+Aneta kissed Merry, who left the room. Then Aneta herself, taking up
+her candle, went out. She was wearing a long white wrapper, and her
+clouds of golden hair were falling far below her waist. She looked
+almost like an angel as she went down the corridor as far as Miss
+Johnson's room.
+
+Lucy Johnson was just getting into bed when Aneta knocked.
+
+"What is it, Neta?" said the governess in a tone almost of alarm.
+
+"I want to break a rule, Lucy," said Aneta; "so put me down for
+punishment to-morrow."
+
+"Oh, but why? What are you going to do?"
+
+"I am going to do something which I shall be punished for. I am going
+to spend to-night, if necessary, with Maggie Howland."
+
+"Is she ill, Neta? Ought we to send for the doctor?"
+
+"Oh no, she is not a bit ill in that way. Good-night, Lucy; I felt I
+ought to tell you."
+
+Aneta continued her way until she reached Maggie's room. It was now
+past midnight. The quiet and regular household had all retired to bed,
+and Maggie had feverishly begun to prepare for departure. She knew how
+to let herself out. Once out of the house, she would be, so she felt,
+through the worst part of her trouble. She was not unacquainted with
+the ways of this cruel world, and thought that she might be taken in
+at some hotel, not too far away, for the night. Early in the morning
+she would go by train to some seaside place. From there she would
+embark for the Continent. Beyond that she had made no plans.
+
+Maggie was in the act of removing her father's treasures from the tin
+boxes when, without any warning, the room-door was opened, and Aneta,
+in her pure white dress, with her golden hair surrounding her very
+fair face, entered the room.
+
+"Oh!" said Maggie, dropping a curiously made cross in her confusion
+and turning a dull brick-red. "Whatever have you come about?"
+
+Aneta closed the door calmly, and placed her lighted candle on the top
+of Maggie's chest of drawers.
+
+"I hoped you were in bed and asleep," she said; "but instead of that
+you are up. I have made arrangements to spend the night with you. It
+is bitterly cold. We must build up the fire."
+
+Maggie felt wild.
+
+Aneta did not take the slightest notice. She knelt down and put knobs
+of fresh coal on the fire. Soon it was blazing up merrily. "That's
+better," she said. "Now, don't you think a cup of cocoa each would be
+advisable?"
+
+"I don't want to eat," said Maggie.
+
+"I should like the cocoa," said Aneta; "and I have brought it with me.
+I thought your supply might be out. Here's your glass of milk which
+you never drank, and here's a little saucepan, and there are cups and
+saucers in your cupboard, and a box of biscuits. Just sit down, won't
+you? while I make the cocoa."
+
+Maggie felt very strange. Her dislike of Aneta was growing less and
+less moment by moment. Nevertheless, she by no means gave up her
+primary idea of running away. She felt that she must hoodwink Aneta.
+Surely she was clever enough for that. The best plan would be to
+acquiesce in the cocoa scheme, afterwards to pretend that she was
+sleepy, and go to bed. Then Aneta would, of course, leave her, and
+there would still be plenty of time to get out of the house and
+disappear into the foggy world of London. The glowing fire, the
+beautiful young girl kneeling by it, the preparation for the little
+meal which she made with such swiftness and dexterity, caused Maggie
+to gaze at her in speechless amazement.
+
+Maggie drank her delicious cocoa and munched her biscuits with
+appetite, and afterwards she felt better. The world was not quite so
+black and desolate, and Aneta looked lovely with her soft eyes glowing
+and the rose-color in her cheeks.
+
+"Why are you doing all this for me?" said Maggie then.
+
+"Why?" said Aneta. "I think the reason is very simple." Then she
+paused for a minute and her eyes filled with sudden tears. "I think it
+is, Maggie, because quite unexpectedly I have learned to love you."
+
+"You--to love me--me?" said Maggie.
+
+"Yes."
+
+Maggie felt herself trembling. She could not reply. She did not
+understand that she returned the love so suddenly given to her--given
+to her, too, in her moment of deepest degradation, of her most utter
+misery. Once again the feeling that she must go, that she could not
+face confession and the scorn of the school, and the awful words of
+Bo-peep, and her poor mother as Bo-peep's wife, overpowered her.
+
+"You are--very kind," she said in a broken voice; "and the cocoa was
+good; and, if you don't mind--I will--go to bed now, and
+perhaps--sleep a little."
+
+"What have you been doing with all those lovely curios?" said Aneta.
+
+"I?" said Maggie. "I--oh, I like to look at them."
+
+"Do pick up that cross which is lying on the floor, and let me examine
+it."
+
+Maggie did so rather unwillingly.
+
+"Please bring over all the other things, and let me look at them,"
+said Aneta then.
+
+Maggie obeyed, but grudgingly, as though she did not care that Aneta
+should handle them.
+
+"Why have you taken them out of their boxes and put them all in a
+muddle like this?" said Aneta.
+
+"I--I wanted something to do," said Maggie. "I couldn't sleep."
+
+"Was that the only reason--honor bright?" said Aneta.
+
+Maggie dropped her eyes.
+
+Aneta did not question her any further, but she drew her down to a low
+chair by the fire, and put a hand on her lap, and kept on looking at
+the treasures: the bracelets, the crosses, the brooches, the quaint
+designs belonging to a bygone period. After a time she said, "I am not
+at all sure--I am not a real judge of treasures; but I have an uncle,
+Sir Charles Lysle, who knows more about these things than any one else
+in London; and if he thinks what I am inclined to think with regard to
+the contents of these two boxes, you will be"----She stopped
+abruptly.
+
+Maggie's eyes were shining. "Aneta," she said, "don't talk of these
+any more; and don't talk either of wealth or poverty any more. There
+is something I want to say. When you came into my room just now I was
+packing up to run away."
+
+"Oh yes, I know that," said Aneta. "I saw that you had that intention
+the moment I entered the room."
+
+"And you said nothing!"
+
+"Why should I? I didn't want to force your confidence. But you're not
+going to run away now, Mags?" She bent towards her and kissed her on
+the forehead.
+
+"Yes," said Maggie, trembling. "I want you to let me go."
+
+"I cannot possibly do that, dear. If you go, I go too."
+
+"I must go," said Maggie. "You don't understand. You found things out
+about me to-day, and you have behaved--well, splendidly. I didn't give
+you credit for it. I didn't know you. Now I do know you, and I see
+that no girl in the school can be compared to you for nobleness and
+courage, and just for being downright splendid. But, Aneta, I cannot
+bear that which is before me."
+
+"The fact is," said Aneta, "you are in the midst of a terrible battle,
+and you mean to give in and turn tail, and let the enemy walk over the
+field. That is not a bit what I should have expected at one time from
+Maggie Howland."
+
+"I will tell you," said Maggie. "I am not really a bit brave; there is
+nothing good in me."
