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+*** START OF THE PROJECT GUTENBERG EBOOK 41524 ***
+
+                       MARION BERKLEY
+
+                      A STORY FOR GIRLS
+
+                    BY ELIZABETH B. COMINS
+
+
+    PHILADELPHIA
+    HENRY T. COATES & CO
+
+    Copyright, 1870, by A. K. Loring.
+
+
+
+
+             TO
+       MY TWIN SISTERS
+          THIS BOOK
+    IS MOST AFFECTIONATELY
+         _DEDICATED_.
+
+
+
+
+[Illustration: THE TWO BOUQUETS.]
+
+
+
+
+MARION BERKLEY.
+
+
+
+
+CHAPTER I.
+
+EN ROUTE FOR SCHOOL.
+
+
+"Come on, Mab! the carriage is round; only fifteen minutes to get to the
+depot."
+
+"Yes, I am coming. O mamma! do fasten this carpet-bag for me. Dear me!
+there goes the button off my gloves. Was there ever any one in such a
+flutter?"
+
+"Never mind, dear; it is too late to sew it on now. Here is your bag;
+come, we must not stop another moment; there is Fred calling again."
+
+"I say, Mab," shouted the first speaker from the bottom of the stairs,
+"if you're coming, why don't you come? I shan't leave until you bid me
+good-by, and I know I shall lose the ball-match. You do keep a fellow
+waiting so eternally long!"
+
+His sister was downstairs, and had her arms around his neck before he
+had finished speaking, and said to him, in a tone of mock gravity, "Now,
+Frederic, don't get excited; always follow my good example, and keep
+cool. There now!" she exclaimed, as she gave him a hearty kiss; "be
+off. I forgot all about your ball-match, and all the amends I can make
+is to hope the Isthmians will beat the Olympics all to pieces."
+
+"Come, come," called Mrs. Berkley from the inside of the carriage, "we
+have not a moment to lose."
+
+"Good-by, Hannah. One more kiss for Mab, Charlie. Good-by, all;" then to
+the coachman, as she whisked into the carriage, "Drive on, John, just as
+fast as you can."
+
+The carriage-door was shut with a snap; off went the horses, and Mrs.
+Berkley and her daughter were soon at the Western depot, where the
+latter was to take the cars for B----, a little New England town, where
+she attended boarding-school. They were very late at the depot, and Mrs.
+Berkley had only time for a fond kiss and a "Write often, darling," when
+the bell rung, and she was forced to leave the car, feeling a little
+uneasy that her daughter was obliged to take her journey alone. Just as
+the cars were starting, Marion put her head out of a window, and called
+to her mother, "O mamma! Flo is here; isn't that jolly? No fear now
+of--" The last part of the sentence was unintelligible, and all Mrs.
+Berkley got was a bright smile, and a wave of the hand, as the train
+moved out of the depot.
+
+"Now, Flo, I call this providential," exclaimed Marion; "for, I can tell
+you, I did not relish the prospect of my solitary ride. Just hand me
+your bag, and I'll put it in the rack with my budgets. This seat is
+empty; suppose we turn it over, and then we shall be perfectly
+comfortable. Now I say this is decidedly scrumptious;" and she settled
+herself back, with a sigh of satisfaction.
+
+"Why, Mab, what made you so late? I had been here fifteen minutes before
+you came, all on the _qui vive_, hoping to see some one I knew; but I
+never dreamed you would be here. I thought you were going up yesterday
+with the Thayers."
+
+"I did intend to; but Fred had a sort of spread last night for the
+Isthmians, so I stayed over. I expect Miss Stiefbach will give me one of
+her annihilators, but I guess I can stand it. I've been withered so many
+times, that the glances of those 'eagle eyes' have rather lost their
+effect."
+
+"Well, I only wish I had a little more of your spirit of resistance.
+What a lovely hat you have! Just suits your style. Where did you get
+it?"
+
+"Why, it's only my old sun-down dyed and pressed over, and bound with
+the velvet off my old brown rep. I trimmed it myself, and feel mighty
+proud of it."
+
+"Trimmed it yourself!--really? Well, I never saw such a girl; you can do
+anything! I couldn't have done it to save my life. I only wish to
+gracious I could; it would be very convenient sometimes."
+
+And so the two girls rattled on for some time, in true school-girl
+fashion; but at last they each took a book, and settled back into their
+respective corners. Before very long, however, Marion tossed her book on
+to the opposite seat; for they were coming to Lake Cochituate, and
+nothing could be lovelier than the view which was stretching itself
+before them. I do not think that half the people of Massachusetts
+realize how beautiful this piece of water is; but I believe, if they had
+seen it then, they surely must have appreciated its charms.
+
+It was about the middle of September, and the leaves were just beginning
+to turn; indeed, some of them were already quite brilliant. The day was
+soft and hazy,--just such a one as we often have in early autumn, and
+the slight mist of the atmosphere served to soften and harmonize the
+various colors of the landscape. The lake itself was as clear and smooth
+as polished glass, and every tree on the borders was distinctly
+reflected on its clear bosom; while the delicate blue sky, with the few
+feathery clouds floating across it seemed to be far beneath the surface
+of the water.
+
+Marion was at heart a true artist, and had all a true artist's intense
+love of nature; she now sat at the window, completely absorbed in the
+scene before her, her eye and mind taking in all the beauties of form,
+color, and reflection; and as the cars bore her too swiftly by she
+uttered a sigh of real regret.
+
+Perhaps there will be no better time than the present for giving my
+young readers a description of my heroine. My tale will contain no
+thrilling incidents, no hairbreadth escapes, or any of those startling
+events with which ideas of heroism are generally associated. It will be
+a simple story of a school-girl's life; its fun and frolic; its
+temptations, trials, and victories.
+
+Marion Berkley was a remarkably beautiful girl; but she owed her beauty
+chiefly to the singular contrast of her hair and eyes. The former was a
+beautiful golden color, while her eyes, eyebrows, and lashes were very
+dark. Her nose and mouth, though well formed, could not be considered in
+any way remarkable. When in conversation her face became animated, the
+expression changed with each inward emotion, and her eyes sparkled
+brilliantly; but when in repose they assumed a softer, dreamier look,
+which seemed to hint of a deeper nature beneath this gay and often
+frivolous exterior.
+
+Mr. Berkley was very fond of his daughter. He had a large circle of
+acquaintances, many of whom were in the habit of dining, or passing the
+evening, at his house, and it pleased him very much to have them notice
+her. Marion was by no means a vain girl; yet these attentions from those
+so much older than herself were rather inclined to turn her head.
+Fortunately, her mother was a very lovely and sensible woman, whose good
+example and sound advice served to counteract those influences which
+might otherwise have proved very injurious.
+
+And now that I have introduced my friends to Marion, it is no more than
+fair that I should present them to her companion. Florence Stevenson was
+a bright, pretty brunette, of sixteen. She and Marion had been friends
+ever since they made "mud pies" together in the Berkleys' back yard.
+They shared the same room at school, got into the same scrapes, kept
+each other's secrets, and were, in short, almost inseparable. Florence
+had lost her mother when she was very young, and her father's house was
+ruled over by a well-meaning, but disagreeable maiden-aunt, who, by her
+constant and oftentimes unnecessary fault-finding, made Florence so
+unhappy, that she had hailed with delight her father's proposition of
+going away to school. For three years Florence and Marion had been
+almost daily together, being only separated during vacations, when, as
+Florence lived five miles from Boston, it was impossible that they
+should see as much of each other as they would have liked.
+
+About four in the afternoon, the girls reached their destination; rather
+tired out by their long ride, but, nevertheless, in excellent spirits.
+Miss Stiefbach, after a few remarks as to the propriety of being a day
+before, rather than an hour behind time, dismissed them to their rooms
+to prepare for supper, where for the present we will leave them.
+
+
+
+
+CHAPTER II.
+
+SCHOOL.
+
+
+Miss Stiefbach and her sister Christine, were two excellent German
+ladies who, owing to a sudden reverse of fortune, were obliged to leave
+their mother-country, hoping to find means of supporting themselves in
+America. They were most kindly received by the gentlemen to whom they
+brought letters of introduction, and with their assistance they had been
+able to open a school for young ladies; and now, at the end of seven
+years, they found themselves free from debt, and at the head of one of
+the best boarding-schools in the United States.
+
+Miss Stiefbach, the head and director of the establishment, was a stern,
+cold, forbidding woman; acting on what she considered to be the most
+strictly conscientious principles, but never unbending in the slightest
+degree her frigid, repelling manner. To look at her was enough to have
+told you her character at once. She was above the medium height,
+excessively thin and angular in her figure, and was always dressed in
+some stiff material, which, as Marion Berkley expressed it, "looked as
+if it had been starched and frozen, and had never been thawed out."
+
+Miss Christine was fifteen years her junior, and her exact opposite in
+appearance as well as in disposition: she was short and stout, and
+rosy-cheeked, not at all pretty; but having such a kind smile, such a
+thoroughly good-natured face, that the girls all thought she was really
+beautiful, and would feel more repentance at one of her grieved looks,
+than they would for forty of Miss Stiefbach's frigid reprimands. And
+well they might love her, for she certainly was a kind friend to them.
+Many a school-girl trick or frolic had she concealed, which, if it had
+come under the searching eyes of her sister, would have secured the
+perpetrators as stern a rebuke, and perhaps as severe a punishment, as
+if they had committed some great wrong.
+
+Miss Stiefbach's school was by no means what is generally called a
+"fashionable school." The parents of the young girls who went there
+wished that their daughters should receive not only a sound education,
+but that they should be taught many useful things not always included in
+the list of a young lady's accomplishments.
+
+There were thirty scholars, ranging from the ages of seventeen to ten;
+two in each room. They were obliged to make their own beds, and take all
+the care of their rooms, except the sweeping. Every Saturday morning
+they all assembled in the school-room to darn their stockings, and do
+whatever other mending might be necessary. Formerly Miss Stiefbach
+herself had superintended their work, but for the last year she had put
+it under the charge of Miss Christine; an arrangement which was
+extremely pleasing to the girls, making for them a pleasant pastime of
+what had always been an irksome duty. After their mending was done, and
+their Bible lesson for the following Sabbath learned, the rest of the
+day was at their own disposal. Those who had friends in the neighborhood
+generally went to visit them; while the others took long walks, or
+occupied themselves in doing whatever best pleased them. There were of
+course some restrictions; but these were so slight, and so reasonable,
+that no one ever thought of complaining, and the day was almost always
+one of real enjoyment. Miss Stiefbach herself was an Episcopalian, and
+always required that every one, unless prevented by illness, should
+attend that church in the morning; but, in the afternoon, any girl who
+wished might go to any other church, first signifying her intention to
+one or the other of the sisters.
+
+Some of Miss Stiefbach's ancestors had suffered from religious
+persecutions in Germany, and, although she felt it her duty to have her
+scholars attend what she considered to be the "true church," she could
+not have it on her conscience to be the means of preventing any one from
+worshipping God in whatever manner their hearts dictated.
+
+
+
+
+CHAPTER III.
+
+MONSIEUR BÉRANGER.
+
+
+It was the half-hour intermission at school; and Marion and Florence had
+taken Julia Thayer up into their room to give her a taste of some of the
+goodies they had brought from home with them. Their room was one of the
+largest in the house, having two deep windows; one in front, the other
+on the side. The side window faced the west, and in it the girls had
+placed a very pretty flower-stand filled with plants; an ivy was trained
+against the side, and a lovely mirandia hung from the top. The front
+window had a long seat fitted into it, and as it overlooked the street
+it was here that the girls almost always sat at their work or studies.
+
+"Now, Julie," began Marion, "which will you have, sponge or currant?"
+
+"Why, you are getting awfully stingy!" exclaimed Flo; "give her some of
+both."
+
+"No, she can't have both; it is altogether too extravagant. This is my
+treat, and you need not make any comments."
+
+"Well, if I can't have but one, I think I'll try sponge."
+
+"Sensible girl! you knew it would not keep long. There, you shall have
+an Havana orange to pay you for your consideration."
+
+"Please, ma'am," said Flo, in a voice of mock humility, "may I give her
+some of my French candies?"
+
+"Yes, if you'll be a very good girl, and never interfere again when I am
+'head-cook and bottle-washer.'"
+
+The girls sat round the room chatting and eating; Flora and Julia were
+on the bed, when Marion, who was at the front window, jumped up on the
+seat, and called out: "O Flo! Julie! do come here! Just look at this man
+coming down the street. Such a swell!"
+
+The two girls rushed precipitately to the window, and they all stood
+looking out with intense interest.
+
+"I do declare, he is coming in here! Who in the world can he be? How he
+struts!" said Marion. "What a startling mustache! I do wonder who in the
+world he is."
+
+"Allow me to see, young ladies; perhaps I can inform you," said a calm
+voice directly in their ears; and, turning, they beheld Miss Stiefbach.
+She had entered the room just as they began their comments, and now
+stood directly behind them. Florence and Julia fell back in dismay, and
+for a second a look of amazement passed over Marion's face; but it was
+only a second, for she instantly replied to Miss Stiefbach, in the same
+eager tone she had used when speaking to her companions: "Jump right up
+here; you can see him better, for he is underneath on the steps."
+
+Miss Stiefbach looked at her aghast, and for once she was overpowered.
+She, the calm, the dignified, the stately Miss Stiefbach--jump! It was
+too much. If a glance could have transfixed her, Marion would have been
+immovable for life. Miss Stiefbach's usually pale face was flushed to a
+burning red, and her voice was choked with suppressed excitement, as she
+said, "Young ladies, you will go at once to the school-room. Miss
+Berkley, report to me in my study, immediately after the close of
+school;" and she sailed out of the room.
+
+When she was gone, the girls stood and looked at each other, not exactly
+knowing whether to laugh or cry; but Marion decided for herself, by
+sitting down on the floor, and bursting into a fit of uncontrollable
+laughter. Florence held up her finger warningly, "Hush-sh-sh! Mab,
+she'll hop out from under the bed, like as not; do come downstairs."
+
+"O girls! girls! that look!" shouted Marion. "Oh, I shall die! She was
+furious. Won't I catch it?"
+
+"O Mab, how did you dare? It was awfully impudent."
+
+"I know it, and I'm sure I don't know what made me say it. I never
+stopped to think; it just popped out, and I would not have lost that
+scene for anything;" and Marion went off again into one of her
+laughing-fits.
+
+"O Mab, do stop!" said Julia, rather impatiently; "you'll get us into a
+pretty scrape."
+
+"Well, I won't laugh another bit, if I can help it; come on!" and,
+jumping up, Marion ran downstairs, the others following her, into the
+school-room; when, what was their astonishment to see before them "the
+swell," who had been the cause of all their trouble, standing talking to
+Miss Stiefbach. They went quietly to their seats, wondering what would
+happen next. Marion whispered to Flo, "The new French teacher; a man, as
+I live, and not very old either. Won't we have fun?"
+
+"Young ladies of the first class in French go into the anteroom, where
+M. Béranger will examine you. Miss Christine, accompany them, and
+preserve order." As Miss Stiefbach said this in her usual calm tones,
+Marion's recollections were almost too much for her; but she had a
+little laugh all to herself, behind the cover of her desk, as she took
+out her books.
+
+The former French teacher had been a little, quiet woman, who had
+allowed herself to be ruled over by her pupils; but she had gone back to
+France, and Miss Stiefbach had secured the services of M. Béranger, who
+was recommended to her, both for his complete knowledge of his own
+language, and for his high moral character. The latter was indeed to be
+considered, for many foreigners, calling themselves professors, often
+prove to be mere worthless adventurers, knowing very little themselves
+of what they attempt to teach others, and being in other respects unfit
+for respectable society.
+
+The young ladies were in quite a little flutter of expectation, as they
+took their seats, for Mr. Stein, their old music-teacher, was the only
+gentleman teacher of the establishment, and he was decidedly different
+from this rather elegant-looking Frenchman. M. Béranger came in, bowed
+in a dignified manner, took his chair, and at once began questioning the
+girls as to what they had studied, how far they were advanced, etc.
+Marion, who was ready for anything, and thought she might as well have a
+little more fun for the scolding that she knew was in store for her,
+tried hard to get up a little excitement; pretending not to understand
+when M. Béranger spoke to her; replying to all his questions in English,
+notwithstanding his repeated ejaculations of "Mademoiselle, je ne vous
+comprends pas du tout; parlez Français." But Marion would not "parlez
+Français," disregarding the beseeching looks of Miss Christine, and
+either made no reply, or obstinately spoke in English. For some time M.
+Béranger took no notice of her conduct, but went on questioning the rest
+of the class; assuring the timid by his polite, considerate patience,
+and quietly correcting the mistakes of the more confident. At last,
+however, as Marion asked him some trifling question, he looked her
+directly in the face, and simply replied, "M'lle Berkley, si vous parlez
+l'Anglais, il faut que je vous mette dans la classe des petites filles."
+
+Marion looked at him a moment, in doubt whether he could be in earnest;
+but there was no mistaking that calm, determined look. Two things were
+before her: to rebel, and go down to the lower class in disgrace, or to
+yield gracefully to what she knew to be right. She chose the latter, and
+replied, "Monsieur, je pense que je resterai ici." As she said this,
+there was a slight flush of shame on her cheeks, and she bent her head
+with a little gesture, which seemed to beg pardon for her rudeness. At
+any rate, M. Béranger so understood it, and he ever afterwards
+entertained a secret respect and admiration for M'lle Berkley.
+
+That night, in her own room, Marion thus explained her singular conduct:
+"You see, Flo, I wanted to find out, in the first place, what sort of
+stuff he was made of; whether he was to rule us, or we him, as we did
+poor little mademoiselle; and I found out pretty quickly. He came here
+to teach, not to be made game of. In two weeks, I expect to have the
+true Parisian accent, and to have entirely forgotten all the English I
+ever knew. Bonne nuit, ma chère;" and Marion turned over, and was asleep
+in five minutes.
+
+
+
+
+CHAPTER IV.
+
+MARION'S SENTENCE.
+
+
+Immediately after the close of school Marion betook herself to the
+private study of Miss Stiefbach. This was a small room back of the
+drawing-room, fitted up very cosily and comfortably, and which no one
+but the sisters ever entered, except on state occasions, or under
+circumstances like the present. It must be confessed that Marion did not
+feel very comfortable as the door closed behind her, and Miss Stiefbach,
+who was sitting at her desk, turned round, motioning her to be seated.
+Marion knew she had done very wrong, and was really sorry for it, for,
+although none of the scholars could be said to have much affection for
+Miss Stiefbach, they all held her in the most profound respect, and no
+such direct attack upon her dignity had ever been made within the memory
+of any of the present pupils.
+
+Miss Stiefbach cleared her throat, and commenced speaking in her most
+impressive and awful voice. "Miss Berkley" (the fact that she addressed
+Marion in this very distant manner proved at once that she was very
+angry), "your conduct to me this day has been such as I have never seen
+in any young lady since I became the head of this establishment, and I
+consider it deserves a severe punishment. The remarks which I overheard
+this morning, as I entered your room, were enough in themselves to have
+merited a stern rebuke, even if they had not been followed by a direct
+insult to myself. I am surprised indeed, that any young ladies brought
+up in refined society should have made use of such expressions as
+'_swell_' and--and--other words of a like nature." It was evidently so
+hard for Miss Stiefbach to pronounce the word, even in a tone of intense
+disapproval, that Marion, despite her uneasiness, could not help being
+amused; but no trace of her feelings could be seen in her face; she sat
+before her teacher perfectly quiet,--so quiet, that Miss Stiefbach could
+not tell whether she was deeply repentant or supremely indifferent.
+
+"I have decided," resumed Miss Stiefbach, "that as M. Béranger was
+indirectly connected with the affair, you shall apologize to me before
+the whole school, and in his presence, on the next French day, which
+will be Friday. I should not have subjected you to this mortification,
+if you had shown any willingness to apologize to me here; but as you
+seem entirely insensible of the impropriety of your conduct, I consider
+that the punishment is perfectly just."
+
+Marion rose; for one second her eyes had flashed ominously when her
+sentence was delivered, but it was the only sign she gave of being
+surprised or otherwise moved. Perceiving that Miss Stiefbach had nothing
+more to say, she left the room as quietly as she had entered it. Several
+of the girls were standing at the study door waiting for her to come
+out, for the whole story had by this time become pretty freely
+circulated, and every one was impatient to know the result of the
+interview. Marion passed them without a glance, and without speaking,
+but with the most perfect _sang froid_, and went directly upstairs to
+her room. But once there her forced composure gave way, and, throwing
+herself on the bed, she burst into a passion of tears.
+
+Florence, who had been anxiously waiting for Marion to come up, knelt
+down beside her, smoothing her hair, calling her by all their fond, pet
+names, and doing everything she could to soothe and quiet her, but never
+once asking the questions that were uppermost in her own mind, for she
+knew that, as soon as this first hysterical fit of weeping was over, her
+friend would tell her all. She waited some time, until she became almost
+frightened, for Marion's sobs shook her from head to foot, and she
+seemed unable to control herself.
+
+Suddenly Marion sprang up, and exclaimed in the most excited, passionate
+tones, "Florence! Florence! what do you think she is going to make me
+do? Think of the most humiliating thing you can!"
+
+"Indeed, my darling, I cannot guess," replied Flo, while she had hard
+work to restrain her own tears.
+
+"I have got to apologize to her before the whole school, and before M.
+Béranger next Friday. Oh! I think it is abominable. She wouldn't have
+made any other girl do it, but she knows how proud I am, and she thinks
+now she'll humble me. Oh, it is too hard, too hard to bear!" and Marion
+threw herself back on the pillow, and sobbed aloud.
+
+Poor Florence was completely overpowered. Distressed as she was for her
+friend, and furiously indignant with Miss Stiefbach, she hardly dared to
+comfort and sympathize with her, except by caresses, for fear of
+increasing her excitement, and she could only throw her arms round
+Marion's neck, kissing her repeatedly, and exclaiming again and again,
+"I wish I could help you!--I wish I could help you!"
+
+But after a while the violence of Marion's grief and anger subsided, but
+left its traces in a severe headache; her temples throbbed fearfully,
+and her face and hands were burning hot.
+
+Florence wet a cloth in cold water, and laid it on her head, and,
+knowing that Marion would prefer to be alone, she kissed her quietly,
+and as her eyes were closed was about to leave the room without
+speaking, when Marion called her back, exclaiming, "Don't tell the
+girls anything about it; they'll find it out soon enough."
+
+"No, dear, I won't mention it, if I can help it. You lie still and try
+to get to sleep. Don't come downstairs to supper. I will excuse you to
+Miss Christine, and bring you up a cup of tea."
+
+"No! no! no!" excitedly repeated Marion; "do no such thing. I wouldn't
+stay up from supper, if it killed me to go down; it would only prove to
+old Stiffback how deep she has cut, and I mean she shall find it will
+take more than _she_ can do to humble me. Be sure and let me know when
+the bell rings. I don't think there is much danger of my going to sleep;
+but for fear I should, you come up before tea,--won't you?"
+
+Flo promised, and giving her another kiss, and advising her again to lie
+still and go to sleep,--a thing which she knew it was impossible for
+Marion to do,--she left the room.
+
+Left to herself Marion became a prey to her own varying emotions. Pride,
+anger, and mortification were rankling in her breast. When she thought
+of the coming disgrace which she was to endure, she sobbed and wept as
+if her heart would break; and then the image of Miss Stiefbach, with her
+calm, cool face, and deliberate manner, seeming so much as if she
+enjoyed giving such pain, rose before her mind, and she clenched her
+hands, and shut her teeth together, looking as she felt, willing to do
+almost anything to revenge herself.
+
+In her inmost heart she had been truly sorry for having spoken so
+impertinently to her teacher, and she had gone to the study fully
+prepared to acknowledge that she had done wrong, and to ask pardon for
+her fault. But Miss Stiefbach, by presupposing that she felt no regret
+for her conduct, or any desire to apologize, had frozen all such
+feelings, and roused all the rebellious part of the girl's nature.
+
+For some time Marion tossed restlessly from side to side; but at last,
+finding it impossible to quiet herself, much less to sleep, she got up,
+bathed her face, and prepared to arrange her disordered hair.
+
+To her excited imagination, it seemed almost as if she could hear the
+girls downstairs discussing the whole matter. Every laugh she heard she
+believed to be at her expense, and she dreaded meeting her companions,
+knowing full well that her looks and actions would be the subject of
+general comment.
+
+Throughout the school Marion was not a general favorite; almost all the
+girls admired her, but there were few who felt that they really knew
+her.
+
+She was acknowledged by almost all her companions to be the brightest
+and prettiest girl in the school, and was apparently on good terms with
+all of them; but that was all. Many who would have liked to know her
+better, and who would have been glad to make advances of intimate
+friendship, felt themselves held back from doing so, by a certain
+haughty, reserved manner, which she at times assumed, and by her own
+evident disinclination for anything more than an amicable school-girl
+acquaintance.
+
+Marion was quick to perceive the petty weaknesses and follies of these
+around her, and her keen sense of the ludicrous, combined with a habit
+of saying sharp, sarcastic things, often led her to draw out these
+foibles, and show them up in their most absurd light.
+
+No one knew her faults better than Marion herself, and she was
+constantly struggling to overcome them; but her pride and strong will
+led her to conceal her real feelings, and often when she was at heart
+angry with herself, and ashamed of her wilful, perhaps unkind, behavior,
+she would assume an aspect of supreme indifference, effectually
+deceiving every one as to what was really passing in her mind.
+
+She kept her struggles to herself. No one but her friend Florence and
+Miss Christine knew how sincerely she longed to conquer her faults, and
+how severe these struggles were.
+
+The knowledge of them had come to Miss Christine by accident. One day
+Marion had said something unusually sharp and cutting to one of her
+companions, but had appeared perfectly unconscious of having done
+anything unkind, and had gone to her own room humming a tune, with the
+most perfect nonchalance.
+
+Miss Christine shortly after followed her, wishing to talk with her, and
+show her the folly and wickedness of persisting in such conduct. She had
+found her door closed, and, knocking softly and receiving no answer, she
+gently opened it, when what was her astonishment to find Marion
+stretched upon the floor, weeping violently. She went to her, and,
+kneeling down beside her, called her by name. Marion, thus surprised,
+could not conceal her grief, or summon her cold, indifferent manner,
+and, leaning her head on Miss Christine's shoulder, she sobbed out her
+sorrow, shame, and repentance.
+
+Never since had Miss Christine in any way alluded to the event, or by
+any means tried to force herself into Marion's confidence; but this
+glimpse into her heart had showed her what she might otherwise never
+have known, that Marion saw and regretted her own faults and failings,
+and was resolved to conquer them. From that time a secret bond of
+sympathy was established between pupil and scholar, and though no word
+was spoken, a mild, reproachful glance from Miss Christine, or her hand
+laid gently on Marion's shoulder, had often checked a rising
+exclamation, or cutting sarcasm, which, no matter how sharply it might
+have struck its victim, would have rebounded with greater and deeper
+pain to the very heart of Marion.
+
+At home Marion had little or nothing to call forth the disagreeable
+qualities of her disposition. Surrounded by love and admiration on every
+side, the darling of her mother, and the pride and glory of her father,
+to whom she appeared almost faultless, it was no wonder that she found
+it hard to get on smoothly when thrown among a number of girls her own
+age, many of whom, jealous of her superior beauty and intelligence,
+would have been glad of any opportunity of getting her into trouble.
+
+Then it was that the worst side of her nature showed itself; and she was
+shocked when she discovered how many faults she had which she had never
+thought of before.
+
+Her sharp, sarcastic speeches gave her father infinite amusement when
+she was at home; but there her remarks rarely wounded any one; but at
+school she made her words tell, and she knew that her tongue was her
+greatest enemy.
+
+But towards the younger girls Marion was always kind and good-natured.
+No one ever told such delightful stories, or made such pretty
+paper-dolls, or drew them such lovely pictures as Marion Berkley, and it
+was always a mystery to them why the "big girls" did not all love her.
+
+       *       *       *       *       *
+
+Downstairs poor Florence had been having a hard time. When she first
+made her appearance in the library there had been a general rush towards
+her, and she was greeted with a perfect volley of questions, which it
+needed her utmost ingenuity to parry.
+
+She knew Julia Thayer had a right to know all, for she had been
+personally concerned in the matter, besides being, next to Flo, Marion's
+dearest friend; but she saw that she could not tell her without further
+exciting the curiosity of the other girls, and she was forced to take
+her book, and appear to be deeply interested in her studies. But,
+although her lips monotonously whispered page after page of history, she
+knew no more about her lesson than if she had been reading Hindoostanee.
+
+What was her astonishment when she heard close beside her Marion's
+voice, asking, in a perfectly natural tone, "Did Miss Christine say six
+pages of English History, or seven?"
+
+Florence gave a quick glance at Marion's face, and saw that, although
+she was a little pale, she showed no signs of the storm that had so
+lately disturbed her. Neither did she throughout the evening appear
+other than bright and cheerful, effectually silencing by her own
+apparent ease any surmises or questions in which her companions might
+have indulged, and they all supposed that she had received a severe
+reprimand, and that there the matter would end.
+
+But all agreed with Sarah Brown, who exclaimed, "How Miss Stiefbach had
+ever swallowed that pill so easily was a perfect mystery!"
+
+
+
+
+CHAPTER V.
+
+THE APOLOGY.
+
+
+"Well, Flo, I've hit it!" exclaimed Marion to Florence, as they were
+sitting together in their room Thursday afternoon.
+
+"What do you mean?--hit what?"
+
+"Why, I mean I've hit upon a plan; no, not exactly a plan;--I have
+decided what my apology shall be."
+
+"Oh!" said Florence, "do you know just what you are going to say?"
+
+"No, not precisely; that is, I have not yet settled upon any exact form
+of words, but I have got my ideas together, and I really think it will
+be something quite out of the common line."
+
+Florence looked up inquisitively, for Marion's face or voice by no means
+expressed the repugnance which she had heretofore shown whenever she had
+spoken of the coming apology. In fact she looked rather triumphant, and
+a little, amused smile played about the corners of her mouth, as she
+bent over her work.
+
+"Now, Mab," exclaimed Florence, "I know you are up to something! Do tell
+me what it is that evidently amuses you so much?"
+
+"Oh, nothing particular," replied Marion; but in a tone which said
+plainly enough that there was something very particular indeed.
+
+"Now, Mab, you needn't tell me!"
+
+"That is exactly what I don't mean to do," provokingly replied Marion.
+
+"Oh, don't be disagreeable! You know I am positively dying with
+curiosity; so out with it!" and Florence tossed her own work on to the
+bed, and, catching hold of Marion's canvas, threw it behind her, as she
+established herself on her friend's lap.
+
+"Well, I'm sorry, my dear; but if your life depends on my telling you
+anything particular to-day, I am afraid you will come to an early
+grave."
+
+Florence laid her hands on Marion's shoulders, and looked steadily into
+her eyes. Marion met the look with a confident, amused smile, and
+exclaimed, "Well, Flo, you look as sober as a judge. I really believe
+you think I meditate murder; but I assure you Miss Stiefbach's life is
+in no danger from my hands."
+
+"I'll tell you just what I do think, Marion. I believe you are going to
+refuse to apologize, and if you do, you will be worse off than you've
+been yet;" and Florence really looked as serious as if she were trying a
+case in court.
+
+"No, Flo, you needn't trouble yourself on that score. I mean to
+apologize before the whole school, and M. Béranger to boot,--just as old
+Stiffy ordered."
+
+"Well, I am glad of it! Not glad that it _must_ be done, you know; but I
+was afraid you would try to get rid of it in some way; and I know that
+would make matters worse."
+
+"No, I don't mean to get rid of it; I shall do it in the most approved
+style. Come, get up, miss; you're awfully heavy!"
+
+Florence jumped up, considerably relieved, but still a little suspicious
+of her friend's intentions. At that moment Julia Thayer came into the
+room.
+
+"O girls! you here?" she exclaimed. "I've been hunting for you
+everywhere."
+
+"Well, I don't think you hunted much; we've been here ever since lessons
+were done," replied Marion.
+
+"Take a seat, Miss Thayer, and make yourself at home," said Florence.
+
+"Thank you, I was only waiting to be asked. Now, Marion, do tell me;
+have you decided what you are going to say to-morrow?"
+
+"It is no use asking her; you can't get anything out of her. I've just
+tried my best."
+
+"What! don't you mean to tell us, beforehand?"
+
+"No."
+
+"Not a word? not a syllable? Well, I do declare! I tell you what it is,
+Flo, she means to astonish us all by some wonderful production."
+
+"I suppose most of the girls _will_ be astonished, for I don't believe
+they know there is to be any apology at all."
+
+"No, I don't think they suspect it," said Julia. "So much for knowing
+how to hold one's tongue."
+
+"Well, Julia, I guess this is the first time you could be accused of
+that," laughingly replied Flo.
+
+"That is a libel! Who held their tongue about Aunt Bettie's doughnuts, I
+should like to know?"
+
+"Another rare instance," mischievously put in Marion; "put it down,
+Julia, you'll never have another chance."
+
+"But, girls, what do you mean?" cried Julia, in a deprecating tone. "Do
+you think I run and tell everything I know?"
+
+"No, dear, not a bit of it," replied Flo; "you are not quite so reserved
+as Marion, but I never heard any one accuse you of telling what you
+ought to keep to yourself, or, as the boys say, of 'peaching.'"
+
+"There, Julia, don't look so forlorn, for mercy's sake!" exclaimed
+Marion. "You are so delightfully easy to tease; but I confess it was a
+very poor reward for your silence of the past two days, which (she
+added with a mischievous twinkle in her eyes) I know must have almost
+killed you."
+
+Julia and Florence both laughed outright at this rather equivocal
+consolation, and at that moment the supper-bell rang.
+
+Friday morning every girl was in her seat precisely as the clock struck
+nine; for it was French day, and consequently only the second appearance
+of M. Béranger, and the novelty of having him there at all had by no
+means worn off.
+
+He entered the room, shortly after, and, having politely wished Miss
+Stiefbach and her sister good-morning, was about to pass into the
+anteroom, when Miss Stiefbach detained him.
+
+"Excuse me, M. Béranger, but I must trouble you to remain here a few
+moments."
+
+M. Béranger bowed with his usual grace, and Miss Stiefbach continued:--
+
+"I regret to say (she did not look as if she regretted it at all) that a
+circumstance of a most painful nature has lately taken place in this
+school. One of my young ladies has done that which makes me deem it
+necessary to exact a public apology from her. As you were indirectly
+concerned in the matter, I think it proper that the apology should be
+made before you. Miss--"
+
+"But, madame," hastily interrupted the astonished Frenchman, "I cannot
+imagine; there must be a meestake--I am a perfect stranger; if you will
+have the goodness to excuse me, I shall be one tousand times obliged;"
+and the poor man looked as if he himself was the culprit.
+
+"It is impossible, monsieur," decidedly replied Miss Stiefbach; "one
+particular clause of her punishment was, that it should be made in your
+presence. Miss Berkley, you will please come forward."
+
+During the above conversation a most profound silence had reigned
+throughout the room; the girls, with the exception of the initiated
+three, had looked from one to another, and then at the group on the
+platform, with faces expressive of the most intense astonishment,
+proving how wholly unsuspicious they had been; but as Marion's name was
+pronounced a light broke in upon every one, and all eyes were turned
+upon her as she left her seat.
+
+Miss Stiefbach stood with her hands folded over each other in her usual
+stately attitude. M. Béranger looked infinitely annoyed and distressed,
+and twirled his watch-chain in a very nervous manner. Miss Christine had
+retired to the extreme end of the platform, and was trying to appear
+interested in a book; but her face had a sad, pained look, which showed
+how fully her sympathies were with her pupil.
+
+Florence Stevenson buried her face in her hands; she could not bear to
+witness her friend's disgrace. Marion advanced quietly up between the
+rows of desks, and as she stepped upon the platform turned so as to face
+the school.
+
+She never looked lovelier in her life; a bright color burned in her
+cheeks, and her eyes, always wonderfully beautiful, glowed with a
+strange light; but the expression of her face would have baffled the
+most scrutinizing observer. Calm, quiet, perfectly self-possessed, but
+without a particle of self-assurance, she stood, the centre of general
+observation.
+
+Presently she spoke in a full, clear voice: "Miss Stiefbach, as M.
+Béranger evidently does not know how he is concerned in this matter,
+perhaps I had better explain the circumstances to him."
+
+Miss Stiefbach bowed her consent, and Marion, turning towards the
+bewildered Frenchman, thus addressed him:--
+
+"M. Béranger, last Wednesday morning, as I, with two of my companions,
+was in my room, which is in the front of the house, my attention was
+attracted towards a gentleman who was coming down the street, and I
+immediately called my two friends to the window that they might get a
+good view of him. Our interest was of course doubly increased when we
+saw the gentleman enter this garden. His whole appearance was so
+decidedly elegant (here M. Béranger, who began to see that he was the
+subject of her remarks, colored up to the roots of his hair) that we
+could not help giving our opinions of him, and _I_ applied to him the
+word 'swell,' which in itself I acknowledge to be very inelegant; but my
+only excuse for using it is, that in this case it was so very
+expressive."
+
+M. Béranger, despite his embarassment, could hardly conceal a smile,
+while a suppressed murmur of amusement ran round the room. Miss
+Stiefbach looked hard at Marion, but her face was composed, and her
+manner quietly polite; she was apparently perfectly unconscious of
+having said anything to cause this diversion.
+
+"While we were talking of him, Miss Stiefbach entered the room, and must
+have, unintentionally of course, overheard our comments, for the first
+intimation we had of her presence was this remark, which she made
+standing directly behind us: 'Young ladies, allow me to see; perhaps I
+can inform you.' And now occurred the remark which it was so exceedingly
+improper in me to make, and which justly gave so much offence to Miss
+Stiefbach." (Here Marion turned towards her teacher, who, as if to
+encourage her to proceed, bowed quite graciously.) "I was standing on
+the seat in the window, and consequently had the best view of the
+gentleman. In the excitement of the moment, regardless of the difference
+in our ages, and only remembering that we were impelled by one common
+object, I asked her to _jump_ on to the seat beside me. Miss Stiefbach,
+for that rudeness I most sincerely ask your pardon. It was wrong, very
+wrong of me; I should have stepped aside, thus giving you an excellent
+opportunity of gratifying your desire to look at what is rarely seen
+here,--a handsome man."
+
+The perfect absurdity of Miss Stiefbach's jumping up in a window with a
+party of wild school-girls, for the sake of looking at a handsome man,
+or indeed for her to look at a man at any time with any degree of
+interest, could only be appreciated by those who were daily witnesses of
+her prim, stately ways. It certainly was too much for the gravity of the
+inhabitants of that school-room.
+
+[Illustration: MARION APOLOGIZES.]
+
+M. Béranger bit his lip fiercely under his mustache; Miss Christine
+became suddenly very much interested in something out in the back yard;
+and the school-girls were obliged to resort to open books and
+desk-covers to conceal their amusement.
+
+Marion alone remained cool and collected, looking at Miss Stiefbach as
+if to ask if she had said enough.
+
+Miss Stiefbach's face was scarlet, and she shut her teeth tightly
+together, striving for her usual composure. The sudden turn of Marion's
+apology, which placed her in such a ridiculous light, had completely
+disconcerted her, and she knew not what to do or say.
+
+If Marion's eyes had twinkled with mischief; if there had been the
+slightest tinge of sarcasm in her tone, or of triumph in her manner,
+Miss Stiefbach would have thought she intended a fresh insult; but
+throughout the whole her bearing had been unusually quiet, ladylike, and
+polite. There was no tangible point for her teacher to fasten on, and,
+commanding herself sufficiently to speak, Miss Stiefbach merely said,
+"It is enough; you may go to your seat."
+
+Even then, if Marion's self-possession had given way, she would have
+been called back and severely reprimanded. But it did not; she passed
+all her school-mates, whose faces were turned towards her brimming with
+laughter and a keen appreciation of the affair, with a sort of
+preoccupied air, and, taking her books from her desk, followed M.
+Béranger into the anteroom.
+
+At recess the girls with one impulse flocked round her, exclaiming, "Oh!
+it was too good; just the richest scene I ever saw."
+
+"What do you mean?" coolly replied Marion.
+
+"Why!" exclaimed Sarah Brown, an unencouraged admirer of Marion's, "the
+way you turned the tables on Miss Stiefbach."
+
+"Indeed, Sarah, you are very much mistaken; I simply apologized to her
+for a great piece of rudeness."
+
+And Marion turned away and ran upstairs to her own room, where Florence
+and Julia were already giving vent to their long pent-up feelings in
+only half-suppressed bursts of laughter.
+
+As Marion made her appearance it was the signal for another shout; but
+she only replied by a quiet smile, which caused Julia to ejaculate in
+her most earnest manner, "I declare, Marion, you don't look a bit
+elated! If I had done such a bright thing as you have, I should be
+beaming with satisfaction."
+
+"Well, Julia, I don't think I _have_ done anything so very smart. To be
+sure I have had my revenge, and the only satisfaction I've got out of it
+is to feel thoroughly and heartily ashamed of myself."
+
+"Marion Berkley, you certainly _are_ the queerest girl I ever did see,"
+exclaimed Julia.
+
+But Florence, who knew her friend best, said nothing, for she
+understood her feelings, and admired her the more for them.
+
+Marion had been determined to make her apology such as would reflect
+more absurdity on her teacher than on herself, and in that way to have
+her revenge for what she rightly considered her very unjust punishment.
+She had succeeded; but now that her momentary triumph was over, she
+sincerely wished that it had never occurred.
+
+The next day she went to Miss Christine, and told her just how she felt
+about it, and that, if she advised her to do so, she would go to Miss
+Stiefbach and ask her forgiveness. But Miss Christine told her, that,
+although she heartily disapproved of her conduct, she thought nothing
+more had better be said about it, for Miss Stiefbach had only been half
+inclined to believe that Marion could _intend_ a fresh impertinence.
+
+And so there the matter ended; but Marion could never fully satisfy her
+own conscience on the subject.
+
+She wrote a long letter to her mother, telling her the whole thing from
+beginning to end; and received one in reply, gently, but firmly,
+rebuking her for her conduct.
+
+But the next day came four pages from her father, full of his amusement
+and enjoyment of the whole matter, and highly complimenting her on what
+he called "her brilliant coup d'état."
+
+No wonder Marion's better nature was sometimes crushed, when the inward
+fires which she longed to extinguish were kindled by a father's hand.
+
+
+
+
+CHAPTER VI.
+
+THE NEW SCHOLAR
+
+
+"O girls, the new scholar has come!" shouted little Fannie Thayer, as
+she bounced into the library one afternoon, where some of the older
+girls were studying.
+
+"Do hush, Fannie!" exclaimed her sister Julia; "you do make such an
+awful noise! Of course you've left the door open, and it's cold enough
+to freeze one. Run away, child."
+
+"But, Julia," remonstrated Fannie, as her sister went on reading without
+taking any notice of her communication, "you didn't hear what I
+said,--the new scholar has come."
+
+"What new scholar?" inquired Florence Stevenson, looking up from her
+book. "This is the first I have heard of any."
+
+"Why, don't you know?" answered little Fannie, glad to have a listener.
+"Her name is--is--Well, I can't remember what it is,--something odd; but
+she comes from ever so far off, and she's real pretty, kind of
+sad-looking, you know."
+
+"What in the world is the child talking about?" broke in Marion. "Who
+ever heard of Miss Stiefbach's taking a scholar after the term had
+begun?"
+
+"I remember hearing something about it, now," said Julia. "The girl was
+to have come at the beginning of the quarter; but she has been sick, or
+something or other happened to prevent. I believe she comes from St.
+Louis."
+
+"I wonder who she'll room with; she can't come in with us, that's
+certain," said Marion, with a very decided air.
+
+"Why, of course she won't," replied Florence; "we never have but two
+girls in a room. Oh! I know, she will go in with little Rose May; see if
+she doesn't!"
+
+"Well, I tell you, I am sorry she's come!" ejaculated Marion. "I hate
+new scholars; they always put on airs, and consider themselves sort of
+privileged characters. I for one shall not take much notice of her."
+
+"Why, Marion," exclaimed Grace Minton, "I should think you would be
+ashamed to talk so! She may be a very nice girl indeed. You don't know
+anything about her."
+
+"I don't care if she is a nice girl. She ought to have come before. It
+will just upset all our plans; the classes are all arranged, and
+everything is going on nicely. There are just enough of us, and I say it
+is a perfect bother!"
+
+"I really don't see why you need trouble yourself so much," broke in
+Georgie Graham, who was always jealous of Marion, and never lost an
+opportunity of differing with her, though in a quiet way that was
+terribly aggravating. "I don't believe you will be called upon to make
+any arrangements, and I don't see how one, more or less, can make much
+difference any way."
+
+The entrance of Miss Christine prevented Marion's reply, and she
+immediately took up her book and became apparently absorbed in her
+studies.
+
+"O Miss Christine," they all exclaimed at once, "do tell us about the
+new scholar." "Is she pretty?" "Will she be kind to us little girls?"
+"How old is she?" and many other questions of a like nature, all asked
+in nearly the same breath.
+
+"If you will be quiet, and not all speak at once, I will try and tell
+you all you want to know. The name of the new scholar is Rachel Drayton.