+
+"We won't talk about that," said Aneta. "What we have to think about
+now is what lies straight ahead of you; not of your past any more,
+but your immediate future. You have a tough time before you; in fact,
+you have a very great battle to fight, but I do not think you will
+turn tail."
+
+"You want me," said Maggie, "to go to Mrs. Ward and tell her
+everything?"
+
+"You must do that, Maggie. There is no second course to pursue. There
+is no way out. But I have been thinking since I saw you that perhaps
+you might have your day on Saturday. I think it would be best for you
+to tell Mrs. Ward to-morrow; and I think she would not prevent you
+having your day on Saturday. Perhaps it will be necessary--but she is
+the one to decide--that some of your schoolfellows should be told; and
+of course your little brooch which you sold to Pearce must be got
+back. Even Pearce is far too honest to keep it for the price he paid
+you."
+
+"He gave me five pounds, and I have spent one. There are still four
+pounds left," said Maggie. "I meant to run away with the help of
+these."
+
+"I will lend you a pound," said Aneta, "and we'll get the brooch back
+to-morrow."
+
+"But, Aneta, I have not yet told you--it is too fearful--you cannot
+conceive what my stepfather is like. It isn't only his being a
+grocer--for I have no doubt there are lots of grocers who are quite,
+quite tolerable; but you cannot imagine what he is. I had a letter
+from him a little time ago--that time, you remember, when he sent me
+those perfectly awful dresses--and he said then that he and my mother
+were coming to see me, as he wanted to interview Mrs. Ward and to look
+at the school for himself. Well, that poor Tildy brought me a letter
+to-day from mother. I had written to mother to beg of her not to let
+him come; but he got hold of the letter, and he was nearly mad about
+it. The end of it is that he and she are coming on _Saturday_, and,
+somehow, I can't bear it. I must run away; I _cannot_ endure it!"
+
+"I don't wonder," said Aneta. "Let me think. Lay your head on my
+shoulder, Maggie. Oh, how tired you are!"
+
+"Aneta, you seem to me quite new--just as though I had never seen you
+before."
+
+"I think you and your story have opened my eyes and done me good,"
+said Aneta. "Then what you said about the sufferings of the poor--I
+mean your sort of poor--gave me great pain. Will you take off your
+things and lie down, and let me lie by your side? Do, Maggie
+darling!"
+
+Maggie darling! Such words to come from Aneta Lysle's lips! Maggie
+felt subjugated. She allowed her rival queen to undress her, and
+presently the two girls were lying side by side in the little bed.
+Maggie dropped off into heavy slumber. Aneta lay awake.
+
+It was early morning when Aneta touched her companion.
+
+"Maggie, I have been thinking hard all night, and I am going to do
+something."
+
+"You! What can you do? Oh, I remember everything now. Oh, the horror!
+Oh, how can I endure it? Why didn't I run away?"
+
+"Maggie, you must promise me faithfully that you will never run away.
+Say it now, this minute. I believe in your word; I believe in your
+fine nature. I will help you with all my might and main through
+school-life, and afterwards. Give me your word now. You will stay at
+Aylmer House?"
+
+"I will stay," said poor Maggie.
+
+"I don't ask any more. Thank you, dear. Maggie, do nothing to-day, but
+leave matters in my hands. You are not well; your head aches, your
+forehead is so hot."
+
+"Yes, I have a headache," owned Maggie.
+
+"I shall be away for the greater part of the day, but I will ask Miss
+Johnson to look after you. Don't say anything until I return."
+
+"But what are you going to do?"
+
+"I am going to see your mother and your stepfather."
+
+"Aneta!"
+
+"Yes."
+
+"Oh Aneta, you must not see him!"
+
+"It is probable that I shall seem him, dear; I am not easily alarmed.
+I will take Aunt Lucia with me. I am going downstairs now to ask Mrs.
+Ward's permission."
+
+"And you will say nothing about me?"
+
+"Something, but nothing of your story. When you feel well enough you
+can get up and go on with the preparations for to-morrow. I believe we
+shall have our happy day."
+
+
+
+
+CHAPTER XXIII.
+
+AT LABURNUM VILLA.
+
+
+Aneta went back to her room, where she dressed with her usual
+expedition and extreme neatness. When she had finished her toilet she
+ran downstairs. It was not yet eight o'clock; but most of the girls
+were assembled in the large hall waiting for prayers, which always
+took place before breakfast. Mrs. Ward was seen passing to the
+library, where prayers were held. Aneta went up to her.
+
+"Prayers first, of course," said Aneta, "and afterwards may I talk to
+you?"
+
+Mrs. Ward looked at Aneta. "What is the matter, dear?"
+
+"Something very important indeed. I must see you."
+
+"Well, breakfast follows prayers; come to me the minute breakfast is
+over."
+
+"Thank you, dear Mrs. Ward," said Aneta.
+
+At breakfast Merry asked Aneta how Maggie was. Aneta said that Maggie
+had a headache, and would not be in school during the morning.
+
+"Then what are we to do about our day?" said Molly Tristram, who
+overheard this remark. "We have absolutely more to get through than we
+can possibly manage."
+
+"Oh, to-morrow will be quite all right," said Aneta; "and Maggie will
+join you presently."
+
+Aneta was so respected in the school, so little given to exaggeration,
+so absolutely to be relied on, that these words of hers had a most
+calming effect. The girls continued their breakfast, those who were in
+the secret of to-morrow occasionally alluding to the subject in
+French, which was the only language allowed to be spoken. The others
+talked about their different occupations.
+
+As soon as ever breakfast was over, Aneta went to Mrs. Ward's private
+room.
+
+"Now, dear, what is it?" said the head-mistress. "I have to take the
+class for literature at half-past nine, and have very little time to
+spare."
+
+"I won't keep you," said Aneta; "but what I wanted was to beg for a
+day's holiday."
+
+"My dear girl! What do you mean? In the middle of term--a day's
+holiday! Can you not take it to-morrow?--oh, I forgot, to-morrow
+Maggie is having her grand carnival, as I call it. But what is the
+matter, Aneta? Have you any trouble?"
+
+"Yes," said Aneta; "and I cannot tell you, dear Mrs. Ward."
+
+"I trust you, of course, Aneta."
+
+"I know you do; and I want you to trust me more than ever. It has
+something to do with Maggie."
+
+Mrs. Ward slightly frowned. "I am never sure"--she began.
+
+But Aneta stopped her impulsively. "If you give me that holiday
+to-day," she said, "and if you trust me, and if you will also give me
+Mrs. Martin's address, which, of course, you must have on your
+books"----
+
+"Mrs. Martin's address?" said Mrs. Ward.
+
+"Yes. You know Maggie's mother has married again; she is Mrs.
+Martin."
+
+"Of course, of course; I had forgotten for the moment. Yes, I have her
+address."
+
+"Well, if you will do all that," continued Aneta, "I think that you
+will find a new Maggie in the future, one whom you--will trust,
+and--and love, as I love her."
+
+"My dear girl! as you love Maggie Howland?"
+
+Aneta lowered her head for a minute. "It is true I did not love her,"
+she said, "in the past, but I have changed my views. I have been
+narrow-minded, and small, and silly. She herself has opened my eyes. I
+cannot tell you more now. Maggie will come down, and will be able to
+go on with her lessons just as usual this afternoon; but I want a day
+off, and I want it at once."
+
+"But where are you going, dear?"
+
+"I am going to Aunt Lucia. You will let me have a cab, and I will
+drive to Aunt Lucia's house in Eaton Square at once?"
+
+Mrs. Ward looked doubtful. "You have a very grave reason for this?"
+she said.
+
+"Very, very grave; and I will tell you all presently."
+
+"I have never had reason to doubt you," said Mrs. Ward, "and I won't
+doubt you now. Does Maggie know of this?"
+
+"Yes--oh yes; but please don't question her until I return."
+
+"Very well, dear; you shall have your way. Oh, you want Mrs. Martin's
+address. It is Laburnum Villa, Clapham."
+
+Aneta entered the address in a little tablet bound in gold which she
+always wore at her waist.
+
+"Thank you ever so much," she said, and then left the room.
+
+A minute or two later she met Miss Johnson. "Give me something stiff
+to learn--something that I don't like--to-night, dear Lucy," she said.
+"I am off for a whole day's holiday, but I shall be back in the
+evening."
+
+"That is very queer," said Miss Johnson. "What does it mean?"
+
+"I cannot explain, but Mrs. Ward knows. Be specially kind to dear
+Maggie, and give me something that I don't like to do when I return."
+
+Miss Johnson smiled. "You shall hem some dusters," she said.
+
+Aneta made a wry face. "Thanks ever so much," she replied; then she
+ran upstairs to get ready for her visit.
+
+Just before leaving the house she looked in at Maggie. "I'm off, Mags.
+It's all right. I shall probably see you about tea-time."
+
+Before Maggie had time even to expostulate Aneta closed the door, and
+a minute or two later had stepped into the cab which Agnes had called
+for her. The cabman was desired to drive Miss Lysle to Lady Lysle's
+house in Eaton Square. This was accordingly done, and soon after ten
+o'clock Lady Lysle, who had not yet completed her morning toilet, was
+most amazed at being informed by her maid that Miss Lysle was waiting
+for her downstairs.
+
+"Aneta! You don't mean Aneta, Purcell?"
+
+"Yes, my lady; and she wants to see you in a very great hurry."
+
+"Then send her up to me."
+
+Purcell disappeared. Lady Lysle wondered what was wrong. Presently
+Aneta burst into the room.
+
+"My dear child," said her aunt, "what can be wrong? Why have you left
+school? I do hope no illness has broken out there. It would be very
+inconvenient for me to have you here at present."
+
+"There is no illness whatever at the school, Aunt Lucia," said Aneta,
+going up to her aunt and kissing her; "only there is a girl there, one
+of my schoolfellows, in a good bit of trouble, and I want to help her,
+and I have got a day off from Mrs. Ward, who doesn't know why she is
+giving it to me, but trusts me all the same. And now, auntie, I want
+you to come with me at once."
+
+"Oh my dear child, where?"
+
+"To Clapham, auntie."
+
+"Clapham! I never stopped at Clapham in my life. I have driven through
+the place, it is true."
+
+"Well, we'll stop there to-day," said Aneta, "at Laburnum Villa,
+Clapham. I want to see Mrs. Martin, Maggie's mother."
+
+"Oh, dear child," said Lady Lysle, "you mean Miss Howland when you
+speak of Maggie? Now, you know I told you that her stepfather is no
+relation whatever to the Martyns of The Meadows. I cannot make out why
+she should have given you to understand that he was. A man who lives
+at Clapham! Dear Aneta, I would rather be excused."
+
+"There is no excuse, auntie, that I can listen to for a single moment.
+I know all about Maggie's stepfather, and I will tell you as we are
+driving out to Clapham. You have always let me have my own way, and I
+have--yes, I have tried to be a good girl; but there is something
+before me to-day more important and more difficult than I ever tackled
+yet, and if I can't come to my own aunt--I, who am a motherless
+girl--for help at this crisis I shall think the world is coming to an
+end."
+
+"What a strange, earnest way you do speak in, Aneta!"
+
+"I am very sorry, darling; but I assure you the case is most urgent.
+You are quite well, aren't you?"
+
+"Oh yes, my love; I am never an ailing sort of person."
+
+"Well, then, I will send Purcell back to you, and please order the
+carriage, and please be as quick as possible. We have to go somewhere
+else after we have done with Mrs. Martin."
+
+"Well, Aneta, I always was wax in your hands, and I suppose I must do
+what you wish. But remember your promise that you will tell me the
+meaning of this extraordinary thing during our drive to Clapham."
+
+"I promise faithfully to tell you what is necessary, for the fact is I
+want your help. Darling auntie! you are doing about the best work of
+your life to-day. I knew you would stand by me; I felt certain of it,
+and I told Maggie so."
+
+"That girl!" said Lady Lysle. "I don't care for that girl."
+
+"You will change your mind about her presently," said Aneta, and she
+ran downstairs to request Davidson, the butler, to bring her something
+to eat, for her breakfast had been slight, and she was quite hungry
+enough to enjoy some of her aunt's nice food.
+
+By-and-by Lady Lysle, looking slim and beautiful, wearing her becoming
+sables and her toque with its long black ostrich plume, appeared on
+the scene, and a minute later Davidson announced that the carriage was
+at the door.
+
+The two ladies stepped in, Aneta giving very careful directions to the
+driver.
+
+He expressed some astonishment at the address. "Laburnum Villa,
+Clapham!" he said. "Martin, Laburnum Villa, Clapham! Clapham's a big
+place, miss."
+
+"I know that," said Aneta; "but that is all the address I can obtain.
+We must call at the post-office, if necessary, to get the name of the
+street."
+
+The footman sprang into his place, and Aneta and her aunt drove off in
+the comfortable brougham towards that suburb known as Clapham.
+
+"Now, Aneta, I suppose you will tell me what is the meaning of this?"
+
+"Yes, I will," said Aneta. "I made a mistake about Maggie, and I am
+willing to own it. She has been placed in a difficult position. I do
+not mean for a minute to imply that she has acted in a straight way,
+for she has not. But there is that in her which will make her the best
+of girls in the future, as she is one of the cleverest and one of the
+most charming. Yes, auntie, she has got a great power about her. She
+is a sort of magnet--she attracts people to her."
+
+"She has never attracted me," said Lady Lysle. "I have always thought
+her a singularly plain girl."
+
+"Ugliness like hers is really attractive," said Aneta. "But, now, the
+thing is this: if we don't help her she will be absolutely lost, all
+her chance taken from her, and her character ruined for ever. We do a
+lot at our school for those poor slum-girls, but we never do anything
+for girls in our class. Now, I mean my girl in future to be Maggie
+Howland."