+She is about sixteen, and I think she is very pretty, although I do not
+know as you will agree with me. She seems to have a very lovely
+disposition, and I should think that after a while she might be very
+lively, and a pleasant companion for you all; but at present she is very
+delicate, as she has just recovered from a very severe illness brought
+on by her great grief at the death of her father. They were all the
+world to each other, and she was perfectly devoted to him. She cannot
+yet reconcile herself to her loss. He has been dead about eight weeks.
+Her mother died when she was a baby, and the nearest relation she has is
+her father's brother, who is now in Europe. Poor child! she is all alone
+in the world; my heart aches for her."
+
+Miss Christine's usually cheery voice was very low and sad, and the tear
+that glistened in her eye proved that her expressions of sympathy were
+perfectly sincere; if, indeed, any one could have doubted that kind,
+loving face. As she ceased speaking, there was a perfect silence
+throughout the room, and those who had felt somewhat inclined to side
+with Marion felt very much conscience-stricken.
+
+Marion, however, continued studying, not showing the slightest signs of
+having had her sympathies aroused.
+
+Miss Christine continued: "I hope, girls, you will be particularly kind
+to Miss Drayton. She must naturally feel lonely, and perhaps diffident,
+among so many strangers, and I want you all to do everything in your
+power to make it pleasant for her. You in particular, Marion, having
+been here longer than any of the others, will be able to make her feel
+quite at home."
+
+"Indeed, Miss Christine, you must excuse me. You know taking up new
+friends at a moment's notice, and becoming desperately intimate with
+them, is not my forte."
+
+"Marion," replied Miss Christine, in a quiet, but reproving tone, "I do
+not ask you to become desperately intimate with her, as you call it, or
+anything of the kind. I merely wish you to show her that courtesy which
+is certainly due from one school-girl to another."
+
+Marion made no reply, and Miss Christine sat down and commenced talking
+to the girls in her usual pleasant manner. It was her evident interest
+in everything which concerned them, that made her so beloved by her
+pupils.
+
+They all knew that they could find in her a patient listener, and a
+willing helper, whenever they chose to seek her advice; whether it was
+about an important, or a very trifling matter.
+
+There was some little bustle and confusion as the girls laid aside their
+books, and clustered round Miss Christine with their fancy-work, or
+leaned back in their chairs, glad to have nothing in particular to do.
+
+"Miss Christine!" exclaimed little Rose May, "I do wish you would show
+me how to 'bind off.' I keep putting my thread over and over, and,
+instead of taking off stitches, it makes more every time. I think these
+sleeves are a perfect nuisance. I wish I hadn't begun 'em!"
+
+"Why, you poor child," laughingly replied her teacher, "what are you
+doing? You might knit forever and your sleeves would not be 'bound off,'
+if you do nothing but put your worsted over. Who told you to do that?"
+
+"Julia Thayer did; she said knit two and then put over, and knit two and
+then put over, all the time, and it would come all right."
+
+"Now, Rose, I didn't!" exclaimed Julia. "I said put your stitch over,
+you silly child! I should think you might have known that putting your
+worsted over would widen it."
+
+"I know you _didn't_ say put your stitch over," retorted Rose; "you just
+said put over, and how was I going to know by that? I think you're real
+mean; you never take any pains with us little ones; I don't--"
+
+"Hush, hush, Rose! You must not speak so," said Miss Christine, laying
+her hands on the child's lips; then, turning to Julia, she said, "If you
+had taken more pains with Rose, and tried to explain to her how she
+ought to have done her work, it would have been much better for both of
+you."
+
+"Well, Miss Christine, she came just as I was thinking up for my
+composition, and I didn't want to be bothered by any one. As it was, she
+put all my ideas out of my head."
+
+Miss Christine's only reply was a shake of the head and an incredulous
+smile, which made Julia wish she had shown a little more patience with
+the child.
+
+"There, Rose," said Miss Christine, as the little girl put the finishing
+touch to her sleeves, "next time you will not have to ask any one to
+show you how to 'bind off.' Your sleeves are very pretty, and I know
+your mother will be glad her daughter took so much pains to please her."
+
+Rose glanced up at her teacher with a bright smile, and went skipping
+off, ready for fun and frolic, now that those troublesome sleeves were
+finished. But she had hardly reached the hall when she came running
+back, saying, in a most mysterious sort of stage-whisper, "She's coming!
+she's coming downstairs with Miss Stiefbach! Rebecca what's-her-name;
+you know!"
+
+The girls looked up as Miss Stiefbach entered the room, and, although
+they were too well-bred to actually stare at her companion, it must be
+confessed that their faces betrayed considerable interest.
+
+Rachel Drayton, the "new scholar," was between sixteen and seventeen;
+tall and very slight; her eyes were very dark; her face intensely pale,
+but one saw at once it was the pallor of recent illness, or acute mental
+suffering, not of continued ill-health.
+
+She was dressed in the deepest mourning, in a style somewhat older than
+that generally worn by girls of her age. Her jet-black hair, which grew
+very low on her forehead, was brushed loosely back, and gathered into a
+rough knot behind, as if the owner was too indifferent to her personal
+appearance to try to arrange it carefully.
+
+As she stood now, fully conscious of the glances that were
+surreptitiously cast upon her, she appeared frightened and bewildered.
+Her eyes were cast down, but if any one had looked under their long
+lashes, they would have seen them dimmed with tears.
+
+Accustomed all her life to the society of older persons, no one who has
+not experienced the same feeling can imagine how great an ordeal it was
+for her to enter that room full of girls of her own age. To notice the
+sudden hush that fell upon all as she came in; to feel that each one was
+mentally making comments upon her, was almost more than she could bear.
+If they had been persons many years older than herself, she would have
+gone in perfectly at her ease; chatted first with this one, then with
+that, and would have made herself at home immediately.
+
+Unfortunately the only young persons in whose society she had been
+thrown were some young ladies she had met while travelling through the
+West with her father. They had been coarse, foolish creatures, making
+flippant remarks upon all whom they saw, in a rude, unladylike manner,
+and from whom she had shrunk with an irresistible feeling of repugnance.
+No wonder her heart had sunk within her when she thought that perhaps
+her future companions might be of the same stamp.
+
+Miss Christine noticed her embarrassment at once, and kindly went
+forward to meet her, saying as she did so, "Well, my dear, I am glad to
+see you down here; I am not going to introduce you to your companions
+now, you will get acquainted with them all in time; first I want you to
+come into the school-room with me and see how you like it."
+
+And she took her hand and led her through the open door into the
+school-room beyond; talking pleasantly all the time, calling her
+attention to the view from the windows, the arrangement of the desks,
+and various other things, until at last she saw her face light up with
+something like interest, and the timid, frightened look almost entirely
+disappear; then she took her back into the library.
+
+As they went in, Florence Stevenson, who stood near the fireplace, made
+room for them, remarking as she did so, "It is very chilly; you must be
+cold; come here and warm yourself. How do you like our school-room?"
+
+"Very much; that is, I think I shall. It seems very pleasant."
+
+"Yes, it is pleasant. It's so much nicer for being papered with that
+pretty paper than if it had had dark, horrid walls like some I've seen.
+What sort of a school did you use to go to?"
+
+"I never went to school before; I always studied at home;" and poor
+Rachel's voice trembled as she thought of the one who had always
+directed her studies; but Florence went bravely on, determined to do her
+part towards making the new scholar feel at home.
+
+"Well, I'm afraid you will find it hard to get used to us, if you have
+never been thrown with girls before. I don't believe but what you
+thought we were almost savages; now honestly, didn't you feel afraid to
+meet us?"
+
+"It was hard," replied Rachel; but as she glanced up at the bright,
+animated face before her, she thought that if all her future companions
+were like this one she should have no great fears for the future.
+
+Most of the scholars had left the room; the few who remained were
+chatting together apparently unconscious of the stranger's presence, and
+as Rachel stood before the fire, with her back to the rest of the room,
+and Florence beside her talking animatedly, she was surprised to find
+herself becoming interested and at ease, and before Miss Christine left
+them the two girls were comparing notes on their studies, and gave
+promise of soon becoming very good friends.
+
+When Marion left the library, she went directly to her room, locked the
+door, and threw herself on the seat in the window in a tumult of
+emotion. Paramount over all other feelings stood shame. She could not
+excuse herself for her strange behavior, and she felt unhappy; almost
+miserable. "Why did I speak so?" she asked herself. "Why should I feel
+such an unaccountable prejudice against a person I never even heard of
+before? I thought I had conquered all these old, hateful feelings, and
+here they are all coming back again. I don't know what is the matter
+with me. It is not jealousy; for how can I be jealous of a person I
+never saw or heard of before in my life? I don't know what it is, and I
+don't much care; there aren't four girls in the school that like me, and
+only one _I_ really love, and that's dear old Flo. She's as good as
+gold, and if any one should ever come between us I pity her! I'll bet
+anything though, that she is downstairs making friends with that girl
+this minute."
+
+This thought was not calculated to calm Marion's ruffled feelings, and
+she sat brooding by the window in anything but an enviable mood.
+
+She was still in this state of mind when the tea-bell rang, and hastily
+smoothing her hair she went downstairs.
+
+It chanced that just as she entered the dining-room Rachel Drayton and
+Florence came in by the opposite door. Florence was evidently giving
+Rachel an account of some of their school frolics, though in an
+undertone, so that Marion could not catch the words, and her companion
+was listening, her face beaming with interest. No circumstance could
+have occurred which would have been more unfavorable for changing
+Marion's wayward mood.
+
+Coming downstairs she had been picturing to herself the unhappiness and
+loneliness of the poor orphan, and she had almost made up her mind to go
+forward, introduce herself, and try by being kind and agreeable to make
+amends for her former injustice; for although she knew Miss Drayton must
+be entirely unconscious of it, she could not in her own heart feel at
+rest until she had made some atonement.
+
+No one could have presented themselves to a perfect stranger,--a thing
+which it is not easy for most persons to do,--with more grace and
+loveliness than Marion, if she had been so inclined, for there was at
+times a certain fascination about her voice and manner that few could
+resist.
+
+She had expected to see a pale, sickly, utterly miserable-looking girl,
+towards whom she felt it would be impossible to steel her heart; and she
+saw one, who, although she was certainly pale enough, seemed to be
+anything but miserable, and above all was evidently fast becoming on
+intimate terms with her own dear friend Florence.
+
+That was enough; resolutely crushing down all kindly feelings that were
+struggling for utterance, she took her seat at the table as if
+unconscious of the stranger's existence. Miss Stiefbach sat at the head
+of one very long table, and Miss Christine at another, having most of
+the little girls at her end; while Marion sat directly opposite with
+Florence on her right. Without changing this long-established order of
+things, Miss Christine could not make room for Rachel by the side of
+Florence as she would have liked, and the only place for her seemed to
+be on Marion's left, as there were not so many girls on that side of the
+table. Hoping that such close proximity would force Marion to unbend the
+reserved manner which she saw she was fast assuming, Miss Christine,
+before taking her own seat, went to that end of the table and introduced
+Marion to Rachel, laughingly remarking that as they were the oldest
+young ladies there, they would have to sustain the dignity of the table.
+
+This jesting command was certainly carried out to the very letter of the
+law by Marion.
+
+She was intensely polite throughout the meal, but perfectly frigid in
+the dignity of her manner, which so acted upon poor Rachel, that the
+bright smiles which Florence had called forth were effectually
+dispelled, and throughout the rest of the evening she was the same sad,
+frightened girl who had first made her appearance in the library.
+
+When Marion knelt that night to pray, her lips refused to utter her
+accustomed prayers. It seemed hypocrisy for her, who had so resolutely
+made another unhappy, to ask God's blessings on her head, and she
+remained kneeling long after Florence had got into bed, communing with
+herself, her only inward cry being, "God forgive me!"
+
+But how could she expect God would forgive her, when day after day she
+knowingly committed the same faults?
+
+Sick at heart, she rose from her knees, turned out the gas, and went to
+bed, but not to sleep; far into the night she lay awake viewing her past
+conduct.
+
+She did not try to excuse herself, or to look at her faults in any other
+than their true light; but, repentant and sorrowful though she might be,
+she could not as yet sufficiently conquer her pride to ask pardon of
+those she had openly wounded, or to contradict an expressed opinion even
+after she regretted ever having formed it.
+
+Poor child! she thought she had struggled long and fiercely with
+herself; she had yet to learn that the battle was but just begun.
+
+
+
+
+CHAPTER VII.
+
+AUNT BETTIE.
+
+
+"Oh, dear!" yawned Grace Minton, "how I do hate stormy Saturdays!"
+
+"So do I!" exclaimed Georgie Graham; "they are a perfect nuisance, and
+we were going up to Aunt Bettie's this afternoon."
+
+"Who's we?"
+
+"Oh, 'her royal highness' for one, and your humble servant for another;
+Sarah Brown, Flo Stevenson, and Rachel Drayton, _of_ course. By the way,
+how terribly intimate those two have grown! I don't believe 'her
+highness' relishes their being so dreadfully thick."
+
+"What in the world makes you call Marion 'her highness'?" said Grace.
+
+"Oh, because she _is_ so high and mighty; she walks round here sometimes
+as if she were queen and we her subjects."
+
+"No such thing, Georgie Graham!" exclaimed Sarah Brown, who came in just
+as the last remark was made, and knew very well to whom it alluded; "she
+doesn't trouble herself about us at all."
+
+"That's just it; she thinks herself superior to us poor _plebeians_."
+
+"Stuff and nonsense! You know you're jealous of her, and always have
+been."
+
+"Oh, no!" replied Georgie, who, no matter how much she might be
+provoked, always spoke _to_ any one in a soft purring voice. "Oh, no!
+I'm not jealous of her; there is no reason why I should be. But really,
+Sarah, I don't see why you need take up the cudgel for her so fiercely;
+she always snubs you every chance she gets."
+
+Sarah tossed her head, blushing scarlet; for the remark certainly had a
+good deal of truth in it, and was none the less cutting for being made
+in a particularly mild tone.
+
+"Well, at any rate," said Grace Minton, for the sake of changing the
+subject, "I think Rachel Drayton is lovely."
+
+"Lovely!" exclaimed Georgie, "she's a perfect stick! I don't see what
+there is lovely about her, and for my part I wish she had never come
+here."
+
+"Seems to me the tune has changed," broke in Sarah. "I thought you were
+one of the ones who were so down on Marion Berkley for saying the same
+thing."
+
+"Oh, that was before I had seen her," replied Georgie, not at all
+disconcerted.
+
+"In other words, you said it just so as to have an opportunity to differ
+with Marion," retorted Sarah. "I really believe you hate her!"
+
+"Sarah, how can you get so excited? it is so very unbecoming, you know,"
+purred Georgie. Sarah flounced out of the room too indignant for speech,
+and just as she was going through the hall met Marion, who was in an
+unusually pleasant mood.
+
+"See, Sarah, it is clearing off; we shall have a chance for our walk, I
+guess, after all."
+
+"Do you think so? It will be awful sloppy though, won't it?"
+
+"No, I don't believe it will; besides who cares for that? We are not
+made of sugar or salt."
+
+"How many are going?" asked Sarah.
+
+"I don't know exactly; let me see." And Marion counted off on her
+fingers. "You for one, and I for another; that's two. Miss Drayton and
+Florence are four. Grace Minton, if she wants to go, five; and Georgie
+Graham six."
+
+At the mention of the last name, Sarah gave her head a toss, which was
+so very expressive that Marion could not help laughing, and exclaimed,
+"Oh, yes! you know 'her royal highness' must allow some of the
+_plebeians_ among her subjects to follow in her train."
+
+Sarah laughed softly. "Did you hear?" she whispered.
+
+Marion nodded, and just at that moment Georgie came out of the room
+where she had been sitting. "What was that you said, Marion, about 'her
+highness'?" she asked. "Did you think that the title applied to
+yourself?"
+
+"I shouldn't have thought of such a thing, Georgie, if I hadn't
+overheard your remarks, and of course I could not but feel gratified at
+the honorable distinction."
+
+"How do you know it was meant for an honorable distinction?"
+
+"How can I doubt it, Georgie, when it was bestowed upon me by such an
+amiable young lady as yourself? Now if it had been Sarah, I might have
+thought _she_ said it out of spite; but of course when Georgie Graham
+said it, I knew it was intended as a tribute to my superiority;" and
+Marion made a provokingly graceful courtesy.
+
+"There is nothing like having a good opinion of one's self," replied
+Georgie.
+
+"But you see you are mistaken there, Georgie; it was you who seemed to
+have such a high opinion of me. You know I didn't claim the
+greatness,--it was 'thrust upon me;'" and Marion, satisfied with that
+shaft, turned on her heel, and opening the front door went out on to
+the piazza, followed by Sarah, who had been a silent but appreciative
+witness of the scene.
+
+Georgie Graham shut her teeth, muttering in anything but her usual soft
+tones, and with an expression in her eyes which was anything but
+pleasant to see, "Oh, how I hate you! But I'll be even with you yet!"
+
+The shower which had so disconcerted the whole school was evidently
+clearing off, and there was every prospect that the proposed plan of
+walking to Aunt Bettie's directly after dinner might be carried into
+execution.
+
+Aunt Bettie, as all the school-girls called her, was a farmer's wife,
+who supplied the school with eggs, butter, and cheese, and during the
+summer with fresh vegetables and berries.
+
+She lived about two or three miles from the school, on the same road,
+and the girls often went to see her. She was fond of them all, although
+she had her favorites, among whom was Marion; and she always kept a good
+supply of doughnuts, for which she was quite famous, on hand for them
+whenever they might come.
+
+The sun kept his promise, and before dinner-time the girls were all out
+on the piazza, getting up an appetite they said, although that was not
+often wanting with any of them.
+
+The party for Aunt Bettie's numbered eight,--Rose May and Fannie Thayer
+having begged Marion to ask permission for them to go,--and they all set
+out for their walk in high spirits. Although Marion treated Rachel with
+a certain degree of politeness, she never spoke to her unless it was
+absolutely necessary, and then always addressed her as Miss Drayton,
+although every other girl in school had, by this time, become accustomed
+to familiarly call her Rachel. Florence had done everything in her power
+to draw Marion into their conversation at table, but seeing that she was
+determined not to change her manner, she thought it best to take no
+more notice of it, as by doing so it only made it the more apparent to
+Rachel that Marion had no intention of becoming better acquainted with
+her.
+
+Rachel had been there but a short time, and already Marion began to feel
+that Florence was turning from her for a new friend. This was not really
+the case, and Florence, who knew Marion's feelings, was secretly very
+much troubled.
+
+She loved Marion as deeply and truly as ever; but she could not turn
+away from that motherless girl, between whom and herself an instinctive
+sympathy seem to have been established, arising from the loss which they
+had each felt, and which naturally drew them closer to each other.
+Florence had never known her mother, but the loss was none the less
+great to her; she felt that there was a place in the heart that none but
+a mother's love could ever have filled, and no matter how bright and
+happy she might feel, there was at times a sense of utter loneliness
+about her which she found hard to dispel.
+
+Rachel seemed to turn to her as her only friend among that crowd of
+strangers, and she could not refuse to give her her friendship in
+return, even at the risk of seeing Marion for a time estranged from her;
+for she trusted to Marion's better nature, hoping that in the future she
+would not be misjudged, and that all might be made pleasant and happy
+again.
+
+And so to-day for the first time since they had been to school together,
+Florence and Marion were taking their Saturday afternoon walk with
+separate companions. Marion had Rose May by the hand, while she told
+Sarah Brown to take care of little Fannie. Florence and Rachel were
+directly in front of her, and she knew that they would have been happy
+to have had her join in their conversation. In fact, they spoke so that
+she could hear every word they said; but she occupied herself by
+telling Rose a story of such remarkable length and interest as to
+perfectly enchant the child, who exclaimed as they reached the
+farm-house, "O Marion, you do tell the best stories; I really think you
+_ought_ to write a book!" Marion laughed, but had no chance to answer,
+for at that moment the door opened and Aunt Bettie appeared upon the
+threshold.
+
+"Wall, gals, I be glad to see ye; this is a sight good for old eyes!"
+
+"Did you expect us, auntie?" asked Marion.
+
+"Spect yer, child! why, I been a-lookin' for yer these three Saturdays
+past! What you been a-doin' that's kept yer so long?"
+
+"Well, nothing in particular; but you see the term has only just begun,
+and we've hardly got settled."
+
+"Oh, yes, honey, I know; I haint laid it up agin yer. But who's this new
+one?--yer haint introduced me."
+
+As Marion showed no inclination to perform the ceremony Florence
+presented Rachel, remarking that she was a new scholar from the West.
+But Aunt Bettie's keen eyes took in at a glance the deep mourning
+apparel, and her kind heart at once divined its cause; and she exclaimed
+with great heartiness as she took Rachel's hands in her own rough palms,
+"Wall, child, you couldn't 'a come to a better place than Miss
+Stiffback's, and you couldn't 'a got in with a better lot o' girls; take
+em as they come, they're about as good a set as I knows on!"
+
+"O Aunt Bettie!" exclaimed Florence; "flattering, as I live! I wouldn't
+have believed it of you."
+
+"Not a bit of it, child; just plain speakin', a thing that never hurt
+anybody yet, according to my notion. But come in, gals; come in, you
+must be tired after your long walk, and the tin box is most a-bustin'
+its sides, I crammed it so full."
+
+The girls laughed, for they all knew what the tin box contained, and
+were only too ready to be called upon to empty it.
+
+They all seated themselves in the large, old-fashioned kitchen, with its
+low ceiling and tremendous open fireplace, surmounted by a narrow shelf,
+on which was displayed a huge Bible, and a china shepherdess in a green
+skirt and pink bodice, smiling tenderly over two glass lamps and a
+Britannia teapot, at a china shepherd in a yellow jacket and sky-blue
+smalls; being, I suppose, exact representations of the sheep-tenders of
+that part of the country.
+
+Aunt Bettie bustled in and out of the huge pantry, bringing out a large
+tin box filled to the top with delicious brown, spicy doughnuts, and a
+large earthen pitcher of new milk.
+
+"There, gals," as she put a tray of tumblers on the table, "jest help
+yerselves, and the more yer eat, why the better I shall be suited."
+
+"Suppose we should go through the box and not leave any for Jabe; what
+should you say to that?" asked Marion.
+
+"Never you mind Jabe; trust him for getting his fill. Eat all yer want,
+and then stuff the rest in yer pockets."
+
+"Oh, that wouldn't do at all!" exclaimed Marion; "you don't know what a
+fuss we had about those Julia Thayer carried home last year! Miss
+Stiefbach didn't like it at all; she said it was bad enough bringing
+boxes from home, but going round the neighborhood picking up cake was
+disgraceful. She never knew exactly who took them to school, for Julia
+kept mum; but I don't think it would do to try it again."
+
+"Wall, I think that was too bad of Miss Stiffback; she knows nothin'
+pleases me so much as to have you come here and eat my doughnuts, and if
+you choose to carry some on 'em to school, what harm did it do? She
+ought to remember that she was a gal once herself."
+
+"Oh, mercy! auntie, I don't believe she ever was," ejaculated
+Marion. "She was born Miss Stiefbach, and I wouldn't be at all
+surprised if she wore the same stiff dresses, and had the same
+I'm-a-little-better-than-any-body-else look when she was a baby."
+
+"Wall, child, she's a good woman after all. You know there aint any of
+us perfect; we all hev our faults; if it aint one thing it's another;
+it's pretty much the same the world over."
+
+"You do make the best doughnuts, Aunt Bettie, _I_ ever eat," declared
+Fannie Thayer, who was leaning with both elbows on the table, a piece of
+a doughnut in one hand, and a whole one in the other as a reserve force.
+
+"Wall, child, I ginerally kalkerlate I ken match any one going on
+doughnuts; but 't seemed to me these weren't 's good as common. I had
+something on my mind that worrited me when I was mixin' 'em, and I
+'spose I wasn't quite as keerful as usual."
+
+"If _you_ don't call these good, _I_ do!" ejaculated Miss Fannie. "Why,
+I just wish you could have seen some Julia made last summer. She took a
+cooking-fit, and tried most everything; mother said she wasted more eggs
+and butter than she was worth, and her _doughnuts_!--Ugh! heavy, greasy
+things!"
+
+"She must 'a let 'em soak fat!" exclaimed Aunt Bettie, who was always
+interested in the cookery question; "that's the great trouble with
+doughnuts; some folks think everything's in the mixin', but I say more'n
+half depends on the fryin'. You must hev yer fat hot, and stand over 'em
+all the time. I allers watch mine pretty close and turn 'em offen with a
+fork, and then I hev a cullender ready to put 'em right in so't the fat
+ken dreen off. I find it pays t' be pertickeler;" and Aunt Bettie
+smoothed her apron, and leaned back in her chair with the air of one who
+had said something of benefit to mankind in general.
+
+"But where is Julia?" she asked after a short pause. "Why didn't she
+come?"
+
+"Oh, I forgot!" exclaimed Fannie; "she sent her love to you, and told me
+to tell you not to let us eat up all your doughnuts this time, because
+she'll be up before long and want some. She had a sore throat, and Miss
+Stiefbach thought she had better not go out."
+
+"I'm sorry for that," replied Aunt Bettie; "I hope she aint a-goin' to
+be sick."
+
+"Oh, no, it aint very bad. Julia thinks it's nothing but cankers; she
+often has them."
+
+"Wall, it's always best to be on the safe side, any way," said Aunt
+Bettie; "you tell her she needn't be afraid about the doughnuts; I'll
+have a fresh batch ready agin the time she comes."
+
+The business of eating and drinking so occupied the girls' attention,
+that they did not enter into conversation as readily as usual; and after
+the first flush of excitement at meeting her young friends and
+dispensing her hospitality was over, Aunt Bettie, too, subsided into a
+quiet, subdued manner, which was quite foreign to her usual brisk
+talkativeness.
+
+She sat in her high-backed rocking-chair, looking at the girls over her
+silver-bowed spectacles, with a sad, musing expression, as if the sight
+of them called up some unhappy thought.
+
+This unusual restraint on the part of their hostess communicated itself
+in a certain degree to her visitors, though they did not themselves
+remark the cause of their silence, and their visit was made shorter than
+usual.
+
+It was Marion who first made the move to go; and although Aunt Bettie
+pressed them to remain she did not urge it with her accustomed
+eagerness.
+
+They had got just beyond the bend of the road which hid the old
+farm-house from view, when Marion exclaimed, "You run on, Rose, with the
+others; I believe I left my gloves on the table; don't wait for me, I'll
+catch up with you;" and before Rose could beg to go back with her, she
+had turned round and ran off up the road. She ran quickly, but
+noiselessly along, and was back to the farm-house in a few moments, and
+was surprised to find Aunt Bettie sitting on the door-step with her head
+buried in her hands. Going up to her, she found her weeping as if her
+heart would break.
+
+"Aunt Bettie!" she said, in her gentlest tones, "Aunt Bettie! It's only
+Marion. What is the matter? I thought you seemed worried about
+something, and came back to see if I couldn't help you; can't I?"
+
+"Oh, dear!" sobbed the poor woman. "It may be dreadful wicked of me, but
+the sight of you young things, all lookin' so bright and happy, did make
+me feel awful bad, for I couldn't help thinking o' my own darter
+Jemimy."
+
+"Why, what is the matter with her, auntie? Where is she?"
+
+"The Lord knows, dear, I don't. Not a blessed word hev I heerd from her
+it's going on eight weeks. I've writ, and Jabe he's writ, but we haint
+had a sign of an answer, and I'm afraid she's dead, or perhaps wus;" and
+the poor woman rocked herself back and forth, completely overcome by her
+grief.
+
+"But, auntie," said Marion, laying her hand gently on the good woman's
+shoulder, "don't you see there are forty things that might have happened
+to prevent your hearing from her? You know a girl that lives out can't
+always find time to write as often as she would like. Besides, she may
+have got a new place, and in that case might not have received your
+letters."
+
+"I thought o' that, child, and the last letter Jabe writ he directed to
+the care of Miss Benson, the woman that keeps the intelligence office;
+but that's two weeks an' more ago, and I haven't heerd a word. You see,
+Miss Marion, there aint a better-hearted gal livin' than my Jemimy, but
+she got kinder lonesome and discontented-like a livin' way off here, and
+took it into her head she'd like the city better. She allus was a
+high-sperrited gal, and 'twas dull for her here, that's a fact; but I
+wish to the Lord I'd held my own and hadn't let her gone; for there's
+awful places in them big cities, and my gal's pretty enough to make any
+one look at her. I dunno, child, but I can't help feelin' somethin'
+dreadful's happened to her."
+
+"O auntie, you must not get discouraged so easily. I thought you were
+one of the kind who always looked on the bright side of things," said
+Marion in a cheerful tone.
+
+"Wall, dear, I do ginerally; but this has just keeled me right over, and
+I don't seem to know where I be. You see I haint got any one in the city
+as I ken call upon to help me. I don't know a soul in the place I could
+get to hunt her up. Sometimes I think I'll go down there; but where's
+the use? I should be like a hen with her head cut off in such a great,
+strange place as Boston."
+
+"Well, auntie, I'll try my best to help you. I tell you what I'll do:
+you give me Jemima's address, and I'll write to my mother, and get her
+to look her up. She has to go to those offices very often after
+servants, and like as not she might stumble right on her. Now cheer up,
+auntie, for I feel just as if we should find her;" and Marion passed her
+hand over Aunt Bettie's wrinkled forehead and gray hair as tenderly as
+if she were her own mother.
+
+Aunt Bettie looked at Marion with the tears still glistening in her
+eyes, and a sad smile on her face, as she said:--
+
+"Marion Berkley it aint every gal as would take so much trouble for an
+old creetur like me, even if she noticed I was sad and worried. You've
+comforted a poor, old woman who was most broken-hearted. May the Lord
+bless you for it, an' I know he will."
+
+Marion smiled up at the tender, old face that looked down at her, while
+her own flushed with pleasure at the words of commendation.
+
+It was a pity that there were no unobserved witnesses of the scene; for
+Marion Berkley, cold and haughty, apparently indifferent alike to the
+praise or blame of those around her, was a very different person from
+this gentle girl. Her whole soul was shining through her eyes; all her
+haughtiness, pride, and coldness had fallen from her, and she stood
+almost like one transfigured, her face beaming with the light which
+makes the plainest face seem almost divine,--that of pure, disinterested
+sympathy for the sufferings and troubles of a fellow-being.
+
+For a moment there was silence between the two, while the tears rolled
+down both of their cheeks; but Marion dashed hers away, as she exclaimed
+in a cheery voice:--
+
+"Come, auntie, it is getting late, and I must be off; so get me the
+address, please."
+
+"To be sure, child! How thoughtless I be! I'll get it for yer right
+away;" and Aunt Bettie went into the house with something of her usual
+briskness, and returning, brought out a scrap of paper, on which was
+written in a stiff, cramped, school-boy hand this direction:--
+
+    "MISS JEMIMA DOBBS,
+    _In Kare of Mis Benson_,
+    Number 22 Eest Crorfud Street,
+    Boston."
+
+Marion could hardly repress a smile of amusement at the remarkable
+orthography; but remembering that in Aunt Bettie's eyes it was a perfect
+monument to the glory of her son Jabe, she made no comments, and folding
+it up, tucked it carefully away in her purse. Then, with a bright,
+encouraging smile, she said good-by to Aunt Bettie, and hurried off down
+the road.
+
+It was much later than she thought, and as the days were rapidly growing
+shorter, it was quite dusk, and the girls were entirely out of sight and
+hearing.
+
+But her thoughts kept her company on her long walk, and all the way home
+she was turning over in her mind the probabilities and improbabilities
+of her mother's being able to find the young, unknown country girl in a
+large city like Boston.
+
+Miss Christine had begun to feel quite anxious about her by the time she
+arrived, and Florence met her in the hall with a hearty caress, to which
+she responded with her old warmth.
+
+"Why, you dear, old thing!" exclaimed Florence; "what has kept you so
+long? It must have been forlorn walking home at this hour."
+
+"Oh, I did not mind it; I had something to think of," replied Marion, as
+she pulled off her muddy rubbers before going upstairs. "I'll tell you
+by and by; I must run up and get ready for supper."
+
+That night, after they got to bed, Marion gave Florence a synopsis of
+her conversation with Aunt Bettie, and told her of her plan of writing
+to her mother for assistance.
+
+"Well," said Florence, "I think it was real good of you to think of it.
+What a queer girl you are! I knew we didn't have quite as jolly a time
+as usual up there, but I never noticed there was anything the matter
+with Aunt Bettie; and if I had I don't believe it would have occurred
+to me to go back and comfort her. O Marion!"--and she threw her arm over
+her friend's shoulder,--"how much good there is in you! Why won't you
+let it all come out?"
+
+"I don't think there was anything particularly good in that. You see
+there was no virtue in my being kind to the poor, old thing, because I
+could not help it. If there had been any hateful feelings to overcome,
+or any wounded pride to interfere, I probably should not have done it."
+
+"I'm not so sure of that, Marion. You do conquer yourself sometimes."
+
+"Not often, dear," Marion replied, with a little, nervous, forced laugh.
+"It is too much trouble. Good-night, I must go to sleep."
+
+But it was long before sleep came to Marion. She laid perfectly still,
+so as not to disturb Florence, but the small hours found her still
+awake. She had been for some time thoroughly dissatisfied with herself,
+and the thought that she had been of some comfort to any one was indeed
+pleasant to her; but she would not attribute to herself credit that did
+not belong to her.
+
+It was just as she had said to Florence; she could not help being kind
+to the poor old woman in her trouble; she had obeyed the promptings of
+her naturally warm heart. It had been an impulsive action, not one in
+which a disagreeable duty had been plainly pointed out for her to
+follow; and she determinedly put aside all feeling of self-satisfaction.
+She knew that if Rachel Drayton had made a similar appeal to her
+kindness and sympathy, her heart would have been resolutely closed
+against her, and she would not have spoken a single encouraging word.
+
+This thought thrust itself upon her again and again. She tried to put it
+from her, but it was no use; she could not evade it. She told herself
+that she was ridiculously conscientious; that this girl had no claims
+upon her; and that she had done all that Miss Christine asked of her;
+treated Rachel politely and courteously; but she knew that her
+politeness had been cold and formal, and her courtesy less kindly than
+she would bestow upon a beggar at the door. But she said to herself,
+Florence makes up for all my deficiencies. This bitter thought, in
+various forms, had rankled in her breast day and night. She had often
+said that nothing could ever make her jealous of Florence; their
+affection had been too lasting, too much a part of themselves, for
+either to suspect the other of inconstancy; and now she was the first to
+doubt.
+
+But the last words of Florence, as they talked that night, came back to
+her, and she remembered the fond embrace and the earnestness of her
+voice as she besought her to act her real self.
+
+Should she doubt that generous heart, that had shown its love for her in
+a thousand ways, because, when it was appealed to by a fatherless,
+motherless girl, it had responded with all the warmth of its true,
+generous nature?
+
+No, she could not do it; she felt that it was only another reason for
+loving her more, and tears of shame and sorrow filled her eyes, as,
+bending over in the darkness, she pressed a kiss upon the lips of her
+sleeping companion.
+
+Her unjust suspicion of her friend vanquished and conquered forever, her
+thoughts gradually wandered back to Aunt Bettie, and with her mind full
+of plans and projects in her behalf, she at last fell asleep.
+
+
+
+
+CHAPTER VIII.
+
+AT CHURCH.
+
+
+Sunday morning came bright and clear, but very cold, and many of the
+girls made their appearance in the library, shaking and shivering, as if
+they had never before experienced a northern winter.
+
+"Gracious me!" exclaimed Sarah Brown, "I'm almost frozen. My room is as
+cold as a barn! My cheeks are as blue as a razor, and my nose looks like
+a great cranberry. Do let me get near the fire, Georgie; you're keeping
+the heat off of every one."
+
+Georgie made way for her, quietly remarking, as she did so:--
+
+"Well, Sarah, I must say the cold is not very becoming to your style of
+beauty; your nose and hair together ought to heat this room."
+
+"You needn't say anything, Miss Graham; you're not so killing handsome
+yourself that you can afford to make fun of others!" hotly retorted
+Sarah.
+
+It was a notable fact that these two could never come together without a
+passage-at-arms. Grace's quietly hateful remarks always excited Sarah to
+a most unmitigated degree, and she could not seem to learn by experience
+that the only way to silence her was to take no notice of them; and
+their disputes were often great sources of amusement to the other girls.
+
+Georgie, tall and rather distingué-looking, although not pretty, with
+her quietly assured manner even when she knew herself beaten, and her
+hypocritically soft tones, was almost always more than a match for
+Sarah, who never could hide her feelings no matter what they were and
+who always retorted as sharply and spitefully as she could. She was a
+warm-hearted little thing, as honest and true as she was impulsive, and
+Georgie's quiet, deliberate hatefulness was more than she could bear.
+
+If there was one subject on which Sarah was more sensitive than another
+it was her hair. It was a rich, reddish-yellow; very thick, long and
+curling, and any artist would have looked upon it with admiration; but
+it was the bane of Sarah's existence. When she was a little girl it had
+been really red, but time had softened its shade, and many a Parisian
+belle might have envied Sarah its possession. Sarah could see no beauty
+in it, for at home she was often greeted by the name of "carrot-top,"
+and "little red hen;" and once when she got into a very excited argument
+with her brother, and stood shaking her head at him with the long curls
+which she then wore, flying about her shoulders, he had run out of the
+room, shouting as he got well out of reach:--
+
+"I say, Sal! how much would you charge to stand on Boston common nights,
+and light the city? Your head would save all the expense of gas!"
+
+You may be pretty sure it did not take Georgie Graham long to find out
+Sarah's weakness, and so the poor child's bane was still kept before her
+even at school, where there were no troublesome brothers.
+
+She resolutely brushed out her long curls, and braided them into soft,
+heavy braids, winding them round and round at the back of her head until
+it looked like a great golden bee-hive; but she could not keep the front
+from rippling into soft, delicate waves; or the short hairs from
+twisting themselves into numberless little curls, which all the
+crimping-pins and hot slate-pencils in the world could not imitate. This
+hair which Georgie Graham so affected to despise was in reality a great
+object of her admiration, and she would have gladly exchanged it, with
+its usual accompaniments of glowing cheeks and scarlet lips, for her own
+sallow skin and scanty, drabbish-brown locks. But I have made a
+digression; let us return to our group in the library.
+
+"What are you two quarrelling about this lovely Sunday morning?" asked
+Florence Stevenson as she and Marion came into the room together.
+
+"Oh, we were not quarrelling," replied Georgie. "Sarah was only
+remarking that her cheeks were as blue as razors and her nose like a
+cranberry, and I agreed with her,--that was all."
+
+"Yes," exclaimed Sarah, "and I told you you weren't killing handsome,
+and I dare say you agreed with me, though you didn't say so. But there
+is one thing certain, if the cold makes frights of both of us, it makes
+Marion look like a beauty!" and Sarah's eyes sparkled mischievously.
+
+Georgie only shrugged her shoulders and elevated her eyebrows, as she
+replied, "Chacun à son gout."
+
+"But it doesn't happen to be your "gout," does it, Georgie?"
+good-naturedly replied Marion, who knew very well that Sarah's
+admiration of herself was thus publicly exhibited solely for the sake of
+annoying Georgie.
+
+"Come, girls, let's declare peace, or at least a 'cessation of
+hostilities;' it's a shame to commence the day with quarrels;" and
+Florence knelt down on the rug between the two girls, looking up at them
+with a smile that it would have been hard for any one to have resisted.
+
+Directly after this Miss Stiefbach entered, and all were quiet as she
+read the morning prayers, and they joined in the responses.
+
+By ten o'clock the girls, with the exception of Julia Thayer, whose
+throat was still troubling her, and Grace Minton, who was suffering from
+a sick headache, were on their way to church. They did not walk in a
+regular procession like so many convicts on their way to prison, but
+each chose her own companion, and the walk was enlivened with pleasant
+conversation. It so chanced that Marion and Georgie Graham were
+together, not by choice of either party, but because they both happened
+to come downstairs a little late, and the others had already got into
+the street as they came out the front door. Florence Stevenson, Miss
+Christine, and Rachel Drayton were all walking together, and Georgie,
+observing this, thought it would be an excellent opportunity for making
+Marion thoroughly uncomfortable.
+
+"It seems to me," she began, "you and Florence are not quite so fond of
+each other as you used to be; or is it that she is not so fond of you?"
+
+"I don't think there is any difference on either side," quietly replied
+Marion, determined not to lose her temper, or be led into saying cutting
+things of which she would have to repent.
+
+"Oh, if you think so, I suppose it is all right; but I don't believe
+there's a girl in the school who hasn't noticed how Florence has left
+you to run after Rachel Drayton."
+
+Marion resolutely kept silence, and Georgie, thinking that her shots had
+not taken effect, continued: "I don't see what there is about that girl,
+I'm sure, to make Flo fancy her so much; she certainly isn't pretty, and
+she's awfully lackadaisical."
+
+"I think she is very pretty," replied Marion; "and the reason she seems
+lackadaisical is because she is not strong."
+
+"I thought you did not like her," said Georgie, "you certainly have not
+troubled yourself much to entertain her."
+
+"I do not see as that is any reason why I should not think her pretty,
+or why I should not see that she is quiet, because she is not only weak,
+but very homesick and sad."
+
+"Why, really, Marion, I had not any idea you had taken enough notice of
+her to see all that. What a farce you must have been acting all this
+time, to seem so indifferent when you were _really_ so deeply
+interested!"
+
+"If that is so, Georgie," replied Marion, as she looked her companion
+steadily in the face, "I have been a better actress than you, for you
+play your part so badly that the little boys in the amphitheatre might
+see into the plot in the first act. I advise you to try another rôle."
+
+Georgie opened her eyes in pretended astonishment; but she knew very
+well what Marion meant, and that her intentions of tormenting her
+companion were fully understood. But that fact did not prevent her from
+saying in a gently insinuating tone: "Now, Marion, don't be provoked,
+but _don't_ you think that Florence is rather turning the cold shoulder
+on you?"
+
+"No, Miss Graham, I do not," emphatically replied Marion, and for at
+least five minutes Georgie said nothing. "I wonder!" she at last
+exclaimed, "if Rachel Drayton is rich. I think she must be, for although
+there is no style to her clothes, and she is of course very
+dowdy-looking, still everything she has is made of the most expensive
+material, and you know nice mourning costs awfully. Just look at her
+vail now; see how long it is, and of the heaviest crépe; but she looks
+like a ghost under it! I don't believe but what she is rich."
+
+"Well, Georgie," replied Marion, with the slightest possible curve of
+her lip, "I can satisfy you on that point. She _is quite_ well off; her
+father left about two millions, and with the exception of a few legacies
+of two or three hundred thousand or so, mere trifles to her, she will
+have it all; you see she is pretty well provided for."
+
+"Two millions!" exclaimed Georgie, startled out of her usual composure;
+"two millions! why, I hadn't any idea of it."
+
+"No, I thought not," dryly replied Marion.
+
+"But, Marion, are you sure? How did you know it?"
+
+"I heard Miss Stiefbach tell Miss Christine so the day Miss Drayton came
+here."
+
+"And you've known it all this time!" ejaculated Georgie, who could not
+get over her astonishment.
+
+"Yes," replied Marion, "I've known it all this time, and actually
+haven't toadied her yet; aren't you surprised?" and Marion's voice had,
+by this time, assumed its most coolly sarcastic tones, and her eyes
+flashed scorn and indignation upon her bewildered companion.
+
+"I wonder if Florence Stevenson knew it. I suppose of course she did,"
+musingly remarked Georgie.
+
+"No, she did not," sharply retorted Marion; "and she doesn't know it
+now, I'm sure."
+
+"Well, I don't know what to make of it!" replied Georgie in an annoyed
+tone; "an heiress in school and no one to know it!"
+
+"Don't you think her prettier than when you first saw her?" exclaimed
+Marion, in such cutting, sarcastic tones that even Georgie winced; "and
+her pale face, I'm sure you think there is something very distingué
+about that, set off by her 'heavy, expensive crépe;' and then I know you
+must think that there is something decidedly aristocratic about her
+'lackadaisical' manner;" and Marion gave a little bitter laugh,
+expressing quite as much scorn as her words.
+
+At that moment, they entered the church porch, and Georgie made no
+reply, only too glad of an excuse for silence.
+
+Miss Stiefbach's scholars occupied the first six pews from the front;
+three on each side of the broad aisle. Miss Stiefbach sat at the head of
+one, with five of the youngest girls, and Miss Christine, on the
+opposite side, also had some of the smaller girls with her, while the
+rest of the scholars occupied the pews in front of their teachers.
+
+As Marion entered the church, and the girls quietly took their places
+and knelt in prayer, the solemn stillness of the place struck painfully
+upon her. She could not so soon shake off all outward impressions, and
+the cutting words which had passed her lips, just as she entered that
+holy place, were still ringing in her ears.
+
+She had risen that morning, her mind still filled with the pleasant
+thoughts which had lulled her to sleep, and with good resolutions for
+the future. She felt glad that it was Sunday, for she thought she was in
+the mood to be benefited by the sacred influences of the day.
+
+But where now were her good resolutions? She had yielded to the first
+temptation; she had broken the vows made on her knees that morning, and
+she was utterly disheartened and discouraged.
+
+She knelt with the rest, her head bowed as if in prayer, but her mind in
+a wild confusion of anger, shame, and remorse; but the anger died,
+leaving nothing but the saddest, most wretched thoughts of all; the
+sense of utter failure; of continued shortcomings, of broken resolutions
+and disregarded vows, made sacred by the time and place of their
+utterance.
+
+She thought she was wicked because she could not pray, because her
+thoughts would not become composed, quiet, and peaceful, like the place
+and hour, and she knelt on, her hands clasped tightly together, and her
+head pressed down into them, the only cry that could silently shape
+itself into words, breaking from her heart in very agony of doubt and
+despair: "O God, help me! O God, save me from myself!"
+
+And who shall say that it was not enough? That that cry, coming from the
+depths of a heart distressed, remorseful and repentant for errors that
+to many would seem but trifles, did not reach the ear of Him who,
+bending in mercy and love, sees into the hearts of all; reads the very
+secrets of their souls; and to all who sincerely put their faith in Him
+surely, sooner or later, sends them His consolation and peace? As the
+others rose from their knees Marion was recalled to herself, and rising
+with the rest, she opened her prayer-book and joined in the service,
+which had just then commenced.
+
+Mrs. Berkley had requested, when Marion entered Miss Stiefbach's school,
+that no sectarian influences should be brought to bear upon her
+daughter's mind. She wished that her child should follow her own
+inclinations and the dictates of her own conscience in religious
+matters, for she understood her well enough to know that she would not
+blindly follow any faith without first feeling sure that she clearly
+comprehended and sincerely believed all that its doctrines taught. The
+influences which of course continually surrounded, although in a quiet,
+unobtrusive way, were not without their effect. She loved the service of
+Miss Stiefbach's church, and joined in it heartily. It seemed to her
+that it brought her nearer to God if she knelt the first thing when she
+entered the church and asked his blessing on her head. Not that silent,
+heartfelt prayers could not be uttered anywhere and in any position; but
+it seemed to her as if there, on her knees, in the place sacredly
+dedicated to his worship. God did not seem so far off--as if she could
+more earnestly and fervently supplicate him.
+
+There was much in the service which she could not believe and accept as
+it was intended it should be accepted; but she interpreted it as her own
+heart dictated. The greater part, however, she believed and repeated
+with reverence, and a feeling which could never come to her in her own
+church; for there the intense simplicity and almost business-like manner
+of conducting the service, struck harshly upon her sensibilities; and
+she missed the participation in the prayers and responses which seemed
+to draw her out of herself, and raise her thoughts above their common
+level, even into the presence of the most High.
+
+But to-day the holy words, the prayers and selections had no power to
+calm her troubled spirit; she tried to fix her thoughts upon the sermon,
+and not let them wander to dwell upon her own troubles; but it was no
+use; her mind was still in bitter confusion when she left the church.
+
+As she went down the path, Georgie, who seemed to have forgotten her
+previous discomfiture, if not the subject of their conversation, joined
+her and began plying her with fresh questions about Rachel Drayton.
+Marion did her best to evade her remarks, but Georgie would not let her
+alone, until, thoroughly exasperated and provoked beyond endurance, she
+exclaimed shortly:--
+
+"Georgie, I do wish you'd hold your tongue! I'm sick of your questions;
+do let me alone!"
+
+"Dear me!" replied Miss Georgie, "you were very communicative this
+morning; but it's not very strange that you should be rather annoyed,
+considering Rachel has taken your best friend away."
+
+An angry retort rose to Marion's lips, but she controlled herself
+sufficiently to keep from uttering it; although the expression of her
+face warned Georgie that she had said quite enough, and the two
+continued their walk in silence.
+
+Having received permission from Miss Stiefbach, Marion set off
+immediately after dinner for the All Saints' church, and as the services
+began a half hour before St. Mark's she had her walk all to herself; nor
+was she sorry for this, for she did not feel like talking to any one.
+
+She was early; hardly any one was in the church, and without waiting for
+the sexton to show her into a pew, she took the very front one, knowing
+that it was almost always unoccupied. The hymns were read by the
+clergyman of the parish; a good, earnest man, and one who in the homes
+of the poor, and by the bedsides of the suffering and dying was often
+seen, and most sincerely loved; but he had not the gift of preaching; he
+rarely made his sermons go home to the hearts of his hearers, and Marion
+felt disappointed when she saw him; she had hoped to hear some one else.
+
+Her surprise and pleasure was great, when Mr. More stepped forward and
+announced that Mr. B., who had been pastor of that church fifteen years
+before, would preach for them that day.
+
+The minister came forward, and bowing his head, remained for a moment in
+silent prayer; when he lifted it again Marion felt as if she had seen
+the face of an angel, so holy, peaceful, and patient was its expression.
+He was a very old man; his hair hung long and white about his shoulders;
+and as the beams of the afternoon's sun fell upon it, it gleamed with a
+light which was almost unearthly, spiritualizing and sanctifying that
+beautiful old face, until it seemed to many as if he were speaking to
+them from the very gates of heaven. His sermon was short but impressive;
+the gentle pathos of his voice, and the earnestness of his manner, were
+felt by all who heard him. Bending over the pulpit as he closed his
+discourse, his voice fell into a soft, musical cadence, which though
+very low reached the most remote recesses of the church, and stretching
+out his arms as if he would have taken each one by the hand and led them
+to the haven where he had found rest and peace, he exclaimed, or rather
+entreated:--
+
+"O my friends! look down into your own hearts, and read each one of you
+what is written there; pride, wilfulness, sin in many forms. Man's
+greatest enemy is self. But who has said, 'He that conquereth himself is
+greater than he that taketh a city'?--Jesus! Jesus the Saviour, who came
+to wash out all our sins; to give us strength for the struggles and
+trials which come to us all; to teach us patience, humility, and
+charity.
+
+"Each one in this world, young or old, has his sorrows to bear; his
+temptations to resist; his victories to gain; and to each one it seems
+sometimes as if everything was darkness and desolation; the blackness of
+night surrounds them on every side; darkness! darkness everywhere! no
+light, no hope, no guide. Look up, my friends! look up! not to the
+darkness; but above it, beyond it, to where Christ stands, ready, ay,
+more than ready. He comes to meet you, his eyes beaming with
+compassionate love, his hands outstretched. Grasp those hands, hold fast
+and firm; they, and they alone, can lead you through storm and darkness,
+through sorrow and fear; until kneeling at last in perfect peace and
+happiness you shall behold the face of your Father in heaven."
+
+Then followed the Lord's Prayer; but Marion could not take her eyes from
+that holy face. It seemed to her as if every word had been uttered for
+her alone; as if the speaker had looked down into the secrets of her
+heart and had tried to give her comfort and consolation.
+
+And this was partly true. As Mr. B. leaned forward and cast his eyes
+over the congregation they fell upon the face of that young girl,
+looking up at him with a longing, wistful, tearful glance that startled
+him. For many years he had been settled over a fashionable society in
+New York, where he often felt that the words he uttered were but as
+"seed sown by the wayside" or "on stony ground;" but there was no
+mistaking the earnestness of that face, over which was spread an
+expression which it pained him to see in one so young; for he knew that
+her trials, whatever they were, were but just begun, and thinking of the
+years of struggling that would probably come to her, his heart yearned
+over her in deepest sympathy. With the thought of her uppermost in his
+mind he gave out the closing hymn; two verses only. Marion had heard
+them often before, but their depth and meaning never came to her so
+fully as now:--
+
+    "Give to the winds thy fears;
+      Hope and be undismayed;
+    God hears thy sighs, and counts thy tears;
+      He shall lift up thy head.
+
+    "Through waves, through clouds and storms,
+      He gently clears thy way;
+    Wait thou his time, so shall the night
+      Soon end in glorious day."
+
+As the last notes of the choir died away, and Marion bowed her head to
+receive the benediction, she felt strengthened and encouraged; and a
+peace such as she had not known for months fell upon her heart.
+
+As she passed out of church she avoided meeting any one whom she knew,
+and hurried out of hearing of the remarks of various members of the
+congregation, who were commenting on the sermon in very much the same
+manner as if it had been a theatrical performance.
+
+Such expressions as, "Very fine sermon, wasn't it?--hit some of us
+pretty hard;" or "What a charming voice and manner! why, he really quite
+touched me!" made by different persons in a flippant, off-hand tone,
+jarred upon her ears, and she was thankful to leave them all behind.
+
+As she was about to cross the street, preparatory to turning off into
+the road which led to school, she stopped to allow a carriage to pass;
+as it reached her a gentleman leaned towards her, and looking up she met
+the eyes of the minister bent down upon her with an expression of the
+deepest interest.
+
+She never saw that face again; but the remembrance of it went with her
+through her whole life.
+
+
+
+
+CHAPTER IX.
+
+THE LETTER-BAG.
+
+
+Monday morning Marion sent a long letter to her mother, in which she
+gave a full account of her interview with Aunt Bettie; sent the address,
+and gave as accurate a description as she was able of Miss Jemima Dobbs
+herself.
+
+She waited anxiously for some days for an answer to her letter, and
+could hardly keep the thought of Aunt Bettie out of her head. Friday
+afternoon, when the postman came, she was the first to get to the door
+and take the bag from him. As she went with it into the library, the
+girls all crowded round her in eager expectation, while she stifled her
+own impatience and slowly unstrapped the bag, looking provokingly
+unconcerned, and quite regardless of the smiling, eager faces that were
+bent over her.
+
+"O Marion!" exclaimed Sarah Brown, "don't you see I'm dying to know if
+there's a letter for me? Do hurry up."
+
+"She doesn't expect a letter herself, so she doesn't care how long she
+keeps us waiting," sullenly remarked Mattie Denton; "she likes to
+torment us."
+
+"You're mistaken there, Mattie," replied Marion, with a teasing twinkle
+in her eyes, "for I do expect a letter; but I like 'linked sweetness,
+long drawn out,' you know. Hands off, girls!" as she slowly opened the
+mouth of the bag, and two or three arms were stretched out for the
+letters that filled it to the top; "hands off, I'm postman to-day, and I
+won't have my rights interfered with. Let me see,--number one; that's
+for Julia Thayer. Julia! where are you? Here, Fan, run upstairs and take
+it to her. Number two, Grace Minton. Here, Grace, virtue recognized and
+patience rewarded; you held your tongue, and see how well I've served
+you;" and Marion rattled on a string of nonsense as she took out the
+letters and handed them to their various owners.
+
+"Two letters and a pamphlet for Miss Stiefbach; one for Miss Christine;
+and whose is this great, fat one, I wonder, with a foreign stamp? Rachel
+Drayton, I do declare!" and she was about to add, "I'm glad she's got
+it;" but her habit of always treating Rachel with supreme indifference
+was too strong upon her, and she only remarked, "Here, who will take
+this letter up to Miss Drayton's room?"
+
+Georgie Graham came forward and offered her services. "I am going
+upstairs," she said; "I'll take it up to her."
+
+Marion handed it to her without speaking, but elevated her eyebrows in a
+very expressive way; but at that moment Rachel herself came into the
+room, and Georgie stepped forward and gave her the letter, saying in her
+sweetest tones:--
+
+"Ah, Rachel! are you here? Here is a letter for you, and I could not
+resist giving myself the pleasure of delivering it."
+
+Rachel took the letter with a delighted smile, and, thanking Georgie,
+ran upstairs that she might read it undisturbed; in the surprise and
+pleasure of receiving it she did not notice Georgie's unusually affable
+manner, or the astonished glances and expressive looks which passed
+between the other girls.
+
+Marion mentally remarked, "The two millions are taking effect; Georgie
+has begun to toady already."
+
+"Well, Marion, haven't you got a letter for me?" asked little Rose May,
+who had stood patiently by Marion's side, saying nothing, but looking
+longingly into the bag, the bottom of which was fast becoming visible.
+
+"You poor little thing, how good you have been!" and Marion bent down
+and kissed the expectant, little face. "I'll look over these in a jiffy,
+and we'll see if there isn't one for you. Susie Brastow, May Fowler,
+_Marion Berkley_, and--yes, here is yours, Rose,--Miss Rose May in great
+black letters."
+
+"Oh, it's from father! I'm so glad!" and Rose seated herself on the
+floor in the bow-window, and was soon oblivious to everything but the
+contents of her letter.
+
+"Here, Grace!" exclaimed Marion, as Grace Minton passed on her way into
+the drawing-room, "just take this and hang it on the nail; that's a good
+girl;" and she held the letter-bag towards her.
+
+"No, I thank you," laughingly replied Grace; "you're very anxious to be
+postmaster when it comes to taking out the letters, but the rest of the
+duties you want to shirk on to some one else; but I won't submit, I'm
+going to do my practising."
+
+"Oh, you unnatural, ungrateful girl!" replied Marion; "you have read
+your letter, and are not even thankful to me for giving it to you,
+almost the first one; and here I am perfectly wild to read mine.
+However," she exclaimed with martyr-like air, "it's only another proof
+of the total depravity of the human race."
+
+"No ingratitude, Marion; but you _know_ you always get some one to hang
+the bag up for you after _you_ have had the fun of taking out the
+letters, and I don't think it is fair."
+
+"Perfectly," replied Marion, as she hung the bag up in the vestibule,
+ready for the girls to make their various deposits, "perfectly; equal
+distribution of labor you know."
+
+"Equal humbug!" replied Grace, who could not help laughing.
+
+"O Grace!" called out Marion over the banisters, as Grace was about to
+turn into the drawing-room, "couldn't you find out what Georgie Graham
+is going to practise, for when she is in the school-room, playing
+Chopin's Polonaise, and you are in the drawing-room running the
+scales,--at least, to one who is not especially fond of 'close
+harmony,'--the effect is not so charming as it might be."
+
+Grace, whose musical powers were not very extensive, made up a face, and
+slammed the drawing-room door, and Marion rushed precipitately into her
+own room.
+
+"Don't sit down on that bed!" cried Florence; "don't you see I've got on
+the ruffled tidies?"
+
+"O you old maid!" retorted Marion; "you know there's no place I enjoy
+sitting to read my letters so much as on the bed. What possessed you to
+put on those tidies to-day?"
+
+"Why, Marion, we have been back more than seven weeks, and have not had
+them on yet. Now just see how nice they look."
+
+"They do look lovely, that's a fact;" replied Marion. "There's one thing
+your respected aunt knows how to do to perfection, and that is to quill
+ruffles. On the whole I'm glad you put them on; it will cure me of my
+horrible habit of bouncing down on the bed; consequently save me an
+innumerable amount of lectures, besides making our room look very
+distingué; three excellent reasons for keeping them on, so I'll content
+myself with our old seat."
+
+"Well, Mab, do tell me what your mother writes."
+
+"Why, I actually haven't had time to read it yet; there were crowds of
+letters, and I, like a little goose, took the bag. I do hope she has
+some good news of Jemima;" and Marion opened the letter and read it
+aloud:--
+
+     "BOSTON, Nov. 16th.
+
+     "MY DEAR MARION:--I was delighted to receive your letter, but
+     particularly so when I read it and found how much my dear daughter
+     was interesting herself for the good of others.
+
+     "I have just been obliged to change our parlor girl, Mary having
+     gone home to be with her invalid mother, and was preparing myself
+     for going the usual round of the intelligence offices, when your
+     letter came. The address which you sent (I presume it was not a
+     specimen of Miss Stiefbach's instruction) I took with me, for I had
+     never heard of Mrs. Benson's office, and doubted very much if I
+     should be able to find it.
+
+     "As events proved, I was right, for after having crossed the city
+     in every direction,--in cars, coaches and on foot,--I found that
+     the place must be in Crawford Street, East Boston, instead of East
+     Crawford Street, Boston; so I went to the East Boston ferry, and as
+     good luck would have it, there was a directory in the office, which
+     I looked over, and discovered that there was such a street, but
+     could find no Mrs. Benson; however, as the directory was an old
+     one, I did not trust to it, but crossed the ferry. I found the
+     street without any difficulty; but when I came to No. 22, behold,
+     it was occupied by a barber! I must say, I was discouraged; but
+     upon going in and making inquiries, I found that Mrs. Benson had
+     formerly occupied the store, but, as the colored gentleman informed
+     me, 'she had removed to Boston, thinking that the crowded
+     metropolis would afford her a better opportunity of carrying on her
+     business, so as to render it more lucrative.' He was so extremely
+     affable and polite, that I almost felt it my duty to sit down and
+     have all my hair cut off; but I contented myself with buying a new
+     kind of crimping-pin, which he assured me was the same as those
+     used by Her Royal Highness the Empress Eugénie. Of course I
+     believed him, and the crimping-pins will be ready for you when you
+     come home at Christmas. But to return to my story; Mr. Ambrose St.
+     Leger (don't be frightened, Marion, that is only the barber) gave
+     me minute directions how to find Mrs. Benson's office, and I came
+     back to the city, thankful to have some clue, however indirect it
+     might be. I found the office without any difficulty, and Mrs.
+     Benson, being of course very anxious to work herself into the good
+     graces of a Boston lady, was extremely loquacious and obliging,
+     notwithstanding I was unable to suit myself there with a servant.
+     To make a long story short, she told me that she had received
+     several letters for a Jemima Dobbs, but as she had never had any
+     such girl in her office, after keeping them some time, she had
+     burned them up.
+
+     "I must say I felt extremely disheartened, for I thought that if I
+     found the right woman she would certainly be able to tell me
+     something about Jemima Dobbs. She produced her books, and upon
+     looking over them I found the name of Arabella Dobbs. It seemed
+     ridiculous to think that could be the same person I wanted, but I
+     had an inward conviction that it was, and I have still; though
+     don't get elated yet. Mrs. Benson, who relies more upon her memory
+     than her book-keeping, says she is sure she got Arabella Dobbs a
+     place in East Boston several weeks ago, and she is going to write
+     to the lady, to find out if she is still there, and if she ever had
+     the name Jemima. I thanked her for the interest she had taken in
+     the case, and gave her my address, as she promised to send me word
+     the instant she received an answer to her letter.
+
+     "And now, my dear, that is all I have to tell you. Very
+     unsatisfactory I know it is; but I feel quite sure that Arabella
+     Dobbs and Jemima Dobbs are one and the same person, for it is very
+     seldom that one comes across a Yankee girl in these offices, and
+     Dobbs is a name one would not be likely to find there twice.
+
+     "You will be the best judge of what it is best to do about telling
+     Mrs. Dobbs what I have written to you; perhaps it will be better to
+     wait until you hear something more conclusive; but the suspense
+     must be terrible for her to bear, and it may be some consolation
+     for her to know there is some one interesting herself for her here.
+
+     "I will write just as soon as I hear from Mrs. Benson; and now, my
+     darling, I really have not another moment to spare you.
+
+     "Your father sends his usual stock of love, and ever so many
+     messages, which I could not remember if I tried; but they were all
+     very affectionate and so complimentary, that perhaps it is just as
+     well you should not hear them.
+
+     "Charlie is asleep, and Fred has not yet come in from baseball; so
+     you must content yourself with a whole heart-full of love from your
+     fond
+
+     "MAMMA."
+
+"Now, Flo, was there ever such a darling mamma as mine? I do think she
+is just perfection,--going all over Boston, and East Boston too, and
+never saying she was tired, or anything of the sort. I don't think there
+are many women that would do that; do you, Flo?"
+
+"No, I don't believe there are many like her; I think she is the
+loveliest woman I ever knew. But, Marion, I don't see as you have found
+out much about poor Jemima after all."
+
+"No, there is not much real, satisfactory information, that's a fact;
+but I _feel_ just as if that girl was the right one, and I know mamma
+must feel pretty sure of it too, or she would have waited for the answer
+to that letter before she wrote me. I shall go up to auntie's as soon as
+I can; but I'm afraid it won't be before Saturday, for you know
+to-morrow is English composition day, and next day French abstract, and
+I was so careless about mine last time that I really think I ought to
+lay myself out this week."
+
+"Indeed you ought, Marion," exclaimed Florence; "it's a shame that a
+girl who can write such compositions as you can, when you have a mind
+to, should hand in such a flat, silly thing as your last one was. I'm
+not complimentary, I know, but it's the truth; you know yourself it was
+horrible."
+
+"Yes, I know it was; and that is why I'm particularly anxious to have a
+good one this time; don't you see?"
+
+"But don't you think you will be able to get up to Aunt Bettie's before
+Saturday?" asked Florence; "it seems hard to keep her in suspense."
+
+"I really don't see how I can find time, and then I'm in hopes that if I
+wait, by that time the answer to that woman's letter will have come, and
+I shall hear something decisive from mamma."
+
+"Well, I think after all perhaps it will be better for you to wait until
+then. But do you know it is after four o'clock, and the girls have all
+got through practising? We ought to go down and try our duet."
+
+"Sure enough!" exclaimed Marion, springing up. "I don't know my part at
+all; haven't looked at the last two pages, and Mr. Stein comes
+to-morrow."
+
+"Oh, you read music so quickly, that you'll play your part better at
+sight than I shall after I've practised it a week. I wish I could read
+faster."
+
+"Don't wish it, Flo; it is very nice sometimes, but I don't think people
+who read easily ever play readily without their notes. Now for you to
+know a piece once is to know it always, with or without your notes,
+while I have to fairly pound it into my head."
+
+"There is more truth than poetry in that, I know," replied Florence, as
+the two went downstairs together, "for I have heard Aunt Sue complain of
+the same thing; nevertheless I wish I wasn't so awfully slow."
+
+But we will leave them to their music, and musical discussions, and
+hurry on with our story.
+
+
+
+
+CHAPTER X.
+
+MARION'S RIDE.
+
+
+Marion had no other letter from her mother during the week, and she was
+so busy the whole time with her studies, music, etc., that it was not
+until Saturday afternoon that she started on her errand.
+
+The weather had been unusually cold, and the previous night there had
+been quite a heavy fall of snow, which, notwithstanding it was now only
+the middle of November, still remained on the ground, and the thick,
+gray sky gave promise that there was yet more to come; indeed before
+Marion was fairly ready the flakes began to make their appearance, and
+came lazily down, as if they did not all relish being called out so
+early.
+
+But Marion did not mind wind or weather, and with her water-proof over
+her thick sack, the hood drawn up over her head, and her feet encased in
+rubbers, she set out for her long walk in the most excellent spirits.
+
+Florence went to the door with her and urged her to take an umbrella,
+but Marion laughed at the idea, saying, "It was only a little flurry and
+would be over in a minute;" but before she had reached Aunt Bettie's she
+wished she had taken Florence's advice, for the snow came down thicker
+and faster, beating against her face, and almost blinding her, so that
+it was with great difficulty that she could see her way, and it was at
+least an hour before she arrived at the farm-house.
+
+She went round to the back of the house, and without knocking lifted the
+latch of the door, and entered a sort of shed or unplastered room,
+which in summer was used as a kitchen, but which now served as a
+wood-shed.
+
+"Aunt Bettie," cried Marion, "are you there?" and she stamped her feet,
+and shook her clothes to get rid of the snow which covered her from head
+to foot.
+
+"For the goodness' sakes, who's that?" exclaimed Aunt Bettie as she
+jumped up from her seat by the kitchen fire, where she had fallen asleep
+over her knitting, and hurried into the outer room.
+
+"Why, it's only me, auntie, to be sure," said Marion.
+
+"Marion Berkley! well, did I ever! but massy me," as she took hold of
+Marion's water-proof, "you're as wet as a drownded rat; I'd no idee it
+snowed so hard!"
+
+"Oh, it's only wet on the outside; _I'm_ not wet a bit;" and Marion took
+off her water-proof and hung it over a chair to dry, pulling off her
+rubbers and placing them on the floor beside it; "but why don't you ask
+me what I came for, auntie?"
+
+"Wall, child, to tell the truth, I was so s'prised to see yer that I
+didn't think anything 'bout what yer come for, and I aint going to ask
+nuther, 'till you jist seat yourself in front o' that fire and toast
+them feet o' yourn. I never see sich a child! To think o' your startin'
+out sich weather's this to come and see me!"
+
+"It didn't snow much when I left school, and I hadn't the least idea it
+would be such a storm; it's so early, you know. Florence wanted me to
+bring an umbrella, but I wouldn't; I never will carry one if I can help
+it."
+
+"Wall, it is a reg'lar out-and-outer," exclaimed Aunt Bettie, as she
+stood peering through the window at the storm; "winter's sot in airly
+this time, an' no mistake. I tell you what," as she came back to the
+fire and seated herself beside Marion, "if you've come for anything
+pertickler, I guess you better tell it right away, fur it won't do fur
+you to stop long, it gathers so."
+
+"Well, I did come for something particular, auntie, but you must not
+expect too much;" and Marion, who saw that Aunt Bettie was unusually
+excited, notwithstanding she tried to appear composed, laid her hand on
+her arm in a soothing, caressing way. "It is only a little bit of
+comfort for you, not any real hope, except that you will perhaps feel
+encouraged to know that you have friends in the city looking for your
+daughter, and although I do not know anything certain about her, I think
+mamma has got hold of some clue. But I'll read you what she says; you
+know I promised to write her, and I did, and this is her answer."
+
+Aunt Bettie signed for Marion to go on; she was too much moved to speak,
+although her emotion was caused quite as much by gratitude as anxiety,
+for she had waited so long, and up to this time in such perfect silence,
+that hope had almost died out within her, and she really did not expect
+any joyful tidings.
+
+At the conclusion of the letter Marion looked up, almost dreading to
+meet Aunt Bettie's glance, feeling sure that it must be one of
+disappointment; but, contrary to her expectations, the good woman's face
+was positively beaming through her tears, as she exclaimed in an almost
+joyful tone:--
+
+"The Lord bless you, Miss Marion, and your mother too, for you're a pair
+of Christians if there ever was one! I'm jist sure that that Arabella
+Dobbs is my Jemimy; an' I'll tell yer why I think so. Yer see the gal
+that set my darter up to goin' to Boston used to visit some o' her
+kinfolk down in the village, an' that's how she and Jemimy got
+acquainted; she put it into my gal's head that _Jemimy_ was an awful
+country kind of a name,--her own was Belindy,--and she always called
+her Arabella, an' jist as like as not Jemimy was fool enough to go an'
+give _that_ as her name. I declare she orter been ashamed of herself!"
+and Mrs. Dobbs' indignation so far got the better of her grief, that if
+Miss Jemimy had been there in the flesh it is quite probable she would
+have received at least a good scolding.
+
+"Why, auntie, if that is so," replied Marion, "I've no doubt it's the
+same girl; but how do you suppose she happened to go to East Boston
+instead of Boston?"
+
+"Oh, like's not that Belindy Beers lived in East Boston, and jist said
+Boston 'cause she thought 'twas smarter. I never could bear that gal
+anyhow, an' if it hadn't been for her my darter'd been here now."
+
+"Well, you know I haven't really found her yet," said Marion, who was
+afraid that Aunt Bettie's ire had caused her to lose sight of that fact;
+"we only have some _probability_ of finding out where she is."
+
+"I know, dear, I know all that, but I do feel better; it does seem as if
+there couldn't be two sich good creeturs as you an' your mother doin'
+your best to help me, and no good to come of it. 'T any rate I aint
+goin' to despond any more; it's like flyin' in the face o' Providence,
+and until I hear wus news I shall jist hope for the best."
+
+"Aunt Bettie, I'm glad enough to hear you say so; I _can't_ help feeling
+very hopeful myself, and I'm glad you can feel the same."
+
+"Well, child, I think it's the right way arter all; 'taint my nater
+usually to be very despondent, but somehow I got entirely discouraged;
+but _I should_ be an ungrateful woman enough if I didn't thank you over
+and over again. I can't speak it all, but I feel it jist the same."
+
+"Indeed, auntie, it is not me, but mamma, that you must thank. I have
+done nothing but write to her, and she has done all the work."
+
+"Yes, and how would she have known it, if it hadn't been for you? I
+thank her, the Lord knows I do, from the bottom of my heart, but it's
+all owin' to you, child, nevertheless. If you hadn't had quick eyes to
+see into my troubles, and a warm heart to put you up to helpin' me, what
+would she a' known about it? No, no, dear, you're the fust one I owe my
+thanks to, and whether I ever find Jemimy again or not, I shall always
+love you, and bless you for what you've done for me so long's I live."
+
+And Marion knew that Aunt Bettie meant every word she said, and she did
+not again try to alter her opinion. It was pleasant indeed to know that
+there was any one who could have such a high regard for her; and with a
+warmth about her heart which it was pleasant to feel, and a light in her
+eyes which it would certainly have done any one good to see, she sat
+talking with Mrs. Dobbs, both of them oblivious to the fact that time
+was fast slipping away, until, upon looking up, Marion was astonished to
+see that it was long after four o'clock.
+
+"Why, auntie!" she exclaimed, "see how dark it is growing; we've been
+talking nearly an hour. I must hurry off this minute, or I shall be
+frightened to death before I get home."
+
+"Why, sure enough, it's most five o'clock! I'd no idee of it. But massy
+sakes!" cried Aunt Bettie as she went to the window, "jest come here and
+look out! Why, you can't walk home in this snow nohow; why, it's up to
+your ankles! I never see snow gather so quick in my life."
+
+Marion went to the window, and took a survey of the scene. It certainly
+did not look very promising. The snow had gathered so rapidly that the
+roads were covered several inches deep, and darkness appeared to be fast
+approaching. Marion looked decidedly troubled; but there was no help for
+it; go she must; for she knew that Miss Stiefbach would be very much
+worried about her; so putting on as good a face as possible she said:--
+
+"Well, auntie, I haven't a moment to spare; it is really quite dark, and
+it will take me longer to go than it did to come;" and Marion was
+hurrying out of the room to get her water-proof when Aunt Bettie caught
+hold of her:--
+
+"You jest set down in that cheer, and don't you stir out of it till I
+tell yer you may! Do you s'pose I'm goin' to send you home afoot when
+it's sich walkin's this? No; not if my name's Sarey Ann Dobbs. You jest
+wait, and you shall have one sleigh-ride this year if you don't ever get
+another."
+
+"Aunt Bettie, what do you mean?" exclaimed Marion.
+
+"You jest wait, and you'll see what I mean." Auntie went into the outer
+room, and opening the door shouted at the very top of her lungs in a
+shrill, high key: "Jabe! Jabe Dobbs, be you there?" but Jabe did not
+respond to the maternal call. "Jabe! Ja-a-a-be!" Then in an undertone,
+"Plague take that boy! he's the laziest creetur I ever did see!"
+
+Presently there came a reply from one of the outside sheds in a slow,
+drawling voice; very much as if the owner of it had heard the first
+summons, but was not in a great hurry to heed it:--
+
+"H-e-r-e!"
+
+"Wall, come in this minit, and don't keep me standin' here holdin' this
+door open any longer!"
+
+In a few moments, but in what seemed to Marion almost an eternity, heavy
+steps were heard on the flagstone, and directly after, a youth of about
+sixteen made his appearance in the door-way, and slowly knocking the
+snow off his boots, asked in the same drawling tone:--
+
+"What do yer want?"
+
+"You come inside, and I'll tell yer," replied his mother.
+
+"Well, yer might o'--" but catching sight of Marion his head went down,
+and Jabe stood sheepishly twirling his hat in his hands, shuffling from
+one foot to the other, apparently too bashful for speech.
+
+"Don't stan' there twirlin' yer hat, and lookin' like a great idiot, but
+jest step round and be spry. Did you get down the big sleigh t'other day
+when I told yer to?"
+
+Jabe nodded assent.
+
+"Well, it's a wonder! Now you go out and tackle up Shadrack as quick as
+ever you can, and hev him round to the door, less'n no time; no
+shillyshallyin!"
+
+"What shall I put him into arter I get him tackled?" asked the hopeful
+youth, with a momentary glance at Marion from under his shaggy eyebrows.
+
+"Why, put him into the sleigh, to be sure; what'd you s'pose?"
+
+"Well, you didn't tell me, an' I didn't know but p'r'aps she was goin'
+to ride him," replied Jabe, with another glance at Marion, which almost
+upset her gravity.
+
+"You didn't think any such a thing, and you know you didn't! You're to
+drive Miss Marion back to school, and you jest hurry out; and don't let
+the grass grow under yer feet either!"
+
+"Aint much danger," replied Jabe, as he shuffled off; "it's most through
+sproutin' fur this year, and 'taint quite ready fur next."
+
+"Now, Miss Marion, did you _ever_ see sech a boy as that?" exclaimed
+Aunt Bettie in righteous indignation; "he worries my life out of me!"
+
+"What is the matter with him?" asked Marion, who was intensely amused at
+the ridiculous-looking object she had just seen, and his comical,
+awkward ways; "there doesn't seem to be anything very bad about him."
+
+"Bad! of course there isn't, but he _is_ so powerful slow! There's no
+doin' nothin' with him; he's too lazy to work, and he's too lazy to
+study. But there's one thing, he's honest as he ken be, and I rally do
+think he does set consid'rable store by me; though he _does_ try my
+patience awfully."
+
+"Of course he thinks a great deal of you," replied Marion; "he's just at
+a lazy age now. I dare say he'll get over it, and prove a great comfort
+to you one of these days."
+
+"Oh, he's a comfort now, in a sort of a way. He's stiddy enough; but
+laws! he's too lazy to be anything else."
+
+"He'll wake up yet, auntie, see if he doesn't. There's a twinkle in his
+eyes that shows he's nobody's fool."
+
+"Oh, I never supposed he was quite as bad's that; but he haint found his
+niche yet; when he does I s'pose he'll fit into it as tight as a
+pertater does its skin."
+
+In much shorter time than Marion had expected, judging from what she had
+seen of Jabe's activity, the jingle of bells was heard, and directly
+after, the musical voice of Mrs. Dobbs' young hopeful called out:--
+
+"I'm ready if you be!"
+
+Aunt Bettie opened the door, her face positively radiant with smiles and
+the pleasure she felt at being able to give Marion a ride.
+
+As Marion's eyes beheld the equipage that stood ready for her use, it
+must be confessed that her first sensation was anything but agreeable.
+In common with most girls of her age, and I might say with girls
+considerably older than herself, she had a great admiration for handsome
+horses, elegant carriages, and a driver in keeping with the rest of the
+establishment.
+
+Certainly no one could say, however, that her driver was not perfectly
+in keeping with the establishment of which he evidently felt extremely
+proud; for he sat on the front seat, holding the reins in both hands, as
+if poor Shadrack was a four-in-hand team, or at least a tandem with a
+very refractory leader.
+
+The sleigh itself was of such peculiar structure, that it would have
+been almost impossible to have decided at what ancient period it must
+have been made. In shape, it most resembled that elegant vehicle
+commonly known as a "pung," excepting that it boasted of two seats, and
+a back that nearly reached the top of Marion's head. Its color was a
+beautiful pea-green, ornamented with various scrolls and devices in
+bright yellow, which might have been a combination of the paternal and
+maternal crests of Jabe's ancestors, but looked wonderfully like
+squash-vines.
+
+Around old Shadrack's neck was hung a string of iron bells about the
+size of small cannon-balls, which jingled most melodiously every time he
+moved. But Marion's good sense would not allow her to yield to any
+feeling of mortification which she might feel at the idea of appearing
+at school in such a turn-out. She only thought of Aunt Bettie's kindness
+in ordering out her old horse on such an unprecedented occasion; and
+thanking her warmly and sincerely for her thoughtfulness, she stepped
+into the sleigh and was driven off by Jabe, who flourished the whip over
+Shadrack's ears, quite regardless of his mother's warning, "not to let
+the critter trot fast, 'cause 'twas heavy haulin'; the snow was so
+soggy."
+
+For some time they jogged along, the silence only broken by the
+monotonous jingle of the bells. It had stopped snowing, and the sky was
+quite bright in the west, making it much lighter than it was earlier in
+the afternoon; touching up the trees with a rosy light, and casting a
+soft glow on the fields, as they passed along.
+
+Marion forgot everything else in the pleasure of watching the fading
+light, and was quite oblivious to the existence of Jabe, until she was
+roused from her silent observations by a mild "ger-lang!" which reminded
+her that it certainly was her duty to make herself agreeable to her
+escort.
+
+She hardly knew what to say to him, but she ventured to remark "that the
+horse did not look as if he was worked very hard."
+
+"Worked hard!" exclaimed Jabe. "Lord, he don't know what work is! I just
+wish I had as easy a time as Shadrack."
+
+"What in the world did you name him Shadrack for?" exclaimed Marion.
+
+"Me!" replied Jabe, turning round slowly and looking at Marion out of
+the corner of his eye, "'twant none o' my doin's, 'twas father's; he
+allus liked something different from anybody else, and that time I think
+he hit it."
+
+"Yes, I think he did," replied Marion, smiling in spite of herself; then
+in a soberer tone she asked, "Do you remember your father, Jabe?"
+
+"No, he died 'fore I was two years old."
+
+"Don't you wish he could have lived?"
+
+"Well now, that depends on circumstances," replied Jabe in a
+deliberating tone; "if he was such a fellow for work as the marm, I
+can't say as I _should_ be very particular 'bout havin' him round."
+
+"Why, Jabe Dobbs!" exclaimed Marion, striving to conceal her laughter,
+"aren't you ashamed of yourself? I dare say it would be better for you,
+if your mother made you work a great deal harder than she does."
+
+"O Lord! Miss Marion!" cried Jabe, in the most horrified tone, but with
+a twinkle in his eyes which Marion fully appreciated; "if she did I
+couldn't live nohow. You see, work and I don't hitch hosses; we weren't
+meant to go 'longside the same pole; and if one of us has got to stan'
+still, I think it might's well be me, and let _work_ go."
+
+At this Marion laughed outright, but not a muscle of his face did Jabe
+move, and if it had not been for that sly twinkle in his eye when he
+lifted it to Marion's face one would have thought he was solving some
+weighty problem.
+
+He sat round sideways, one leg on the seat, and the reins now hanging
+loosely in his hands, as Shadrack jogged lazily on, while he was
+evidently highly pleased and flattered by Marion's attention.
+
+"Well, Jabe," continued Marion, "perhaps, if you don't like to work, you
+like to study. Do you ever go to school?"
+
+"I went last winter by spells, an' I s'pose I shall go this winter too."
+
+"Do you like it?" asked Marion; "what do you like best,--spelling?"
+
+"Spelling," repeated Jabe, in a ruminating tone,--"spelling, no, I don't
+like it much, that is, I don't like it the way they larn you down there.
+I think p'r'aps if they'd let a feller follow his own fashion I might
+like it; but they put in so many letters that there aint no kind o'
+sense in havin', that it jest confuses me, an' so I ginerally spells
+accordin' to fancy."
+
+"O Jabe!" replied Marion, "that will never do in the world; but perhaps
+you like arithmetic better."
+
+"'Rithmetic!" and Jabe fairly dropped the reins and struck an emphatic
+blow on his knee, as he exclaimed again: "'rithmetic! I tell you _there_
+you got me. If there is anything I do hate on the face o' this airth,
+it's 'rithmetic! Spellin's bad enough, but 'rithmetic's wus. When you
+set me to doin' a sum it's jest like the feller that had to go through
+the drill for the whole regiment; he got on fust-rate till they told him
+to go form a holler-square; but he said _that_ 'wrenched him awfully.'"
+
+"O Jabe! Jabe!" cried Marion, now fairly convulsed with laughter, "I am
+afraid you will never make much of a scholar anyway. But, indeed, you
+ought to try and do better; just think what a comfort you might be to
+your mother, if you would only----But stop the horse, stop the horse a
+minute; I've got an idea!"
+
+Jabe drew up the reins with a sudden jerk, and looked at Marion as if
+she had scattered every idea he ever possessed.
+
+"You jump out!" she exclaimed; "no, you needn't do that; just help me
+over on to the front seat, and then you climb on to the back. I'm going
+to drive up to school in style."
+
+Jabe dropped the reins, and did as he was told, with a very bewildered
+expression on his great, round face, as he looked at Marion very much as
+if he doubted her sanity; but she went on talking very fast as she
+tucked in the almost worn-out robe, and took the reins in her hands.
+
+"Don't you see, we're almost to the school, and everybody will be on the
+lookout for me; so I want to dash up to the door in very stunning
+fashion. Now sit up straight; fold your arms; hold your head
+up;--so,--that's it; you're my tiger; that means the groom, boy, you
+know, who sits behind when the gentleman drives. Now, when I stop the
+horse, you jump out just as quick as ever you can and rush to his head,
+as if you thought he wouldn't stand still long enough for me to get
+out. Do you understand?"
+
+"Yes," replied Jabe, who sat as straight as a ramrod, his eyes twinkling
+under his bushy, fur cap, and his mouth stretched from ear to ear. If he
+didn't love work, he certainly did a good joke, and he entered fully
+into the spirit of the thing.
+
+"Well, now, keep sober, and don't forget what I told you."
+
+Marion braced her feet against the dasher; threw back her shoulders;
+extended her arms at full length, and gave poor old Shadrack such a
+tremendous "cut" with the whip that he sprang forward as if forty fiends
+were after him; but Marion was used to driving, and only flourished the
+old wooden-handled ox-whip, and urged him on the faster.
+
+Everything happened precisely as Marion wished. Of course Miss Stiefbach
+had become considerably alarmed at her long absence, and every one had
+come into the front of the house, and all were looking out for her,
+their faces pressed up against the window-panes as they crowded
+together.
+
+Just as Marion came in sight some one opened the front door; this was
+what she wanted. Giving the whip an extra flourish, and saying in an
+undertone to Jabe, "Be ready," she dashed up to the gate, and suddenly
+drew the reins up short. Poor Shadrack, being thus brought to a very
+unexpected stand-still, threw his head up in the air, and planted his
+fore feet straight out in front of him, in a most warlike attitude.
+Almost before they stopped Jabe sprang out and grasped the poor panting
+beast by the head, as Marion threw the reins down, and stepping to the
+ground exclaimed in a pompous tone, loud enough to be heard by those
+standing in the door-way, "Rub him down well, Thomas, and give him an
+extra measure of oats;" then, as she turned into the gate, "and Thomas,
+have the tandem at the door in the cutter, to-morrow-morning at ten."
+
+Jabe, not to be outdone, touched his hat, sprang on to the seat, and
+whisked Shadrack round and up the road, at a pace that would have made
+his mother hold up her hands in holy horror.
+
+"Why, Marion Berkley, where _have_ you been?" exclaimed a chorus of
+voices, Miss Stiefbach's actually among the number.
+
+"I've been taking an airing on the Western Avenue. How do you like my
+turn-out? Neat but not gaudy, isn't it?"
+
+"Well, Marion, I don't know what you will do next," said Miss Christine;
+"but where have you really been?"
+
+"Marion, I must ask you to give a strict account of yourself," said Miss
+Stiefbach, who, now that she had recovered from her unusual surprise and
+alarm, was her own stately self again. Whereupon Marion gave a brief and
+satisfactory history of her afternoon's expedition, embellishing it with
+sundry remarks and expressions of her own, which rendered it highly
+entertaining to her younger hearers; and I might say to all but Miss
+Stiefbach, for Miss Christine joined heartily in the general laugh at
+Marion's first sleigh-ride of the season.
+
+
+
+
+CHAPTER XI.
+
+LA SOIRÉE MUSICALE.
+
+
+"Girls! what do you think's up?" exclaimed Sarah Brown, as she bounced
+into the library one afternoon. "Miss Stiefbach and Mr. Stein have just
+been having a long confab in the 'secret-chamber,' and they came out
+just as I passed the door, and I heard Miss 'Stiffy' say, 'Yes, I knew
+you would prefer Friday, so I ventured to invite them without seeing you
+again; as yet the young ladies know nothing about it!' Now _I_ should
+like to knew what in the world _it_ is."
+
+"Well, so should I!" exclaimed Julia Thayer. "What can she mean;
+'invited them,' and 'the young ladies know nothing about it.' She must
+be going to give a party."
+
+"Yes, that's it, you may be sure," said Marion; "she's going to give a
+party, and she and Mr. Stein are going to lead the German. Won't they
+look well dancing the 'deux-temps' together?"
+
+"O Marion, how perfectly ridiculous!" laughed Florence. "You know she
+can't be going to have a party; but what can it mean?"
+
+"Are you sure you heard right, Sallie?" asked Grace Minton. "Why didn't
+you break your shoe-string and stop to tie it up; or do something or
+other to keep you there long enough to get something a little more
+satisfactory?"
+
+"Why, I couldn't hang round the hall listening to what they said, could
+I? But I know there is to be something going on here Friday; see if
+there isn't."
+
+"Yes, and Miss Stiefbach isn't going to say anything about it to us
+until the last moment, because she thinks our heads will be full of it,"
+ejaculated Marion. "I've a great mind to ask her myself."
+
+"If I was in the habit of betting, I would bet you anything that I know
+all about it," remarked Georgie Graham, who had kept silent while the
+other girls were making their comments.
+
+"Oh, what is it?" asked Marion; "my principles and my purse too will
+stand a pound of candy."
+
+"And I another," cried Sarah.
+
+"Not so fast," replied Georgie. "I said _if_ I was in the habit of
+betting, but I never bet; it is very unladylike."
+
+"Granted!" cried Marion; "but please reserve your lecture for another
+time, and out with your secret."
+
+"I really don't know as I _ought_ to tell," said Georgie, as she counted
+the stitches on her canvas in a provokingly cool way. "I knew it by
+accident, and that is the reason I haven't spoken of it before."