+
+"Aneta, you are absurd!"
+
+"I mean it, auntie; her father's daughter deserves help. Her father
+was as good a man as ever lived, and for his sake something ought to
+be done for his only child. As to her mother"----
+
+"Yes, the woman who has married a person of the name of Martin, and to
+whose house I presume we are going"----
+
+"Auntie, I have rather a shock to give you. Poor Maggie did mean to
+imply that her stepfather was in a different class of life from what
+he is. He is a--grocer!"
+
+Lady Lysle put up her hand to pull the check-string.
+
+"Pray, auntie, don't do that. Maggie isn't the daughter of a grocer,
+and she can't help her mother having married this dreadful man. I want
+Maggie to have nothing to do with her stepfather in the future, and I
+mean to carry out my ideas, and you have got to help me."
+
+"Indeed, I will do nothing of the kind. What a disgraceful girl! She
+must leave Aylmer House at once."
+
+"Then I will go too," said Aneta.
+
+"Aneta, I never knew you behave in such a way before."
+
+"Come, auntie darling, you know you are the sweetest and the most
+loving and sympathetic person in the world; and why should you turn
+away from a poor little girl who quite against her own will finds
+herself the stepdaughter of a grocer? Maggie has given me to
+understand that he is a dreadful man. She is horrified with him, and
+what I am going now to Laburnum Villa about is to try to prevent his
+visiting the school with his wife on Saturday. I will do the talking,
+dear, and you have only to sit by and look dignified."
+
+"I never was put in such a dreadful position before," said Lady Lysle,
+"and really even you, Aneta, go too far when you expect me to do
+this."
+
+"But you would visit a poor woman in East London without the smallest
+compunction," said Aneta.
+
+"That is different," replied Lady Lysle with dignity.
+
+"It is different," replied Aneta; "but the difference lies in the fact
+that the grocer's wife is very much higher up in the social scale than
+the East End woman."
+
+"Oh my dear child, this is really appalling! I have always distrusted
+that Miss Howland. Does Mrs. Ward know of your project?"
+
+"Not yet, but she will to-night."
+
+"And what am I to do when I visit this person?"
+
+"Just look your dear, sweet, dignified self, and allow me to do the
+talking."
+
+"I think you have taken leave of your senses."
+
+"I haven't taken leave of my senses, and I would do more than I am now
+doing to help a fine girl round a nasty corner. So cheer up, auntie!
+After we have seen Mrs. Martin we have to go on and visit the
+grocer."
+
+"Aneta, that I do decline!"
+
+"I am sure you won't decline. But let us think of Mrs. Martin herself
+first, and try to remember that by birth she is a lady."
+
+Just at this moment the carriage drew up outside a post-office. There
+was a short delay while Laburnum Villa was being inquired for by the
+footman. At last the street in which this small suburban dwelling was
+situated was discovered, and a few minutes later the carriage, with
+its splendid horses and two servants on the box, drew up before the
+green-painted door.
+
+The villa was small, but it was exceedingly neat. The little brass
+knocker shone, even though yesterday was a day of such fog. The
+footman came to the carriage-door to make inquiries.
+
+"I will get out," said Aneta.
+
+"Hadn't James best inquire if the woman is in?" said Lady Lysle.
+
+"No, I think I will," said Aneta.
+
+She went up the narrow path and rang the front-door bell. Tildy opened
+the door. The new cook had been peeping above the blinds in the
+kitchen. Tildy had hastily put on a white apron, but it is to be
+regretted that a smut was once more on her cheek. Somehow, Aneta liked
+her all the better for that smut.
+
+"I want to see your mistress, Tildy," she said. "It is something about
+Miss Maggie, and I am, as you know, one of her schoolfellows."
+
+"Lor', miss! yes, for certain, miss. Mrs. Martin 'll be that proud,
+miss."
+
+"I have brought my aunt with me," said Aneta. "She would like to come
+in too in order to see Mrs. Martin."
+
+"Yes, miss; in course, miss. There's no fire lit in the drawin'-room.
+But there's the dinin'-room; it do smell a bit smoky, for master 'e
+loves 'is pipe. 'E smokes a lot in the dinin'-room, miss."
+
+"Show us into the dining-room," said Aneta. She ran back to fetch Lady
+Lysle, and conducted that amazed and indignant woman into the house.
+
+Tildy rushed upstairs to fetch her mistress. "You get into your best
+gown in no time, mum. There's visitors downstairs--that most beauteous
+young lady who spoke to me yesterday at Aylmer House, and a lady
+alongside of 'er as 'u'd make yer 'eart quake. Ef Queen Victoria was
+alive I'd say yes, it was 'erself. Never did I mark such a sweepin'
+and 'aughty manner. They're fine folks, both of 'em, and no mistake."
+
+"Did they give their names?" asked Mrs. Martin.
+
+"I didn't even arsk, mum. They want to see you about our Miss
+Maggie."
+
+"Well, I will go down. What a queer, early hour for visitors! What
+dress shall I wear, Tildy?"
+
+"I'd say the amber satin, mum, ef I'd a voice in the choice. You look
+elegant in it, mum, and you might 'ave your black lace shawl."
+
+"I don't think I will wear satin in the morning," said Mrs. Martin.
+
+Tildy helped her into a dark-brown merino dress, one of her extensive
+trousseau. Mrs. Martin then went downstairs, prepared to show these
+visitors that she was "as good as them, if not better." But the
+glimpse of the carriage and horses which she got through the
+lobby-window very nearly bowled her over.
+
+"Go in, mum, now; you've kept them waitin' long enough. I can serve up
+an elegant lunch if you want it."
+
+Tildy felt almost inclined to poke at her mistress in order to hurry
+her movements. Mrs. Martin opened the dining-room door and stood just
+for a minute on the threshold. She looked at that moment a perfect
+lady. Her gentle, faded face and extreme slimness gave her a grace of
+demeanor which Lady Lysle was quick to acknowledge. She bowed, and
+looked at Aneta to speak for her.
+
+"How do you do, Mrs. Martin," said that young lady. "I am Aneta Lysle,
+one of your daughter's schoolfellows. My aunt, Lady Lysle"--Mrs.
+Martin bowed--"has kindly come with me to see you. We want to have a
+little confidential talk with you."
+
+"Oh, indeed!" said Mrs. Martin. "Has Maggie done anything wrong? She
+always was a particularly troublesome girl."
+
+"I quite agree with you," said Lady Lysle. At that moment she had an
+idea of Maggie in disgrace and banished from Aylmer House, which
+pleased her.
+
+Mrs. Martin stopped speaking when Lady Lysle said this.
+
+"Doubtless you agree with me, Mrs. Martin," continued the lady, "that
+your daughter would do better at another school."
+
+"Oh no," said Mrs. Martin; "we wish her--Bo-peep and I--I mean James
+and I--to stay where she is."
+
+"And so do I wish her to stay where she is," said Aneta.--"Auntie
+darling, you don't quite understand; but Mrs. Martin and I
+understand.--Don't we, Mrs. Martin?"