+
+"Oh, if you got possession of it in the same way you have of several
+other secrets here, I don't blame you for not wanting to tell of it,"
+retorted Sarah.
+
+"I don't know what you mean to insinuate, Sarah; but I heard of this
+entirely by accident two weeks ago to-morrow," replied Georgie in the
+same unmoved tone. "I was in the anteroom looking over an exercise which
+monsieur wanted me to correct, when I heard Mr. Stein and Miss Stiefbach
+talking together in very low tones in the school-room. Of course it did
+not occur to me that there could be anything private in what they were
+saying, or I should have let them know I was there"--("Of course,"
+laconically remarked Marion)--"but when they had got through their
+conversation Miss Stiefbach said, 'We will say nothing about it to any
+one, as I wish it should remain a secret for the present;'--so I said
+nothing."
+
+"Well, don't you _intend_ to say anything?" cried Sarah Brown; "now that
+we know there is something going on, don't you intend to tell us what it
+is?"
+
+"I really don't think it would be very honorable in me," rejoined
+Georgie, thoroughly enjoying her important position.
+
+"Don't trouble her, Sarah; we all know what her conscientious scruples
+are. It would be a pity to have them disturbed," remarked Marion in a
+cutting, sarcastic tone. "I can tell you what it all means in five
+seconds."
+
+"What is it?--tell us, do!" cried all, with the exception of Georgie.
+
+"Miss Stiefbach intends to have some sort of a musical spread next
+Friday, and we girls have got to play."
+
+"How did you know it?" exclaimed Georgie, thoroughly off her guard.
+
+"I didn't take your method of finding it out, you may be sure," replied
+Marion. "I never heard a word about it before this afternoon; but if you
+put two and two together they generally make four, that's all."
+
+"What do you mean by putting 'two and two together'?" impatiently asked
+Julia Thayer.
+
+"Why, just this!" replied Marion. "Does Mr. Stein have an earthly thing
+to do with this school except to give us music-lessons? and is there
+anything that Miss Stiefbach could be getting up with him, that
+concerned the 'young ladies' that didn't have something to do with our
+music? and would she be inviting people here when it was convenient to
+_him_ if it wasn't that they are going to give a musicale, and he is
+going to make us play? So there you've got the whole matter; I don't
+think it required much brilliancy to see that."
+
+"Well, I _never_ should have thought of it!" exclaimed Sarah.
+
+"Nor I either," said Florence. "But don't you think it is awfully mean
+not to have let us known anything about it beforehand, so that we might
+have had time to practise?"
+
+"I presume Mr. Stein has been secretly drilling us for it this long
+time, though we poor, unconscious victims didn't suspect it," replied
+Marion. "But there's Georgie, she has the advantage of us; she has
+probably decided what she is going to play, and has learned it
+perfectly." But there was no reply from Georgie as she had discreetly
+left the room.
+
+"Oh, isn't she sly?" exclaimed Grace Minton.
+
+"Sly! sly isn't the word for it," put in Sarah Brown in her most
+energetic tones; "she ought to have been named Foxy Graham!"
+
+"Well, there's one thing certain," said Grace Minton, "I shan't have to
+play; I thank my stars for that!"
+
+"I wonder who will play," said Florence. "Georgie Graham of course;
+Julia; and you Mab; and I rather guess I shall have to. Well, I don't
+much care, I don't believe there will be many here, and I think it's
+time I learned to play before strangers."
+
+"I don't know how I shall ever get on in the world," cried Marion in a
+despairing tone; "that is about the only thing I never could do."
+
+"And I think it is so strange," remarked Julia Thayer; "for you see so
+much company at home, and always seem so self-possessed wherever you
+are, that it does seem queer that you are afraid to play before people."
+
+"I know it. I dare say every one thinks it is all affectation," replied
+Marion, "for I know you all think I've got assurance enough to do most
+anything; but it is the honest truth, that I'm frightened half to death
+whenever I sit down to play to any one; and if I get along well at this
+affair of Miss Stiefbach's, it will be nothing but my _will_ that
+carries me through."
+
+"So you mean to play, do you?" asked Georgie Graham, who at this
+juncture suddenly made her appearance in the room.
+
+"Yes, I mean to play if I'm asked, and I suppose I shall be, because I
+think I ought. I am determined to overcome this ridiculous nervousness,
+even if it is at the expense of fifty mortifying failures before I do
+it; so, girls, look out and prepare yourselves for a public disgrace;
+for of _course_ there is not one of you who would not take it quite to
+heart if I should break down."
+
+"Well," replied Sarah Brown in the most energetic tone (Sarah almost
+always spoke in italics), "I know I for one should feel dreadfully;
+though of _course_ I can't answer for some of the rest of us;" and she
+cast a meaning glance at Georgie.
+
+"I'm sure, Marion, I _hope_ you won't fail," said Georgie as she picked
+up her work, her ostensible reason for coming back, and left the room.
+
+"I know one thing," exclaimed Sarah; "if that girl kept a list of all
+the lies she tells in a week, white and black; she'd use up all the
+letter-paper there is in the town."
+
+"O Sallie!" laughed Florence, "you're too severe. I'm afraid you don't
+entertain a Christian spirit towards Georgie."
+
+"I don't, and I don't pretend to!" answered Sarah. "I never did like
+her, and I never shall; she's always saying something to aggravate me."
+
+"But she didn't say anything to you then," said Julia Thayer, with a
+mischievous twinkle in her eyes; "she was only _hoping_ that Marion
+would not break down."
+
+"Yes, and a lot she hoped it!" excitedly replied Sarah; "there's
+nothing would suit her better than to have Mab make a regular failure of
+it; and I just wanted to let her know I thought so."
+
+"Now, Sarah," said Marion, in a half-laughing, half-serious tone, "don't
+you trouble yourself to fight my battles. I think I am quite equal to it
+myself; besides, you'll have your hands full to look after your own
+squabbles."
+
+"There's ingratitude for you!" said Grace Minton. "If I were you,
+Sallie, I never would trouble myself about her again; she doesn't
+deserve such a champion."
+
+"Oh, I don't mind what she says," replied Sarah, good-naturedly; "she
+can't make me hold my tongue, and I shall say just what I've a mind to,
+to that Georgie Graham, so long as she keeps on tormenting me."
+
+That evening the whole school was informed that on the following Friday
+Miss Stiefbach was to give a soirée musicale, at which ten of the
+scholars were to perform.
+
+These were Marion Berkley, Florence Stevenson, Alice Howard, Mattie
+Denton, Julia Thayer, Georgie Graham, Susie Snelling, Kate Brastow, and,
+to the surprise of every one, little Rose May and Fannie Thayer.
+
+Of course nothing was talked of that week out of study hours, but the
+soirée, and great indignation was expressed by most of the performers
+that they had not been allowed more time to prepare themselves. But Mr.
+Stein knew what he was about; he wished the musicale to be as much as
+was possible an impromptu affair, as it was not his idea to make an
+exhibition of the skill of his pupils, but to accustom them to play with
+ease and self-possession before strangers. He gave his pupils a list of
+their names in the order in which they were to play, selected from the
+music belonging to each girl several pieces, from which she was to
+choose one, exercising her own taste and judgment; decided himself upon
+the duets he wished performed, and then informed them that his part in
+the matter was ended; from that moment he was to be nothing but a
+spectator.
+
+"But, Mr. Stein," exclaimed one, "just _please_ tell me, can I play this
+well enough?" and then from a second, "O Mr. Stein, _would_ you play
+this?" and "Oh, I never can play _any_ of these before any one!" from a
+third, and many other exclamations and lamentations were poured upon
+him; but he only held up his hands in a deprecating way. "Now, young
+ladies, do not, do not, I beg of you, ask me another question! I
+consider that you know any one of the pieces which I have laid aside for
+you to choose from sufficiently well to play anywhere; it only remains
+for you to decide which one you will play. Now, good-by until Friday;
+you will not see me until then, when I shall not come as your teacher,
+but as an invited guest, to have my ears delighted with the sweet sounds
+which I shall expect to hear from that instrument;" and with a profound
+bow the old German made his exit.
+
+But, notwithstanding his apparent unconcern as to the result of this new
+whim of his, Mr. Stein was really quite excited about it; several of his
+pupils at Miss Stiefbach's he considered were quite remarkable for their
+age, and he looked forward to the coming musicale with a feeling of
+pride not unmixed with fear, lest some of his favorites should fail to
+do themselves credit.
+
+Marion had noticed that for two weeks before the secret was generally
+known Georgie Graham had practised Chopin's Polonaise in A, every day,
+but since the whole school had been informed of the musicale she had
+only heard her play it twice. This induced her to think that Georgie,
+taking advantage of the knowledge which she had surreptitiously gained,
+had chosen that piece for Friday night, and having nearly perfected
+herself in it, was avoiding practising it, so that none of the girls
+might suspect what she intended to play.
+
+Marion would not have been likely to have thought of this, if she had
+not taken the Polonaise about the same time that Georgie had, and had
+often remarked that she thought Georgie played it better than anything
+else, and very much better than she did herself. Remembering this, and
+knowing that Georgie would be particularly anxious to excel her in the
+eyes of the whole school, and before invited guests, she felt perfectly
+confident that Chopin's Polonaise was the piece she had chosen.
+
+Now Georgie had certainly done everything she could to make Marion
+thoroughly uncomfortable ever since they had been back at school, and
+Marion had been actually longing for an opportunity to revenge herself.
+Here was the opportunity. The soirée was to open with a duet by Mattie
+Denton and Julia Thayer; then a solo by Florence, followed by a song
+from Alice Howard; then a piano solo from Marion, and after her Georgie
+Graham. This precedence over Georgie gave Marion the opportunity which
+she could not resist. She would play the Polonaise herself, thus forcing
+Georgie to choose another piece almost without a moment's notice.
+
+Do not despise her, my friends; she was very much like other girls, and
+had a natural desire to punish Georgie for all the mean, petty
+annoyances to which she had been subjected at her hands. A very wrong
+desire, I grant you, and one for which she blamed herself very much; but
+she had it, and consequently as a faithful chronicler I must write it.
+
+But do not for a moment suppose that she intended publicly to disgrace
+her school-mate; nothing of the kind; she knew that Georgie was
+perfectly capable, and perfectly willing to play any of her music before
+no matter how many strangers. She only wanted to provoke her, and spoil
+her nicely arranged plan of playing a very difficult and very brilliant
+piece of music, better than any of the other girls would be able to
+play, as they had not had the advantages of practising expressly for the
+occasion which she had taken. She was not at all jealous of Georgie, for
+although they were generally considered the rival pianists of the
+establishment, the rivalry was entirely on Georgie's side.
+
+Many might say that they played equally well, but the few who truly
+loved music for its own sake missed something in Georgie's playing which
+they found in Marion's.
+
+The secret was this: Georgie played from a love of the admiration and
+praise she received, and from an ambitious resolution she had made when
+a little child, that no one she knew should play better than she did
+herself. Consequently every one was struck with the accuracy and
+rapidity of her execution, and the brilliancy of her touch in all
+difficult music; but in more quiet pieces,--pieces that required that
+the soul of the performer should thrill through every chord, and vibrate
+with every touch of the piano, that the full depth and beauty of their
+perfect harmony might be conveyed to the listener's ear,--then it was
+that Georgie's playing seemed cold and mechanical, while that of Marion
+seemed an interpretation of the purest ideas of the composer.
+
+Friday afternoon came at last. Throughout the house the two pianos had
+been going at almost every hour in the day; early and late, before
+breakfast and after supper, might be heard duets, solos, and songs,
+until those scholars who were not to perform at the musical soirée
+declared themselves thoroughly disgusted with the whole affair, and
+hoped Miss Stiefbach would never have another.
+
+This afternoon, however, no one was allowed to go near the piano, and
+every girl was obliged to learn her lessons for Monday, and take her
+usual amount of exercise, notwithstanding that they had all begged and
+entreated to be permitted to give their last moments to music. Miss
+Stiefbach was obdurate and held her ground, for she knew the girls were
+all very much excited, and that nothing but a strict attention to other
+things would sufficiently calm them to enable them to play at all, that
+night.
+
+But just before tea excitement reigned supreme. To be sure it was
+divided and subdivided by being confined to the various rooms where the
+scholars were dressing themselves for the evening; still, if an entire
+stranger had walked through the lower part of the house where everything
+was quiet, and no one was to be seen except Miss Christine, who was
+arranging some beautiful flowers that had mysteriously made their
+appearance that afternoon, he would have felt perfectly sure that some
+event of an unusual and highly interesting nature was about to take
+place. As a rule all the scholars dressed very plainly, for Miss
+Stiefbach's motto regarding dress which she endeavored to instill into
+the youthful minds about her was, "Neatness, not display."
+
+But notwithstanding the fact that ordinarily all finery was eschewed,
+almost every girl had stowed away in her trunk at least one dress a
+little more elaborate than the rest of her wardrobe; a set of pretty
+jewelry, or handsome ribbons, "in case anything should happen;" and now
+something was actually going to happen; the dull routine of school-life
+was to be broken in upon, and consequently the little vanities of this
+world would have a chance to air themselves.
+
+"To friz, or not to friz! that is the question!" exclaimed Marion, as
+she turned from her looking-glass and appealed to Florence, who was
+buttoning her best-fitting cloth boots.
+
+"Why, friz of course; you know it's the most becoming."
+
+"Oh, I know that well enough; but you see I was too sleepy to put it up
+last night, and now I shall have to do it with hot slate-pencil, and
+it's the ruination of the hair."
+
+"I guess it won't hurt it for just this once, and this is certainly a
+great occasion," answered Florence; "what are you going to wear on
+it,--cherry?"
+
+"Oh, no! that lovely gold band you gave me; it just suits my dress, and
+lights up beautifully. I like to wear only one color when I can."
+
+"That is all very well for you to say (these boots are _rayther_ snug),
+because you're a blonde, and look well in plain colors; but I'm such a
+darkey that nothing but red and yellow suits me," said Florence.
+
+"So much the better. I don't think there is anything handsomer than a
+rich orange or a bright scarlet, and sometimes a little of both is just
+the thing. There! how does that look?" continued Marion, as she put the
+last hair-pin in her back braids, gave an extra touch to the gleaming
+waves of her front hair, and straightened the narrow gold satin band
+which ran through them.
+
+"Perfectly lovely!" enthusiastically cried Florence; "you've got it just
+high enough without being a bit too high, and those crimps are heavenly!
+Now put on your dress; I want to see the whole effect before I get
+myself up."
+
+"I don't think it is quite long enough, do you?" asked Marion, in a
+doubtful tone, as she shook out the folds of a rich Irish poplin, and
+threw it over her head; "it is so awfully hard to get a dress just
+the right length, when you are not old enough for a train, and too old
+to have it up to your knees! But there! how's that?" and she turned for
+her friend's final verdict.
+
+"Lovely! just lovely! That is the prettiest shade of green I _ever_ saw;
+and _such_ a poplin! Where did you get it?"
+
+"Uncle George brought it to me from Ireland; wasn't it good of him? But
+come, Florence, you really must hurry; I expect the tea-bell will ring
+any minute; it's a blessed thing Miss Stiefbach put tea off half an
+hour, or we should never have been dressed beforehand. O Flo! what a
+stunning dress! I never saw it before."
+
+"_Do_ you like it? I didn't show it to you, for I was afraid you would
+think it was terribly niggery; but I saw it in Chandler's window, and
+just walked in and bought it without saying boo to auntie, and it really
+is quite becoming to me, I'm so black."
+
+"Becoming! I should think it was; I never saw you look so well in
+anything in your life. If the thing had been made for you it couldn't
+have suited your style better, and that Roman-gold jewelry is just right
+for it; in fact, as mademoiselle used to say, you are decidedly 'comme
+il faut.'"
+
+The two girls certainly made a charming picture as they stood together,
+each interested and eager that the other should look her best.
+
+Marion's beautiful hair fell slightly over her forehead in soft, curling
+waves, seeming even lighter and brighter than ever, and making the
+contrast with her dark eyes and eyebrows all the more marked. Her fair
+skin and glowing cheeks were set off to advantage by the rich green
+dress she wore, which, though simply trimmed and in keeping with her
+years, was very handsome.
+
+It would have been hard to choose between the two, for each in her own
+style was certainly very lovely.
+
+Florence's hair was drawn off from her low, broad forehead, as she
+always wore it, and she had nothing on it but a tiny gilt band, like a
+golden thread encircling her head; which, though she did not know it,
+was a perfect Clytie in contour. Her dress was a French poplin, the
+ground a rich blue, while all over it, at regular intervals, were
+embroidered singularly odd-shaped figures in the brightest-colored
+silks, giving it a peculiar, piquante appearance, and perfectly suiting
+the wearer's brunette beauty.
+
+Perhaps I have given too much time and space to dress; but parents and
+guardians may skip the above passage, as it is written expressly for
+young girls, who, I know from personal experience, are very naturally
+interested in such matters.
+
+The hour at last arrived. The grand-piano stood between the
+folding-doors which separated the two large parlors; in the back room
+was Miss Christine, surrounded by all the school, and in the front sat
+Miss Stiefbach and the invited guests, about twenty in number, all of
+them refined, cultivated persons, many of them quite severe musical
+critics.
+
+Mr. Stein fluttered from one room to the other, trying hard to appear
+unconcerned; but I doubt if any of his pupils were in a greater state of
+excitement than he. It had been an undecided question whether or no he
+should stand by the piano and turn over the music; but the majority
+concluded that he would only make them more nervous, so he retired to
+the back of the front parlor, in a position where he could command a
+view of every note in the key-board.
+
+M. Béranger made his appearance at an early hour, and declared his
+intention of sitting with Miss Christine, to help her preserve order.
+She remonstrated with him, telling him he could hear the music to much
+better advantage in the other room; but nevertheless, when the company
+was all seated, and silence reigned supreme preparatory to the opening
+duet, M. Béranger quietly ensconced himself in the back parlor.
+
+The fatal moment had at last arrived; the musicale was about to
+commence.
+
+Marion sat through the first duet, trying hard not to think of herself,
+and to listen to the music; but she heard nothing but a confusion of
+sounds, the beating of her own heart sounding loudest of all. Florence's
+piece she did enjoy, and joined heartily in the applause which followed
+its 'finale,' and gave her friend's hand a congratulatory squeeze, as
+she came back to the seat beside her. But in a very few moments Alice
+Howard's song was ended, and as the murmurs of approbation died away,
+Marion took her seat at the piano.
+
+To all outward appearance she was calm and self-possessed, and with a
+strong effort she summoned her almost indomitable will to her aid and
+struck the first chords clearly and decisively. Through the first two
+pages everything went well; but just as she was about to turn over her
+music, she missed one or two notes with her left hand. No one who was
+not perfectly familiar with every bar of the music would have noticed
+the omission; but to Marion it seemed as if she had made a terrible
+discord. Her forced composure left her, and all her nervousness came
+back again; she turned over hastily; the music slipped from her fingers
+and fell to the keys; she grasped it blindly with both hands, but the
+loose sheets fluttered to the floor, and confused, embarrassed, and
+mortified almost beyond endurance; she stooped to pick them up, amid a
+silence which was unbroken, save by Miss Stiefbach, who said in cold,
+hard tones:--
+
+"Miss Berkley, do not attempt to repeat your piece; such carelessness is
+unpardonable."
+
+The hot blood rushed to Marion's face; then as suddenly receded, leaving
+it deathly white. She rose from the piano, and with a firm step and
+untrembling lips walked quietly to her seat. But although externally she
+was so calm as to appear almost indifferent, her mind was in a state of
+the wildest excitement. The air immediately about her seemed filled with
+a confusion of sounds, rushing, whirring, whirling about her; while the
+dead silence of the room seemed to take palpable shape and weight,
+crushing upon her, until she felt as if she must rush from the room to
+break through the unbearable stillness, or scream aloud to silence the
+imaginary sounds that were ringing in her ears.
+
+But she did neither; she sat quietly in her seat, the object of stealthy
+but almost general scrutiny. Some of the girls looked at her with
+pitying, sympathizing eyes; those who did not like her exchanged glances
+of satisfaction; but all refrained from speaking to her, or otherwise
+showing their sympathy,--all but Florence; she slipped her hand into her
+friend's, and there it remained for the rest of the evening.
+
+When Marion first struck the piano, and Georgie Graham saw what she was
+about to play, her rage and indignation knew no bounds; but when the
+music fell, and Marion stood mortified, and, as she thought, disgraced
+in the eyes of every one, her spirits rose to a most unparalleled
+height, and elated and radiant with satisfaction she took her seat at
+the piano, and played the Polonaise almost faultlessly; better than she
+had ever played it before.
+
+With the exception of Marion, all the pupils acquitted themselves with a
+great deal of credit; but for a while her failure seemed to cast a
+slight shadow over the evening's enjoyment; for her beauty, and the
+heroic manner with which she had borne her disgrace, aggravated as it
+was by Miss Stiefbach's very unnecessary rebuke, had won for her the
+admiration of all the guests, most of whom were entire strangers to her.
+
+After the close of the musicale, as pupils and guests were mingling
+together, and the room was noisy with animated conversation, Miss
+Christine went up to Marion, who was standing in a retired corner of the
+room talking to M. Béranger, and taking her hand said:--
+
+"Marion, now that we are apparently unobserved I must tell you how sorry
+I was that Miss Stiefbach should have spoken so severely to you. I am
+sure she was not aware how unkind it seemed; she did not intend to hurt
+your feelings, and probably thought from your apparent calmness that you
+were really not at all nervous, and that dropping your music was nothing
+but carelessness and want of interest."
+
+Marion made no reply, her lips seemed glued together, and Miss Christine
+continued:--
+
+"I was surprised that Georgie should have played the Polonaise. I rarely
+speak of the faults of one girl to another, and perhaps I ought not now,
+but I must say, I did not think I had a scholar who would be so unkind
+as to choose a piece she knew one of her companions had chosen."
+
+The rebuke intended for Georgie struck directly home to Marion. She had
+been struggling with herself ever since Miss Christine had stood there,
+knowing that she ought, before the evening was over, to tell her teacher
+the unworthy part she had acted; now every sense of honor and justice
+compelled her to do so. But directly beside her stood M. Béranger, and
+her pride rebelled at being again disgraced in his eyes, for his
+kindness and forbearance, ever since their first lesson, had won for
+him her sincere esteem and regard. The struggle was severe, but
+momentary, for raising her eyes to Miss Christine, she said:--
+
+"It was a very contemptible thing, Miss Christine; nothing but an
+intense desire for revenge could have induced me to select a piece I
+knew Georgie had previously chosen."
+
+"You, Marion!" exclaimed Miss Christine; nothing else, just that
+exclamation; but the tone of her voice cut Marion more deeply than any
+harsh rebuke could have done.
+
+"Yes, Miss Christine, I chose it, knowing that Georgie had practised it
+on purpose to play it to-night. I thought as I was to play first I
+should be able to disconcert her. I am heartily ashamed of myself; my
+disgrace was nothing but what I deserved."
+
+For a moment there was silence. Miss Christine was shocked to find
+Marion could have done such a thing. Sarcastic, haughty, disagreeable to
+her companions in many ways, she had known her to be, but mean never;
+she could not understand it.
+
+If she had known the disgraceful part Georgie had really taken in the
+affair; if she had heard of the eaves-dropping of which she had been
+guilty in the school-room, to punish which had been quite as great an
+inducement for Marion's conduct as a desire for revenge, she would have
+felt very differently; but of that Marion said nothing. But Miss
+Christine was too kind-hearted, and understood her pupil too well to
+speak sternly to her; besides, she knew it must have cost Marion a
+severe struggle to exonerate Georgie at the expense of herself, and
+doubly so in the presence of M. Béranger. In fact, when the first shock
+of surprise had passed off, she felt that the nobleness of Marion's
+expiation had atoned for her fault, and she could not help thinking that
+there were many girls in the school who would have held their tongues,
+and been only too glad to thrust the blame on to one who was so
+intensely disagreeable to them.
+
+These thoughts flashed through Miss Christine's mind in a moment, and
+holding out her hand, she said in her kindest tones;--
+
+"My dear Marion, I am sure this is the last time you will ever do
+anything so unworthy of yourself."
+
+Marion's only reply was a warm pressure of that dear hand, as she turned
+and left the room.
+
+"Do you not judge Mlle. Berkley too hasteelie?" whispered M. Béranger.
+"There is something behind all this, which you do not yet perceive. I
+feel verie sure that Mees Georgie do know more tan she do tell."
+
+
+
+
+CHAPTER XII.
+
+SARAH BROWN SPEAKS HER MIND.
+
+
+"Now where do you suppose they came from, Marion? I don't know of any
+one round here who has a conservatory; they must have come from
+Springfield. Who could have sent them?" asked Sarah Brown.
+
+"I'm sure I don't know; aren't they lovely?" replied Marion; "but here
+comes Miss Christine,--let's ask her. Miss Christine," she said, turning
+round quickly as her teacher entered the room, "who sent you these
+lovely flowers yesterday?"
+
+Miss Christine started at the abrupt, point-blank question, and looked a
+trifle confused:--
+
+"Why, really, Marion, I--that is,--M. Béranger sent them here; but, as
+the box had no address, I presume they were for the benefit of the whole
+school. I certainly did not intend to monopolize them."
+
+"No, of course you didn't, you dear old Christian!" exclaimed Marion
+with the affectionate familiarity she often used towards her teacher;
+"of course you didn't; and as they were meant for all of us, you won't
+mind it a bit if I appropriate this little sprig of geranium, and do
+just as I've a mind to with it, now will you?"
+
+"No, I don't think I could refuse that, although it does seem a pity to
+take it out of water. Why, Marion, what are you going to do with
+it?--put it in my hair! No, no, it's too pretty, and it will wither in
+such a little while; do take it out!"
+
+"No, I shan't do any such a thing. You gave it to me to do just what I
+chose with it, and I _choose_ to have it in your hair; so you must not
+take it out."
+
+"No, Miss Christine, don't!" exclaimed Sarah Brown. "You ought to keep
+it in, even if it's only to please Marion, for most girls would have
+stuck it in their own heads; but she never _says_ anything or _does_
+anything like most girls."
+
+"Hold your tongue, Sarah!" peremptorily replied Marion; "you don't know
+what you're talking about."
+
+"Yes, I do," replied Sarah, emphasizing every word with a shake of the
+head. "I know perfectly well what I am talking about, and you know I
+know it, and _I_ know I shan't know it much longer without letting
+somebody else know it; so there!"
+
+"Well, Sarah," said Miss Christine, who could not resist joining Marion
+in a hearty laugh at Sarah's excited and rather incoherent sentence, "if
+you and Marion know what you are talking about, that is certainly more
+than I can say, and as it is never polite to allude to a secret in the
+presence of a third party. I think I ought to be that somebody else,
+whom you are 'to let know it;'" and Miss Christine shook her head in
+laughing imitation of Sarah.
+
+"Well, I'll tell you one thing, Miss Christine; it's about Marion's--"
+
+"Sarah Brown, hold your tongue!" cried Marion, at the same time clapping
+her hand over Sarah's mouth.
+
+"Marion Berkley, I shan't!" cried Sarah, struggling to free herself, and
+gasping out at intervals broken sentences perfectly unintelligible to
+Miss Christine; then, as Marion loosed her hold, she shouted: "It's
+about Marion's break-down! there!"
+
+"Sarah Brown, you'll be sorry for this!" cried Marion, her eyes flashing
+with indignation.
+
+"Sarah! Marion!" exclaimed Miss Christine, looking from one to the
+other in utter amazement. "I don't understand you at all; what is this
+all about?"
+
+"She doesn't know what she is talking about, and I think she had better
+mind her own business!" exclaimed Marion.
+
+"I do know what I'm talking about, and it's just as much my business as
+it is any one else's; if it isn't, I'll make it so."
+
+"Girls! girls! you cannot think how you grieve and astonish me. Do you
+know how you are talking? Your language is unladylike in the extreme.
+But"--turning to Sarah--"even that is not so unpardonable as the
+thoughtlessness which could lead you to speak of Marion's failure last
+night, when you know it must be extremely unpleasant for her to have it
+alluded to in any way."
+
+"Miss Christine, it's too bad for you to speak so to me," cried Sarah,
+the tears now streaming down her cheeks, and her voice pitched to its
+most excited tones. "You know I just worship Marion, only she won't let
+me show it, and I never did an unkind thing to her in my life; but I
+told her I should tell about the Polonaise, and so I will; no one shall
+stop me!"
+
+"Sarah, you forget to whom you are speaking," quietly replied Miss
+Christine, adding as she glanced at Marion, and noticed that she stood
+with her lips tightly compressed, "If you have the affection for Marion
+which you profess, you will cease to speak of a subject which evidently
+annoys her."
+
+"Well, it has no business to annoy her, and I mean to tell every girl in
+the school," retorted Sarah, now fairly beside herself; and raising her
+voice until she fairly shouted, she called to the girls who were passing
+the door, on the way to the library, "Come in here, girls! come in here,
+every one of you! Yes, Georgie Graham, you too, I want you all. Now
+listen to what I've got to say. You all thought Marion Berkley ought to
+have been ashamed of herself to play the Polonaise when she knew Georgie
+was going to play it; and you were all glad she broke down, because
+almost all of you hate her, and are jealous of her because she's the
+handsomest, and the smartest, and the very best girl in the school every
+way; and because she doesn't say one thing to your back and another to
+your face, the way most of you do; but I'll tell you why she played it.
+She played it because that creature there--" pointing her finger at
+Georgie, who happened to be the central figure in the group of
+astonished listeners--"because that girl was in the anteroom
+_listening_, _eaves-dropping_, as she always is, and knew all about the
+musicale two weeks before any of us, and practised, and practised, by
+stealth, just for no other reason than to show off before company, and
+put Marion in the shade; and Marion played it just to punish Georgie for
+that and fifty other mean things she's done. I suppose you think it was
+hateful in Marion; but _I_ don't; I only just wish that for once she'd
+had a little of Georgie's _brass_,--for _she's_ got enough for every
+girl in the school,--and then she wouldn't have broken down. But I
+haven't done yet," exclaimed the excited girl, after stopping to take
+breath, "I haven't done yet; when Miss Christine told Marion how sorry
+she was that Georgie should have played the piece she had chosen, Marion
+told her the whole truth up and down. No, not the whole truth. She never
+told about Georgie's listening to Miss Stiefbach; no, not a word! She
+just told her she deserved to break down herself for having treated
+Georgie so unkindly; and there aren't a dozen girls in the school but
+what would have told on another to save herself. Now, who do you think
+was the mean one, I should like to know?" and Sarah glanced round the
+room with an air of triumph; then as suddenly changing her expression
+to one of contempt, she exclaimed, "You needn't say anything. I know you
+think just as Marion does, that I've been meddling in business that does
+not concern me; but I don't care _that_ for one of you;" and, snapping
+her fingers in the air, Sarah sat down in the nearest chair, completely
+exhausted by her harangue.
+
+"Young ladies! young ladies! what is the meaning of this noise?"
+exclaimed Miss Stiefbach, in utter amazement, as she entered the room by
+another door from that around which almost all the scholars were
+crowded. "Why are you not at work in the library? Miss Christine,
+explain the cause of this excitement."
+
+Miss Christine, who had heretofore been completely overpowered by the
+suddenness and volubility of Sarah's outbreak, saw at a glance that
+something must be done at once to prevent her from going through the
+whole again to Miss Stiefbach; for she dreaded the effect it might have
+upon her sister, knowing that she would look upon the matter from her
+cold, calculating point of view, and probably punish Sarah severely for
+her disrespectful conduct, utterly ignoring the generous impulses which
+had led to it. As for Georgie, when she hastily glanced at her, and saw
+her usually haughty head hanging in shame and confusion, she felt that
+for the present at least her punishment was sufficiently severe. So
+stepping forward and laying her hand on Sarah's shoulder, at the same
+time placing herself almost directly in front of her, she turned to Miss
+Stiefbach and said:--
+
+"Sarah has been rather disrespectful to me; but I do not think she was
+intentionally rude. I shall have to send her to her own room to do her
+mending by herself. The rest of the young ladies must go at once to the
+library, and I will be with them, directly."
+
+Miss Stiefbach made no reply, although it did not escape her keen eye
+that more had been going on than she was made aware of; but she knew by
+previous experience that there were times when Miss Christine's judgment
+was wiser than her own. She turned towards the door, and with a
+commanding gesture waved the girls out. Marion hesitated, and would have
+held back, but Miss Stiefbach coldly remarked:--
+
+"Marion, unless you, too, are in disgrace, you will please leave the
+room;" and motioning her to lead the way sailed out of the parlor.
+
+The instant they were gone Sarah threw her arms around her teacher's
+neck and sobbed aloud.
+
+"I could not help it, Sarah; indeed I could not," said Miss Christine
+with a troubled voice as she stroked her pupil's hair; "it certainly was
+very wrong of you to behave so, and if I had not sent you to your room I
+should have had to tell Miss Stiefbach all about it, and I am afraid she
+would have punished you more severely than I have."
+
+"It isn't that, Miss Christine, it isn't that," sobbed Sarah. "I'd a
+great deal rather go to my room; and you knew it when you sent me there.
+It's about Marion; she said she'd never speak to me again if I told; she
+didn't know I knew about it until this morning."
+
+"Well, how did you know it, dear; did any one tell you?"
+
+"No, and I wasn't listening either," exclaimed Sarah, raising her
+flushed face; "but several of us knew how Georgie found out about the
+musicale, and I noticed, just as Marion did, how much she had practised
+the Polonaise, and last night I heard her tell one of the girls she was
+glad Marion broke down, it just _did her good_; and I determined then
+I'd pay her for it. I was standing very near you, though you did not
+know it, when Marion told you all about it last night, and I thought it
+was outrageous that she should bear all the blame; and before M.
+Béranger too! It was a shame! But oh, dear, Miss Christine, it hasn't
+done a bit of good! She'll just hate me now, I know she will, for she
+almost made me promise not to tell."
+
+"I cannot say I quite approve of your method of doing Marion justice,
+but I hardly think she will be very severe to such a disinterested
+little champion," said Miss Christine, who could not help smiling at the
+utter wretchedness of Sarah's tone; "however, here she comes to speak
+for herself."
+
+"O Miss Christine, do come in there! I made an excuse to get me some
+darning-cotton; but Miss Stiefbach's reading the most stupid book of
+sermons; do come in and take her place! What!" as she caught sight of
+Sarah, "is she here yet?"
+
+"Yes, Marion, she is here, and is making herself perfectly miserable,
+because she believes she has made you an enemy for life. Don't you think
+you can convince her of the contrary?"
+
+"O Marion!" sobbed Sarah, "please don't be mad with me, for I really
+could not help it. I thought I was doing it all for your good, and when
+I got started I _could_ not stop till I had it all out."
+
+"You little bit of a goose! did you really think I was going to be angry
+with you after making such a thrilling stump-speech in my favor?" and
+throwing herself on her knees beside Sarah's chair, Marion looked up at
+her with a smiling face, but with eyes not undimmed by tears.
+
+"And you really think I did it from kindness?"
+
+"Yes, I certainly do!"
+
+"And you won't snub me any more?" cried Sarah, giving Marion a
+passionate kiss.
+
+"Oh, I can't promise you that," laughed Marion; "a little, healthy
+snub, now and then, does you good, and I shouldn't be doing my duty if I
+didn't give it to you, but"--and her voice assumed the tender,
+affectionate tone so rarely heard by her school-mates, and which touched
+Sarah even more than her words--"I shall never be really unkind to you
+again, and I promise to love you as much as you wish."
+
+"You really mean it, Marion? You really mean that you will love me?"
+
+"Yes, I really mean it. Miss Christine shall be my witness that I have
+this day gained a friend."
+
+"Yes, my dear," answered Miss Christine, who had been a silent but
+interested observer of this little scene: "and a truer one I do not
+think you could have."
+
+
+
+
+CHAPTER XIII.
+
+THE WANDERER RETURNS.
+
+
+For several days the musicale, and the events connected with it, formed
+the subjects of general conversation. At first Sarah's remarkable
+address to her school-mates appeared likely to have a contrary effect
+from that which she desired, being calculated to make Marion more
+disliked than ever by those to whom she had been held up by her zealous
+little champion as superior to themselves in every way.
+
+But Sarah, despite her quick temper, was a great favorite in the school,
+for her warm heart and generous nature made her as ready to do any one a
+kindness as she was to fly into a passion. She always spoke the truth,
+and if she unintentionally wounded or even annoyed one of her companions
+she was ever ready to make reparation. Perhaps many of them felt the
+truth of her remarks, and thought that in this case silence was their
+only safeguard.
+
+Miss Christine had spoken privately to the older scholars, entreating
+them not to harbor any ill-will towards either of the three immediately
+concerned, and so the matter was passed quietly over, and that which in
+many instances could have had nothing but evil results seemed likely in
+this one to be productive of good; for Marion, fearing that she had been
+the means of depriving Sarah of some of her warmest friends, almost
+unconsciously assumed a different bearing towards all her companions,
+and for her new friend's sake exhibited an interest in persons and
+things about her which she had heretofore treated with supreme
+indifference. And so the days wore on, and Thanksgiving was rapidly
+approaching. None of the girls who lived at a distance were going home
+this year, and the house was filled with lamentations, and half-stifled
+fears lest certain boxes should fail to make their appearance.
+
+Marion had as yet received no definite news from her mother regarding
+Jemima Dobbs, and her heart was filled with disappointment when she
+thought of the lonely Thanksgiving they were likely to have at the
+farm-house in place of the bright and happy one she had pictured to
+herself.
+
+She was sitting in her window one morning thinking of Aunt Bettie, when
+her door suddenly opened, a voice cried, "Look out for your head!" and a
+thick letter was shot into her lap. She caught it eagerly, not stopping
+to think whose was the unerring hand that had so accurately hit its
+mark, and tearing off the envelope in true school-girl fashion, she
+glanced rapidly along the pages, when her eyes were caught with the
+words: "Jemima will be at the B---- station Wednesday, when the seven
+o'clock train arrives; be sure and have some one there to meet her."
+With a cry of delight Marion ran to the door to call Florence, and was
+met by that young woman at the head of the stairs. She received the
+happy tidings as enthusiastically as Marion could possibly wish, and
+going back to their room, and seating themselves in their usual window,
+Marion read the letter aloud:--
+
+     "BOSTON, Nov. 24th.
+
+     "MY DEAR DAUGHTER:--Papa has just gone down town; Fred is at
+     school; and Charley radiantly happy in the possession of a new
+     mechanical toy, which I expect will be demolished in a few moments,
+     as that young gentleman is developing a surprising fancy for
+     inquiring into the 'why and wherefore' of everything he takes hold
+     of. As everything seems to promise a quiet time for me, I think I
+     will devote myself to you, as I have quite a long story to tell
+     you.
+
+     "I know you have been very much disappointed that my recent
+     letters have contained no news of your protégé; but I am in hopes
+     that this one will put all your anxiety to rest, and quite equal
+     your most ardent expectations.
+
+     "After waiting some time, Mrs. Benson received a letter from the
+     lady in Charlestown, with whom the girl calling herself Arabella
+     Dobbs has gone to live, in which she wrote that Arabella had stayed
+     with her three weeks, but had left, thinking she could find work in
+     some wholesale clothing establishment, that would prove more
+     profitable than living out.
+
+     "The lady also voluntarily wrote, that she had every reason to
+     think the girl was living under an assumed name, as she had
+     repeatedly answered questions directed to the cook, whose name was
+     Jemima, and seemed very much confused, when after doing so several
+     times, remarks were made, and excused herself by saying that her
+     mother used to call her Jemima 'just for fun.'
+
+     "Of course we were not much longer in doubt as to the identity of
+     Miss Arabella, but we were, if possible, wider from the mark than
+     ever, for we had not the most remote idea to what clothing
+     establishment she had gone, and there being several in the city, it
+     did not seem very probable that without much difficulty we should
+     be able to find the right one. While I stood talking with Mrs.
+     Benson, as she was looking over the directory, a girl came up to
+     the desk. I moved aside that she might more easily speak to Mrs.
+     Benson, and she asked in a weak, tired voice, 'Any letters for me,
+     ma'am?'--'What name?' demanded Mrs. Benson, running her finger down
+     the column of the book, and not raising her eyes. 'Arabella Dobbs,'
+     replied the servant-girl.
+
+     "Up jumped Mrs. Benson, slamming the covers of the directory
+     together with a report like a pistol, while I turned, equally
+     unable to conceal my astonishment, and looked at the girl as if she
+     had been a ghost. As you may imagine, such a proceeding could not
+     be very agreeable to the poor thing, and she looked from one to the
+     other with a bewildered, half-frightened expression.
+
+     "I must say at my first glance I was not favorably impressed with
+     her. I had looked for a round-faced, good-natured-looking country
+     girl; perhaps a trifle 'airy' after her short experience of city
+     life; but I saw a thin, angular face and figure, the hair drawn
+     tightly off her forehead up to the very top of her head, and done
+     in an immense waterfall; a little, round hat tipped forward, the
+     brim just reaching her forehead, across which lay a row of
+     corkscrew curls; her dress, which had originally been a good,
+     serviceable delaine, but was now so soiled as to almost defy
+     description, was looped up and puckered into a great bunch behind,
+     in imitation of the panniers worn by the fashionable young ladies
+     of the day. All this I took in at a glance, and confess to being
+     rather disgusted with the young woman; but when I looked carefully
+     at her face all such uncharitable feelings vanished, for it bore
+     the marks of recent illness and real distress.
+
+     "Do not think, my dear Mab, that I kept the poor creature standing
+     as long as it has taken me to write all this; my thoughts flew much
+     faster than my pen ever can. I went up to her, and putting out my
+     hand said, before Mrs. Benson could recover from her surprise,
+     "Jemima, I believe there are no letters for you now, but I can tell
+     you about your dear mother, who is very, very lonely without her
+     daughter."
+
+     "It is useless to give you an account of our conversation, for I
+     cannot remember it myself; the poor girl was so overcome by my
+     unexpected kindness, and her own joy at finding a hand held out to
+     her when she most needed help, that she opened her heart to me at
+     once. The person who influenced her to come to Boston proved to be
+     anything but a friend, and Jemima has paid heavily for following
+     her advice; it was through her, as Mrs. Dobbs supposed, that she
+     was induced to give her name as Arabella, and that act was the
+     key-note to all her misfortune. She succeeded in getting work at a
+     clothing establishment, at what seemed to her country ears most
+     liberal terms; but work as hard as she could, she could earn but
+     little more than enough to pay her board. Crowded into a room with
+     more than twenty other girls, bending over her work in the stifled
+     atmosphere from morning until night, soon told upon her health,
+     accustomed as she had always been to pure country air and bodily
+     exercise, and she had hardly been at the place three weeks when she
+     was taken ill with a violent fever. The woman with whom she
+     boarded, although a cold, grasping creature, was prevented from
+     sending her away by the entreaties of the other boarders, who, as
+     the fever was not of a malignant nature, insisted upon having her
+     kept in the house. Some of the girls were very kind to her; but
+     they could give her but little attention, as their time was mostly
+     passed in the workroom. After the first severity of the fever
+     passed, and the tiresome days of convalescence were reached, the
+     poor thing yearned for home and dear, familiar faces; she had sent
+     her friends to Mrs. Benson's several times to inquire for letters,
+     but with most incredible short-sightedness had always told them to
+     give the name Arabella Dobbs, entirely forgetting that her mother
+     did not know she had thrown aside the countrified Jemima.
+
+     "The day I saw her was the first day she had walked out, and she
+     had literally dragged herself along the street, and up the two long
+     flights leading to the office. She had given all her dresses, with
+     the exception of the one she had on, to her landlady, and the woman
+     had threatened to turn her out if she did not pay her five dollars
+     that night. I fortunately had the carriage with me, and drove with
+     Jemima to her boarding-place. The woman was all smiles and
+     blandishments when she saw me, and quite overpowered Jemima with
+     her tender inquiries as to how she felt after her walk; but I cut
+     her short by telling her I had come to take Jemima home with me,
+     and paid the five dollars she owed her. I think the woman would
+     have asked more if she had not seen I was pretty determined; and so
+     promising to send for Jemima's trunk, which was now almost entirely
+     empty, I brought the exhausted girl here, that she might rest a few
+     days and gain strength for her journey. She evidently is longing
+     for home, and I do not believe she will feel like herself until she
+     gets there. I am having her a good, warm dress made, and shall give
+     her my plain gray silk bonnet, that her mother's good sense need
+     not be shocked at sight of her hat, which is about the size of a
+     small saucer. I think she is very much humbled; she shows it in
+     many ways; most of all in her dress, and I am happy to say the
+     corkscrew ringlets no longer adorn her brow. Jemima will be at the
+     B---- station when the seven o'clock train arrives; be sure and
+     have some one there to meet her.
+
+     "And now, my dear, I have only time to say that we are all well,
+     and hoping to hear from you soon. I know this letter will be more
+     interesting to you than if it contained pages of spicy news. I seem
+     to see you and Florence enjoying its contents. Give my love to her,
+     and accept more than ever a letter carried before for yourself,
+     from your fond
+
+     "MAMMA."
+
+"She'll be here to-morrow, as true as you live!" exclaimed Marion. "Oh,
+I am so glad! for now Aunt Bettie will have a Thanksgiving after all,
+and I was afraid it would be anything but that."
+
+"Of course you'll go up there with her."
+
+"No, I shan't. I shall go this afternoon, if Miss Christine will let me,
+and of course she will, and tell auntie that Jemima is found, and will
+probably be with her by Saturday; then you see Jemima will surprise her
+by getting there to-morrow, for I must have a surprise about it
+somewhere. I shall tell auntie how sick Jemima has been, and that she
+must not be the least bit harsh with her."
+
+"But I should think you would want to go too, so as to see the fun,"
+said Florence.
+
+"Fun! I don't think there'll be much fun in it. I believe it will be
+rather a _teary_ time at first, and I prefer to be out of the way."
+
+"In other words, you think it would be a little easier for them to be by
+themselves; so you give up seeing the 'grand tableau' at the close of
+the play, which never would have happened but for you."
+
+"Don't be a goose, Flo!" laughed Marion, who, although radiant with
+delight, and a secret sort of satisfaction, tried to remain cool, for
+fear she should appear too much pleased with the part she had played in
+the affair.
+
+"Who are you going to send to the station?" asked Florence.
+
+"I'm going myself."
+
+"Do you suppose Miss Stiffy's going to let you march off by yourself two
+days in succession?"
+
+"Not a bit of it," replied Marion. "I'm going to get up a party to go to
+the farm this afternoon, and I'll manage it so that I can hang back, and
+tell the good news after you have all gone out."
+
+"And then rush off and not give her a chance to thank you."
+
+"I dare say," replied Marion; "but I mustn't stop here; it's time we
+went down, for the clock struck five minutes ago."
+
+Marion was as good as her word, and arranged a party for Aunt Bettie's
+that afternoon, taking care, however, to have Florence gain the required
+permission, as she knew she should want the same favor the next day. She
+managed to make Aunt Bettie understand in a few words all that was
+necessary of her daughter's story, leaving it for Jemima to make up
+deficiencies, and hurried off, overtaking her companions before they had
+missed her.
+
+The next day, finding out at what hour the train in which Jemima was
+coming would arrive, she walked to the village, made arrangements with
+a man who was in the habit of doing errands for Miss Stiefbach, to have
+a comfortable covered wagon ready to take Jemima and her trunk to the
+farm, and then went to the station to await the arrival of the cars. As
+she sat waiting, the station-master came into the room, and planting
+himself in front of her, with both hands in his pockets, and chewing a
+toothpick suddenly accosted her with:--
+
+"Goin' deown?"
+
+"Going where?" asked Marion, not overpleased at his advances.
+
+"Deown--deown to Boston;" jerking his thumb over his shoulder, as if
+that city was situated in the room directly behind him.
+
+"No, sir."
+
+"No? 'spectin' someun p'raps."
+
+Marion made no reply.
+
+"S'pose you're one o' them gals up t'the schule?"
+
+Marion still observed a dignified silence.
+
+"Spectin' one o' the gals?" queried the man, who, being a true Yankee,
+was not at all abashed by the coldness with which his questions, or
+rather comments, were received.
+
+"No, sir," replied Marion.
+
+"You ben't?--_not_ one o' the gals; you're marm, p'raps?"
+
+"No, sir."
+
+"Did you say as how you b'longed up t'the schule?"
+
+"No, I did not say so," replied Marion, too irritated to be amused at
+his persistency.
+
+"Oh, you didn't; wall, I didn't know but p'raps you did, an' ef so, I
+hed somethin' to tell yer, that's all;" and whistling a tune he was
+about to walk off, when Marion exclaimed:--
+
+"I didn't say whether I belonged to the school or not, because you
+didn't ask me."
+
+"Didn't I jest say I s'posed you was one o' them gals up t'the schule?"
+demanded the man, still chewing his toothpick, and looking at her as if
+his last remark was a poser.
+
+"So you did," replied Marion; "you stated the fact, and as I didn't say
+anything took it for granted I was one of the scholars. When you ask a
+direct question perhaps I'll answer it."
+
+"Aint you a smart un?" exclaimed the man. "Wall now, that's what I call
+right deown smart; jest answer to the pint, an' then yer don't git
+cornered;" and he nodded his head at her in real admiration. "Wall, I
+s'pose I must put it pretty sharp ef I expect to git an answer. Neow,"
+taking his hat off and rubbing his hands through his hair as if to
+collect his ideas, "be you one o' them gals as goes t'the schule jest
+abeout tew miles from here?"
+
+"Yes, I am," replied Marion, who, now that she saw the man had some
+motive besides idle curiosity, descended from her loftiness.
+
+"Wall, I've got a box in here that came deown in the express train, an'
+I didn't kneow but what you'd come to see 'bout it. It's fur one o' them
+gals, an' 's I haint bin here long I haint much used to the business,
+an' I didn't know heow to git it up there."
+
+"Who is it for?" asked Marion.
+
+"I don't remember; one o' yer highfalutin sort o' names. But you jest
+come and see it;" and he led the way into the "gentleman's room," and
+pointed to a large box standing in the corner.
+
+Marion walked up to it, and glancing at the address exclaimed: "Why, it
+is for me!"
+
+"Wall, neow du tell!" exclaimed the station-master; "neow I call that
+quite a coincydance, I du!"
+
+"Well, I call it a very nice box," laughed Marion; "and there comes a
+man I've engaged to do a job for me, and he can take it in his wagon,
+and leave it at the school."
+
+"You're a smart un, I tell you," remarked the man as he lifted the box
+and carried it to the door; "you know how to do the bisness, an' no
+mistake."
+
+Before Marion could reply, or take any notice of his remark, the whistle
+of an engine was heard, and as she went out on to the platform the train
+whizzed up and stopped If it had not have been for her mother's
+preparation, she would never have recognized in the thin, subdued, pale
+young woman who stepped from the cars, the bright, rosy country girl she
+had seen so many times at Aunt Bettie's.
+
+She welcomed Jemima most cordially, making no allusions that could
+embarrass the poor girl, and rattled on a string of good-natured
+nothings, as she delivered the little hair trunk into the hands of her
+charioteer, and then placed Jemima on the back seat.
+
+"Aint you goin', miss?" asked the driver.
+
+"Oh, no! I prefer to walk. Good-by, Jemima. Give my love to your mother,
+and tell her I wish her a happy thanksgiving."
+
+Jemima grasped the hand Marion held out to her, and exclaimed under her
+breath, just loud enough for Marion to catch the words, "God bless you,
+miss!" It was the first time she had spoken since she arrived; but I
+think Marion was satisfied.
+
+As Marion turned away from the wagon, her eyes fell upon the
+station-master, who, with his legs planted at a most respectful distance
+from each other, his hands still in the depths of his pockets, and his
+head cocked on one side, had been watching all the proceedings with the
+deepest interest. As she passed him he nodded his head slowly three
+times in the most serious manner, and remarked, with even more than his
+former emphasis, "You're a smart un!"
+
+
+
+
+CHAPTER XIV.
+
+MARION'S THANKSGIVING PARTY.
+
+
+"Where have you been?" exclaimed half-a-dozen girls as Marion entered
+the gate; "here's a splendid great box just come for you."
+
+"And who do you think was with the man that brought it?" asked one.
+"Why, Mimy Dobbs, as sure as you're born; you know she's been away ever
+so long, and the cook told me people thought she'd run away, and was
+never coming back at all, because she hated living with her mother up at
+that poky old farm."
+
+"Stuff and nonsense!" exclaimed Marion. "I advise cook to pay more
+attention to our dinners, and let other people's affairs alone. But that
+is a box worth having, if the inside prove as good as the out. Come,
+lend a hand, girls, and help me carry it upstairs, for if Miss Stiffy
+sees it I shall have to open it down here, and she'll _advise_ me to put
+most of the things in the larder, and that won't suit me at all."
+
+"Hush!" said Florence, as she took hold of one of the rope-handles with
+which the box was provided; "don't make a noise. Miss Stiefbach is in
+the secret-chamber; she passed through here a minute ago, and we girls
+all hustled round the box, and covered it up with our skirts; for it's
+such a bouncer we knew she'd make a fuss about it."
+
+"Come, ready now! You go first, and don't step on the back of your dress
+and stumble," whispered Marion. "Isn't it heavy though? Sarah Brown, do
+put your hands under, and give it a boost;--softly now!"
+
+Amid considerable pulling and tugging, accompanied with half-suppressed
+screams, as the corners of the box came in dangerous proximity to the
+wall, the two girls managed to get as far as the bend in the stairs,
+when, alas! notwithstanding Marion's warning, Florence made a misstep,
+and trod on her dress, which threw her violently back on to the stairs,
+bringing the box down with full force upon one of her feet.
+
+"Oh, it's half killing me! it's half killing me! take it up quick, or I
+shall scream right out!" exclaimed the poor girl, in low but agonized
+tones, which ought to have roused the sympathies of the hardest heart;
+but Marion and Sarah, notwithstanding they pitied Florence from the
+bottom of their hearts, were so full of laughter that, although they
+exerted to the utmost the little strength they had left, they could not
+move the box an inch.
+
+Poor Florence writhed and moaned in perfect torture, and not being a
+saint, but a very human girl, exclaimed, in tones of unmistakable anger,
+"I wish the old box was where it came from. If you don't stop laughing,
+and take it off my foot I'll yell at the top of my lungs!"
+
+Happily for all parties, Grace Minton and Julia Thayer, who had been
+watching them from below, sprang up the stairs, and, lifting the box,
+carried it into Marion's room.
+
+Florence could hardly move, and now that their laughter had subsided,
+Marion and Sarah helped her up to her room, making up by their devotion
+for their apparent thoughtlessness.
+
+"Oh, do be careful, Mab; it's almost killing me!" cried Florence, as she
+sat down on the edge of the bed, and Marion proceeded to take off her
+boot. "Oh! oh! just wait one minute till I brace myself,--there! Now
+give one awful pull, and have it over with."
+
+Marion did as she was told; the boot came off, but poor Florence,
+notwithstanding she shut her teeth tight, and clenched the coverlid
+with both hands, could not suppress a groan as she threw herself back on
+the bed.
+
+"Quick! quick! some camphor! cologne! rum! anything! she's going to
+faint!" cried Sarah Brown, clasping her hands, and jumping straight up
+and down, without offering to get either herself.
+
+"No, I'm not," said Florence, with considerable more energy than is
+generally shown by fainting persons; "but it did hurt terribly! Now pull
+off my stocking, please, and see if I've made a fuss about nothing. I
+shall be provoked if it isn't black and blue!"
+
+"I know just how you feel," said Marion, as she carefully pulled off the
+stocking; "it is a perfect satisfaction when one is hurt to have
+something to show for it; but mercy! I never saw such a looking foot;
+you'll be laid up for a week!"
+
+And there certainly seemed every reason to think Marion's prediction
+likely to prove true, for the edge of the box had made a deep, red
+groove across the instep, and the whole of the upper part of the foot
+was rapidly turning black and blue.
+
+"Bring the wash-basin full of water, and some towels, and bathe her foot
+very gently. I'll get some arnica and a roll of linen mother always has
+me bring in case I get hurt. What a lucky thing I happened to have it!
+Sarah, hand me a tumbler half full of water, and I'll put some arnica in
+it; it won't do for her to have it on clear."
+
+"Marion is right in her element," remarked Florence; "there's nothing
+she likes better than fussing over _wounds_."
+
+"Yes, particularly when they're of such a dangerous nature as this one,"
+laughed Marion, as she knelt down to apply the arnica.
+
+After some time had been spent in sympathy and bathing, the injured
+foot was nicely bound up, and laid tenderly on the bed, but what to do
+for a stocking and shoe was the next question, for the foot was so much
+swollen that Florence could not possibly get on her own.
+
+"I tell you what I'll do," said Sarah Brown, who, now that there seemed
+no danger that Florence would faint, had become as cool as it was
+possible for her to be; "I'll just steal into Miss Stiffy's room, and
+get a pair of stockings out of her drawer, and a slipper too; she's got
+about forty pairs of creepers, and she won't miss 'em for a little
+while."
+
+"But suppose you should get caught?" exclaimed Florence; "then it would
+all come out, and we had better have told in the first place."
+
+"Not a bit of it! If we did it would spoil all our fun with Marion's
+box, for of course she intends to give us a treat."
+
+"Of course," replied Marion; "but why don't you go down into the
+laundry, and get Biddy to give you a pair? There are some there, I know,
+and she'll never tell of us."
+
+"Why, don't you see, Miss Stiefbach knows exactly how many pairs she
+puts into the wash, and if they didn't all come up she'd know it; but
+she won't miss 'em if I take them out of the drawer."
+
+"Well, if you really aren't afraid to risk it; and do be quick about it;
+don't make a bit of noise, for if Miss Stiefbach should catch you you'd
+never hear the last of it, and I should be to blame," said Florence.
+
+Sarah hurried along the entry until she reached Miss Stiefbach's room,
+which was directly over the private study, and then it occurred to her
+that Miss Christine might be in there; so she spoke and called her by
+name. Marion and Grace, who stood at the other door, exchanged glances
+with Florence, who was still on the bed, and all three looked like
+detected culprits. Sarah spoke again; but receiving no answer gently
+pushed the door open. She nodded her head to the girls to let them know
+that the coast was clear, and stealthily entered the room. Marion and
+Grace heard her as she crossed the room; then followed a moment of
+terrible silence; then they heard the creaking of the bureau-drawer as
+she slowly opened it.
+
+"Oh!" whispered Marion, "if she _should_ pull it out too far, and the
+whole thing come down on the floor with a bang! Miss Stiefbach would
+certainly hear it, and know some one was in there."
+
+"Hush!" answered Grace, "don't suggest anything go horrible! There,
+she's shutting it; so far so good; now for the slippers,--they're in the
+closet."
+
+"I know it, and that closet-door creaks awfully!"
+
+The closet-door did "creak awfully" and no mistake, and it seemed to the
+two girls, listening in almost breathless silence, that the noise was
+loud enough to be heard all over the house. In a moment they heard Sarah
+fumbling over the slippers, of which Miss Stiefbach always kept several
+pairs on hand, as she never wore anything else in the house. They felt
+comparatively safe now, for no sound was heard from below, except once
+in a while a laugh from the girls in the library, and Miss Stiefbach
+would not probably leave her study until supper time. They were just
+about to turn back into the room to go to Florence, when they heard the
+study-door open, and Miss Stiefbach's voice from below, saying, "In one
+moment, I am going upstairs to my room."
+
+What if she had heard the noise and was coming up to ascertain the
+cause! Marion rushed along the entry, reaching her teacher's room just
+as Sarah was carefully closing and latching the closet-door.
+
+"O Sarah, hurry! hurry! she's coming upstairs; she's at the foot of the
+stairs! Give me that slipper, and hide the stockings under your apron.
+Run for your life! No, no, it's no use, she'll meet us; we must face it
+out; don't look conscious."
+
+Sarah tucked the stockings under her apron, Marion slipped her arm
+through her friend's, and hiding the slipper between them, with beating
+hearts, and almost sure of detection, they walked slowly down the long
+entry, directly in the face and eyes of Miss Stiefbach. As they
+approached her she stopped, and with more than her usual mildness
+remarked:--
+
+"Ah! young ladies, thinking of home, I dare say; but I trust you will
+have as pleasant a Thanksgiving here as there, although I am happy to
+say there has not been the usual influx of boxes."
+
+The girls laughed slightly in reply, nudging each other quietly as she
+passed on, restraining their desire to rush for Marion's room, and not
+until the door was fairly closed behind them did their pent-up feelings
+find vent, when Marion, tossing the slipper till it hit the ceiling,
+shouted:--
+
+"Victory! three cheers for General Brown, the Stonewall Jackson of
+Massachusetts!"
+
+"But what in the world should I have done if you hadn't rushed in, and
+told me she was coming?" exclaimed Sarah. "Why, I should have run right
+into her!"
+
+"Lucky for you you didn't," remarked Grace; "she'd have given you
+Jessie; if you know what that is."
+
+"Well, Marion and Sarah," said Florence, "I think you're both perfect
+angels!"
+
+"Yes, dear, 'angels in disguise,'" remarked Marion. "Well, this angel
+will proceed to put your foot into Miss Stiffy's delicate, little
+stocking; the slipper will be a perfect fit, I know; you'll have the
+most stylish foot in town. There! now see if you can step on it."
+
+"Take hold of me, please, for I know I shan't be able to bear my whole
+weight on it!"
+
+"Don't be in a hurry; lean on my shoulder; put your well foot on the
+floor, and set the other down very carefully."
+
+"O Mab, it hurts awfully! I don't see how I can ever get down to tea in
+the world; but I shall have to grin and bear it, or else Miss Stiefbach
+will find it out."
+
+"Suppose you go down now," suggested Sarah, "and we can help you into
+the dining-room before the bell rings, and if we all crowd round you
+Miss Stiefbach won't notice the slipper."
+
+"That's a capital plan," said Marion; "now put your arm way over my
+shoulder, Flo. Grace, take hold of her that side, and Sallie go in front
+as a spy. I think this is growing interesting."
+
+"Very--for you," remarked Florence.
+
+"You poor child! does it hurt terribly? Don't step on it, hobble along
+as well as you can, and lean all your weight on us."
+
+With much hopping and halting, and little starts and agitated whispers,
+as they thought they heard Miss Stiefbach or Miss Christine behind them,
+they proceeded on their way, and after some little time reached the
+dining-room in safety, and as the tea-bell rang immediately after, and
+the scholars all came in together, nothing unusual was noticed; but they
+dreaded the moment when they should have to leave the dining-room on
+their way to the study, where Miss Stiefbach always read history aloud
+for an hour after supper. Marion had been turning it over in her own
+mind during the meal, and decided to make an attempt to get rid of the
+reading that night.
+
+"Miss Stiefbach," she asked, as supper was almost over, "didn't you say
+you hoped we should all have as pleasant a Thanksgiving as if we were at
+home?"
+
+"I believe I said so, Marion. I certainly meant it."
+
+"Well, do you know, when I'm at home, our Thanksgiving begins the night
+before, and we _never_ spend the evening reading history."
+
+Miss Stiefbach could not help joining in the general laugh, only her
+laugh was a dignified smile, and replied, "I suppose that means that you
+would like to give up our history to-night."
+
+"I don't think we should any of us weep if that should be the case."
+
+"No, I suppose not; and for fear you might if the reverse order of
+things was to take place, I will dispense with the reading to-night, and
+Miss Christine and myself will withdraw from the room, leaving you young
+ladies to chat over your supper for a while longer."
+
+"Oh, splendid!" "Thank you, Miss Stiefbach." "Just what we wanted!"
+etc., resounded from all sides, as, with a most unusually gracious bow,
+Miss Stiefbach left the room with Miss Christine, who nodded and smiled
+back at the girls, fully appreciating the pleasure they experienced at
+being released from all restraint.
+
+The closing of the door was a signal for a general hubbub; every tongue
+was unloosed, and the spirit of mischief reigned supreme. One girl drank
+her tea to find it strongly flavored with salt; another raised her
+goblet of water to her lips just as a piece of biscuit went splash to
+the bottom of the glass, dashing the contents into her face; a third
+turned suddenly on hearing her name called from the other side of the
+table, only to be hit plump on the nose with a hard cracker; and so it
+went on, a perfect Babel of shouts and cries; for the younger girls,
+following the example of the older ones, went in for a regular train,
+and pieces of bread and broken crackers were soon flying in every
+direction.
+
+Marion and Sarah took advantage of the confusion to get Florence up to
+her room; having succeeded in doing so, Marion produced a hammer, and
+getting down on her knees prepared to open that wonderful Thanksgiving
+box.
+
+"I mean to see what there is in it," she said, "and then if I can manage
+it, I'll get some of the girls up here, and we'll have a jolly time."
+
+With much hammering, pulling, and chattering, the cover of the box was
+at last removed, and Marion proceeded to display its contents to the
+eager eyes of her companions.
+
+"First of all, here's a note from mamma; now curb your impatience while
+I skim it over."
+
+Marion seated herself on the floor and having glanced down the page
+commenced reading it aloud:--
+
+     "BOSTON, Nov. 21st.
+
+     "DEAR MARION:--I have only a moment to spare, for I have been so
+     busy getting the box ready, that I have not had time to-day to
+     write you a long letter, and only scratch off this bit of a note to
+     let you know we are all well, and almost dreading to-morrow,
+     because you will not be with us.
+
+     "I hope you will enjoy the contents of your box. I think it would
+     be an excellent plan for you to hand over some of the most
+     substantial articles to Miss Stiefbach for the use of the
+     community; but mind, I only make the suggestion, you can do as you
+     please about following it; only don't go too far with your frolic,
+     for I am perfectly sure you will have one.
+
+     "Papa has made an addition to the bill of fare, which I submitted
+     to him for inspection, of which I am supposed to be entirely
+     ignorant; for, as he said, he was not entirely sure I would approve
+     if I knew the contents of the brown-paper box, which you will find
+     surrounded by your other goodies. As papa superintended the packing
+     of it himself, and seemed particularly anxious lest it should not
+     be sufficiently wrapped up, I cannot help suspecting that it has
+     breakable qualities; whatever it is, my dear daughter, be judicious
+     in your use of it.
+
+     "My note has stretched into quite a letter. I am expecting the
+     express-man any moment, so must close now with a thousand loving
+     good-bys,
+
+     "From your fond
+
+     "MAMMA."
+
+"I wonder what it can be that papa has sent; something nice, I know! He
+doesn't think there is anything in the world too good for me,--an idea
+which I don't hesitate to encourage him in. Now, Sarah, just clear off
+that table, please, and pull it out into the middle of the room, so I
+can have a place to put all these things; toss the books and table-cover
+on to the bed there, beside of Florence.
+
+"First and foremost here are two loaves of cake, and such cake! Flo, do
+look at this one! That is some of Biddy's doings, I know; frosted
+elegantly, and 'Marion' in the centre all in quirlyqus; that's just like
+Bid! she's about as ridiculous over me as father is. What is the reason,
+girls,"--and Marion stopped short with the cake in both hands, and a
+change in her bright, joyous manner, "--that they all think so much of
+me at home, and hardly any one likes me here?"
+
+"Because you don't--"
+
+"There, Sarah Brown, that will do; I don't want to hear the rest,"
+exclaimed Marion, putting up her hand with an impatient gesture. "I
+asked a question hastily, without thinking of the consequences. I'll
+take your answer for granted, and I know just as well what it would be
+as if you'd spoken; so you'll oblige me by keeping quiet."
+
+"Of course when 'Her Royal Highness' commands, her loyal subjects can
+have no choice but to obey," replied Sarah, with an air of mock humility
+and submission.
+
+"Well, see that you do," laughed Marion, "and put this great turkey on
+the table. I guess it will be policy for me to follow mamma's advice,
+and that gobbler will be handed over to Miss Stiffy. But see here, as
+true as you live, mamma has sent me a pair of cold ducks, and here's a
+glass of currant jelly; she knows I must have jell with my ducks. Here
+is a bundle of something, I'm sure I don't know what--oh, nuts! ever so
+many kinds, all cracked; that's splendid! And here is another of
+raisins, and a bundle of candy; take some, girls; hand it to Flo, Sarah,
+she can open it. Take some of these cookies, do; they're delicious, and
+lots of 'em, put in all round everywhere to fill up the cracks. I wish I
+could get out papa's box, but all these things are wedged in round it;
+besides, I must be careful not to break it, whatever _it_ is. Here's the
+last thing,--a bundle of prunes and dates, and from Fred; he knows I've
+a weakness for dates. And _now_ for papa's box; help me lift it out,
+Sarah, and take it over to the bed. Oh! oh! it's champagne! it's
+champagne, as sure as I'm a sinner; who would have believed it? Here's a
+card: 'Miss Marion Berkley, with the compliments of her totally depraved
+father.' That is papa right over! We always have a great joke about
+champagne, because I never drink it, except a glass with him
+Thanksgiving and Christmas day; you know I've always been home before,
+and he didn't mean I should be cheated out of it this year. Here it is,
+two bottles and a half-a-dozen glasses; we'll have a party to-night, a
+regular goose party, and drink the health of the dear, old darling."
+
+"What _would_ Miss Stiefbach say," exclaimed Florence, "if she knew you
+were going to have a regular Thanksgiving supper?"
+
+"Hold up her hands in holy horror; and of course it's a dreadful thing.
+I haven't the least doubt but what mamma thought it was cider."
+
+"Whom are you going to invite?" asked Sarah.
+
+"Only three besides ourselves; that will be six--a good number. Whom
+shall I ask, Flo?"
+
+"That's for you to say, I should think."
+
+"Well, you know it doesn't make much difference to me. I'll ask Grace,
+of course; she helped get the box up here."
+
+"And Georgie Graham," dryly suggested Sarah.
+
+"I rather think not," replied Marion. "Grace Minton, Julia Thayer, and
+who shall be the third? Come, say some one, Flo."
+
+"I wish you'd ask Rachel Drayton," said Florence, in the tone of one
+pleading for a great favor.
+
+"I don't believe she'd come if I asked her."
+
+"Well, you might try it," said Sarah; "she can't do anything more than
+refuse."
+
+"She won't refuse if Marion asks her cordially."
+
+"Well, Flo, I'll do it, considering you've been laid up in the cause."
+
+And Marion ran out of the room, and downstairs, to hunt up the three
+girls, and let them know, in as quiet a way as possible, that she wanted
+them up in her room in about fifteen minutes. In her inmost heart she
+had wanted to ask Rachel Drayton, but did not like to mention her
+herself, and she gave the invitation with so much warmth, despite the
+necessity of a mysterious whisper, that Rachel accepted at once with a
+nod, and a bright smile, such as Marion had never before called up on
+that usually serious face.
+
+When Marion got back to her room, Sarah had arranged the various
+articles on the table in something like order, although the variety and
+quantity prevented them from making a very elegant appearance.
+
+"There! how does that look?" she asked as Marion made her appearance.
+
+"Well, I must say it does not exactly suit me; there's too much on the
+table. We couldn't eat it half to-night, if we try; so what's the use of
+such a spread? That turkey I'm going to present to Miss Stiefbach; so
+that can go into the empty box. Flo, I'm going to appropriate your fancy
+basket for the nuts and raisins; it will give a distingué air to the
+table, you know. Now what shall we do for plates?"
+
+"Oh, never mind about plates," said Florence; "you can carve the ducks,
+and put a bit of jelly on each piece, and we can eat with our fingers;
+you mustn't be so particular."
+
+"But I've no idea of putting ducks and cakes, and cookies and dates, all
+higgledy-piggledy on to the table together! Sarah, you're such a good
+forager you won't mind running down the back way, and getting three or
+four plates, now will you?"
+
+"I just as lief as not, and I'll bring some knives and forks, and a
+spoon too, for the jelly."
+
+"You're a jewel! and be quick, or I'm afraid the girls will be here
+before you get back."
+
+Marion fluttered about, putting such things as she wished to keep for a
+future occasion on a shelf in the closet, chattering to Flo all the
+time. "Now isn't this jolly, Florence? I mean to have a magnificent time
+to-night, no matter what happens. Those bottles give quite a regal air
+to the table, don't they? And your basket is equal to the greatest
+achievement of the renowned Smith. I must say our supply of china
+doesn't look very promising; however, we'll have all the more fun."
+
+"Are they here?" asked Sarah, coming in. "No? Well, I thought I was
+pretty quick; here's one of the kitchen platters for the ducks, four
+plates, two knives and forks and a spoon; that's the best I could do for
+you."
+
+"Capital! Now I believe everything is ready;" and Marion stood back, and
+surveyed the scene with perfect satisfaction. "There they are!" she
+exclaimed, as a knock was heard at the door. "Stand in front of the
+table, Sallie, so that the full splendors of the scene won't burst on
+them at once, and I'll let them in,--that's it."
+
+"Hollo, girls! Come in quick; don't make a bit of noise, for fear Miss
+Stiefbach should hear you."
+
+"O Mab, how splendid! elegant! what a treat!" exclaimed the girls, as
+the full magnificence of the entertainment was revealed to them.
+
+"What a box that was!" said Grace Minton; "no wonder it half killed you,
+Flo."
+
+"And how are you now?" asked Rachel Drayton, who naturally felt a little
+out of place, for she had never been in the room before. Flo was rarely
+if ever there without Marion, and had never invited her there, not
+feeling sure of the reception she might meet with from her room-mate.
+
+"I'm feeling nicely now," she answered. "In fact, I've been so
+interested in watching Marion, that I've hardly thought of myself. I
+wonder if I couldn't get up, and stand by the table."
+
+"No, indeed!" exclaimed Marion; "you mustn't think of such a thing. You
+are to be the belle of the party; Miss Drayton comes next on the list of
+distinguished guests, and she must sit there;" placing a chair at the
+foot of the bed, where Rachel could have a good view of Florence; "the
+rest of you may sit where you've a mind to, and I'll do the honors."
+
+"I'll keep Florence company," said Julia Thayer, as she seated herself
+on the foot of the bed. "Now, Miss Brown, you can help Miss Berkley open
+the champagne."
+
+"Will it pop?" asked Sarah, clapping her hands over her ears.
+
+"Of course it will, if it's worth anything," replied Marion. "But you
+needn't be frightened; I'm only going to loosen the wires a little; we
+don't want to commence with champagne."
+
+"Wouldn't it be a joke," said Grace Minton, "if Miss Stiefbach should
+walk in on us just as you got the cork out?"
+
+But hardly were the words spoken, when the door, which all supposed
+locked, suddenly opened, and Miss Stiefbach appeared upon the threshold.
+Oh! horror of horrors! Marion's experience in opening wines had not been
+sufficient to teach her the force of champagne. As the door opened, she
+was standing in the middle of the room, holding the bottle at arms'
+length, fumbling at the wires; in her surprise and amazement at the
+apparition before her, she gave an extra tug, when pop went the cork,
+and with it half the contents of the bottle in Miss Stiefbach's face.
+
+Miss Stiefbach stood with uplifted hands, perfectly electrified with
+astonishment at the sight before her. As for the six girls, each in her
+turn was a perfect picture of horror; visions of fearful lectures,
+perhaps expulsion from school, rising in the minds of all.
+
+But before Miss Stiefbach could collect her scattered senses, and wrap
+herself in her mantle of frigid dignity, Marion set the bottle on the
+table, and, springing forward, caught up a towel, and with profuse
+lamentations and regrets for the accident, commenced wiping the stains
+from her teacher's dress.
+
+"O Miss Stiefbach, what did you come so soon for? It was too bad of
+you; it has just upset all our plans. We had only this moment got the
+table set, and I had not had time to go down and invite you and Miss
+Christine. I had no idea that horrid champagne would go off like that;
+it frightened us half to death.--Sarah, put your hand over that bottle,
+or we shall lose it all.--Now, Miss Stiefbach, _do_ sit down, and I'll
+go right off and get Miss Christine."
+
+"Marion Berkley, do you mean to say that you expect me and Miss
+Christine to sit down to a supper which you young ladies have secretly
+prepared?"
+
+"Why, of course I do!" replied Marion, with an air of perfect simplicity
+and confidence, which perfectly amazed her companions, who were
+breathlessly awaiting the issue of the conversation; "of course I do!
+Why, what did I ask you to give up the history for if it wasn't that I
+might have time for my supper? I knew it would never do to have it down
+in the dining-room, for then all the little girls would want to come,
+and of course we couldn't have them; and I don't care to invite all the
+old girls, only just those who would make a pleasant party. Now, Miss
+Stiefbach, it would be positively cruel for you to refuse to join us!"
+and Marion looked as if her whole future happiness depended on her
+teacher's answer.
+
+Miss Stiefbach was in a dilemma; she could hardly bring herself to
+believe that the supper was intended as a compliment to herself; but
+nevertheless Marion's invitation was given with such apparent sincerity,
+and without even a hint of a doubt as to the propriety of the affair,
+that she was put quite off her guard, and hardly knew what to say. To
+sit down with a parcel of school-girls to a table heaped with good
+things, and crowned with champagne, was altogether too much for her
+dignity, and a compromise suggested itself to her.
+
+"I thank you, Marion, for your implied compliment," she said with her
+usual stately, polite manner, "but I really think it would be unbecoming
+in me to enter into any festivities with a part of my scholars, from
+which the rest were excluded; but I will send Miss Christine to keep you
+company, as I could not think of leaving you alone."
+
+"Of course not," said Marion; "we never thought you would; but please
+before you go let us drink your health in a glass of champagne?"
+
+"Might I ask where this champagne came from?" asked Miss Stiefbach,
+glancing round the room at the other girls, who still maintained a
+discreet silence.
+
+"Oh, papa sent it to me," replied Marion. "I presume mamma thought it
+was cider; but papa always has me drink champagne with him Thanksgiving
+day, and as I could not be home, the next best thing was to send it, so
+I could drink it here. You don't think it was _very_ dreadful in him, do
+you?"
+
+"I cannot say that I wholly approve of it; but perhaps under the
+circumstances I must waive my objections."
+
+"Oh, please do, Miss Stiefbach, just this once; and oh, I forgot all
+about it, here's a great turkey, and a loaf of cake for you; shall I
+take it down?"
+
+"Thank you, you are very kind," replied Miss Stiefbach. "You may take it
+down after you have finished your supper; but I will go now, and send
+Miss Christine."
+
+"No! no! Miss Stiefbach, not yet. Papa would feel dreadfully if he knew
+you refused his champagne; it never would do in the world. Here, Sarah,
+hand these round to the girls;" and Marion filled the six glasses. "I
+shall have to take a tumbler myself, but never mind; now are you all
+ready? Well, here's to the health of Miss Stiefbach; may she live many
+years at the head of this school, and may every Thanksgiving eve see her
+as she is now, smiling encouragement upon the innocent pleasure of her
+pupils."
+
+The toast was drank with smiles and bows, and Miss Stiefbach retired
+from the room with a bland "Good-evening, young ladies, and a happy
+Thanksgiving to you all."
+
+Poor woman! with all her learning, and the terrible dignity with which
+she thought it necessary to enshroud herself, as a part of her position
+as head of a large school, she was at heart as simple-minded as a child.
+
+"Girls!" exclaimed Marion, as she turned to her companions, and the door
+closed after Miss Stiefbach, "you've been taught that there are seven
+wonders in the world; after this I think you can add an eighth."
+
+"Indeed we can!" exclaimed Sarah Brown; "and that eighth will be Marion
+Berkley!"
+
+"I don't mean myself at all, but the whole thing. Imagine Miss Stiffy
+smiling benignly on an affair like this! But keep quiet, Miss Christine
+will be here in a minute. She'll see through the whole thing, you may be
+sure; but nevertheless we must carry it out just the same. Don't you
+betray me; we'll have just as good a time, and better too, if she's
+here; besides, no matter what happens now, Miss Stiefbach has
+countenanced us. Don't stir off that bed, Julia, and keep your skirts
+well over Flo's foot. How do you feel now, dear?"
+
+"All right; in fact, I had forgotten all about it; but here's Miss
+Christine."
+
+Miss Christine came in with a comical smile on her face; but whatever
+may have been her opinion of the affair, she said nothing, and took
+everything just as it came. She was not so old but that she could enter
+heartily into the girls' fun and nonsense, and yet her presence was a
+restraint upon them, which, although unfelt, kept them from carrying
+their hilarity too far.
+
+Mr. Berkley's contribution to the box was certainly a very injudicious
+one, which the majority of parents would heartily condemn; and, as
+Marion had conjectured, his wife had supposed the bottles contained
+nothing more exciting than sweet cider. Fortunately, the unskilful
+manner in which they were opened sent more of their contents round the
+room than all that went into the glasses; so the amount consumed was
+really very small. At ten o'clock the party broke up, and I am inclined
+to think that for the rest of their lives those girls never forgot
+Marion's Thanksgiving party.
+
+
+
+
+CHAPTER XV.
+
+MISS CHRISTINE GOES TO A PARTY.
+
+
+Thanksgiving day passed off very quietly, but nevertheless very
+pleasantly, at school. The little dissipation of the night previous had
+given such perfect satisfaction to all those who participated in it, and
+they were the scholars who were generally the ringleaders in every
+scheme for fun and frolic, that they were all willing to maintain a most
+discreet behavior throughout the day. To be sure they entered into all
+the lively conversation of the dinner-table, and amused some of the
+younger ones afterwards with games and stories; but there was none of
+that general uproar and confusion that one would expect to see in a
+school full of all ages, when the whole day was fully understood to be
+at their disposal and they were released from any apparent restraint.
+
+The quiet behavior of Marion and her set might have been readily
+attributed to the fact of Florence's lameness, had that fact been known;
+it took the united energies and tact of the six to get her up and down
+stairs, and in and out of rooms so that her limping would not be
+noticed, or attention attracted to the sudden growth of one of her feet.
+She bore the pain like a martyr, and managed to conceal her sufferings
+from the public, only giving vent to her feelings when she was perfectly
+sure of not being observed.
+
+Of course Marion's supper could not remain a secret, and she and the
+five whom she had honored with invitations were made to feel the scorn
+of some of the older scholars, who were not of the favored few.
+Mutterings of discontent, contemptuous shrugs of the shoulders, and
+glances which were intended to be withering in the extreme, were
+levelled at the obnoxious six, who were highly entertained at the
+remarks and actions of some of the girls, and in various little ways
+added fuel to the flame.
+
+Georgie Graham felt herself especially insulted, and did everything in
+her power to rouse her companions to a realizing sense of their injured
+dignity.
+
+"Why, really, Georgie," said Mattie Denton, "I don't see as there was
+anything so very dreadful in Marion's asking the girls into her room.
+She probably had those she wanted, and I don't blame her. I'm sure you
+couldn't expect she would invite _you_!"
+
+"Expect she'd invite me!" retorted Georgie, with a scornful toss of her
+head; "she knew very well I wouldn't have gone if she had."
+
+"Oh, well," quietly replied Mattie, "I suppose, of course, that was the
+only reason she didn't ask you."
+
+"The idea of her having Rachel Drayton," continued Georgie, ignoring
+Mattie's remark; "she has hardly treated her decently since she's been
+here, and to start out all of a sudden, and be so _dreadfully_ intimate
+as to invite her into her room with a _select_ party of friends, is
+really too absurd--or would be if it wasn't so easy to see what she is
+after!"
+
+"See what she is after! Why, what in the world do you mean?" asked
+Mattie. "I don't imagine she's after anything."
+
+"Oh, no! I suppose not," scornfully laughed Georgie, tossing her head
+still higher. "Of course not! you know the old saying, Mattie, 'None so
+blind as those that won't see.'"
+
+"What in the world do you mean, Georgie Graham? I don't believe you know
+yourself!"
+
+"Don't I, though? Well, now, do you suppose that Marion Berkley, who
+holds her head so high, and doesn't condescend to take any notice of us
+girls, would have whisked round all of a sudden, and been so very sweet
+on Rachel Drayton, if she hadn't an object in view?"
+
+"You certainly are the strangest creature I ever saw," indignantly
+replied Mattie. "As if Marion ever had been sweet on Rachel! No one but
+you would ever have thought of such a thing! I presume she invited her,
+because she is a friend of Flo's."
+
+"No such thing," replied Georgie, leaning across the table and speaking
+every word slowly and distinctly. "She invited her because she is an
+heiress, and Marion intends to toady round her until she gets into her
+good graces."
+
+"I don't believe it," flatly declared Mattie.
+
+"She told me so herself."
+
+"What! told you she meant to toady Rachel!--a likely story!"
+
+"No, told me Rachel was an heiress."
+
+"Well, suppose she is an heiress, what of that? You know perfectly well
+that Marion Berkley is not a girl to _toady_ any one, and you ought to
+be ashamed of yourself for saying so. I'm sure every one could see that
+she has not treated Rachel very cordially, and if she invited her into
+her room it was on Flo's account, and I'm glad for one she showed her
+some kindness. No one but _you_ would ever have put a bad motive on such
+a simple action."
+
+"Thank you, Mattie, for defending me," quietly remarked Marion herself,
+as she passed through the library where the two girls were sitting, and
+went upstairs.
+
+"There, Miss Graham, I hope you feel better now!" exclaimed Mattie, who
+was now thoroughly roused.
+
+"Pooh! I don't care; 'listeners never hear any good of themselves;' she
+shouldn't have been eaves-dropping."
+
+"That sounds well, Georgie, I must say, coming from you," replied
+Mattie. "She was in the school-room, and goodness knows we talked loud
+enough. Next time you have any such agreeable insinuations to make
+against one of your school-mates, you'll be kind enough to go to some
+one else;" and Mattie turned away indignantly, and left Georgie to her
+own reflections.
+
+Finding that she had not been able to rouse any ill-will towards Marion
+in Mattie's breast, and inwardly provoked with herself for having
+proclaimed Rachel to be an heiress,--a fact which for reasons of her own
+she would have preferred to have remain a secret,--she left the hall,
+and entered the drawing-room, where most of the girls were congregated,
+thinking perhaps that there would be a better field for her operations.
+
+Poor Marion had been cut to the quick by Georgie's remark; not on
+account of the source from which it came, but because she feared, that,
+through Georgie's manoeuvring, it would become the general opinion of
+the scholars, and in her inmost heart Marion had hoped that she might
+not leave the school at the end of the year, without leaving behind her
+a better reputation than she had borne before.
+
+She said nothing of this hope to any one, not even Florence, but had
+tried in many little things, principally in her manner, to be more kind
+to those of her school-mates who were not in any way attractive to her.
+
+Forgetful of the feelings of others as she so often appeared, she was
+herself extremely sensitive, and nothing could have annoyed her more
+than to be accused of toadying any one. She could not bear the idea of
+having such an imputation fastened upon her, and she secretly resolved
+that in the future she would treat Rachel Drayton with the same
+coldness and hauteur she had shown in the past. If she had only known
+that that was the very object at which Georgie was aiming!
+
+She had been thinking all day of Aunt Bettie's happiness, and the
+thought of it had greatly contributed to her own; but now all her peace
+of mind was quite destroyed. She knew the resolution she had made was
+unworthy of herself; but every time she tried to reason against it, the
+thought of how her conduct would be misrepresented if she should treat
+Rachel with kindness and consideration, as she had made up her mind the
+previous night she would do, proved too much for her sensitive pride,
+and she determined to hold firmly to her first resolution.
+
+She knew it was miserably weak in her, to allow herself to be governed
+by fear of the misrepresentation of any one whom she held in such utter
+contempt as she did Georgie Graham; but she knew that the girl's
+influence over some of the scholars was great, and though outwardly she
+appeared indifferent to whatever they might think of her, at heart she
+really longed for their good opinion.
+
+A still, small voice whispered in her ear, that if she would only follow
+the dictates of her better nature she would certainly be worthy of their
+good opinion, and in the sight of One who not only sees, but
+understands, everything that passes in our minds, she would be doing
+right. But she was not in a mood to listen to any such voice; she left
+the room, and running down to the parlor, seated herself at the piano,
+and for an hour played for the girls to dance, trying in that way to get
+rid of the unpleasant thoughts that would force themselves upon her.
+
+"What do you think?" exclaimed Mattie Denton, going up to her almost out
+of breath, after a furious gallop; "Miss Christine is going to a party."
+
+"A party!" exclaimed Marion; "when and where?"
+
+"To-night, at Mrs. Dickenson's; she has a family dinner-party, and a
+few friends are invited in the evening; of course I don't suppose it's a
+regular _party_, but quite an event for our Miss Christine."
+
+"I should think as much," replied Marion. "I am so glad she's going!
+Wasn't Miss Stiefbach invited?"
+
+"Oh, yes, of course; but she declined. I suppose she thought it would
+never do to leave us alone."
+
+"No, 'while the cat's away the mice _will_ play,' you know."
+
+"Yes, I should think the mice played a little last night," laughed
+Mattie.
+
+"So they did; but then the cat was round. Come, I've played enough for
+these girls. I mean to ask Miss Christine to let me do her hair. You
+come with me, and I'll give you some of the good things the mice
+_didn't_ play with."
+
+"O Marion!" wailed half-a-dozen girls; "aren't you going to play any
+more?"
+
+"No, I can't. I've most banged my fingers off; ask Fannie."
+
+"But she doesn't play half as well as you do."
+
+"Much obliged for your flattery; but it's all wasted this time,"
+answered Marion, as she and Mattie left the room to hunt up Miss
+Christine.
+
+"Sallie, do you know where Miss Christine is?" asked Marion, as they met
+Sarah Brown on the stairs.
+
+"Yes, she's just gone to her room. Do you know she's going to a party!"
+
+"1 know it; isn't it splendid? I'm going up to ask her to let me do her
+hair."
+
+"I don't believe she'll let you."
+
+"Yes, she will; I'll coax her into it, see if I don't."
+
+"Where are you going to do it? Do let me see you."
+
+"In my room, I guess, so that Flo can see me; but not until after tea."
+
+After depositing Mattie in her room with a plateful of goodies, Marion
+proceeded to that of Miss Christine, which was directly opposite that of
+Miss Stiefbach, and upon knocking was immediately told to "Come in" by
+Miss Christine, who at that moment was shaking out the folds of a plain,
+but handsome black silk.
+
+"O Miss Christine, isn't it splendid?" cried Marion, clasping her hands;
+"you're going to a party!"
+
+Miss Christine laughed her dear, little, good-natured laugh. "Why, it
+seems to be considered a most wonderful event. Sarah has just been up
+here, and appears almost as pleased as if she were going herself."
+
+"Of course she is, and so am I; and I'm going to do your hair."
+
+"My dear," replied Miss Christine, "it will be too much trouble."