+
+"Well, I am sure," said Mrs. Martin, "I haven't the faintest idea what
+you are driving at, Miss--Miss Lysle."
+
+"Well, it is just this," said Aneta. "You sent a letter yesterday to
+Maggie."
+
+"I did," said Mrs. Martin; "and great need I had to send it."
+
+"In that letter you informed Maggie that you and your husband were
+coming to see her to-morrow."
+
+"Bo-peep wishes--I mean, James wishes--to."
+
+"Really, Aneta, had not we better go?" said Lady Lysle.
+
+"Not yet, auntie, please.--Mrs. Martin, I begged for a holiday to-day
+on purpose to come and see you."
+
+"If it's because you think I'll keep James--Bo-peep--I mean
+James--from having his heart's wish, I am sorry you have wasted your
+time," said Mrs. Martin. "The fact is, he is very angry indeed with
+Maggie. He considers her his own child now, which of course is true,
+seeing that he has married me, and I really can't go into particulars;
+but he is determined to see her and to see Mrs. Ward, and he's not a
+bit ashamed of being--being--well, what he is--an honorable
+tradesman--a grocer."
+
+"But perhaps you are aware," said Lady Lysle, "that the daughters of
+grocers--I mean tradesmen--are not admitted to Aylmer House."
+
+Mrs. Martin turned her frightened eyes on the lady. "Maggie isn't the
+real daughter of a tradesman," she said then. "She is only the
+stepdaughter. Her own father was"----
+
+"Yes," said Aneta, "we all know what her own father was--a splendid
+man, one of the makers of our Empire. We are all proud of her own
+father, and we do not see for a moment why Maggie should not live up
+to the true circumstances of her birth, and I have come here to-day,
+Mrs. Martin, to ask you to help me. If you and your husband come to
+Aylmer House there will be no help, for Maggie will certainly have to
+leave the school."
+
+"Of course, and the sooner the better," said Lady Lysle.
+
+"But if you will help us, and prevent your husband from coming to our
+school to-morrow, there is no reason whatever why she shouldn't stay
+at the school. Even her expenses can be paid from quite another
+source."
+
+Mrs. Martin looked intensely nervous. A bright spot of color came into
+her left cheek. Her right cheek was deadly pale.
+
+"I--I cannot help it," she said. "I never meant Bo-peep to go; I never
+wished him to go. But he said, 'Little-sing, I will go'--I--I forgot
+myself--of course you don't understand. He is a very good husband to
+me, but he and Maggie never get on."
+
+"I am sure they don't," said Aneta with fervor.
+
+"Never," continued Mrs. Martin. "I got on with her only with
+difficulty before I married my present dear husband. I am not at all
+ashamed of his being a grocer. He gives me comforts, and is fond of
+me, and I have a much better time with him than I had in shabby, dirty
+lodgings at Shepherd's Bush. I don't want him to go to that school
+to-morrow; but I thought it right to let Maggie know he was coming,
+for, all the same, go he will. When James puts his foot down he is a
+very determined man."
+
+"This is altogether a most unpleasant interview," said Lady Lysle,
+"and I have only come here at my niece's request.--Perhaps, Aneta, we
+can go now."
+
+"Not yet, auntie darling.--Mrs. Martin, Maggie and I had a long talk
+yesterday, and will you put this matter into my hands?"
+
+"Good heavens! what next?" murmured Lady Lysle to herself.
+
+"Will you give me your husband's address, and may I go to see him?"
+
+"You mean the--the--shop?" said Mrs. Martin.
+
+"I don't go into that shop!" said Lady Lysle.
+
+"Yes, I mean the shop," said Aneta. "I want to go and see him there."
+
+"Oh, he will be so angry, and I am really terrified of him when he is
+angry."
+
+"But think how much more angry he will be if you don't give me that
+address, and things happen to-morrow which you little expect. Oh!
+please trust me."
+
+Aneta said a few more words, and in the end she was in possession of
+that address at Shepherd's Bush where Martin the grocer's flourishing
+shop was to be found.
+
+"Thank you so very much, Mrs. Martin. I don't think you will ever
+regret this," said the girl.
+
+Lady Lysle bowed to the wife of the grocer as she went out, but Aneta
+took her hand.
+
+"Perhaps you never quite understood Maggie," she said; "and perhaps,
+in the future, you won't have a great deal to say to her."
+
+"I don't want to; she never suited me a bit," said the mother, "and I
+am very happy with Bo-peep."
+
+"Well, at least you may feel," said Aneta, "that I am going to be
+Maggie's special friend."
+
+Mrs. Martin stood silent while Lady Lysle and her niece walked down
+the little path and got into the carriage. When the carriage rolled
+away she burst into a flood of tears. She did not know whether she was
+glad or sorry; but, somehow, she had faith in Aneta. Was she never
+going to see Maggie again? She was not quite without maternal love for
+her only child, but she cared very much more for Bo-peep, and quite
+felt that Maggie would be a most troublesome inmate of Laburnum
+Villa.
+
+"Now, Aneta," said her aunt as the carriage rolled away, "I have gone
+through enough in your service for one day."
+
+"You haven't been at all nice, auntie," said Aneta; "but perhaps you
+will be better when you get to the shop."
+
+"I will not go to the shop."
+
+"Auntie, just think, once and for all, that you are doing a very
+philanthropic act, and that you are helping me, whom you love so
+dearly."
+
+"Of course I love you, Aneta. Are you not as my own precious child?"
+
+"Well, now, I want you to buy no end of things at Martin's shop."
+
+"Buy things! Good gracious, child, at a grocer's shop! But I get all
+my groceries at the Stores, and the housekeeper attends to my
+orders."
+
+"Well, anyhow, spend from five to ten pounds at Martin's to-day. You
+can get tea made up in half-pound packets and give it away wholesale
+to your poor women. Christmas is coming on, and they will appreciate
+good tea, no matter where it has been bought from."
+
+"Well, you may go in and give the order," said Lady Lysle; "but I
+won't see that grocer. I will sit in the carriage and wait for you."
+
+Aneta considered for a few minutes, and then said in a sad voice,
+"Very well."
+
+Lady Lysle looked at her once or twice during the long drive which
+followed. Aneta's little face was rather pale, but her eyes were full
+of subdued fire. She was determined to carry the day at any cost.
+
+
+
+
+CHAPTER XXIV.
+
+A VISIT TO THE GROCER.
+
+
+James Martin abhorred the aristocracy--so he said. Nevertheless,
+he greatly admired his elegant wife in her faded beauty. He liked to
+hear her speak, and he made some effort to copy her "genteel
+pronunciation." He also, in his inmost heart, admired Maggie as a
+girl of spirit, although not a beautiful one. He had his own ideas
+with regard to female loveliness, and, like all men, was impressed
+and attracted by it.