+
+"Trouble! why, I admire to do it. I always do mamma's when I'm home, and
+she wants to look _very_ fine."
+
+"But you see I don't want to look very fine."
+
+"Oh, yes, you do; or if you don't I want you to; besides, I promise not
+to do it any _fixy_ way,--braid the back _some_thing as you do, only put
+it up with a little more style."
+
+Miss Christine laughed. "Well, as you are so very kind as to offer, I'll
+let you; but when will you do it?"
+
+"Directly after supper, please; that will be time enough. Will you be
+kind enough to bring your brushes into my room? I think the light is
+better."
+
+"Very well, it does not make any difference to me. You run out now, and
+I will be all ready but putting on my dress, before tea."
+
+Marion ran back to Mattie, and then went down to communicate the success
+of her errand to Sarah and Florence. Immediately after supper they
+helped Flo upstairs, and had just got her comfortably settled in the
+only easy-chair in the room, with her foot on a cricket, and a shawl
+thrown carelessly over it, as Miss Christine came in, brushes in hand.
+
+Marion seated her with her back to the glass, saying as she did so, "I
+don't want you to see yourself until it is all done."
+
+"Don't make me look too fine," said Miss Christine.
+
+"No fear of that," replied Marion, as she rapidly undid the massive
+braids, and brushed them until they shone like burnished gold.
+
+"There is some pleasure in doing such hair as yours," said Marion, with
+all the enthusiasm of an Auguste; "no need of rats or yarn here."
+
+For a few moments she worked in silence, as her fingers flew in and out,
+until two long shining braids were made; these she twisted gracefully
+round at the back of Miss Christine's head, exclaiming as she put in the
+last hair-pin:--
+
+"There! who would ever suppose she had as much hair as that? Just look
+at it, girls; isn't it lovely?"
+
+"Perfectly lovely!" cried Florence. "Why, Miss Christine, you don't make
+any show of it at all."
+
+"I braid it up as tight as possible, and don't care for anything but to
+have it stay firm and smooth."
+
+"Now, Miss Christine," said Marion, in a tone which seemed to imply that
+she expected opposition, but meant to conquer it, "I'm going to crimp
+the front."
+
+"My dear child, are you crazy? Why, I should not think of doing such a
+thing!"
+
+"Of course you wouldn't, because you don't know how; but I'll do it now,
+and teach you some other time."
+
+"Yes, yes," put in both Florence and Mattie; "your hair will be lovely
+crimped, and _so_ becoming; do let her!"
+
+"But I am afraid you'll make me look ridiculous, Marion," said Miss
+Christine, in a deprecating tone; "and perhaps you will burn it."
+
+"Indeed I won't; _your_ hair shan't suffer the way poor Meg's did in
+'Little Women,' for I'll do it over a hot slate-pencil, and that _never_
+burnt mine."
+
+"You don't mean to say you want to friz my hair up the way yours is!"
+
+"No, indeed; I'll take more hair, and that will do it in large, soft
+waves. Now you'll see how lovely I'll make it look;" and Marion already
+had the pencil in the gas, and in a moment more was twisting over it a
+lock of Miss Christine's hair. "Now for the other side; then I'll comb
+it out, and it will be perfectly stunning!"
+
+"Marion, what an expression!" said Miss Christine, as she sat in
+momentary expectation of having her hair singed off her head, or her
+forehead blistered. "I wish you would correct yourself of the habit of
+using slang words."
+
+"_Slang!_ why, that's not slang!"
+
+"Yes, my dear; I think it is."
+
+"Well, it is certainly a very mild form."
+
+"Mild or not, it is extremely unladylike, and I hope you will get over
+the habit soon, or it will become fixed upon you."
+
+"Well, I'll try," said Marion, taking a hair-pin out of her mouth; "but
+it will almost kill me. Stunning, and scrumptious, and jolly, and lots
+of those things, express so much more than any old, prim, stuck-up
+words. There! I suppose that's slang too! Well, never mind now, Miss
+Christine; when I come back after Christmas vacation, I'm going to be
+'Miss Piety promoted;' see if I'm not! Now look at yourself."
+
+"Why, Marion, haven't you crimped my hair a _little_ too much?"
+
+"No, indeed!" cried the three girls.
+
+"You look just as sweet as you can look," said Florence; "it's not a bit
+too much, it's only lovely waves."
+
+"Now I'm to get your dress, and you must put it on in here," said
+Marion; and before Miss Christine could utter a word of remonstrance she
+was off, and in a moment came back with the dress over her arm, and a
+lace collar in her hand. "I wish the skirt was a trifle longer," said
+Marion, as she stooped, and pulled it down behind.
+
+"It's long enough for such a plain body as myself; you want to make a
+fashionable lady of me."
+
+"I wouldn't have you a fashionable lady for the world! but I do want you
+to look your very bestest."
+
+"You have forgotten my pin, dear; it was on the bureau beside my
+collar."
+
+"No I haven't forgotten it," said Marion, who was opening and shutting
+various boxes in her upper drawer. "Where in the world is that ribbon?
+Here it is. Now, Miss Christine, I don't want you to wear the pin; it's
+the same you wear every day, and you ought to have some color about you
+somewhere; so I want you to wear this knot of blue satin, and I've got a
+band to match. Please do, just for my sake!"
+
+"Why, Marion, you will make me absurd; you forget what an old maid I
+am."
+
+"Old maid! I should think as much," replied Marion, pinning on the bow
+in spite of all remonstrance,--"old maid indeed! You're nothing of the
+sort, and what's more you know you never will be;" and Marion gave a
+mischievous glance at her teacher.
+
+"Don't be impertinent, Marion," replied Miss Christine; but "old maid"
+as she called herself, she could not keep a very girlish blush from
+glowing on her cheeks at her pupil's words.
+
+"I think you are just as lovely as you can be!" exclaimed Marion. "Oh! I
+forgot; the band for your hair;--there! now you're complete."
+
+"Why, Miss Christine, you'll hardly know yourself," said Florence; "just
+look in the glass. Those crimps make you look five years younger."
+
+"I'm going down to get Sallie," said Marion. "Don't put your things on
+yet, please; she wants to see you."
+
+Marion ran off, returning in a few moments with Sarah Brown, who, the
+moment she saw her teacher, threw open her arms, and gave her a most
+emphatic hug.
+
+"Now you look just as you ought. I'm perfectly delighted you're going,
+and your hair is beautiful,--that band is so becoming."
+
+"That is all Marion's doings; in fact, I owe all my 'fine feathers' to
+her, and without them I should not be such a 'fine bird' as you seem to
+think me;" and Miss Christine laughed her dear, little laugh, that her
+scholars loved so well, and glanced affectionately at the group of
+admiring girls about her.
+
+"You are not a 'fine bird' at all," exclaimed Sarah, in her most
+enthusiastic way; "you are just a dear, white dove."
+
+"O Sarah! a white dove in black silk and blue satin--rather
+incongruous," said Miss Christine.
+
+The girls all joined Miss Christine in her laugh; but nevertheless
+protested that Sarah's simile was not a bit exaggerated.
+
+"Well now, Miss Christine," said Marion, "if you are ready, I'll go down
+and tell Biddy to put her things on."
+
+"Biddy isn't going with me," replied Miss Christine, who seemed very
+busily engaged enveloping her head in a cloud, bringing it so far over
+her face that not a vestige of her hair was visible.
+
+"Why, you're not going alone?"
+
+"No; M. Béranger was invited, and kindly offered to escort me," said
+Miss Christine, bending her head to fasten her glove.
+
+"Oh!" said Marion; but she gave a sly glance at her companions, which
+was not observed by Miss Christine, whose glove-buttons seemed to be
+giving her a great deal of trouble.
+
+"Now, good-night, girls. I thank you a thousand times for all you have
+done for me, Marion;" then, as she kissed them all, "I don't believe
+there ever was a teacher had such affectionate scholars."
+
+"You mean there never were scholars that had such a perfectly lovely
+teacher!" cried Sarah Brown, loud enough to be heard in the hall below.
+
+"'Sh!" said Miss Christine. "Monsieur is down there; he will hear you."
+
+"I guess it won't be any news to him," whispered Marion, as they hung
+over the banisters watching the proceedings below. "Do you know, Sallie,
+I believe she pulled that cloud over her head on purpose so that Miss
+Stiefbach wouldn't see she had her hair crimped. I dare say if she had,
+she'd have given her a lecture, when she got back, on the follies and
+vanities of this world."
+
+"I dare say," replied Sarah. "She'd like to make Miss Christine just
+such a stiff old maid as she is herself; but she won't succeed."
+
+"Not a bit of it," replied Marion.
+
+When Miss Christine came home from the party, and stood before her glass
+preparatory to undressing, if she had been one of her own scholars she
+would have said she had a "splendid time." Evening companies, even as
+small as the one she had just attended, were something in which she
+rarely indulged; in fact, she had often remained at home from
+preference, sending her sister in her place, thinking she was much more
+likely to shine in society than herself. But this night she had really
+enjoyed herself. It certainly was very pleasant to know she looked
+better than usual; and if the evidence of her own eyes, and the
+admiration of her scholars, had not proved that, there had been some one
+else who testified to the fact in a few respectful, but very earnest
+words.
+
+As she unpinned the blue ribbons, she wondered if it had been foolish
+and undignified in her to wear them; but the recollection of the loving
+girls who had urged her to do so filled her heart with delight, and she
+went to bed feeling that the affection of those young hearts was worth
+more than all the elegance of manner, and extreme dignity, for which her
+sister was noticeable, which, however it might inspire the awe and
+respect of her pupils, never won their love.
+
+The next morning the girls noticed that Miss Christine's crimps were not
+entirely "out." When she brushed her hair that morning, her first
+impulse had been to straighten out the pretty waves with a dash of cold
+water; then she thought, to please Marion, she would leave it as it was.
+I wonder if it occurred to her that the only lesson for the day was
+French?
+
+
+
+
+CHAPTER XVI.
+
+THE HOLIDAYS.
+
+
+The days and weeks at Miss Stiefbach's school quickly succeeded each
+other, all passing very much as those I have already described, and the
+Christmas holidays were close at hand.
+
+Shortly after Thanksgiving there had been another musicale, at which
+Marion played without dropping her music, or making any mistakes, and
+won universal admiration for the delicacy of her touch, and above all
+for the depth and beauty of her expression. Not that so-called
+expression which has lately become the fashion, which seems to consist
+in playing half the piece in pp., rushing from that to ff., with a
+rapidity which certainly astonishes the hearer, if it does nothing more;
+but carefully noting the crescendos and diminuendos, which are to music
+what the lights and shadows are to painting, and rendering the whole in
+a manner that appealed to the heart rather than the senses.
+
+Marion was gradually, and without any noticeable effort on her part,
+obtaining a different footing in the school. The girls who had admired
+but feared her might now be said to only admire; for the cutting
+sarcasms, the withering scorn, which had formerly led them to fear her,
+were now very rarely observable in either her conversation or her
+manners.
+
+Once or twice some of the scholars had spoken of the difference in
+Marion's behavior, and, as one of them expressed it, "wondered what had
+come over the spirit of her dreams;" but the answer to the query was
+generally accepted as a fact, "that it was only one of her odd freaks,
+and very likely would not last long."
+
+But it was not one of her freaks; far from it. A change was coming over
+her whole character; slowly but surely it was approaching; manifesting
+itself at present in certain ways, or perhaps not so much in certain
+ways as in the absence of certain other ways, which had before been the
+dark spots in a nature which God had intended to make broad, intense,
+and noble. God had intended?--no, not that; for what could God intend
+and not perform? The nature was there, heart and soul bearing the
+impress of the Maker's hand; but like a beautiful garden having within
+its borders flowers of surpassing beauty and luxurious growth, but
+twined and intertwined with rank weeds and choking briers, which the
+gardener must clear away,--not tearing them apart with rough and
+ruthless hands, and by so doing killing the tender plant; but
+delicately, carefully, as a mother would tend her babe; untwining
+tendril after tendril, leaf after leaf, propping and sustaining the
+flowers as he works, until at last the weeds lay withered and broken,
+but a few moments trailing their useless branches on the ground, ere the
+gardener with a firm grasp wrenches them from the soil. His hands may be
+scratched and bleeding from contact with the briers; but what of that?
+If the plants are rescued; if they raise up their drooping heads, and
+gladden his eyes with the sight of their buds and blossoms, do you
+suppose he will murmur or complain for any wounds he may have received?
+Not he! The weeds and briers are gone, the blooming plants are
+saved,--that is enough.
+
+Such a garden was Marion's heart, and she had already commenced the work
+of the gardener; but so slowly did she proceed that sometimes she was
+almost willing to let the work go, so hopeless did it seem to her; only
+a few tendrils untwined, only a few leaves saved from the briers whose
+roots as yet remained untouched. But such moments of discouragement did
+not come to her often, or if they did, she tried not to yield to them.
+The great trouble with her was the determination with which she held to
+her resolution in regard to Rachel; she still treated her with the same
+coldness, the same formal politeness, which she had shown her on her
+first arrival; she had not succeeded in quieting the still, small voice,
+which persisted in whispering in her ear; but though she could not help
+hearing it, she resolutely forbore to heed it.
+
+Poor Florence had built high hopes on the easy, friendly manner with
+which Marion had treated Rachel the night of the famous Thanksgiving
+party, and had thought the pain she suffered with her foot but a small
+price to pay for the bringing together of her old friend and her new;
+but she had seen those hopes vanish one by one. As the friendship
+between herself and Rachel increased, Marion's coldness became the more
+distressing to both parties; for although Marion had never abated one
+jot of her affection for Florence, there was a certain barrier between
+them, which each from her heart deplored, but which seemed destined for
+the present to remain uncrossed.
+
+But, my dear reader, I'm afraid you think I am growing fearfully prosy,
+and if you don't I am sure I do; so I will hurry on with my story.
+
+It was the 23d of December, and the young ladies of Miss Stiefbach's
+school were starting off en masse for their various homes; indeed, some
+living at the West had already gone, having been called for by parents
+or friends, and not a few by their older brothers on their way home from
+college, who were not at all averse to spending one night in "that
+stupid old town," for the sake of a peep at the pretty girls of the
+school.
+
+Marion Berkley, Mattie Denton, the two Thayers, Florence Stevenson, and
+Rachel Drayton, all went by the Boston train, and I don't believe a
+merrier party ever started on a journey together.
+
+Florence, finding that Rachel was intending to spend the holidays at the
+school, had written to her father, and obtained his permission to take
+her new friend home with her. Rachel had at first demurred, dreading to
+again encounter strangers; but Florence had plead so earnestly,
+representing to her how forlorn and stupid it would be for her at the
+school, at the same time promising that she should not see any company,
+or participate in any gayety,--"they would just have a quiet time at
+home and enjoy each other,"--that she had at last yielded.
+
+It was a most excellent thought of Florence, for anniversaries of any
+kind were likely to prove very trying to Rachel; making her realize more
+forcibly than ever the loss of her father,--a loss to which she had
+tried to reconcile herself; but, strive hard as she would, it was ever
+present in her mind, and if she had been left in that great house, with
+none of the pupils with whose laughter, fun, and frolic the walls had so
+often resounded, it is probable that the melancholy which had at first
+seemed fixed upon her, but which the presence of so many bright young
+lives around her had done much towards dispelling, would have returned
+to her with double force, and taken a stronger hold upon her than ever.
+
+When Florence had communicated her intention to Marion, she answered not
+a word; but no one knew what a hard struggle it was for her to keep
+silent.
+
+Christmas vacation was always looked forward to by them both, with
+greater anticipations of pleasure than any other, for Florence always
+spent several days in the city with Marion in a round of pleasure. Not
+balls and parties, but theatres, concerts, picture-galleries, etc., were
+visited; in fact, every new thing that came to the city that week, and
+was worth seeing, Mr. Berkley always made it a point to take the girls
+to see, and those good times were talked over for weeks and weeks after
+they were back at school.
+
+Marion had been looking forward to the holidays with more than her usual
+eagerness, for then she thought she and Florence would be together just
+as they used to be, without any barrier whatever between them; but when
+she heard that Rachel would spend the vacation with Florence, she knew,
+of course, that there would be an end to all the merry-makings; for even
+if she and Rachel had been on good terms, the latter would not of course
+have participated in such gayety.
+
+The girls were all met at the depot by their respective papas, mammas or
+"big brothers," and after great demonstrations of delight at meeting,
+and good-byes, and "Come round soon," etc., from the girls as they
+parted, they all separated on their way to their various homes.
+
+"Marion," asked Mr. Berkley at the breakfast-table the next morning, as
+he helped his daughter to the best chop on the platter, "who was that
+young lady with Florence last night?"
+
+"Miss Drayton," replied Marion, with the slightest possible change of
+manner,--"Rachel Drayton."
+
+"Rachel Drayton. That's rather an uncommon name. I don't think I ever
+heard of a real bona fide Rachel before; handsome, isn't she?"
+
+"No, not exactly; perhaps she would be if she were well."
+
+"She's uncommon-looking," continued Mr. Berkley, as he helped himself to
+another slice of toast; "didn't you notice her, Margaret?--tall, with
+jet-black hair and eyes. Rachel is just the name for her."
+
+"I noticed her; in fact, Florence introduced her, but I was attracted
+towards her first by the unusually sad expression of her face. I never
+saw it so noticeable in one so young; and I suppose she is young, though
+she looks much older than you or Florence."
+
+"She is only seventeen," replied Marion, busily engaged in giving
+Charley sips of her coffee.
+
+"Oh, well," said Mr. Berkley in his hearty way, "we'll soon get rid of
+that sad look; we'll have her in with Flo, and I guess after she's seen
+Warren once or twice she'll learn how to laugh. What do you think,
+Marion?"
+
+"It won't be any use for you to invite her, papa. She wouldn't come;
+she's in deep mourning,--she lost her father just before she came to
+school."
+
+"Poor child!" said Mrs. Berkley, whose heart always warmed towards any
+one in trouble; "poor child! Where does her mother live?"
+
+"She has no mother either; she died when Rachel was a baby. In fact, she
+has no relations at all except an uncle, who has been abroad for ten
+years, and will not be at home until school closes next spring."
+
+"Well, I do pity the poor thing!" said Mr. Berkley, who, although death
+had never robbed him of his own dear ones, felt the deepest sympathy for
+all those who had been so stricken. "I think it is one of the saddest
+cases I ever knew. I suppose Flo--bless her heart!--could sympathize
+with her even more than the rest of you, having lost her mother too."
+
+"She and Rachel are great friends," replied Marion, wishing the subject
+would ever be changed.
+
+"Is she well provided for?" asked Mr. Berkley.
+
+"She is immensely wealthy," replied Marion; "will have two or three
+millions in her own right, when she is twenty-one."
+
+"Whew!" exclaimed Mr. Berkley; "pretty well provided for, I should
+think. Well, I'm glad of it; she has had trouble enough already, without
+having to worry about money matters. Marion, have another chop?"
+
+"No, I thank you, papa, I've had quite enough," replied Marion, rousing
+herself, and speaking with her usual energy, the absence of which had
+not escaped her mother's ear. "How soon will Fred be home? I'm crazy to
+see him."
+
+"In about an hour, I expect," replied Mrs. Berkley; "he is quite as
+anxious to see you as you are to see him."
+
+"I tell you what, Mab," said Mr. Berkley, "Fred is a pretty important
+member of society since he got into college; you ought to hear him talk
+about 'the men of our class;' it makes me feel old."
+
+"Oh! he'll get over that," laughed Marion. "I suppose he feels
+particularly grand, because he's younger than most of his class."
+
+"Yes, I dare say," said Mrs. Berkley, with a little motherly anxiety in
+her voice. "I wish he had waited a year; it would have been much better
+for him."
+
+"Oh, nonsense!" answered Mr. Berkley, as he pushed his chair back from
+the table; "the sooner he sows his 'wild oats' the better; besides, he's
+sound enough, never fear. But I forgot, Marion; I'm getting to be almost
+too old a beau for you; so I told Fred to bring some one home from
+college to pass the vacation. He has invited a Mr. Thornton; he took a
+great fancy to Fred, though _he is_ a junior; so you can't turn up your
+nose at him."
+
+"I don't want to turn up my nose at him; but junior or not, he will not
+be my escort. I'll hand him over to mamma; but wherever I go, you'll
+have to take me, do you understand?"
+
+"Oh, yes, I understand perfectly. That all sounds very pretty, no doubt;
+but you wait till you see Arthur Thornton. Such _heavenly_ eyes!"
+exclaimed Mr. Berkley, disengaging himself from Marion, and clasping his
+hands in the most enthusiastic manner, "and such a _magnificent_ figure!
+and such a _stunning_ mustache, and such--such a--such a surprising
+appetite!"
+
+"Now, papa," said Marion, laughing at her father's romantic gestures,
+and the very unromantic conclusion of his sentence, "you know I never
+rave so over young men; it's so silly!"
+
+"Now, mamma, just hear her," said Mr. Berkley, turning to his wife; "she
+never raves over young men; oh, no! Wasn't little Bob Jones the
+_loveliest_ dancer she ever saw? and didn't Walter Hargate sing the
+'rainy day' so as to make one weep _oceans_ of tears? and wasn't Jack
+Richards' profile 'enough to make one _wild_'? and wasn't--"
+
+"Stop! stop!" cried Marion, jumping up and putting her hand over her
+father's mouth; "you shan't say another word; it isn't fair. That was
+nearly two years ago, when I was young and foolish; now I am almost
+eighteen, and, as Fred says, 'I'm going to come the heavy dignity.'"
+
+"All right," replied her father, as he gave her a kiss; "only don't come
+it over me, that's all. Here they are now! Marion! Marion!" he cried, as
+she broke from him, and made a rush for the front door, "that's very
+undignified, very undignified indeed; you should receive them in the
+parlor."
+
+But Marion paid no heed to his admonition, and in a moment more had her
+arms round Fred's neck, utterly oblivious to the fact that a young
+six-footer stood behind him.
+
+"Come in, Marion; what do you mean by keeping Mr. Thornton standing out
+there in the cold?" said Mr. Berkley, with a mischievous twinkle in his
+eyes. "I'm surprised at you! Come in, Mr. Thornton; glad to see you; my
+daughter, _Miss_ Berkley."
+
+Mr. Thornton raised his hat, and bent that "magnificent figure" in the
+most profound salutation, while Marion responded with a bow, which, as
+her father whispered to her, "was dignity itself."
+
+After the usual bustle accompanying an arrival was over, and some little
+time had been spent in chatting, Mr. Berkley said:--
+
+"Come, Fred, you and Mr. Thornton must be hungry; go out and get some
+breakfast; we have had ours, but Marion will do the honors."
+
+"We breakfasted before we left," answered Fred. "I knew we should be
+late; but we'll do double duty at dinner."
+
+"I'm sorry for that," whispered Mr. Berkley to Marion, as he handed her
+his meerschaum to fill, "for I wanted to prove the last part of my
+description. I know you've accepted the first part already as perfect."
+
+"Hush, papa! don't be silly," answered Marion, as she dipped her fingers
+into the tobacco-box.
+
+"Miss Berkley, can you fill a pipe?" asked Mr. Thornton.
+
+"Why, of course she can," said her father; "she's filled mine ever since
+she was so high. I should have given up smoking long ago if it hadn't
+been for her."
+
+"That's all nonsense, papa; you'll never stop smoking till the day of
+your death; so I suppose I shall always fill your pipe."
+
+"Miss Berkley," said Mr. Thornton, with a graceful little bow, "I wish
+while I am here I might be allowed the pleasure of having _my_ pipe
+filled by those fair fingers."
+
+"I beg your pardon, Mr. Thornton," said Marion, with the least possible
+toss of her head; "but I never fill any one's but papa's."
+
+Mr. Thornton bowed, flushing slightly as he rose to follow Fred to his
+room, mentally resolving never to waste pretty speeches again on that
+girl; and Mr. Berkley observed as he left the room, "A perfect scorcher,
+Marion! If you keep that dignity up for the rest of his visit, there
+won't be a piece of him left as big as a chicken's wing."
+
+The following morning was as bright and beautiful as ever a Christmas
+morning could be, and indoors the merry party at Mr. Berkley's was quite
+in keeping with the weather; such strife as to who could wish "Merry
+Christmas" first, such an exhibition of presents, and such general
+jollification, could only be found where every one was in the best of
+spirits, and all determined to enjoy themselves to the utmost.
+
+The Christmas gifts had been arranged by Mr. and Mrs. Berkley the
+previous night in the parlor, where the door was kept fastened until
+directly after breakfast, when Mr. Berkley unlocked it, and let in the
+whole family. Marion was in a perfect state of excitement over her
+presents, quite forgetting the talked-of dignity in her admiration of
+them; and the charming way in which she thanked Mr. Thornton for a
+bouquet, bearing his card, quite did away with the effect of her hauteur
+of the previous day. From her father and mother she received what she
+had long expressed a wish for,--"Goethe's Female Characters illustrated
+by Kaulbach," a book which her intense love for art enabled her to fully
+appreciate; from Fred a beautiful amethyst ring; a pretty necktie from
+Charley, which, as he said, "he choosed hisself;" a bust of Clytie from
+her Uncle George; besides gloves, bows, embroidered handkerchiefs, etc.,
+too numerous to mention, from various aunts and cousins.
+
+"But, Marion, there is something else," said her mother; "lift up that
+handkerchief and see what is under it."
+
+"Oh, is that for me? I didn't understand," said Marion, as she took up
+the handkerchief that hid something from view. "O mamma, how perfect!
+Isn't it lovely? She couldn't have given me anything I would have liked
+half so well;" and the tears started to her eyes, for the present was
+from Florence, and Marion had thought she had nothing from her, and was
+cut to the quick; for they had always exchanged Christmas gifts ever
+since they were children. This one was an exquisitely colored photograph
+of Florence herself, beautifully framed in blue velvet and gilt.
+
+"She had it taken just before she went back to school," said Mrs.
+Berkley, "and I colored it for her; isn't the frame lovely? She had it
+made to order. I never saw one like it."
+
+"It is lovely; just exactly like her;" and Marion looked fondly at the
+eyes that smiled into hers with such a sweet, affectionate expression,
+and as she did so thoughts of the past and present flitted quickly
+through her mind, and further speech just then was quite impossible.
+
+But it is useless to attempt a description of each of those many merry
+days; they all passed only too quickly. Mr. Thornton proved himself to
+be a very valuable addition to the home circle, as well as a most hearty
+participator in all their schemes for going about here, there, and
+everywhere. During the holidays Mr. and Mrs. Berkley received several
+invitations to large parties, in which 'Miss Berkley' was included; but
+all were declined, for Mrs. Berkley had no idea of having Marion go
+into society for more than a year yet. Her father had said, in his
+jolly, easy way, "Oh, let her go, it won't hurt her; why, you and I did
+most of our courting before you were as old as she is."
+
+"I can't help it, my dear; because you and I were foolish is no reason
+we should let her be," replied her mother. "I have no objections to her
+going to the little 'Germans' given by girls of her age; but regular
+balls and parties I can't allow."
+
+But Marion was not at all disturbed about the party question; she was
+enjoying her vacation to the utmost. At first she missed Florence very
+much. She had been out to see her once or twice. The first time she saw
+her alone for a few moments, and thanked her warmly for her photograph,
+receiving Florence's thanks in return for her present of a lovely
+locket, and promising to have her own picture taken to put in it.
+
+"Marion," said Mrs. Berkley one day, "don't you intend to invite
+Florence and Miss Drayton in here to spend the night?"
+
+"I don't think Rachel would come, if I asked her, mamma. You know we are
+pretty gay now that Mr. Thornton is here."
+
+"But you need not ask any one else, and I don't believe she would mind
+him;--he seems like one of the family."
+
+"I don't think she would come, mamma."
+
+"Very well, my dear, you know best;" and Mrs. Berkley did not again
+refer to the subject. She felt instinctively that Marion did not
+entertain the same friendship for Rachel that Florence did; but she said
+nothing about it, never wishing to force herself into her daughter's
+confidence, knowing well enough that, if she waited, that confidence
+would come of its own accord.
+
+Everything must come to an end at last, and so did those Christmas
+holidays, and Marion went back to school, and Fred and Mr. Thornton to
+college; the latter young gentleman, if we might judge from a little
+scrap of conversation he had with his chum on his return, not quite
+heart-whole.
+
+"You see, Sam, I went home with Berkley more to please him than myself.
+To be sure I knew I should have a stupid time loafing round here, and I
+had no idea of going home; for the house is all shut up while the old
+gentleman and mother are in Europe. So I thought, as Berk really seemed
+to want me, I'd go, and I tell you I never had a jollier time in my
+life;" and Arthur Thornton watched the wreaths of smoke as they curled
+about his head, quite lost in recollections of the past two weeks.
+
+"What did you do?" asked his companion, knocking the ashes out of his
+pipe.
+
+"Oh! went to the theatre, museum, concerts,--everything! Stayed at home
+once or twice, and had a 'candy-scrape.' It's the best place in the
+world to visit, and the most delightful family."
+
+"All of whom unite, I suppose, in worshipping Master Freddy."
+
+"Not by a long shot!" replied Arthur Thornton, energetically; "_he_
+unites with the rest of the family in worshipping at quite another
+shrine."
+
+"And that is--"
+
+"His sister Marion; the most perfectly bewitching girl I ever saw in my
+life!"
+
+"Arty, my boy, has it come to that?" solemnly asked his companion, as he
+removed his pipe from his mouth, and looked at his friend with a face
+expressive of the deepest dejection; "do you mean to say that you've
+surrendered, and gone over to the enemy?"
+
+"I haven't gone over at all; but she certainly is the best specimen of a
+girl I ever saw! None of your sentimental, simpering kind! I just wish
+you'd seen her when I tried to make a pretty speech to her; didn't she
+toss her head up, and flash those eyes at me? By Jove! I never felt so
+small in my life!"
+
+"If she has the power of producing that effect upon you, she must be
+something fearful," replied his friend, coolly surveying the six feet of
+human frame which lay stretched on the sofa before him. "She flashes her
+eyes, does she?"
+
+"Doesn't she? and such eyes!--great, dark-brown eyes with long black
+lashes; and such hair!--golden hair! Do you hear? golden hair and dark
+eyes, and--"
+
+"My dear fellow," replied Sam, languidly waving his hand before him,
+"forbear! I entreat you to forbear; half of that description is enough
+to do away with the quieting influences of this pipe; if you should
+continue, I don't know what would become of me, to say nothing of
+yourself. I see that you are lost to me forever. Farewell, my once
+loved, never-to-be-forgotten friend; I see that you are--in for it."
+
+"Don't be a fool, Sam, and just wait till you've seen her yourself."
+
+"Until that blissful time arrives," replied his friend, rising to leave
+the room, "I will occupy all my spare hours in hunting up an armor that
+will be proof against the 'flashes' of those eyes."
+
+"You're an old idiot!" shouted Arthur; but Sam had dodged back, and
+slammed the door, just in time to escape being hit by a boot-jack, which
+his friend threw at him.
+
+To tell the truth, Mr. Thornton was just the least bit in the world
+touched. Marion had done her best to entertain her brother's friend, and
+indeed that was not a very severe task, when the individual in question
+was a handsome young fellow, intelligent and agreeable, and not
+possessing quite the usual amount of conceit that young men of his age
+are troubled with. In fact, she succeeded so well in making herself
+agreeable to him, that Fred told his mother in confidence, that "it was
+easy enough to see Thornton was dead smashed with Mab, and 'twouldn't be
+a bad thing for her if she should fancy him, for he was a 'regular
+brick,' and hadn't he got the rocks!"
+
+For which inelegant expressions his mother most seriously reproved him,
+at the same time saying that she thought Marion had taken a fancy to Mr.
+Thornton, and that was all she ever would care for him; and it was very
+silly to be talking about anything serious now, when she was nothing but
+a child.
+
+Of course when the scholars all met again at school nothing was talked
+of but the vacation; presents were shown and admired, and for days and
+days after their return, as soon as study hours were over, little knots
+of girls might be seen scattered all over the house, chattering away as
+fast as their tongues could go, rehearsing again and again the delights
+of the holidays.
+
+The first thing Marion did was to make a visit to Aunt Bettie's to thank
+the good woman for her present of a barrel of as rosy-cheeked apples as
+ever grew. She found the old lady well and happy, rocking away in the
+sunshine, while Jemima made bread in the pantry, singing in a clear,
+bright voice, which gave excellent proof of her recovered health and
+contentment.
+
+She carried Jemima a couple of bright ribbons, and a pretty embroidered
+linen collar, and Aunt Bettie a neat lace cap, which unexpected gifts
+quite overpowered them, and caused Aunt Bettie to remark, "Seemed as how
+some folks was a-doin' and a-doin' all the time, and could never do
+enuff;" which remark, Marion declared, as she ran out of the house,
+certainly did not apply to her.
+
+
+
+
+CHAPTER XVII.
+
+MARION'S MIDNIGHT WALK.
+
+
+It was a clear, cold day, in the latter part of February; the ground had
+been covered with snow ever since Christmas week, and seemed likely to
+be so for some time yet; even quite a heavy rain had failed to melt away
+King Winter's snowy mantle, for being followed by a freezing night it
+had only served to crust everything with a thin coating of ice, and set
+upon the old fellow's head a crown, which glittered and sparkled in the
+sunlight rivalling in beauty that of many a lesser monarch.
+
+A sleigh was standing at the gate of the school, and Martin, the
+Irishman who sawed the wood, built the fires, and did all the little odd
+jobs generally of the establishment, stood with the reins in his hands;
+evidently very much pleased with his new position as coachman.
+
+Miss Stiefbach was going away, fifteen miles into the country, to see a
+friend who was very ill, and had sent her a very pressing letter, asking
+her to come to her as soon as possible; and the most feasible way for
+her to get there and back seemed to be, to hire a horse and sleigh in
+the village, take Martin as driver, and return the next day.
+
+Nothing but the very urgent request of a sick friend would have called
+Miss Stiefbach away from school just at this time; for the cook was sick
+abed with a terribly sore throat; the laundress could hardly speak, on
+account of a bad cold, and Bridget, the housemaid, was almost worn out
+with doing a part of everybody's work, for the last three days. But
+Miss Christine begged her sister to go; she would get the older girls to
+help her with the extra work, and as it was only for one night, there
+certainly seemed no danger but what they could get along without her; so
+at two o'clock Miss Stiefbach started. Marion, Julia, and Sarah offered
+their services to wash the dinner-dishes, and with sleeves rolled up,
+and long aprons on, went into the business in earnest, laughing and
+chattering like magpies. While they were at work Rachel Drayton came
+into the room for a glass of water, and Sarah Brown, looking up,
+exclaimed:--
+
+"Why, Rachel, what in the world is the matter with you? You look like a
+ghost!"
+
+"Only one of my headaches," said Rachel, making a feeble attempt to
+smile. "I've had it all day."
+
+"But you are hoarse; you can hardly speak," said Julia.
+
+"Don't say anything about it; but my throat is terribly sore. Please
+don't tell Miss Christine; there are enough sick in the house already
+without me."
+
+"But you ought to do something for it, indeed you ought," said Sarah. "I
+wish I could tell you of something; don't you know of anything for a
+sore throat, Marion?"
+
+"I always gargle mine with salt and water," answered Marion
+indifferently, without looking up from the buffet-drawer, where she was
+arranging the silver.
+
+"Well, do try it, Rachel," said Julia; "it can't hurt you certainly;
+here's some salt. How much do you put in a tumbler of water, Marion?"
+
+"I really don't know," replied Marion, still busy with the silver; "I
+never measured it."
+
+"Well, can't you give me any idea?" asked Julia, rather impatiently.
+
+"Don't trouble Miss Berkley," said Rachel, in a voice which she tried
+in vain to render steady, for, sick and suffering as she was, Marion's
+indifference cut her to the heart. She turned away to leave the room,
+the blinding tears rushed to her eyes, her head swam, and she staggered
+forward, as Sarah cried: "Quick, Julia! catch her; she's fainting!"
+
+Marion started up in time to see Rachel, with a deathly white face and
+closed eyes, stretch out her hands helplessly before her, as Julia and
+Sarah caught her in their arms, and saved her from falling.
+
+The sight of that white face struck Marion with horror; but still she
+did not move from the spot where she had stood ever since Rachel entered
+the room; it seemed as if she _could_ not move, until Sarah exclaimed:--
+
+"Marion, hand me a glass of water, for Heaven's sake; she'll faint
+away."
+
+"No, I shan't," said Rachel, in a feeble voice, trying to raise her
+head; "it was only a sudden dizziness. I often have it when my head
+aches, only to-day it was worse than usual."
+
+"Lie still there," said Julia, as they led her to the sofa, "and keep
+perfectly quiet; I'll go call Miss Christine."
+
+"No! no!" cried Rachel, jumping up, but sinking back again as the sudden
+movement sent her head whizzing round; "please don't; she has gone up to
+give cook her medicine, and indeed I shall be better soon."
+
+"I won't call her, if you'll promise to go to bed as soon as you are
+able to walk."
+
+"Well, I will," answered Rachel. "I can go in a few minutes; would you
+mind asking Florence to come here?"
+
+Sarah ran off to get Florence, and Julia sat down by Rachel, bathing her
+head with cold water. Marion went on quietly putting away the dishes;
+only now and then glancing at the white face in such fearful contrast
+with its surroundings of black hair and dress.
+
+Florence came in, and, as soon as Rachel was able, helped her up to her
+room, where she laid down on the bed without undressing, hoping to feel
+well enough to go down to tea; but that was out of the question; her
+head grew worse instead of better, and at last Florence insisted upon
+calling Miss Christine.
+
+When Miss Christine came up, she told Marion to take Rachel into Miss
+Stiefbach's room, and help her to undress at once, while she went to get
+some hot water in which to bathe her feet. Very soon Rachel was in bed,
+and begged Miss Christine to "go away and not mind her, for she knew she
+should feel all right in the morning."
+
+But of this Miss Christine did not feel at all sure; the deadly pallor
+of Rachel's face had been succeeded by a bright red spot in each cheek,
+and the palms of her hands were burning hot. Leaving Florence to sit
+with her friend, she went down to attend to her other duties. She went
+into the dining-room to set the tea-table; but Marion and Sarah were
+there before her.
+
+"How is Rachel?" asked Sarah; "do you think she is going to be ill?"
+
+"I hope not; indeed I think not, for you know she often has these
+dreadful headaches; still she has a bad sore throat, and seems feverish.
+I almost wish Miss Stiefbach had not gone."
+
+"It was too bad," said Sarah; "just now when everybody is sick! I don't
+see why that lady had to send for her!"
+
+"Well, my dear, she could not possibly know that it was not convenient
+for us to have Miss Stiefbach away, and she wanted to see her about
+something very important; it could not be helped. I dare say everything
+will come out right in the end. I must go now and help Bridget, or she
+will get discouraged. O Marion," she said, as she was about to leave the
+room, "will you please sleep with Rose? She'll be afraid to sleep alone,
+and I have put Rachel into Miss Stiefbach's room, where I can be near
+her if she should want anything in the night."
+
+"Oh, I don't want to," replied Marion, much to Miss Christine's
+surprise. "Rose kicks awfully. Ask Florence."
+
+"Will she be any less likely to kick Florence than you?" asked Miss
+Christine, quietly.
+
+"No, I suppose not; but you know Florence won't mind, as long as it's
+for Rachel."
+
+"And you would, I am sorry to say."
+
+"I suppose it's no use for me to offer," said Sarah, "for that would
+leave Jennie all alone, and she's an awful coward."
+
+"No, I thank you," said Miss Christine, as she left the room; "I will
+ask Florence."
+
+Marion said nothing; she went on setting the table and talking to Sarah,
+never in any way alluding to Rachel, and doing her best not to think of
+her, or reproach herself for having treated her so unkindly; but no
+matter what she did, she could not stifle the voice of conscience, and
+its whisperings were far from pleasant to hear.
+
+That night, as she went up to bed, her better nature prompted her to
+step into Rachel's room, and ask her if she felt any better; but "No,"
+she said to herself, "she will think it's all hypocrisy, and I won't do
+it."
+
+She hurried and undressed herself as quickly as possible, so that she
+was already in bed when Florence came in to get her night-clothes to
+carry into Rose's room; but she did not speak or open her eyes. Florence
+moved round as quietly as possible, getting her things together, and
+then stepping to the bedside stooped down and kissed her friend; but
+Marion did not speak or move; so Florence, thinking she was asleep,
+turned out the gas, and left the room. When she was gone Marion buried
+her head in the pillow, and wept bitter, bitter tears.
+
+It was a long time before she went to sleep, and then her rest was
+disturbed by frightful dreams; she thought the house was on fire; that
+she was safe, but Rachel and Florence were in the attic, where no one
+could reach them, and they must burn to death while she stood looking
+on.
+
+She awoke with a start, to see a bright light in the entry; springing
+out of bed, she ran to the door just as Miss Christine, with a candle in
+her hand, and a wrapper over her night-dress was passing by.
+
+"O Miss Christine," she cried, in an excited whisper, "is the house on
+fire?"
+
+"No, indeed, dear, nothing of the sort; but Rachel is very ill, and I am
+going down to make her some lemonade. Won't you please put something on,
+and go in and sit with her? I cannot bear to leave her alone."
+
+Marion did not stop to answer; but running back into her room, threw a
+shawl over her shoulders, and hastily thrusting her feet into her
+slippers, hurried into Miss Stiefbach's room. There was only a dim light
+in the chamber. Marion went up to the bed, and, leaning over, called
+Rachel by name; but she made no answer, only moaned feebly, and tossed
+her arms over her head, rolling her great black eyes from side to side.
+
+"Rachel," said Marion, thoroughly frightened, "don't you know me?"
+
+The voice seemed to rouse her, for she started up, and looked fixedly at
+Marion; then putting her hands before her eyes, as if to shut out some
+horrible sight, she cried, in a hoarse voice, "Go away! go away! you
+hate me! you hate me! you're going to kill me!"
+
+Marion shuddered, for she knew Rachel must be delirious; she tried to
+soothe her, but the sound of her voice only seemed to make her more
+excited. She seemed to have a vague idea who she was, and that she was
+there to do her harm. Once she sat up in bed, and, laying her hand on
+Marion's arm, said in the most grieved, beseeching tone, "What makes you
+hate me so? I never did you any harm."
+
+Marion, with tears in her eyes was about to speak, when suddenly the
+tender, supplicating expression left Rachel's face, and one of intense
+horror and grief took its place, as she grasped Marion's arm tightly
+with one hand, stretching out her other arm, and pointing into a dark
+corner of the room, exclaiming, in a voice that made her companion
+shudder from head to foot: "See! see! you see they're taking it off!
+they're taking it off! don't you see? It's my father! O father! father!"
+she wailed, stretching out her arm as if entreating some person seen
+only by herself, "don't leave me; for there'll be no one to love me
+then. I'm all alone! all alone! all alone!"
+
+Marion's tears fell thick and fast, as the exhausted girl threw herself
+back on the pillow and sobbed aloud; every unkind thought, every cold
+glance, and every act of neglect which she had shown the poor, desolate
+creature beside her pictured itself before her. Remorse was doing its
+work, and her greatest fear was that Rachel would die while yet
+delirious, and before she had an opportunity to ask her forgiveness, and
+atone by her kindness in the future for her neglect of the past. But
+although these thoughts passed rapidly through her mind, they were but
+as the undercurrent of her immediate anxiety; it seemed as if Miss
+Christine would never come, and Rachel still moaned and sobbed in a
+heart-rending manner.
+
+When Miss Christine did at last enter the room, bringing the lemonade,
+Marion hurried towards her, and whispered:--
+
+"Oh, do you think she's going to die? Can't we do anything for her?
+Can't _I_ do anything?"
+
+"I think she seems very ill indeed," replied Miss Christine, going to
+the bedside, and laying a cloth wet in cold water on Rachel's head; then
+coming back to Marion, "Will you stay with her while I go for the
+doctor?"
+
+"Can't you send Bridget?"
+
+"No, the poor thing is half worn out with all she has had to do this
+week. I would not call her up for anything. If you will stay with
+Rachel, and keep changing the cloth on her head, I will go, for I dare
+not wait until morning."
+
+"O Miss Christine!" exclaimed Marion, in a trembling whisper, "I can't
+stay; indeed I can't, and hear her rave about her father; it is
+dreadful! it goes right through me; you stay and _I'll_ go."
+
+"Marion, do you know it is almost midnight? You will be afraid."
+
+"You were not."
+
+"No, because I'm not nervous."
+
+"Well, I won't be nervous; if there's no danger for you, there is none
+for me. I shall go."
+
+"Any _real_ danger I do not think there is, but of imaginary danger a
+plenty, and if you should get seriously frightened I never should
+forgive myself."
+
+"But I won't be frightened or nervous," said Marion, resolutely. "Here,
+feel my hand; when Rachel was raving a moment ago, I _could_ not keep it
+still; now it is as steady as yours. O Miss Christine, if you only
+_knew_, you would let me go."
+
+"My dear child," said Miss Christine, laying her hand tenderly on
+Marion's cheek, "I _do_ know, and if you really are courageous enough,
+you may go. It is no use for me to wake up any of the girls; there is
+not one of them that would dare go with you, I know."
+
+"I'll go alone, Miss Christine, and I know nothing will happen to me."