+
+On this special foggy day, as he was standing behind his counter
+busily engaged attending to a customer who was only requiring a small
+order to be made up, he gave a visible start, raised his eyes, dropped
+his account-book, let his pencil roll on to the floor, and stared
+straight before him. For somebody was coming into the shop--somebody
+so very beautiful that his eyes were dazzled and, as he said
+afterwards, his heart melted within him. A radiant-looking girl, with
+wonderful blue eyes and hair of the color of pure gold, a girl with a
+refined face--most beautifully dressed--although Martin could not
+quite make out in what fashion she was apparelled--came quickly up to
+the counter and then stood still, waiting for some one to attend to
+her. The other men in the shop also saw this lovely vision, and an
+attendant of the name of Turtle sprang forward to ask what he could
+do.
+
+"I want to see Mr. Martin," said the silvery voice.
+
+Martin felt pleased, and said _sotto voce_, "Chuck it, Turtle; you're
+out of it, old boy." A minute later he was standing before Aneta,
+inquiring in a trembling voice what he could do for her.
+
+"I want to order fifty pounds of tea to be made up in half-pound
+packets and sent to my aunt, Lady Lysle, 16B Eaton Square," said
+Aneta. "The tea will be paid for on delivery, and please let it be the
+very best. I also want a hundred pound-packets of the best currants,
+and a hundred pound-packets of the best sugar."
+
+"Demerara, miss, or loaf?" inquired Martin, tremblingly putting down
+the order.
+
+"Loaf, I think," said Aneta. "Will you kindly send everything within
+the next day or two to Eaton Square, 16B, to Lady Lysle?"
+
+"I will enter her ladyship's name in my book. Yes, it shall be done,"
+said Martin.
+
+He looked at Aneta, and Aneta looked straight back at him.
+
+"Mr. Martin," she said suddenly, "I am the school-friend of your
+stepdaughter, Maggie Howland. May I have a little conversation with
+you in your private room?"
+
+"Ah, I thought there was something!" said Martin. "To be sure, miss,"
+he added.--"Turtle, you see that this order is _h_executed. It's for
+her ladyship, Lady Lysle, 16B Eaton Square.--Come this way, my lady."
+
+"I am only Miss Lysle," said Aneta.
+
+All the attendants in the shop gazed in wonder as the beautiful girl
+and the excited Martin went into the little parlor at the back of the
+business establishment. There Martin stood with his hands behind him;
+but Aneta sank into a low chair.
+
+"I want to ask you a great favor, Mr. Martin," said the girl. She
+looked full up at him as she spoke.
+
+Martin thought that he had never in his life seen such melting and
+lovely blue eyes before. "She bowls me over," he kept saying to
+himself. "I hate the aristocrats, but somehow she bowls me
+over."--"Anything in my power, miss," he said aloud, and he made a low
+bow, pressing his hand to his chest.
+
+"I think," said Aneta--"indeed, I am sure--to judge from your most
+flourishing shop--that you are a good business man."
+
+"Well, now, there's no doubt on that point, Miss--Miss Lysle."
+
+"But you would like to extend your custom?" said Aneta.
+
+"Business is always business to me," replied Martin.
+
+"Well, the fact is, it lies in my power to induce my aunt, Lady Lysle,
+to get her groceries from you. She has a large establishment and sees
+a great deal of company. She gets them now at the Army and Navy
+Stores, but I haven't the slightest doubt that she would not object to
+have them from you."
+
+"You are exceedingly good, Miss Lysle, and I am sure anything that her
+ladyship ordered should have my very best attention; in fact, I should
+make it my business to get in specially good things for her. If I
+might let you into a business secret, miss, the people round here
+don't want the very best things; they don't, so to speak, appreciate
+them."
+
+"I quite understand that," said Aneta. "Of course Lady Lysle would
+require the very best."
+
+"She should have the best, miss; I'd be proud of her custom. Things
+should be punctually delivered; just an order overnight, and my cart
+would convey them to her ladyship's door at an early hour on the
+following day."
+
+"Yes, it could be arranged," said Aneta.
+
+"Then, perhaps, miss," said Mr. Martin, who saw brilliant prospects
+opening before him, and the possibility of a West End shop, a genuine
+West End shop, being his, as well as the profitable establishment at
+Shepherd's Bush, "her ladyship might be so kind as to recommend me to
+others."
+
+"It is possible," said Aneta coldly; "but of course I can only speak
+for my aunt herself." Then she added, "And even for her I cannot quite
+speak, although I believe the matter can be arranged. I have given you
+a large order to-day."
+
+"You have, Miss Lysle, and most faithfully will it be attended to."
+
+Martin took out his red silk handkerchief and mopped his forehead.
+
+"Now," said Aneta gently, "I haven't come here all the way from Aylmer
+House, and practically given up a day of my school-life, for nothing.
+I have come on behalf of another."
+
+"Ho, ho!" said Martin, "so the cat's going to be let out of the bag."
+
+Aneta colored.
+
+Martin saw he had gone too far, and immediately apologized. "You will
+forgive my coarse way of expressing myself, miss. I know it isn't done
+in your circle."
+
+"It doesn't matter," said Aneta. "I will come to the point at once. I
+am interested in Miss Howland."
+
+"Ah! my little stepdaughter. I keep her at a fine, smart school, don't
+I? I do the knowing by her, don't I?"
+
+"Well, all I want you to do in future--and I believe her mother will
+consent, for I have seen Mrs. Martin this morning"----
+
+"You went to Laburnum Villa this morning? Tasty place, that, eh?"
+
+"Yes, a very comfortable sort of house. My aunt, Lady Lysle, and I
+went together."
+
+"Her ladyship and you?"
+
+"We drove there."
+
+"I hope the neighbors saw," said Martin. "They'll come in shoals to
+see Little-sing after they've peeped at her ladyship's carriage."
+
+Aneta could scarcely keep back a smile.
+
+"Mr. Martin," she said, "if I do what I intend for you--and it lies in
+my power--will you please not come to Aylmer House to-morrow?"
+
+"Ho, hi! And why not? Ashamed of me, eh?"
+
+"Not at all," said Aneta. "I am not ashamed of you in your walk in
+life; but I think it would be best for Maggie if you did not come;
+therefore I ask you not to do so."
+
+"But the girl's my girl."
+
+"No, she is her mother's daughter; and, to tell the truth, we all
+want--I mean, my aunt and I, and others--to have her to ourselves, at
+least until she is educated."
+
+"But, come now, miss, that's all very fine. Who pays for her
+education?"
+
+"Her father's money."
+
+"So she let that out?" said Martin.
+
+"I know about it," said Aneta. "That is sufficient. Now, Mr. Martin, I
+ask you to become grocer to my aunt, Lady Lysle, of Eaton Square, and
+to any friends who she may recommend, on the sole condition that you
+do not come to Aylmer House, and that you allow Maggie Howland to
+spend the holidays with us."
+
+"Oh, my word, I am sure I don't care," said Martin,
+
+"You promise, then?"