+
+Marion hurried back into her room, and dressed herself as quickly as
+possible, putting on her thickest cloak, furs, and a warm hood. Miss
+Christine stepped into the entry, and kissed her good-by, saying:--
+
+"Don't be afraid, darling; you know nothing ever happens round here, and
+if you bring the doctor back with you it may be the means of saving
+Rachel's life."
+
+Marion made no reply, except by a glance full of meaning, and went
+quietly downstairs, looking back as she reached the door, and nodding at
+Miss Christine, who stood at the head of the stairs, holding a candle;
+then she opened the door, and went out into the night alone.
+
+There were two roads which led to the village. By the road proper, on
+which several residences bordered, the distance was about two miles; but
+there was a shorter one, called the bridge road, which led through
+several open fields, and crossed the B---- River, which was rarely
+frequented except by the school-girls and farmers on their way to and
+from market. This road kept a perfectly straight course to the village,
+and although far more lonely than the other, on that account Marion
+chose it.
+
+It was a perfect night; clear and cold, very cold; but of that Marion
+thought nothing; she had braved New England winters all her life, and
+was almost as hardy as a backwoodsman. The moon was full, and shone down
+on as lovely a scene as one would wish to see; the trees with their
+delicate coating of ice glistened and gleamed in its beams, as though
+covered with myriads of jewels, and threw their fantastic shadows on the
+shining snow.
+
+Marion hurried along the road, not giving herself time for fear, until
+she had left the school-house some distance behind her. At any other
+time she would have been wildly enthusiastic over the beauty of the
+night; but looking at the moon from a comfortable sleigh, snugly tucked
+up in buffalo robes, the stillness of the night broken by the jolly
+jingling of bells and the laughter of merry friends, is a very different
+thing from contemplating it on a lonely country road, no house in sight,
+with your loudly beating heart for your only companion, and the hour
+near midnight.
+
+At least Marion found it so; and, brave as she was, she could not keep
+her heart from thumping against her side, or her hands from trembling
+nervously, as she clasped them inside of her muff. Every bush she passed
+took some fantastic shape, and as she strained her eyes before her to
+make it assume some rational form, it seemed to move stealthily as if
+about to spring upon her; the trees appeared to be stretching out their
+naked branches, like long arms with ghostly fingers to clutch her as she
+passed; now and then a twig, too heavily freighted with ice, would snap
+off and come crackling to the ground, the sudden noise making her heart
+stand still for an instant, only to start on again, beating more
+violently than before.
+
+But still she pressed on, and soon the river, which was on the very
+verge of the town, gleamed before her, and she quickened her pace,
+thankful that so much of her journey was past; but who can describe the
+horror and dismay she felt, when, upon reaching its banks, she found the
+bridge was gone! The little river wound in and out for several miles,
+doubling and redoubling itself, as it flowed among the woods and
+fields, and was as quiet and placid a little river as ever could be,
+with the exception of a number of rods above and below the bridge; here
+its bed was filled with a quantity of rocks and stones, and the water,
+rushing over and between them, formed innumerable cascades and
+whirlpools, never freezing in the coldest weather. For some time the
+bridge had been considered rather unsafe, and that afternoon the workmen
+had taken away the floor, leaving the stays and beams still standing.
+
+Marion looked at the skeleton frame in utter despair. There lay the town
+directly before her, the doctor's house being one of the first, and the
+only means of getting to it were gone. To go up the bank of the river
+and cross on the ice seemed out of the question, for there it was
+bordered by thick woods, in which she could easily lose her way, and to
+go back, and round by the regular road would take at least an hour
+longer. Meanwhile Rachel might be dying, for aught she knew. She went
+nearer the bridge, and inspected it more closely; the railings were
+perfectly secure, and built upon two broad, solid beams which spanned
+the river; the idea came into her head to cross the river on one of the
+beams, holding firmly to the railing with both hands. She tied her muff
+by the tassels round her neck, tightened the strings of her hood, and
+stepped cautiously on to the beam. It seemed a fearful undertaking; her
+heart almost misgave her; but the delirious cries of Rachel rang in her
+ears and spurred her on. Step by step, slowly and carefully, as a little
+child feels its way along a fence, she crept along; gaining confidence
+with every movement, until she reached the middle of the bridge; then
+she happened to look down. The black water seethed and foamed beneath
+her, touched into brightness here and there by the moonlight. For an
+instant her brain whirled, and she almost lost her balance. She shut her
+eyes, and with a tremendous effort of her will was herself again.
+Looking up to heaven, and inwardly beseeching God to sustain her, she
+kept on, slowly and carefully as ever, moving first one foot then the
+other, with both hands still firmly clasping the railing, until at last
+the opposite side was reached, and she stepped upon the snow.
+
+Her first impulse was to throw herself upon the nearest rock, for now
+that she had fairly crossed in safety, the extreme tension to which her
+nerves had been subjected relaxed itself, and she was more inclined to
+be alarmed at the loneliness of her situation than before. When on the
+bridge all her thoughts had been concentrated upon getting over safely;
+by force of will she had conquered her nervous fear, calling up all
+sorts of imaginary dangers, which disappeared before the actual danger
+which assailed her, and which, by presence of mind, she had been able to
+overcome. But she would not indulge any of her wild fancies, though they
+crowded themselves upon her against her will. She felt herself growing
+weaker and weaker as she approached the end of her walk. The shadows
+made by the trees and houses seemed even more gloomy than those of the
+open road. Once a dog, chained in the neighborhood, broke the stillness
+of the night by a long, mournful howl, which echoed through the air,
+making Marion shudder as she heard it. At last the house was reached;
+running up the steps she gave the bell a tremendous pull. She could hear
+it ring through the house; then all was still again. She waited, what
+seemed to her, standing there alone on the door-step, which did not even
+offer the friendly shadow of a porch, a very long time; then rang again,
+even more violently than before. In a moment she heard a window opened
+above, and looking up beheld a night-capped head, and the doctor's voice
+asked, "What's the row down there? Seems to me you're in a terrible
+hurry."
+
+"Some one's sick, do let me in quick, Dr. Brown!--it's Marion Berkley."
+
+"Marion Berkley!" exclaimed the doctor, in astonishment. "Here, catch
+this key; it's got a long string tied to it, and let yourself in; I'll
+be down directly."
+
+Marion caught the key, and in a moment unlocked the door; once inside,
+her strength forsook her, and she sank on the door-mat in total
+darkness, perfectly thankful to be in a place of safety. Pretty soon she
+heard a movement above, a light gleamed down the stairway, and she heard
+the doctor's voice calling to some one in the back of the house to have
+the horse harnessed, and brought round to the door immediately.
+
+In a few moments the doctor himself appeared, bearing a light in his
+hand, and exclaiming, as he made his way downstairs, "How, in the name
+of sense, did you come here at this time of night?"
+
+"I walked by the road," answered Marion, her teeth chattering with
+nervousness.
+
+"By the town road," said the doctor; "and who came with you?"
+
+"I came alone, by the bridge road."
+
+"By the bridge road!" exclaimed the doctor, stopping short, as he was
+putting on his great-coat. "Why, the bridge is down!"
+
+"I didn't know until I got to it," said Marion, wishing he would hurry,
+and not stop to question her; "then it was too late to go back; so I
+crossed on the beam."
+
+"The devil you did!" exclaimed the doctor; then catching up the candle
+in one hand, he led her by the other into the dining-room. "There! just
+sit down there! Your hands are shaking like old Deacon Grump's, and your
+teeth chatter as if they were going to drop out. Now drink every drop of
+that, while I go and wrap up."
+
+While he had been talking, the doctor had gone to the sideboard, and
+poured out a generous glass of sherry, which he handed to Marion; she
+took it and drank it all. It sent a genial warmth through her trembling
+frame, and by the time the doctor called out to her that he was ready,
+she felt quite like herself.
+
+After they were seated in the sleigh, and well tucked up with robes, the
+doctor said, "Well now, young lady, if it's agreeable to you, I should
+like to know who is sick enough to send you chasing over country roads,
+across broken bridges, to rout up an old fellow like me."
+
+"Rachel Drayton, sir," said Marion; "she's had a bad cold for some time;
+this afternoon she went to bed with a terrible headache and sore throat,
+and now she's in a high fever, and out of her head."
+
+"Rachel Drayton; that's the one with the great black eyes, isn't it?"
+said the doctor. "H'm! I remember her; very nervous sort of girl, isn't
+she?"
+
+"No, I shouldn't think she was," replied Marion; "she has always seemed
+very calm and quiet; you know she's an orphan."
+
+"Yes, I remember her. I saw her the last time I was there. She's just
+the one to be delirious with even a very slight illness."
+
+"Then you don't think she's going to be very sick?" asked Marion,
+eagerly.
+
+"My dear child," said the doctor, looking down at Marion, "how can I
+tell until I've seen her? But good heavens! what's the matter with
+you?"
+
+Marion had burst into a fit of laughter, and the doctor sat and looked
+at her in perfect amazement.
+
+"What _is_ the matter, child? What are you laughing at?"
+
+But Marion laughed and laughed; throwing her head down into her muff as
+if to control herself, and then looking up at the doctor, and laughing
+harder than before.
+
+"What's the matter with you, child?" cried the poor man, really growing
+uneasy. "Have you gone crazy, or was the wine too much for you?"
+
+"It isn't that, doctor, but you--you--"
+
+"What in the devil's the matter with me, I should like to know!"
+
+"You've--you've--got on your nightcap!" cried Marion, as well as she
+could speak.
+
+The doctor dropped the reins, and put both hands to his head. Sure
+enough, in the hurry of dressing he had forgotten to take off the
+immense bandanna handkerchief he wore tied round his head every night;
+and over it he had put his cloth cap, which, fitting tight to his head,
+left the ends of the handkerchief sticking out each side like great
+horns, giving an indescribably funny appearance to the doctor's jolly
+round face.
+
+Now Dr. Brown, although he always considered himself privileged to say
+and do anything he had a mind to, was excessively particular about his
+toilet, and to take a moonlight drive with a young lady, with his
+nightcap on, was quite contrary to his usual habits. However, it was
+altogether too ridiculous a situation to do anything but laugh, and the
+doctor could enjoy a joke even against himself.
+
+"Laugh on, Marion; I don't blame you a bit," he said. "I must cut a
+pretty figure."
+
+"Just look at your shadow; then you'll see for yourself."
+
+The doctor looked over his shoulder. "The devil!" he exclaimed. "Why, I
+look just like him, don't I? Depend upon it, that's what it is; I've
+called upon his Satanic majesty so often, that now he's after me in good
+earnest. Well, old fellow, I'll deprive you of your horns at any rate;"
+and the doctor brought the ends of the handkerchief down, and tucked
+them under his chin.
+
+"Marion, don't let me go into the house with this thing on. I won't take
+it off now, as long as you've seen it, for it's very comfortable this
+cold night; but I shouldn't like to shock Miss Stiefbach's dignity by
+appearing before her in such a rig."
+
+"Miss Stiefbach is away," replied Marion.
+
+"You don't say so! And the cook sick abed too. Well, Miss Christine has
+her hands full."
+
+"And both the other servants are half sick, and Martin went with Miss
+Stiefbach."
+
+"And that accounts for your coming out on such a wild-goose chase."
+
+"I was chasing after you, sir," answered Marion, mischievously.
+
+"No insinuations, miss! There's the school-house; get up, Beauty; you're
+growing lazy."
+
+Marion found the door unlocked, and entering the house quietly, only
+stopping long enough for the doctor to divest himself of his fantastic
+head-dress, she led the way upstairs.
+
+"How is she?" anxiously asked Marion of Miss Christine, who met them at
+the chamber-door.
+
+"She is more quiet, but I am _very_ glad the doctor is here."
+
+The doctor took off his gloves, rubbed his hands together two or three
+times, then went to the bedside.
+
+Rachel looked at him; but seemed to pay no attention to him or any one
+else. He felt of her head and pulse, then asked Miss Christine if she
+had ever seen her in a fever before.
+
+"No," replied Miss Christine; "but she often has severe headaches; she
+has a sore throat now."
+
+"Bring the light nearer," said the doctor. "Now, my dear young lady,
+will you please open your mouth?"
+
+But Rachel only moved her head, and showed signs of becoming restless.
+The doctor stooped down, opened her mouth himself, and tried to look
+down her throat; but she resisted him, and commenced sobbing and
+muttering incoherently. The doctor soothed her as he would a little
+child, and she became quiet.
+
+"Has she complained of pain in her back and limbs?"
+
+"None at all," replied Miss Christine. "I asked her particularly."
+
+"Give her a teaspoonful of this mixture every half hour until the fever
+abates," handing a glass to Miss Christine, "I will come again to-morrow
+morning."
+
+"O doctor," whispered Marion, who had silently watched every movement,
+"is it scarlet fever?"
+
+Miss Christine said nothing, but her eyes asked the same question.
+
+"Of course I cannot tell yet," said the doctor, rising and drawing on
+his gloves, "but I hardly think it is. I noticed her the other day, when
+I was here, and remember thinking at the time that even a slight illness
+would seem more severe with her than with most persons. She looks like a
+person who had suffered and endured without complaint. I don't like to
+see that sort of look on a young face. When she is ill this unnatural
+self-control gives way, and she's out of her head, when any other
+person would be all straight. However, I advise you to keep all the
+scholars away from her for the present. As for this young lady," taking
+hold of Marion's hand, "the best place for such adventurous young
+females, who go about crossing broken bridges at midnight, is bed."
+
+"What do you mean by broken bridges, doctor?" asked Miss Christine.
+
+"Only that the bridge was down, and she crossed on the beams, that's
+all. My prescription for her is a glass of hot lemonade with a drop of
+something in it to keep it; you understand, Miss Christine;" and the
+doctor nodded his head significantly as he left the room.
+
+"My dear Marion," whispered Miss Christine, as she threw her arms around
+her, "you are the bravest girl I ever knew!"
+
+"Nonsense!" replied Marion, "and please don't say anything about it
+downstairs in the morning; I won't be talked about."
+
+"I understand," said Miss Christine; "but now you must go straight to
+bed. I'll heat the lemonade over the gas, and bring it in to you."
+
+"Miss Christine, you go and lie down yourself, and I'll sit up; indeed,
+I couldn't sleep if I went to bed."
+
+"Yes, you will, and don't talk of sitting up, for I won't allow it; go
+right away."
+
+Marion obeyed; in a very few moments she was in bed, had drank the
+lemonade, and, before she knew she was even drowsy, was fast asleep.
+
+
+
+
+CHAPTER XVIII.
+
+THE VICTORY.
+
+
+The next day the scholars were all very much astonished to find Rachel
+was really ill, so much so that the doctor had been sent for in the
+night; but none were aware of Marion's midnight adventure, for Miss
+Christine had kept her promise to say nothing about it.
+
+Recitations were given up until Miss Stiefbach should return, and the
+scholars were all requested to keep as quiet as possible. Every one went
+about with noiseless steps and hushed voices; some learning that Rachel
+had been delirious, and had a fever, were seriously frightened lest it
+should prove to be contagious, and it was as much as the older girls
+could do to keep the little ones in order.
+
+About ten o'clock the doctor came, and the scholars all collected in the
+school-room and library, waiting to hear his verdict. Marion and
+Florence went to their own room, leaving the door ajar, that they might
+hear the doctor when he went down, and learn from his own lips his
+opinion of the case.
+
+He came at last, and Florence beckoned him into the room; she tried to
+ask the question uppermost in her mind, but could not. The doctor knew
+what she wanted, and said:--
+
+"She is not so bad as I feared; the fever is not so high, and she is not
+at all delirious."
+
+"Then you don't think it's scarlet fever?" anxiously asked Marion.
+
+"No, nor typhoid; I feared one or the other, but now I am confident it
+is nothing contagious. She is pretty sick, but not dangerously so; but
+how are you, Miss Marion? Walking over broken bridges at twelve o'clock
+at night isn't a very good thing for red cheeks, is it?"
+
+"What did he mean?" asked Florence, as he left the room.
+
+"Some of his nonsense," replied Marion, from whose heart a great weight
+had been lifted.
+
+"Marion, you don't put me off in that way," said Florence, laying her
+hands on Marion's shoulders, and looking straight into her eyes.
+Suddenly an idea seemed to flash into her head: "Did you go for the
+doctor?"
+
+Marion nodded assent.
+
+"Tell me about it."
+
+"There is nothing to tell. I woke up in the night, and saw Miss
+Christine, with a light in her hand, going downstairs. She told me
+Rachel seemed very ill, and I went in and stayed with her while Miss
+Christine was gone. Then she wanted to go for the doctor, for she would
+not call Biddy; but I preferred going to being left with Rachel; so I
+went; that's all."
+
+"But what about the broken bridge?" asked Florence.
+
+"The bridge was half down, and I crossed on the beams."
+
+"Marion, how could you? How did you dare?" said Florence, throwing her
+arms round Marion, as if to shield her from present danger; "if your
+feet had slipped you would certainly have fallen in, and there would not
+have been a soul there to save you."
+
+"But my feet did not slip," said Marion. "I was frightened; I don't
+pretend to say I wasn't; and once when I got to the middle of the bridge
+I came near falling; but I shut my eyes, and the thought of Rachel gave
+me strength and courage. O Florence! if you had heard her raving, and
+talking about her father as I did, you would not wonder I went;" and
+Marion bowed her head on her friend's shoulder, and gave vent to the
+tears which she had been struggling to keep back.
+
+Florence held her close in her arms, saying nothing, but bending her own
+head until it rested against Marion's cheek, and lightly passing her
+hand over her hair until the violence of her emotion had passed away,
+and she looked up, with a faint smile, saying, "Don't think me a baby,
+Flo, but I haven't had a good cry with you for ever so long, and I
+believe I needed it."
+
+"Think you a baby, darling! Indeed I don't; I think you're the noblest
+girl I ever knew."
+
+"Yes, very noble, I should think!" exclaimed Marion, bitterly; "the way
+I have treated Rachel has been nobleness itself!"
+
+"But, my dear Marion, you have been acting against your better nature
+all the time. I knew you would come out all right."
+
+For a moment Marion was silent, then looking up suddenly, she said,
+"Flo, I've been awfully wicked; I might as well have it all out now, and
+done with it. When I heard Rachel was coming here I was provoked,
+because I didn't like the idea of having a new scholar, that was all;
+but when Miss Christine came in, and told us she was an orphan, it
+flashed into my head, like a presentiment, that your heart would warm
+towards her; that you would make her your friend; and from that moment I
+determined to hate her. Don't look so shocked, dear, or I can't go on,
+and I want to say it all now. It wasn't a very easy thing, you may be
+sure, after I saw her; but I would not listen to my conscience, and only
+steeled myself against her all the more, when I saw she had every
+quality that would make her lovable, and many that were particularly
+attractive to me. It was hard, you can't tell how hard, to see her day
+by day taking the place with you that had always been mine. I knew it
+was my own fault, because, if I had treated her as I ought, as I really
+wanted to, we might all three have been warm friends; but I wanted you
+all to myself. I was jealous, and I might as well say so! However, the
+night before Thanksgiving I determined to overcome my wicked feelings,
+and yield to my better nature. You know how I treated her that night,
+and I should have done the same ever since if I hadn't been a
+contemptible coward! I heard Georgie Graham tell Mattie Denton that I
+was _toadying_ Rachel, because she was an heiress; and I was afraid if I
+began to treat her kindly the whole school would think the same thing.
+There! it is all out now; do you think I am a perfect wretch?"
+
+At first Florence made no answer; then she said very gently, "'He that
+conquereth himself is greater than he that taketh a city.'"
+
+"I know it, Flo," answered Marion, with tears in her eyes; "I've thought
+of that so many times. But this is such a _little_ victory, and there
+really ought not to have been anything to conquer."
+
+"But there was, and you conquered it; if it were possible I should say I
+love you more than ever."
+
+"Then Rachel has never taken my place entirely away?"
+
+"No, darling, never! I love Rachel very much, very much indeed; but
+still it is not exactly as I love you. I can't explain the difference,
+but I know it is there."
+
+"I am satisfied," said Marion, kissing her friend softly. "Do you think
+Rachel will ever learn to love me?"
+
+"I know she will," replied Florence; "only act your own self; _follow_
+your good impulses instead of driving them away from you, and you will
+make her love you whether she wants to or not."
+
+       *       *       *       *       *
+
+For many days Rachel was very ill, and Miss Stiefbach and Miss Christine
+were very anxious about her; still the doctor assured them there was no
+cause for alarm; her illness would be likely to prove a tedious one, but
+after she was fairly recovered she would be much stronger than she had
+been for a long time. It seemed very sad to think of the poor girl, so
+ill, without a relative near her, for Miss Stiefbach knew there was no
+one for whom she could send, who would seem any nearer to Rachel, if as
+near, as herself and Miss Christine. They procured an excellent nurse to
+assist in taking care of her, but nevertheless devoted themselves to her
+as much as it was possible to do, without neglecting their other duties.
+It was a pity Miss Stiefbach's scholars could not have entered that
+sick-room, and seen their teacher as she appeared there; they would have
+learned to love her then as Rachel did. No one would have recognized, in
+the gentle-voiced, tender-hearted woman who bent over the orphan girl
+with almost a mother's watchful care, the cold, dignified superintendent
+of the school.
+
+After a while the fever subsided, but Rachel was still very weak, and
+the doctor's prediction, that her convalescence would be very slow, soon
+proved itself true. She was very patient, yielding herself entirely to
+those who so kindly watched over her. As soon as the fever was past,
+Florence had begged permission to sit with her, promising not to talk,
+as perfect rest and silence were most especially enjoined by the doctor.
+One day when the nurse had gone to lie down, and Miss Stiefbach and Miss
+Christine both had something which needed their immediate attention,
+Marion offered to sit with her. She had not been in the room since the
+first night of Rachel's illness, and was not prepared for the change
+which had taken place in her: then a bright color burned in her cheeks;
+now her face was so thin and pale as to be pitiable to look at. She was
+sleeping quietly; so Marion seated herself at the foot of the bed, not
+going any nearer for fear of disturbing her. She sat there some time,
+her thoughts busy with the past, when she was very much startled at
+hearing Rachel say, in a weak voice:--
+
+"Miss Christine, is that you?"
+
+"No," answered Marion, rising, and going quickly to the bedside; "it's
+Marion; can I do anything for you?"
+
+"You, Marion!" said Rachel, holding out her hand. "I'm so glad!"
+
+"Why?" asked Marion, kneeling by the bed, and taking Rachel's hand in
+both of hers.
+
+"Because I wanted to see you so much. Miss Christine told me who went
+for the doctor for me that night. I want to thank you."
+
+"Don't Rachel! don't!" said Marion, her voice trembling despite her
+efforts to keep it steady. "Forgive me for all the unkind things I have
+done; that is what I want."
+
+"Forgive you, Marion! As if after that night there could be anything to
+forgive! I'll do better than that; I'll love you."
+
+Marion could not speak, but she bent forward and pressed a kiss upon
+Rachel's lips. That kiss was the seal upon a bond of friendship which
+was never broken by either.
+
+And so a few words, a silent action, cleared away all the unkindness and
+doubt of the past. Why is it, that so often, in the lives of all of us,
+such words are left unspoken, such actions go undone, the want of which
+clouds not only our own happiness, but that of others?
+
+Soon after this, Rachel was able to be moved on to a lounge, and every
+spare hour that Marion and Florence could get from their studies was
+devoted to her. Marion would seat herself on the floor by the couch, and
+Florence lean over the back as they talked of everything that was going
+on downstairs, or made plans for their summer vacation. Sometimes their
+conversation drifted on to quieter and graver subjects; then, as the
+twilight gathered round them, they would draw nearer together, and hand
+in hand sit in silence until Marion, fearing lest too much thinking
+would have a bad effect upon Rachel, with some jesting remarks, would
+jump up and light the gas.
+
+Lying there, in the daily companionship of her two friends, Rachel
+regained her health and strength, and passed happier hours than she had
+known since her father's death.
+
+
+
+
+CHAPTER XIX.
+
+THE WEDDING.
+
+
+"I've got the greatest piece of news for you, you ever heard!" cried
+Marion, bursting into the room where Florence, Rachel, Mattie, and Sarah
+were sitting one morning in the early part of June. "Guess who's
+engaged?"
+
+"Engaged!" echoed Sarah; "I'm sure I don't know."
+
+"Yourself," said Mattie.
+
+"Oh, pshaw! don't be ridiculous!" said Marion. "Come now, girls, guess
+somebody rational."
+
+"Well, aren't you rational, I should like to know?" asked Rachel.
+
+"I shouldn't be if I were engaged," retorted Marion; "but guess now;
+every one but Florence, for I think she would guess right."
+
+"Oh, tell us, Flo, do," urged Sarah; "Marion will keep it all night."
+
+"No, I won't," cried Marion; "it's _Miss Christine_."
+
+"Miss Christine!" shouted every girl, jumping to her feet in
+astonishment,--"to whom?"
+
+"Why, M. Béranger, of course," said Florence; "who else could it be?"
+
+"Why, I never thought of such a thing," said Rachel.
+
+"Well, I don't know where your eyes have been," said Marion; "for I've
+suspected it a long time, and so has Florence."
+
+"Oh, I thought he liked her, and she him; but I never thought of
+_that_."
+
+"Well, I think it is perfectly horrid!" declared Sarah.
+
+"Why, Sallie, what do you mean?" said Marion; "I think it's splendid."
+
+"Oh, of course, it's all very nice for you girls who are going away at
+the end of the term; but here I've got to stay another year, and I shall
+_die_ without Miss Christine!"
+
+"But you'll have her just the same," said Marion; "they're going to live
+here for a year at least; it almost makes me want to come back again."
+
+"Going to live here?" cried Sarah, clasping her hands with delight;
+"then I _do_ think it's perfectly magnificent!"
+
+"Tell us all about it, Marion," asked Mattie; "how did you know it?"
+
+"Miss Christine told me herself. You ought to have seen how pretty she
+looked! She blushed like any girl, and I just threw my arms round her
+and gave her a good hug. She told me I might tell the girls who were
+going to leave this term; but she didn't want the others to know it at
+present, and here I've been, and let the cat out of the bag; for I
+didn't see Sallie when I came in, and never dreamed she was here.
+Sallie, if you lisp a word of it, I'll have you shut up, and kept on
+bread and water for a week, and you shan't go to the wedding."
+
+"Is she going to be married during school?"
+
+"I shouldn't wonder; but I couldn't get it out of her when. Now, girls,
+we must give her a handsome present."
+
+"It ought to be from the whole school," suggested Florence.
+
+"Yes, so I think; but don't you think it would be nice if we six girls,
+who have been here four years together, should all work her something?
+My idea is to make an ottoman: one work the middle, four the corners,
+and the other fill it up; what do you say?"
+
+"A capital idea!" said Mattie; "and I choose the filling up, for that's
+the only part I like to do."
+
+"You're welcome to it," said Marion, "for we all hate it."
+
+"Mab, couldn't you design it yourself?" asked Florence; "it would be so
+much handsomer, and Miss Christine would think all the more of it."
+
+"Nothing I should like better, if you'll all trust me."
+
+"Of course we will," said Mattie; "you designed your carpet-bag, didn't
+you? It is a perfect beauty!"
+
+"Let me see it," said Sarah. "It's a new one, isn't it?"
+
+"Oh, what handsome letters!" said Rachel. "There, now I see for the
+first time why the girls call you Mab. I always thought it was such a
+queer nickname for Marion."
+
+"Why, didn't you know?" answered Marion. "M. A. B., Marion Ascott
+Berkley; but I never write my whole name; I like just the two, Marion
+Berkley, a great deal better."
+
+"Do you know," said Sarah, in the most serious way, "I don't think 'Mab'
+seems to suit you so well as it used to? then you were sort
+of--well--but now you're kind of--I don't exactly know what, but
+different from the other."
+
+"Sallie, you are a goose!" laughed Marion, as Sarah's lucid description
+of the change in her character produced a shout from the girls. "I shall
+have to muzzle you until you manage your tongue better;" and quick as a
+flash Marion seized her satchel, and clapped it over Sarah's head, who
+resisted violently; "will you be a good girl if I let you out?"
+
+"Yes! yes!" cried Sallie, from the inside of the bag, her voice almost
+drowned by the laughter of the girls.
+
+"Well now, behave yourself," said Marion, as she released her prisoner,
+"and next time don't talk of what you know nothing about."
+
+"Well, you are, any way!" cried Sarah, brushing the hair out of her
+eyes.
+
+"Take care!" laughed Marion, shaking the satchel at Sarah; "you know
+what you have to expect."
+
+"Come, girls, let's go downstairs and tell the others," said Rachel.
+
+"So we will," said Marion; "they ought to have known it as soon as we
+did;" and down they all went.
+
+Miss Christine's engagement did not long remain a secret, and when the
+knowledge became general, the little woman was fairly showered with
+kisses and caresses. Her scholars had almost worshipped her before, but
+now she seemed invested with a new importance, and was quite enveloped
+in a perpetual incense of love and admiration. M. Béranger, in the
+comparatively short time he had been with them, had won the respect of
+all his pupils; but now that he was going to marry their Miss Christine
+they made a perfect hero of him.
+
+It came out, at last, that the marriage was to take place the last day
+of June, two days later than the usual one for closing school. Miss
+Christine's first idea had been to be married very quietly in church,
+inviting any of the scholars who chose to do so to remain over; but the
+girls all begged her to have a "regular wedding," as they called it, and
+she had consented.
+
+Every one of the scholars was perfectly delighted at the idea of staying
+over to the wedding, and all were anxiously looking forward to the
+important day. Invitations were sent to those of the parents with whom
+Miss Christine was personally acquainted, and the girls had great fun
+planning and replanning how all the guests were to be accommodated for
+the night, as they would have to come the night previous. Great was the
+delight of Marion, when Miss Christine told her that she wanted the six
+graduates to be her bridesmaids, and she immediately ran off to find the
+girls and plan their dresses. They had been as busy as bees ever since
+they knew of the engagement; there were but a few stitches more to set
+in the ottoman, and it was to be sent the next day to Mrs. Berkley, who
+was to get it mounted, and bring it up when she came.
+
+As many of the scholars were very wealthy, while the parents of others
+were in moderate circumstances, Marion had suggested that all
+contributions for the present, from the whole school, should be put into
+a closed box, through a hole in the cover, thus preventing any one from
+having an uncomfortable consciousness that she had not been able to give
+as much as another. When the box was opened, it was found to contain a
+very large sum. This was forwarded by Marion, who seemed by general
+consent to be considered chief of the committee of arrangements, to her
+mother, with directions to use it in the purchase of a plain, but
+handsome, gold watch and chain. There proved to be a surplus fund, with
+which Mrs. Berkley bought a large album, in which were placed
+photographs of all the girls in the school.
+
+Miss Stiefbach had so much to occupy her mind, that several times during
+the week of the wedding she was actually seen to hurry through the hall,
+quite forgetful of her usual dignified glide. In fact, she seemed quite
+another person; the prospect of her sister's happiness had wrought a
+great change in her, and made her quite unbend to those around her.
+
+Aunt Bettie came down several times with butter and eggs, never going
+away without getting a glimpse of Marion, and for three or four days
+before _the_ day, Jemima was at the house all the time, stoning raisins,
+beating eggs, and making herself generally useful.
+
+At last the wedding-day actually arrived. Mr. and Mrs. Berkley, with
+several other fathers and mothers, had arrived the night previous, and
+every nook and corner of the house was filled to overflowing. Some of
+the scholars slept three in a bed, others on mattresses laid on the
+floor; but no one thought of complaining, and the more inconvenience
+they had to put up with, the better they seemed to like it; for wasn't
+it all for their Miss Christine?
+
+The six bridesmaids, with the other older girls, had been busy every
+moment of the day before, making wreaths of wild flowers and roses;
+these they hung early in the morning all over the lower part of the
+house. The folding-doors were festooned, and trimmed with an arch of
+flowers, and the walls of the little room back of them, in which Miss
+Christine was to stand to receive her friends, were perfectly covered
+with wreaths, garlands, and bouquets; so that it looked like a fairy
+bower.
+
+They had also decorated the church, although of that neither Miss
+Stiefbach nor Miss Christine was as yet aware. The chancel-rail was
+trimmed with garlands of white flowers; down the aisle were four arches,
+the one at the door being of bright, glowing colors, and each one
+growing paler, until the one in front of the altar was of pure, bridal
+white, and over that hung a "marriage bell" of marguerites.
+
+The girls had had to work hard, and had scoured the country far and near
+for flowers; but they had done everything themselves, and not a bud was
+twined in those decorations that did not take with it a loving thought
+of the dear little woman in whose honor they were made.
+
+At last everything was completed; the bridesmaids were all dressed, and
+collected in Marion's room, putting on their gloves, and Marion had gone
+to put on the bridal veil,--a favor which she had begged, and which had
+been most readily granted; in a few moments that was done and the party
+started for the church, where Miss Stiefbach and her guests were already
+arrived. I doubt if it would be possible to find a prettier bridal party
+in all the world, than entered that little church that glorious June
+morning. First came Mattie Denton and Grace Minton; then Julia Thayer
+and Alice Howard; then Marion and Florence, and directly behind them M.
+Béranger and Miss Christine. The bridesmaids wore simple white muslins,
+short, the upper skirts looped with clematis and rose-buds, and delicate
+wreaths of the same in their hair. The bride also wore white muslin,
+over which hung the bridal veil of tulle, put on with a wreath of
+natural orange-blossoms and myrtle, the work of Marion's hands.
+
+M. Béranger looked, and acted like a prince about to take possession of
+his kingdom, and his clear "I vill" could be heard in every part of the
+church. But the ceremony was soon over; the bridal party turned and
+faced the eager, happy faces before them, and passed slowly down under
+the arches of lovely flowers, out into the sunlight, the organ pealing
+forth the glorious old wedding-march. Such a wedding-reception was never
+seen before! There were no dignified ushers to lead you decorously up to
+the bride, and whisk you off again before you got an idea into your
+head; and if there had been, they would have been tremendously snubbed
+by that throng of impetuous girls, who all crowded round Miss
+Christine, or rather Madame Béranger, each one eager for the first kiss.
+All formality was set aside; every one was radiantly happy, and,
+literally, everything went merry as a marriage bell.
+
+It would be useless to attempt to describe Miss Christine's delight at
+her many presents; for, in addition to those I have already mentioned,
+almost every girl in the school gave her some little thing she had made
+herself. M. Béranger also received many proofs of their regard.
+
+But the time soon arrived when the bride and bridesmaids, who were to
+leave in the Boston train that afternoon, had to go and change their
+dresses. The girls' trunks were all packed, and there was little enough
+time for the adieus which naturally accompanied a final departure from
+school. The carriage for the bride was at the door, and behind it
+several wagons, of various descriptions, for the bridesmaids and their
+friends. Miss Christine came down, looking so lovely, in her gray
+travelling-suit, that there was a perfect rush at her for the final
+good-by; but the last one was said, and in a moment she and her husband
+were in the carriage and off. Sarah Brown threw an old shoe after them
+for good luck, the wagons followed on, and the whole party started down
+the road, amid the shouts and cheers of the girls, who crowded on to the
+piazza, almost hiding poor Miss Stiefbach, as they waved their
+handkerchiefs, and threw their farewell kisses in the air.
+
+
+
+
+CHAPTER XX.
+
+THE JOURNEY.
+
+
+Rachel's intention had been to stay with Miss Stiefbach until the return
+of her uncle, whom she expected during the month of October; but Marion
+had urged her to go home with her, and join their family party in their
+summer trip. Mrs. Berkley seconded the invitation so warmly that Rachel
+had accepted with great pleasure.
+
+Finding that Mr. Stevenson's means were not sufficient to enable him to
+allow Florence to join the party, Rachel, with the utmost delicacy and
+tact, had invited her to go with them,--an arrangement which proved more
+than satisfactory to all.
+
+I fear some of my readers have thought that Rachel's uncle must be a
+cold, hard-hearted man to leave his orphan niece so long to the care of
+strangers, and in justice to that gentleman I must give some explanation
+of his seeming neglect.
+
+Although a man of great wealth, he had devoted himself to the study of
+surgery, throwing into the pursuit as much energy as if he depended on
+his skill for his daily bread. Having become quite famous as a surgeon,
+he had for several years given his services to a charity hospital in
+Berlin; but having been away from his native land for ten years, he
+notified the directors of the hospital, a month previous to his
+brother's death, that at the end of a year from that time he must leave
+them. He signified his intention of donating to the hospital a sum of
+money, the income of which would be sufficient to pay a handsome salary
+to any one whom they might find competent to take his place. When the
+news of his brother's death reached him, his first impulse had been to
+start at once for America, and make a home for the orphan girl so
+suddenly bereft of a father's care; but the same steamer brought him
+letters from his lawyer and business agent, stating that, according to a
+wish expressed in the will of his deceased brother, his niece had been
+placed at an excellent boarding-school, where she would remain for a
+year, unless other directions were received from him; so he deferred
+leaving until the time Rachel's school would close; but as she wrote him
+that she was well and happy, and had made such pleasant plans for the
+summer, he postponed his return still later, finding that until that
+time no surgeon could be procured whom he felt capable of filling his
+responsible position.
+
+Mr. and Mrs. Berkley, Marion, Florence, and Rachel, with Fred and Mr.
+Thornton, made up the travelling party. Mr. Berkley secured a
+drawing-room car for their exclusive use, and in the best possible
+spirits they set out for New York. The day after arriving there they
+went up the Hudson to West Point, spending a week at that delightful
+place, made up of enchanting scenery and still more enchanting cadets.
+It would be useless to say the girls did not enjoy the latter quite as
+much as the former, for what girl of eighteen ever could resist brass
+buttons?
+
+For a day or two, Mr. Thornton and Fred escorted them about town, took
+them to the review, and everywhere else that there was anything worth
+seeing, but never introducing one of their military acquaintances,
+notwithstanding said acquaintances gave them plenty of opportunities for
+doing so. But such a state of things was not likely to last long; for
+the young women, although apparently unconscious of the admiring
+glances with which they were favored, in their secret hearts knew
+perfectly well that those spruce cadets never met them whenever they
+went out, or passed in front of their hotel-windows so many times a day,
+for the sole purpose of getting a bow from Fred or Mr. Thornton.
+
+"The idea," exclaimed Marion, as the three girls were putting on their
+hats for their usual walk, "of our going away from West Point without
+having been introduced to a single cadet! I think it's outrageous!"
+
+"But, Marion," said Rachel, "don't you suppose if they wanted to know us
+very much, they'd find a way to get introduced?"
+
+"How can they, when Fred and Arthur Thornton mount guard over us every
+time we go out? Papa doesn't know any one but the old officers. Arthur
+Thornton knows ever so many cadets, and I think it's _very_ strange he
+doesn't bring them to call on us."
+
+"I'm sure," said Florence, "Mr. Thornton is very polite and attentive
+himself; I think he's very nice."
+
+"Oh, so do I," replied Marion; "he's nice enough, but aren't we going to
+have _him_ all summer? I tell you just how it is; he doesn't intend to
+introduce any one, because he feels so grand taking us everywhere
+himself!"
+
+"O Marion," laughed Rachel, "I'm afraid you're growing conceited."
+
+"No, I'm not, but what I say is true. If we didn't dress in the fashion,
+and look pretty nice all the time, he'd be only too glad to get us off
+his hands."
+
+"Seems to me you're rather hard on Mr. Thornton," said Florence,
+smoothing the feather in her hat. "Why is he any more to blame than
+Fred?"
+
+"Of course he is! Fred doesn't know any one, but some of the little
+fellows, that Arthur Thornton hasn't introduced to him; besides, he's
+just the age when it makes him feel important to have three young
+females under his charge. But I tell you I'm going to put a stop to
+this; I know there are plenty of young men here actually dying to be
+presented to us. I think it is positively cruel to let them languish any
+longer, and if there isn't more than one cadet introduced to us before
+night, then my name is not Marion Berkley."
+
+That morning the whole party went to the armory with an old officer, who
+was at West Point making a visit to his son, a member of the graduating
+class. When they started from the hotel, Marion took her father's arm,
+and joined with him in his conversation with the officer. Before they
+reached the armory Col. Stranburg was perfectly delighted with her, and
+the interest she evinced for his profession, and quite devoted himself
+to her during the morning.
+
+"My dear young lady," he said as they were returning to the hotel, "I
+should like to call on you and your friends this evening, and bring my
+son with me."
+
+"I should be delighted," replied Marion, who had been wondering how she
+should ask him to do that very thing without appearing too eager; "for
+as yet we do not any of us know a single cadet."
+
+"What!" exclaimed the old gentleman, in unfeigned astonishment; "you
+don't mean to say you've been at West Point three days, and don't know a
+cadet! Why, I supposed that by this time you had a whole necklace of
+brass buttons."
+
+"I haven't," laughed Marion, "and I don't think I care for one; but I
+should like to know some one here."
+
+"Of course you would; and I don't understand it at all. Ah! now I see!"
+he exclaimed, with a meaning glance at the two young men who were
+walking in front with Florence and Rachel; "you have been monopolized,
+but we'll alter the state of things."
+
+Col. Stranburg was as good as his word, and called that evening,
+bringing with him, not only his son, but two other cadets, who proved to
+be the very young gentlemen the girls had so often noticed. The next day
+the young men called again, each bringing a friend, and so it went on;
+every evening their parlor was crowded, and the girls were showered with
+attentions and bouquets till the end of the week, when Mr. Berkley
+carried them off, declaring that their heads would be completely turned
+if they remained any longer.
+
+From West Point they went to the Catskills, spending several weeks
+there. Marion, who had never travelled to any extent, was perfectly
+delighted with everything she saw, but above all with the exquisite
+beauty of the scenery. She would often wander away from the others, find
+some unfrequented spot, and sit for hours drinking in the loveliness
+about her, her whole nature expanding under its influence.
+
+From the Catskills they went to Saratoga, giving only one day and night
+to that abode of fashion; from there to Montreal; then down the St.
+Lawrence to Niagara, and from there home, arriving in Boston about the
+last of September.
+
+It would be useless for me to attempt to give an account of all they saw
+and did that summer; it would fill at least one small volume. Suffice it
+to say, that every one enjoyed themselves to the utmost; that Rachel
+could never thank Mrs. Berkley half enough for inviting her to join
+their party; and Florence could never express half her gratitude to
+Rachel for inviting her to go with her.
+
+I think I conveyed to my readers the idea that Mr. Thornton was somewhat
+in love with Marion the first time he saw her; and the more he saw her
+the better he liked her. Every one knows how easily people get
+acquainted who are thrown together as they were, and before the summer
+was half over, they felt as if they had known each other for years.
+
+Marion liked Mr. Thornton very much; in fact, once or twice she had been
+guilty of indulging in certain little day-dreams, in which that young
+gentleman figured quite extensively; but she had been heartily ashamed
+of herself afterwards, and resolved in the future not to let her
+imagination take such ridiculous flights. But she could not help
+noticing, that, polite as he was to her friends, he was still more so to
+her. There was a difference in the very way he spoke to her; not that he
+was ever sentimental or tender; Marion would have had too much good
+sense to allow anything of the kind, even if he had been inclined to be
+so foolish, which I am happy to say he was not. But she remembered, that
+throughout their whole journey she had never expressed a wish to go to
+any particular place, or see any lovely view which the rest of the party
+considered rather unattainable, but what, somehow or other, Mr. Thornton
+cleared away all difficulties, and almost before she was aware of it the
+wish was gratified. She would have been something more than human, if
+such very chivalrous attentions had not been agreeable to her.
+
+
+
+
+CHAPTER XXI.
+
+RACHEL'S UNCLE RETURNS.
+
+
+"There, Rachel, I flatter myself that hangs just about right," said
+Marion, walking across the room to display the train of her new black
+silk.
+
+"And so it does," replied Rachel, turning away from the glass where she
+had been putting on her fall hat; "the slope is quite perfect. Why, you
+look positively queenly!"
+
+"Don't I though?" laughed Marion, only glancing now and then with an air
+of great satisfaction at the folds of her train as it swept gracefully
+beside her chair. "I've held out all summer, and would not put on a long
+dress until I could have a train, and now I've got one."
+
+"I should certainly say you had," said her mother, entering at that
+moment with her bonnet and shawl on. "Come Rachel, are you ready? The
+carriage is at the door. I suppose Marion will spend her time, while we
+are out, walking up and down the room, learning how to manage her train,
+so as not to stumble over it the first time she goes downstairs."
+
+"You horrible mamma!" laughed Marion; "as if I could be so clumsy!
+Besides, you know I am staying home on purpose to finish papa's slippers
+in time for his birthday."
+
+"Oh, yes, we know," said Rachel, "I don't suppose there's any danger of
+your having a caller while we are out."
+
+"No, I don't suppose there is," retorted Marion, knowing well the
+meaning of Rachel's mischievous glance, "unless your uncle should
+happen to come; if he does, I'll entertain him until you get back."
+
+"Oh, there's no danger of his interrupting the tête-à-tête," laughed
+Rachel, as she ran downstairs; "your father said the steamer would not
+be in until to-morrow morning."
+
+"O mamma," called out Marion, "won't you please stop on your way back,
+and get me a cherry ribbon? I haven't a bright bow to my name, and papa
+will have a fit to see me all in black."
+
+"I'll get you one," replied Mrs. Berkley, as she was closing the front
+door; "but there's one in my upper drawer you can wear until I get
+back."