+
+"Yes, I promise fast enough. If you're going to take Maggie and bring
+her up a fine lady she'll never suit me. All I beg is that she doesn't
+come back to me like a bad penny some day."
+
+"That I can absolutely assure you she will never do. I am exceedingly
+obliged to you. Will you come with me now and let me say a few words
+to my aunt; for as you have made your definite promise to leave Maggie
+alone, my aunt must make a definite promise to you."
+
+Lady Lysle was much astonished, as she sat wearily in her carriage,
+when a red-faced, bald-looking, stout grocer accompanied her elegant
+young niece to the carriage-door.
+
+"Aunt Lucia," said Aneta, "this is Mr. Martin."
+
+Lady Lysle gave the faintest inclination of her head.
+
+"Proud to see your ladyship," said Martin.
+
+"I have been making arrangements with Mr. Martin," said Aneta, "and
+on certain conditions he will do what I want. Will you please, in
+future, get your groceries from him?"
+
+"I will faithfully attend to you, my lady, if agreeable to you. I will
+come weekly for _h_orders. I will do anything to oblige your
+ladyship."
+
+"Please, auntie, you've got to do it," said Aneta.
+
+"My dear, it depends on Watson, my housekeeper."
+
+"Oh, I'll manage Watson," said Aneta, springing lightly into the
+carriage, her face all beams and smiles.--"It is quite right, Mr.
+Martin; and you will get your second order this evening. You won't
+forget about the tea and currants and sugar for the poor people.--Now,
+auntie, will you drive me back to Aylmer House, or shall we go
+straight to Eaton Square?"
+
+"Eaton Square, I think."
+
+"Good-day, Mr. Martin."
+
+The carriage rolled out of sight. Martin stood bareheaded in the
+doorway of his shop. There was not a prouder man than he in the whole
+of Christendom. When he returned to the sacred precincts of the shop
+itself he said to Turtle, "Fresh customer, Turtle--West End, Turtle.
+That's a fine young lady--eh, Turtle?"
+
+"The most beautiful young female I ever saw," returned Turtle.
+
+"When I ask you what you think of her personal appearance you can tell
+me, Turtle. Now, go and attend to the shop."
+
+Meanwhile Aneta, her heart full of thankfulness, accompanied her aunt
+to Eaton Square.
+
+"I have got what I want," she said, "and dear Maggie is practically
+saved; and you have done it, auntie. You will feel happier for this to
+your dying day."
+
+Lady Lysle said that at the present moment she did not feel specially
+elated at the thought of getting her tea and numerous groceries at a
+shop in Shepherd's Bush; but Aneta assured her that that was a very
+tiny sacrifice to make for so great an end as she had in view.
+
+"It will help Mr. Martin," she said. "He is not a gentleman, and
+doesn't pretend to be, but he's a good, honest tradesman; and perhaps
+Mrs. Ward, too, will give him some of her custom."
+
+"Well, my dear Aneta, if you're happy, I have nothing to say,"
+responded her aunt. "But you must tackle Watson, for I really cannot
+attempt it."
+
+Aneta did tackle the old housekeeper to some purpose. At first there
+were objections, protests, exclamations; but Aneta was sure of her
+ground. Did not Mrs. Watson idolize the girl, having known her from
+her earliest days?
+
+About tea-time a tired and triumphant girl returned to Aylmer House.
+She had had her way. The great difficulty was overcome. Maggie,
+looking pale and tired, was having tea with the others. Aneta sat down
+by her side. Maggie turned anxious eyes towards the queen of the
+school whom she used to fear and almost hate. But there was no hatred
+now in Maggie's eyes. Far, far from that, she looked upon Aneta as a
+refuge in the storm. If Aneta could not get her out of her present
+trouble no one could.
+
+"You will be very busy during the leisure hours this afternoon," said
+Aneta when the meal was coming to an end. "But, first of all, I want
+to speak to you just for a minute or two."
+
+"Yes," said Maggie.
+
+"We have done tea now. May Maggie and I go away by ourselves, please,
+Miss Johnson, for a few minutes?" said Aneta.
+
+Miss Johnson signified her consent, and the two queens left the room
+together. The other girls looked after them, wondering vaguely what
+was up.
+
+"Maggie," said Aneta, "I have managed everything."
+
+"Aneta--you haven't"----
+
+"Yes; he isn't coming to-morrow, nor is your mother; and Aunt Lucia
+has invited you to spend the Christmas holidays with us. You can see
+your mother occasionally; but, somehow or other, Maggie dear, you are
+to be my friend in future; and--oh, Maggie!"
+
+"Oh Aneta! how can I ever, ever thank you?"
+
+"Well, the beginning of the way is a little hard," said Aneta. "Come
+now, at once, straight to Mrs. Ward, and tell her every single
+thing."
+
+"She will expel me if I do," said Maggie.
+
+"That I know she will not. She is too true and dear and kind. Besides,
+I will stay with you all the time while you are telling her. Come,
+quick. You can get your confession over in a very few minutes."
+
+"Oh Aneta! for you I would do anything. But how did you manage to get
+my dreadful stepfather to give up his plan."
+
+"That matters little. He has given it up. Now, come. There's much to
+do to prepare for to-morrow; but you must get your confession over
+first."
+
+Mrs. Ward always had her tea alone, and she was just finishing it on
+this special evening when there came a tap at her door, and, to her
+great amazement, Aneta and Maggie entered, holding each other's
+hands.
+
+"Mrs. Ward, Maggie has something to say to you."
+
+"Yes," said Maggie; and then in a few broken words, choked by tears of
+true repentance, she told her story. She had been ashamed of her
+stepfather. She had been deceitful. She had been afraid to confess
+that she was taken at a lower fee than the other girls at the school.
+She had gone out, without leave, to sell one of her own father's
+treasures. Everything was told. Mrs. Ward looked very grave as the
+girl, with bent head, related the story of her deceit and
+wrong-doing.
+
+"I know you can expel me," said Maggie.
+
+"But you will not," said Aneta. "I feel sure of that, for I, who never
+cared for Maggie until now, love her with all my heart. There will be
+no rivalry in the school any more, and dear Maggie must not go."
+
+"Oh, if you would keep me! If you would keep me," said Maggie, "and
+give me one more chance!"
+
+"Have you asked God to forgive you, Maggie?" said Mrs. Ward.
+
+"I cannot, somehow; my heart is so cold. But if--if you would"----
+
+"We will ask Him together," said Mrs. Ward.
+
+There and then she knelt down, and Aneta and Maggie knelt at each side
+of her, and she said a few words of prayer which touched Maggie's
+heart as no words had ever touched it before. "Keep from her all
+hurtful things, and give her those things which are necessary for her
+salvation," pleaded the mistress.
+
+Suddenly Mrs. Ward's hand was taken by Maggie and covered with kisses.
+"Oh, I will try!" she said; "I will try hard to be really good! And,"
+she added, "I will take any punishment you give me."
+
+Mrs. Ward looked at her with sparkling eyes. She was a very keen
+observer of character. She put her hand under the girl's chin and
+looked into her downcast face.
+
+"My dear," she said, "full and absolute forgiveness means the doing
+away with punishment. You have suffered sorely; I will not add to your
+suffering in any way. Now, go and prepare for to-morrow's
+entertainment.--Aneta, you will stay with me for a few minutes."
+
+Maggie left the room, but in a short time she returned. She carried in
+her arms the two tin boxes which contained her father's treasures.
+
+"I want you to keep these for me, or to sell them, or to do what you
+like with them," said Maggie. She then immediately left the room.
+
+Mrs. Ward and Aneta bent over the treasures. Mrs. Ward gave a start of
+great surprise when she saw them.
+
+"Why, these," she said, "are a fortune in themselves."
+
+"I thought so," said Aneta, her eyes sparkling. "I felt sure of it. We
+must get that brooch back from Pearce."
+
+"Yes, Aneta; I will send Miss Johnson round for it at once. What did
+you say he gave Maggie for it?"
+
+"Five pounds, Mrs. Ward."
+
+"It is very honest of him to offer to restore it to her. Ring the
+bell, dear, and Lucy Johnson will come."
+
+Miss Johnson was very much interested when she saw the sparkling
+treasures.
+
+"Maggie's!" she exclaimed. "I am glad she has given them to you to
+take care of for her. I was always terrified at her keeping such
+priceless things in her drawer."
+
+Mrs. Ward gave the girl some directions and the necessary money; she
+went off to fulfill her errand in considerable amazement. Lucy
+returned in less than half-an-hour with the lovely little brooch,
+which was immediately added to the collection.
+
+"The best person to see these, as you suggested, Aneta," said Mrs.
+Ward, "is Sir Charles Lysle. They are really no good to Maggie, but
+ought to be sold for their utmost value for her benefit. She has many
+fine points, and considerable strength of character; and if you take
+her up, dear, I feel certain that she will be saved from all those
+things which would ruin a nature like hers."
+
+"I mean to take her up," said Aneta with spirit.
+
+"Well," said Mrs. Ward, "the first thing to do is to get to-morrow
+over. I have no doubt it will be a success. Meanwhile, will you write
+a line to your uncle, Sir Charles, and ask him if he can call here to
+see these treasures?"
+
+"Yes, I will write to him at once," said Aneta. "He spends most of his
+time at the British Museum. Couldn't I send him a wire, Mrs. Ward, and
+then he would come to-night?"
+
+"Yes, that is a very good idea. Do so, my love."
+
+The girls had a very spirited rehearsal, and Maggie was her old
+vivacious, daring, clever self once more. That inward change which no
+doubt had taken place brought an added charm to her always expressive
+face.
+
+Between seven and eight that evening Aneta's uncle, Sir Charles,
+arrived. He and Mrs. Ward had a long consultation. His opinion was
+that the bracelets and other curios were worth at least seven thousand
+pounds, and that such a sum could easily be obtained for them.
+
+"In fact, I myself would buy them for that figure," said Sir Charles.
+"It is not only that there are in this collection some unique and
+valuable stones; but the history, the setting, and the make of these
+ancient relics would induce the British Museum to buy many of them.
+Doubtless, however, Miss Howland will get the biggest price of all for
+them if they are auctioned at Christie's."
+
+Before she went to bed that night Aneta told Maggie that she was by no
+means a penniless girl, and that if she would consent to having her
+father's treasures sold she would have sufficient money to be well
+educated, and have a nice nest-egg in the future to start in any
+profession she fancied.
+
+"Oh Aneta, it is all too wonderful!" said poor Maggie--"to think of me
+as I am to-night, and of me as I felt last night when I wanted to lose
+myself in the London fog. Aneta, I can never love you enough!"
+
+"You want a good long sleep," she said. "Think of to-morrow and all
+the excitement which lies before us!"
+
+Maggie did sleep soundly that night, for she was quite worn out, and
+when Saturday arrived she awoke without a fear and with a wonderful
+lightness of heart. The day of the festival and rejoining passed
+without a hitch. The supper was delightful. The tableaux vivants were
+the best the school had ever seen. The games, the fun, made the
+Cardews at least think that they had entered into a new world.
+
+But perhaps the best scene of all came at the end when Aneta went up
+to Maggie and took her hand, and, still holding it, turned and faced
+the assembled school.
+
+"Maggie and I don't mean to be rival queens any longer," she said. "We
+are joint-queens. All Maggie's subjects are my subjects and all my
+subjects are Maggie's. Any girl who disapproves of this, will she hold
+down her hand? Any girl who approves, will she hold her hand up in the
+air?"
+
+Instantly all the pairs of hands were raised, and there was such a
+clapping and so many cheers for the queens who were no longer rival
+queens that mademoiselle was heard to exclaim, "But it is charming. It
+makes the heart to bound. I do love the English manner, and
+Mademoiselle Aneta, _si jolie, si elegante_; and Mademoiselle Maggie,
+who has a large charm. I do make homage to them as the two queens. I
+would," she continued, turning and clasping Miss Johnson's hands, "be
+a schoolgirl myself to be a subject of them."
+
+                  *       *       *       *       *
+
+A few words will suffice to end this story. Lady Lysle might be proud
+and perhaps somewhat disdainful, but she was at least as good as her
+word, and in a very short time Martin the grocer thought it worth his
+while to open a very smart-looking shop in the West End. This shop
+Lady Lysle took a curious interest in and recommended to her friends,
+so that Martin began to do as sound a business in the neighborhood of
+Eaton Square as he did in Shepherd's Bush. Of all things in the world,
+he liked best to make money, and he was quite glad to be rid of Maggie
+when his own prospects became golden owing to her absence from his
+premises.
+
+As to Mrs. Martin, she was content to see her daughter occasionally.
+
+Maggie's curios were all sold, except the little brooch (which she
+kept for herself in memory of her father), for a sufficiently large
+sum to pay for her education and to leave her enough money to do well
+for herself by-and-by. Having no longer anything to conceal, and under
+the beautiful, brave influence of Aneta, she became quite a different
+girl. That strength of character and that strange fascination which
+were her special powers were now turned into useful channels. Maggie
+could never be beautiful, but her talents were above the average, and
+her moral nature now received every stimulus in the right direction.
+Merry Cardew could love her, and gain good, not harm, from her
+influence. But, strange to say--although perhaps not strange--Aneta
+was her special friend. It was with Aneta that Maggie mostly spent her
+holidays. It was Aneta's least word that Maggie obeyed. It was for
+Aneta's approval that Maggie lived.
+
+Queens of the school they still remain, each exercising her influence
+in her own way, and yet both working in perfect harmony.
+
+"Have they not both the characters beautiful?" said mademoiselle. "I
+think there is no girl like the English girl."
+
+Doubtless she is right.
+
+THE END
+
+
+
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