+
+"It's not worth while," said Marion to herself, as she fastened her
+sleeve-buttons; "I'll just put in this jet pin, for I know there won't
+be any one here, and I haven't got time to prink."
+
+She seated herself at her work, and sewed away very industriously, only
+glancing now and then at the folds of her alpaca, as they swept out so
+gracefully beside her chair, looking "almost like a black silk." Her
+mother and Rachel had not been gone very long, when Bridget, the cook,
+came up, and said there was a gentleman downstairs.
+
+"Who is it, Biddy? didn't he send his name?"
+
+"Indade an' he didn't, miss. Ellen is out, and Sarey's just afther
+changin' her dress, an' it's meself as had to go to the door, an' I
+always gits so flustered that I laves me wits in the kitchen."
+
+"I should think you did," replied Marion, as she brushed the bits of
+worsted off her dress. "Do you think it's Mr. Thornton?"
+
+"Misther Thorington! An' haven't I sane the likes o' him too many times
+not to know him? Indade an' it aint, miss; it's a much oulder man than
+him."
+
+"Oh, I know who it is!" exclaimed Marion. "I'll go right down;" and she
+ran downstairs, not stopping to give a glance at the glass as she
+certainly would have done if it had been Mr. Thornton, and thinking to
+herself, "It must be Rachel's uncle. I am so glad the old gentleman has
+got here at last; I do hope he will be like her father."
+
+She entered the parlor hastily, but before she had a chance to speak, or
+even see who was there, she found herself encircled by a pair of strong
+arms; a bearded face bent over her, kissing her repeatedly, and a manly
+voice exclaimed: "My darling! have I got you at last?"
+
+Marion disengaged herself as quickly as possible, and sprang back,
+looking at the stranger with an expression in which astonishment and
+indignation were equally blended.
+
+He was a very handsome man, apparently about thirty-five; tall, and of a
+commanding figure. His features were fine, that is, his nose and eyes;
+the latter, when one could get a good look under the long black lashes
+which shaded them, showed themselves to be clear, blue-gray; but the
+lower part of his face was concealed by a soft, wavy beard and mustache
+of rich, chestnut-brown. There was an air of dignity about him which did
+not seem to be assumed for the occasion, and altogether he was the last
+man to suspect as an impostor, although such Marion had mentally styled
+him, deciding at the first glance that he could not be Rachel's uncle.
+Before she could collect her bewildered ideas sufficiently to speak, he
+again stretched out his arms as if to embrace her, saying in a
+reproachful tone:--
+
+"What! your astonishment at seeing me is greater than your joy? I assure
+you, my dear, that is not the case with me."
+
+"Can you wonder at my astonishment, sir?" exclaimed Marion, retreating
+as he came near her, and motioning him back with a haughty gesture;
+"explain your singular conduct."
+
+"Have not I explained it sufficiently?" he asked. "You are a little
+unreasonable, I think, although that queenly manner sets well upon you,
+I must confess."
+
+"Sir!" exclaimed Marion, with flashing eyes, "if you do not instantly
+leave this house, I will find means to compel you to do so."
+
+"Come, come, my darling," he answered, stepping forward and taking
+possession of her hand, "your joke has gone quite far enough. I
+acknowledge you're as perfect a little actress as I ever saw; but I want
+something more than acting;" and he attempted to kiss her.
+
+But Marion sprang from him, throwing her head up, and looking at him
+with a face expressive of the utmost scorn, as she exclaimed, "Sir, you
+have the appearance of a gentleman, and for such I first took you, but I
+find I was mistaken; if you do not instantly leave the house I will call
+a policeman to put you out!" and Marion pointed to the door with a
+gesture that would have done honor to a queen, as she stood waiting to
+see him obey her command.
+
+But the stranger only looked at her a moment in silence, then said in an
+injured, reproachful tone, "I expected to find you changed; a young lady
+in fact; but that you should have chosen our first meeting for an
+exhibition of what seems to be your favorite accomplishment is more than
+I expected. I entreat you to drop this haughty indifference, which I
+sincerely hope is assumed for this occasion only, and be once more the
+little Rachel I left ten years ago."
+
+At the mention of the word Rachel, Marion's arm dropped to her side;
+her haughty bearing gave place to an air of confusion, and she
+exclaimed:--
+
+"Rachel! Can it be that you thought I was Rachel Drayton?"
+
+For the first time it occurred to the stranger that he too might be
+laboring under a mistake, and he bowed slightly, as he said:--
+
+"I certainly took you for my niece, Rachel Drayton; but I see by your
+face I am wrong. I most sincerely beg your pardon for what must have
+seemed an act of unparalleled impudence."
+
+Marion bowed, flushing crimson at the recollection of the very
+affectionate greeting he had given her; but she said in a charmingly
+frank way:--
+
+"No apology is necessary, sir; it was a mistake all round,--you took me
+for Rachel, and I took you for an impostor, which certainly was not so
+complimentary; but now I know you must be Dr. Robert Drayton."
+
+Dr. Drayton smiled, as he said, "And you are Miss Marion Berkley, I
+presume?"
+
+"Yes," replied Marion, offering him a chair, and seating herself at the
+same time. "Rachel is staying with me; she has gone out riding with
+mamma. She did not expect you until to-morrow morning; but when the
+servant told me a gentleman was down here, I thought it must be you, but
+was sure I was mistaken when I saw you."
+
+"And why, may I ask?" inquired Dr. Drayton.
+
+"Oh!" laughed Marion, a trifle confused, "because I thought you were
+quite an old gentleman; at least old enough to be my father."
+
+"And so I am, almost," replied Dr. Drayton, smiling; "but tell me, does
+Rachel want to see me?"
+
+"Indeed she does; she has talked about you every day this summer, and
+has hardly been able to wait for you to get here. But how did you
+mistake me for her? We are not in the least alike."
+
+"You must remember it is ten years since I saw her; then she was a
+little, dark-eyed thing with golden hair, something like yours; your
+black dress, too, misled me."
+
+"Golden hair!" exclaimed Marion, wishing she had put on her mother's
+bright bow, thus saving herself all her embarrassment,--"golden hair, I
+can't imagine such a thing; she has jet-black now."
+
+"I dare say I don't remember it very correctly; has she grown much?"
+
+"She is very tall; much taller than I am."
+
+"I thought you were very tall just now when you ordered me out of the
+house," said Dr. Drayton, with an amused smile.
+
+"I beg you will never allude to the subject again," said Marion, raising
+her head involuntarily, with a slightly haughty gesture, as she
+invariably did when she was annoyed, but did not wish to appear so; "it
+was a mistake for which I sincerely beg your pardon."
+
+"As you said to me," replied Dr. Drayton, "no apology is needed. I
+promise never to allude to the subject again without your permission."
+
+"Which I certainly shall never grant," laughed Marion, ashamed of her
+unnecessary hauteur. "Now I shall be able to apply to you my one great
+test of the worth of humanity, that is, try your powers of keeping a
+secret."
+
+"I am willing to stand the test," laughed Dr. Drayton, "and feel sure
+that before morning I shall have no secret to keep, for by that time you
+will have told Rachel all about it."
+
+"I shall do no such thing," replied Marion, warmly; "but there is the
+carriage. Excuse me, Dr. Drayton, and I will tell Rachel you are here."
+
+The meeting between Dr. Drayton and Rachel was far different from his
+interview with Marion. Rachel had longed for his coming, for although
+she could not remember him very distinctly, she could not feel him to be
+a stranger to her; her father was very fond of his younger brother, and
+had always been in the habit of talking with his daughter a great deal
+about her Uncle Robert, until he had become almost a hero in her eyes.
+She had been in the habit of associating him in her mind with her
+father, so that she had quite forgotten he was many years his junior,
+and was not prepared to find so young a man; in fact, only thirty-two,
+although his beard gave him the appearance of being a few years older.
+There was a certain sense of strength and power about him, which led her
+to look upon him with the same feelings of deference and respect with
+which she would look upon an older man, while at the same time, the fact
+of his being younger put her upon an easier, more familiar footing with
+him; in short, Rachel was delighted with him, and felt she would receive
+from him all the affection and watchful care of a father, combined with
+the more demonstrative attentions of an elder brother.
+
+
+
+
+CHAPTER XXII.
+
+DR. DRAYTON'S HOUSE-KEEPER.
+
+
+"Mrs. Berkley, I'm in a dilemma," said Dr. Drayton, as he entered the
+library one morning where that lady was sitting, and took a chair near
+her.
+
+"Can I help you out of it?"
+
+"If you can't, I don't know of any one else to go to," said Dr. Drayton,
+who had become a daily visitor at the Berkleys'. "I have bought a house,
+and now I want a house-keeper. Even if I felt inclined to brave the
+opinion of Mrs. Grundy, and settle down with Rachel at the head of my
+establishment, I would not do it; she is too young to have so much care
+on her shoulders; I want the rest of her life to be as bright and happy
+as it is possible for me to make it. My idea is to get some cultivated,
+refined, middle-aged lady to come and take the care of the
+house-keeping, and be a person who would make it pleasant for Rachel,
+and any young friends she might wish to have with her. But how can I get
+such a person? I answered two advertisements last week, and had
+interviews with the females themselves at the Tremont House. One of them
+was old and thin, and had a sharp voice that sent a chill through me
+every time she spoke,--would be about as cheerful a member of society as
+an animated skeleton; the other fair, fat, and forty, but an incessant
+talker, and looked as if she had not brushed her hair for a week. Now,
+Mrs. Berkley, what shall I do? Here I am, a poor, forlorn bachelor, who
+throws himself on your hands. You must help me somehow or other."
+
+"Well, the best thing I can advise," replied Mrs. Berkley, with an
+amused smile, "is for you to cease to be a bachelor."
+
+Dr. Drayton shrugged his shoulders. "Impossible, madame!"
+
+"And why, I should like to know? You certainly are not bad-looking; your
+name is quite surrounded by a fast-increasing halo of fame,--something
+which is always attractive to the young ladies, you know,--and, what
+would be above all to many, you have money."
+
+"Exactly," replied Dr. Drayton, with considerable energy. "When I first
+settled down in Berlin, through some very influential friends the very
+first society of the place was open to me, and I found myself the
+recipient of marked attention from the heads of several families. I was
+delighted with them. Such cordiality! such hospitality! I really felt
+proud of myself for calling it forth, for then I was young, and the
+little halo which you speak of had not shed its benign influence over
+me; of course it was to my personal attractions, and nothing else, I
+owed my popularity. I happened to speak to a young American friend of
+mine, of the attentions I was constantly receiving,--invitations to
+this, that, and the other house, and wondered why it was he was not
+equally fortunate. 'My dear fellow,' said he, 'don't you know I haven't
+got any money?' His answer was certainly a damper to my feelings; but it
+was a good thing for me. I gave less time to balls and parties, and more
+to my profession; gradually, as I showed myself less and less in
+society, I received fewer invitations, and those from gentlemen all
+having marriageable daughters. No, Mrs. Berkley, don't ask me to get
+married; at least not at present. I don't know anything about American
+girls; but I suppose they are all very much the same as other young
+ladies, and not until I can find one who will love me for myself, and
+not my money, will there ever be a Mrs. Drayton at the head of my
+table."
+
+"That is certainly a good resolution," replied Mrs. Berkley, laughing;
+"but I am afraid I could find you a wife much easier than a
+house-keeper, such as you want. Of course you will want to put your
+house in order, and furnish it; meanwhile we are delighted to keep
+Rachel with us."
+
+"You are very kind, very kind indeed, and I certainly shall benefit
+myself by your offer, for I don't like the idea of taking her to a
+hotel. But you haven't asked me where my house is."
+
+"Sure enough," replied Mrs. Berkley; "but my mind has been too full of
+your house-keeper to think of your house. Where is it?"
+
+"That house on the corner of Beacon Street and the street just below
+here, I can't recall the name."
+
+"The free-stone house we noticed for sale the other day?" inquired Mrs.
+Berkley.
+
+"Yes, that is the one. It is larger than I really need; but the
+arrangement of the ground-floor suits me admirably, for I must have an
+office."
+
+"Then you intend to practise?"
+
+"Certainly, I should be ashamed of myself if I gave up my profession;
+but I do not intend to do anything out of office-hours, so it will not
+confine me at all. I intend to take the entire charge of Rachel's
+property until she is of age; meanwhile I want to give her a clear idea
+of the value of money, so that she may be able to make a good use of her
+immense fortune."
+
+"I will look about me," said Mrs. Berkley, "and if I hear of any lady
+that I think will suit you in every way, I will let you know; but here
+come the girls; they have been out to see Florence Stevenson."
+
+Rachel was delighted with the house her uncle had bought, for it was
+only a few moments' walk from Mr. Berkley's, and she would be able to be
+with Marion every day. The two girls commenced making plans for the
+winter, Rachel deciding that the first thing she would do, when they got
+into their new house, would be to have Florence in for a long visit.
+
+A few days after the conversation between Mrs. Berkley and Dr. Drayton,
+Mr. Berkley received a letter from a distant cousin of his, a lonely
+widow, who having lost her property, had written to him to see if he
+could get her a situation as house-keeper in some refined family. Upon
+showing this letter to his wife, she at once exclaimed that the lady was
+the very person for Dr. Drayton.
+
+The necessary arrangements were soon made; the house was put in perfect
+order, and elegantly furnished; and Dr. Drayton took his niece to as
+delightful a home as one could wish to have, for Mrs. Marston proved to
+be all that he desired. Cultivated and agreeable, she soon won his
+heartfelt esteem, and Rachel loved her from their very first meeting.
+
+After the new household had got fairly settled, Dr. Drayton proposed to
+Rachel that she should continue her German and French under his
+direction. He spoke both languages as fluently as he did English, and
+suggested that the lessons should consist entirely of conversation, and
+reading aloud from some of the best French and German authors. Rachel
+was very much pleased at his proposition, and asked if Marion might not
+join with them.
+
+"Yes, if she likes," replied Dr. Drayton, in answer to her request; "but
+I'm afraid her head will be too full of balls and parties, for her to
+ever keep up a regular course of studies."
+
+"Why, Uncle Robert!" indignantly cried Rachel; "you don't know Marion at
+all, or you would not say that!"
+
+"I don't pretend to," quietly replied the doctor; "but I suppose she is
+very much like all other young ladies."
+
+"Indeed she is not," replied Rachel, energetically. "I don't know of a
+girl that has as much strength of character as Marion."
+
+"Not even excepting Miss Florence?"
+
+"No, not even excepting her. I love Florence dearly; she is a lovely
+girl, but there is something about Marion which _she_ has not got."
+
+"I should say so, decidedly," replied Dr. Drayton, with provoking
+coolness.
+
+"Why, Uncle Robert, I never dreamed you didn't like Marion!"
+
+"Did I say I did not?" asked her uncle, as he unfolded the newspaper,
+and glanced down its columns.
+
+"No, you didn't say exactly those words, but you implied it."
+
+"I was not aware of the fact," said the doctor, as he lighted his cigar.
+"You said there was something about her different from Florence, and I
+agreed with you. I suppose, with feminine perversity, you would have
+preferred that I should have disagreed, thus giving you an opportunity
+to make an argument in favor of your side of the question; next time
+I'll remember."
+
+"Uncle Robert, you are perfectly provoking!" exclaimed Rachel, jumping
+up, and taking the paper away from him; "there!--you shan't have it
+until you've said something in Marion's favor."
+
+"Very well," replied her uncle, slightly raising his eyebrows; "you
+enumerate the catalogue of her virtues, and I'll subscribe to all I
+can."
+
+"In the first place, she's very handsome," commenced Rachel.
+
+"Well, no, not exactly what I call handsome," said the doctor in a
+deliberating tone; "she's not large enough for that."
+
+"Beautiful then; that's better still."
+
+"Well, yes,--I suppose you think so."
+
+"But it isn't to be what I think," impatiently replied Rachel. "You
+certainly _must_ acknowledge she has beautiful eyes; true as steel; the
+kind of eyes you could trust!"
+
+"I'll examine them the next time I see her," replied Dr. Drayton, as he
+laid back in his chair, and puffed a cloud of smoke into the air.
+"Excellence No. 3, if you please, Rachel."
+
+"She's very intelligent, and an excellent scholar," replied Rachel,
+tapping the floor with her foot, and trying not to get provoked.
+
+"As yet I have never had any conversation with her of any deeper import
+than the shade of your window-curtains; but I've no doubt she's at home
+with any subject, and is a perfect walking 'Encyclopædia Americana.'"
+
+"Uncle Robert, you are incorrigible! you are determined _not_ to see any
+good in her."
+
+"Not at all, my dear; the difficulty is, that after a six weeks'
+acquaintance, you expect me to be as enthusiastic over her as you are
+after a lengthy _school-girl_ intimacy."
+
+"I know what you mean to insinuate by a 'school-girl intimacy,' and I
+agree with you that as a general thing they don't amount to anything;
+but just let me tell you what Marion did for me, and then see if you'll
+wonder that I'm '_enthusiastic_' over her."
+
+"Go on; I am prepared for anything. I suppose she rescued you from a
+'watery grave' in true novel fashion."
+
+"She did more than that; she risked finding one herself. She walked all
+alone, at midnight, from our school to the doctor's house, which is at
+least a mile and a half, and crossed the river on a bridge _that the
+flooring was taken off, and nothing for her to walk on but the beam
+where the railing was_!"
+
+"A heroine, as I live!" cried the doctor, holding up both hands;
+"something of which I've always had an innate horror."
+
+"Uncle Robert," said Rachel, really hurt, "I thought after that you'd at
+least show some regard for her, if only for my sake."
+
+"My dear girl," he replied, drawing her towards him, "I certainly will
+acknowledge that it was very brave in her; now give me my newspaper."
+
+"You don't deserve it, but you shall have it, if you will let Marion
+join our lessons."
+
+"I should be delighted to have her; and Miss Florence too."
+
+"Florence won't be able to give her time to it, I know. She can't come
+to make me a visit until spring, for she was away all summer, and her
+father can't spare her yet."
+
+"Very well; you arrange everything with Mrs. Berkley; only the time must
+not interfere with office-hours; before or after that I am at your
+service."
+
+"You're the dearest uncle in the world!" exclaimed Rachel, kissing him.
+
+"Even if I don't worship your heroine."
+
+"Oh, don't call her a _heroine_, for mercy's sake! and above all don't
+ever let her know that I told you."
+
+"My lips shall be sealed on the subject. Now run off, and let me read my
+paper in peace."
+
+Marion was very much pleased with the plan for the French and German
+lessons, and it was arranged that they should devote two hours, twice a
+week, to each language, meeting alternately at Marion's and Rachel's
+houses. Marion was a very good French scholar, and could manage to make
+herself understood in German; but she was really afraid of Dr. Drayton,
+and never did herself justice at the lessons. He was very patient and
+kind, but nevertheless very critical, and corrected the pronunciation of
+their German so many times, that Marion at last declared she never would
+say another word, for she knew she never could suit him; but she found
+him even more determined than M. Béranger, and soon learned, that if the
+lessons went on at all, his directions must be strictly attended to; and
+after a while the girls never thought of speaking English, during their
+French and German hours. Mr. Berkley, who happened to look in upon them
+one day when they were carrying on quite an excited argument, declared
+they were all jabbering just to hear themselves talk, for he knew
+perfectly well they couldn't any one of them understand a word the
+others were saying.
+
+       *       *       *       *       *
+
+The intimacy between the two families increased daily, and the Berkleys
+welcomed Dr. Drayton most cordially to their family circle, finding him
+in every way a most delightful companion. Intelligent, cultivated, and
+refined, and having travelled over almost every country in Europe, he
+had the rare gift of describing everything he had seen in such a manner
+as to bring it vividly before the minds of his hearers, without
+incessantly introducing the personal pronoun, which, as a general thing,
+finds its way so often into a traveller's account of his journeyings.
+
+He became a general favorite with the family. Charley always ran to
+meet him, and commenced a raid upon his pockets, sure of finding
+something stowed away there for his especial benefit; the baby crowed
+with delight whenever he came near him; and Fred bestowed upon him,
+after their first meeting, the highest compliment he could pay a
+man,--"he was a regular brick!" But Marion declared "she thought they
+made altogether too much fuss over him, and she did not intend to join
+with the family in setting him up as a perfect hero; she must say she
+thought he was rather conceited, for he never paid her any attention,
+and when young people were there, and they were all having a nice time
+in the parlor, he always sat off with papa and mamma, in the library, as
+if he thought himself above such childish follies."
+
+
+
+
+CHAPTER XXIII.
+
+THE DÉBUT INTO SOCIETY.
+
+
+"And so it is to be a regular 'come-out party,'" said Dr. Drayton one
+evening as he sat smoking with Mr. Berkley in the library, the rest of
+the family being in the parlor.
+
+"Yes, a regular 'come-out party,'" repeated Mr. Berkley; "but I don't
+intend to dash out, and make a great spread; hire Papanti's hall, etc. I
+don't like that sort of thing. I shall invite enough to fill the house,
+and yet not have it a perfect jam; have half-a-dozen pieces of music,
+and a good supper; that's my idea of a party."
+
+"And a very correct idea, I should say," said the doctor.
+
+"Mrs. Berkley rather objected to giving it at all this winter. Marion is
+still so young, she wanted me to wait another year; but you see, doctor,
+I'm pretty proud of my only daughter, and I want her to go about in
+society, before I get too old to go with her."
+
+"How old is Miss Marion?" asked Dr. Drayton.
+
+"Eighteen last May."
+
+"Older than Rachel; I thought her younger."
+
+"She looks younger, I think myself, and sometimes seems younger still;
+but there's good stuff there. She's like her mother, and if I do say it,
+she'll make a noble woman."
+
+"If she proves to be like her mother, she certainly will," replied Dr.
+Drayton. "Mrs. Berkley is just my idea of what a wife and mother ought
+to be."
+
+"That remark proves you a man of sense and discernment," said Mr.
+Berkley, highly gratified, both by Dr. Drayton's words, and the warmth
+of his tone. "But about this party; of course you will come, and dance
+the 'German.'"
+
+"I certainly agree to come. It will be my first real entrance into
+Boston society; but as for dancing, that's quite another thing; I gave
+that up years ago."
+
+"Why, man alive!" exclaimed Mr. Berkley; "any one would think, to hear
+you talk sometimes, you were a perfect Methuselah! Here, Marion!" he
+cried, calling her in from the other room, "I want you to give Dr.
+Drayton private lessons in dancing, so that he will be able to get
+through the 'German' at your party."
+
+"I am much obliged to Miss Marion," said Dr. Drayton, quietly; "but it
+is too late for me to begin now; I must decline her services."
+
+"Perhaps it would be as well if you waited until I offered them,"
+replied Marion, haughtily, piqued at the coolness of his manner. "I
+certainly had no intentions of becoming a dancing-mistress for you or
+any one else!"
+
+The doctor made no reply, but Mr. Berkley laughed aloud, as he
+exclaimed: "Look here, Marion, that Thornton has spoiled you! You are so
+used to having him consider it an honor to be allowed to pick up your
+handkerchief, that you begin to think that every one else must do the
+same."
+
+"Papa, how unkind!" said Marion, flushing to the roots of her hair; "I
+don't know as Mr. Thornton ever picked up my handkerchief in his life,
+and he wouldn't be so foolish as to consider it an honor if he had."
+
+"No?" replied her father, in the most provoking way; "but there,--you
+shan't be teased any more! Just turn round, and smile sweetly on the
+doctor, and tell him you don't think he's too old to come to your
+party, and you'll let him, if he'll promise to be a good boy."
+
+"I don't care whether he comes or not," cried Marion, struggling to get
+away from her father.
+
+"If that is the case," said Dr. Drayton, "I shall certainly come, simply
+for my own amusement. I didn't know but my presence might be
+particularly disagreeable to you; but as you seem so thoroughly
+indifferent, I shall come, and look on with the other old folks."
+
+Marion bit her lips, and said nothing; but as her father still held her
+hand, so that she could not get away, she seated herself on the arm of
+his chair with her face turned towards the fire.
+
+"Doctor," said Mr. Berkley, "why don't you shave off that beard? It
+makes you look five years older than you are."
+
+"That is my mask," replied the doctor, stroking his beard with his right
+hand; "I could not part with it."
+
+"What, in the name of sense, do you want of a mask?"
+
+"Unluckily for me, my mouth is the telltale feature of my face. I found,
+when I first became a surgeon, that my patients could tell by its
+expression whether they were to live or die; so I covered it up with
+this beard. After I had been at the hospital several years, and had seen
+sights that the very telling of them would make you shudder; when I
+performed operation after operation without flinching, or even having
+the slightest feeling of repugnance, I thought I must have got my mouth
+under perfect control, and so ventured to trim my mustache and shave my
+beard. That very morning I had to attend a poor fellow who had had his
+leg amputated the day before; during the examination I never looked at
+him, for I felt his eyes were fixed on my face. Suddenly he exclaimed:
+'It's no use, doctor; you can keep your eyes down, but you can't hide
+your mouth,--that says death.' It was the truth; mortification had set
+in, and he died the next morning. After that I let my beard grow, and so
+long as I remain a surgeon, which I shall so long as my hand is steady
+enough to guide the knife, it will stay as it is."
+
+"Well, I think you are right," said Mr. Berkley; "but by and by, when
+you get a wife, perhaps she will think differently, and the beard, and
+the profession too, may have to go. The last, I hear, pays you nothing."
+
+"If ever I get a wife," replied Dr. Drayton, "she will probably think as
+I do,--that, as I have been blessed with more than an ample fortune, I
+should be a heartless wretch, if I did not devote my skill to the relief
+of the suffering poor."
+
+Marion, who had listened silently to the above conversation, finding her
+father had released his hold of her hand, slipped quietly away.
+
+The weeks flew past, and the eventful day, when Marion was to make her
+dêbut into fashionable society, at last arrived.
+
+Rachel, of course, would not go to the party, as she was still in deep
+mourning; but Florence was to stay all night with Marion, and Rachel
+went round early with her uncle, that she might see her two friends in
+the full splendor of their first ball-dresses. She went directly to the
+drawing-room, where she heard the voices of the girls, leaving her uncle
+to find his way to the dressing-room.
+
+"Hands off these two pieces of dry-goods!" cried Fred, who was capering
+round his sister and Florence, in a perfect state of delight, and all
+the glories of his first dress-coat, when Rachel entered the room. "You
+may admire as much as you please; but you can't touch 'em with a
+ten-foot pole."
+
+"Get out of the way, Fred," said Marion, putting him aside as she went
+forward to meet Rachel; "she shall touch me as much as she pleases. How
+do you like it, Rachel? Is it just the thing?"
+
+"I should say it certainly was!" exclaimed Rachel, enthusiastically. "I
+never saw anything so lovely in my life; and you two look so pretty
+together!"
+
+"You see our dresses are made just alike," said Florence, buttoning her
+gloves; "only my flowers are pink, and hers white."
+
+The two girls certainly did look lovely. Their dresses were of white
+tarlatan, puffed and ruffled sufficiently to be quite à la mode, but
+still so light and delicate as to give them a floating, airy appearance,
+and not make them look like exaggerated fashion-plates. Marion's was
+caught, here and there, with white daisies and delicate grasses, a
+wreath of the same in her hair; while Florence's was trimmed with pink
+roses and buds.
+
+"May I be allowed to come in at this early hour?" inquired Dr. Drayton,
+as he appeared on the threshold.
+
+"Yes, indeed," laughed Marion, advancing to meet him, and stopping in
+the centre of the room, to drop him a profound courtesy; "you are my
+first arrival."
+
+"And as such claim your acceptance of this bouquet, which I hope you
+will honor me by carrying during the evening."
+
+Marion looked up very much surprised, as he held towards her an
+exquisite bouquet. He was the last man from whom she would have expected
+such an attention.
+
+"I am very sorry, Dr. Drayton, but you see Fred has one in his hand
+which I promised a week ago I would carry to-night; but I am just as
+much obliged, and will set it on the stand close to where I sit in the
+'German.'"
+
+"No, indeed," replied the doctor, without the slightest appearance of
+annoyance; "my poor bouquet shall not be so set aside. Mrs. Berkley,
+will you honor me?"
+
+"I say, Marion," exclaimed Fred, as Marion took her bouquet from his
+hand, "what a pity you promised Thornton you'd carry his! The doctor's
+is twice as handsome!"
+
+"So it's Mr. Thornton who has got ahead of me?" said the doctor. "Miss
+Florence, I hope I am not to be equally unfortunate with you;" and he
+presented her with a beautiful bouquet, which he had until that moment
+held behind him.
+
+"Oh, thank you!" cried Florence, perfectly delighted; "you know it's not
+my dêbut, and no one else has thought of honoring me; it was very kind
+of you. See, Marion, isn't it lovely?"
+
+"Yes, very," replied Marion, as she bent over it, inwardly provoked with
+herself for being annoyed because the doctor had not only handed over
+her bouquet to her mother with such perfect nonchalance, but had also
+brought one for Florence.
+
+       *       *       *       *       *
+
+But guests were soon seen passing through the hall on their way to the
+dressing-rooms, and Rachel was obliged to hurry off; soon the rooms
+began to fill, and before long the wonderful "German" was at its height.
+
+The doctor felt himself a stranger in a strange land; he had been
+introduced to, and conversed with, several young ladies, but now all
+conversation was broken up by the "German," and he stood leaning against
+the door-way, and watched the dance as it proceeded. He noticed several
+men, much older than himself, dancing with fair young girls; and he
+wondered within himself if they were really enjoying themselves, and why
+it was that he stood like one shut out from all the pleasures of youth,
+young in years but old in feelings; in fact, he was getting a trifle
+misanthropical, when Marion floated slowly past him, waltzing with
+Arthur Thornton. As they passed, so near that her draperies touched him,
+he heard Mr. Thornton say, in a low tone full of meaning, "Marion you
+are enough to make a man mad, to-night! You are almost too lovely!"
+
+"So," thought the doctor, as he turned away, "it is all settled. Well, I
+supposed as much."
+
+He did not see Marion as she abruptly stopped dancing, and looked at
+poor, infatuated Arthur with a frigid glance, which made his heart leap
+to his throat, as she said, "Mr. Thornton, you forget yourself; will you
+lead me to my seat?"
+
+Poor Arthur! it was his first rash act; he had loved Marion so well, and
+tried so hard to conceal it until he was sure of her feelings; but
+to-night as he said, she was almost too lovely, and before he had
+thought of the consequences he had called her by name and told her so.
+It was his first act of tenderness and his last, for now he knew as well
+that to her he could never be anything more than a friend, as if she had
+refused him point-blank. Poor fellow! it was a hard blow, but he did not
+stagger under it; he danced the "German" with as much apparent gayety,
+and hid his grief under as bright a smile as ever graced a ball-room.
+But though he flattered himself that no one knew the pain he suffered,
+there was one, who, although she neither heard his remark, nor Marion's
+answer, witnessed the little scene between them, saw the frigid look in
+Marion's eyes, and the light die out of his, and her heart ached for the
+poor fellow, as only the heart of a young girl can ache, over the
+sorrows of a man whose happiness is dearer to her than her own.
+
+       *       *       *       *       *
+
+The next morning Rachel was in the dining-room, waiting for her uncle to
+come to breakfast. She had watered and arranged the plants, and now
+stood tapping impatiently on the window-pane, and wondering why he was
+so late; but he soon made his appearance, coming in with Mrs. Marston.
+
+"O Uncle Robert!" she exclaimed, "I began to think you were never
+coming; don't you know I'm dying to hear about the party?"
+
+"My dear, if I had known you were in such a terrible state of mind and
+body," replied her uncle, as he seated himself at the table, "I would
+have come down at six; but if you will take the trouble to look at the
+clock, you will see it is you who are early, not I who am late."
+
+"Well, never mind that," impatiently replied Rachel; "how did Marion
+look?"
+
+"Didn't you see for yourself?"
+
+"Oh! that was before any one had got there, and she was not at all
+excited; she's always lovelier then, she has such a beautiful color, and
+it makes her eyes handsomer than ever."
+
+"I don't think it's necessary for me to say anything, do you, Mrs.
+Marston?" said the doctor, as he calmly stirred his coffee; "just
+imagine her as you saw her, only a little excited, and you'll know
+exactly how she looked."
+
+"Did she have much attention?"
+
+"You could hardly expect anything else, as the party was at her house."
+
+"Oh! of course people would be polite; but wasn't there anybody
+particularly attentive? Didn't she get 'taken out' a great deal?"
+
+"'Taken out?'" repeated the doctor, with a puzzled expression. "Mrs.
+Marston, can you enlighten me?"
+
+"Oh, yes!" laughed Mrs. Marston; "that is only one of the mysterious
+phrases of the 'German,' which being interpreted means, did a great many
+gentlemen ask her to dance?"
+
+"Oh, thank you," replied the doctor. "Yes, Rachel, she got 'taken out' a
+great deal; in fact she seemed to be out all the time."
+
+"There! _that's_ what I wanted to know," said Rachel, in a tone of
+satisfaction; "now tell me about Florence."
+
+"I'll try to answer you in the most approved style. She looked very
+charming indeed; seemed to have plenty of admirers, for I noticed that
+Miss Marion managed to have her share her honors, and made her the guest
+of the evening; she was 'taken out' a great deal, and above all,
+continued to carry my bouquet the whole evening without dropping it."
+
+"I'm so glad," cried Rachel, "but wasn't it a shame that Arthur Thornton
+should have sent his bouquet to Marion first?"
+
+"A shame? Why, no indeed," answered her uncle, with the utmost
+composure; "for if he had not, she would have been obliged to carry
+mine, and I know she preferred Mr. Thornton's."
+
+"I don't believe it; yours was a great deal handsomer."
+
+"Oh! that's not the point! Of course you must see that Mr. Thornton is
+to be _the_ man."
+
+"Uncle Robert, how absurd! I don't believe Marion would ever have him in
+the world!"
+
+"And why not, I should like to know? He is handsome, intelligent,--in
+fact, a very good fellow every way, and has plenty of money."
+
+"But Marion never will marry for money!" cried Rachel.
+
+"I don't say she will; but what is your objection to Mr. Thornton?"
+
+"I haven't any at all; I like him very much, but he would never do for
+Marion. She wants a much stronger man than he."
+
+"Well, perhaps he will develop his muscle," replied Dr. Drayton, coolly.
+
+"Uncle Robert! you know I don't mean that kind of strength!--mental
+strength; some one in every way superior to herself; in fact, some one
+that she could feel was her master."
+
+"Master! I can't imagine Miss Marion yielding her own sweet will to any
+one."
+
+"Rachel is right," said Mrs. Marston; "when Marion marries she will
+choose a man much older than herself."
+
+"Well, time will show," said Dr. Drayton; "but Rachel, if Marion Berkley
+is not engaged to Mr. Thornton at the end of six months, I'll give you
+the handsomest diamond ring I can buy at Bigelow's."
+
+
+
+
+CHAPTER XXIV.
+
+CONCLUSION.
+
+
+The days and weeks flew by like hours, and Marion found herself
+surrounded by a crowd of admirers, and one of the acknowledged belles of
+the season. Balls, parties, receptions, matinées, and formal calls took
+up all her time, and what with lying abed in the morning to make up for
+her late hours, the days were fairly turned into night, and night into
+day. Mrs. Berkley remonstrated as she saw her daughter drifting farther
+and farther out on the sea of fashionable society, but it was now too
+late; she could not refuse all the invitations that were showered upon
+her, and those that she would have been glad to decline, her father
+would not allow her to, for fear of giving offence. She had at first
+made a struggle to keep up her French and German, but at last gave it up
+as useless, for if she had no engagement for those hours, she was too
+tired and worn out by her dissipation to attend to them properly.
+
+Rachel felt extremely sorry to be obliged to tell her uncle that his
+prediction had proved true; that Marion's time was too much occupied
+with balls and parties for her to attend the lessons; but she added a
+saving clause, to the effect that when Lent put an end to the extreme
+gayeties of the season, Marion would be glad to join them.
+
+"If she wishes to join us then, well and good," said Dr. Drayton; "but
+Rachel, I want you to fully understand, that you must never ask her to
+do so; she must come back to us as she left us, of her own free will."
+
+Marion felt far from satisfied with the life she was leading. At first
+it was very delightful to find herself so much admired; to know that the
+honor of her hand for the "German" was sought days in advance by the men
+who were considered the bright, particular stars of the fashionable
+world; to have hardly a day go by that did not bring her an exquisite
+bouquet, or basket of flowers; never go to the theatre or opera that
+several young exquisites did not come to her seat for a chat between the
+acts! Oh, it was very delightful indeed; and for a while she thought she
+had never been so happy in her life. But only for a while; she grew
+tired at last of hearing the same things said to her night after night,
+over and over again; she knew she was wasting her life; the precious
+moments and hours that would never come again. Her health, too, began to
+give way under this constant dissipation. She had frequent dull
+headaches, and could not keep herself from being irritated at trifles
+that she would never have noticed before. Even her father began to
+complain that "she was going out almost too much; he never had a quiet
+evening at home, and as for her music he had not heard her touch the
+piano for weeks."
+
+Just about this time she received a letter from Mme. Béranger. She wrote
+in a bright, happy strain, giving an account of what was going on at the
+school, alluding with a little conjugal pride to the beneficial
+influence which M. Béranger exerted over the scholars, and the respect
+which he inspired, not only from them, but from Miss Stiefbach also.
+
+She concluded by saying:--
+
+     "And now, my dear Marion, I am going to speak of yourself, a
+     subject about which I know very well you do not care to have much
+     said; but you will bear it patiently I feel sure from your old
+     teacher, who says with truth, that, dear as all her scholars have
+     been to her, none ever came so near, so completely won her love, as
+     you have done.
+
+     "I wanted to tell you, before the close of school last autumn, how
+     much I rejoiced in the victories which I saw you were daily gaining
+     over yourself; but the opportunity never seemed to arrive when I
+     could do so without appearing to force myself upon you.
+
+     "It would make you happy, I know, if you could hear yourself spoken
+     of as I am almost daily in the habit of hearing your name mentioned
+     by one or more of the scholars, in the kindest, most affectionate
+     terms.
+
+     "It is a good thing when a girl leaves school carrying with her the
+     love and admiration of her school-mates, and leaving behind her
+     nothing but regret that she is no longer there to join in their
+     studies, or lead them in their fun and frolic.
+
+     "Now you have done with school-days, and it is very probable that
+     many of your school-mates you may never meet again; you will form
+     new friends wherever you go, and to a certain extent owe some
+     duties to society; but I cannot imagine you as among the class of
+     young ladies, who, the moment the doors of the school-room close
+     behind them, consider their education finished, and so straightway
+     give up all sensible occupations, and fritter away their time in
+     fashionable dissipation. I have seen too much of you, understand
+     your nature too well, to believe you capable of such folly; but
+     temptations of various kinds will come to you in the future, as
+     they have come in the past, and the same sense of right, the same
+     determination to conquer yourself, which helped you to overcome the
+     faults of your girlhood, will strengthen and sustain you in your
+     endeavors to attain a pure, noble womanhood.
+
+     "But I fear you will think I am writing you a sermon, and that I
+     have forgotten that you have passed from under my authority, but
+     'the spirit moved me,' and so I have spoken; if I have said more
+     than I ought, forgive me, and take it kindly from your old Miss
+     Christine.
+
+     "My sister wished to be kindly remembered to you, and my husband
+     says: Faites mes amitiés à Mlle. Berkley. Good-by, my dear,
+
+     "From your true friend,
+
+     "CHRISTINE BÉRANGER."
+
+Marion's conscience smote her as she read the letter, and thought how
+far short of all Mme. Béranger had hoped she would be, of all she had
+determined for herself, was the life she was now leading. Day by day
+she became more and more discontented with herself, as she saw how
+completely she had given her time to what her teacher had rightly
+called, "fashionable dissipation."
+
+Lent at last arrived, and Marion, although not an Episcopalian, welcomed
+it with delight, for now there would be few if any, large parties, and
+she would have a chance to rest. She was determined to commence a course
+of history; practise at least two hours a day, and, if Rachel proposed
+it, commence again her French and German, in which her friend had made
+such astonishing progress as to make Marion thoroughly ashamed of
+herself. But, much to Marion's surprise, Rachel did not propose it,
+neither did Dr. Drayton, before whom she had mentioned several times how
+sorry she was to find herself so far behind Rachel. She thought it very
+strange that the doctor did not again offer to teach her with his niece,
+and resolved, if she could ever manage to humble herself sufficiently to
+ask a favor of him, she would tell him herself she wanted to rejoin the
+class.
+
+An opportunity offered itself sooner than she had expected. The doctor
+had a fine baritone voice, and was extremely fond of music. Rachel, as a
+general thing, was able to play his accompaniments for him, but now and
+then he bought a new song too difficult for her to manage, and he often
+brought them, at Mr. Berkley's suggestion, for Marion to play for him.
+One evening he made his appearance with a piece of music in his hand,
+and said, as he shook hands with her:--
+
+"Miss Marion, I have a song here that is most too much for Rachel: will
+you do me the favor of playing the accompaniment?"
+
+"Yes," replied Marion, as she took the music, and glanced over it; "on
+one condition."
+
+"And that is?" said the doctor.
+
+"That you will let me come back to the French and German readings."
+
+"Are you quite sure you want to come?" asked the doctor, looking down
+upon her, and speaking very much as he would have done to a naughty
+child.
+
+"Very sure," replied Marion, almost provoked with herself for not being
+able to say the contrary.
+
+"Very well then, come," said the doctor, in a lower tone, as he arranged
+the music for her. "You must want to very much, if you would be willing
+to ask it as a favor from me."
+
+Marion bit her lips and said nothing. She had intended to make it appear
+that she was granting the favor; but the doctor had reversed the order
+of things. The next day the old studies were commenced, and Marion took
+hold with a will, determined to conquer all difficulties and put herself
+by the side of Rachel. She was at first extremely mortified to find how
+many mistakes she made, and how much she had forgotten; but the doctor
+was more patient than ever before, and she soon made great improvement.
+
+Of late Marion had seen very little of Mr. Thornton, and now that she
+was not going about so much, she began to miss his bright, pleasant
+face, and many little attentions: and as Saturday after Saturday went
+by, and he did not make his appearance with Fred, as he had formerly
+been so often in the habit of doing, she asked her brother what had
+become of him. Fred's answer was, that "Thornton was cramming like
+blazes; he meant to leave college with flying colors."
+
+At first Marion felt a little chagrined that he could so soon have
+forgotten her, and had half a mind to write him a charming little note,
+inviting him over to spend Sunday; but she knew it would only be holding
+out a prospect of encouragement which she never really meant to give
+him, and so she refrained.
+
+Summer at last arrived, and the Berkleys and Draytons were making
+preparations for spending it among the White Mountains. Fred had urged
+them to stay for "Class-day," as Arthur Thornton graduated this year;
+but Marion's unusually pale cheeks told too plainly that either the
+dissipations of the winter, or some other unexplainable cause, had made
+a deep inroad on her health, and her parents were glad to get her away
+from the city.
+
+Florence's father had married again, and had taken a cottage at the
+beach for the summer; so she had declined Rachel's invitation to again
+make one of their party.
+
+They travelled slowly through the mountains, stopping for days at a time
+at whatever place seemed to them as particularly pleasant. It was too
+early for the great rush of fashionable visitors, and they enjoyed
+themselves the more on that account.
+
+After having spent several weeks in this manner, they settled down for
+the rest of the summer at a little hotel unknown to fame, and rarely
+visited except by pedestrians and artists wandering about in search of
+the most beautiful views.
+
+Marion had by this time entirely regained her strength, and could climb
+about the mountains, and take as long walks as any of the party; but
+still she did not seem the same as in former days. Her father and mother
+did not notice the change, for with them she was always as gay as ever,
+and they were perfectly happy to see her so well,--slightly tanned with
+the summer's sun, and a bright color always glowing in her cheeks.
+
+But Rachel wondered what had come over her, for when they were alone she
+seemed so much more quiet and preoccupied, that her friend could hardly
+realize it was the same Marion Berkley she had known at school. The
+doctor, too, silently noticed her altered manner, and had his own
+opinion as to the cause.
+
+One day towards the close of summer, Marion was sitting on a little
+piazza, which belonged exclusively to the private parlor used by their
+party. A book was in her lap, but her hands lay idly on its open pages,
+as she sat lost in a reverie, from which she was roused by Dr. Drayton
+as he came round the house, and stood holding a letter over her head,
+exclaiming, "See what I have for you, Miss Marion! Can you tell the
+writing from here?"
+
+"Oh, yes!" exclaimed Marion, in a delighted tone, reaching up her hand
+to take it; "it's from Florence. Do let me have it."
+
+"Not until you promise me," said the doctor, holding the letter out of
+her reach, "that you will tell me how you honestly feel about the most
+important piece of news this letter contains."
+
+"I promise," said Marion, smiling. "It will probably be that her new
+mamma has given her a lovely picture, and she is the dearest mamma in
+the world."
+
+"Never mind what it is," said the doctor; "you have promised;" and he
+leaned against the pillar opposite Marion, apparently engaged in reading
+a letter which he had held open in his hand during their conversation,
+but in reality furtively watching the expression of her face, for he
+knew what news the letter contained, and wanted to judge of its effect
+upon her.
+
+She read on, smiling to herself as Florence went into ecstasies over the
+kindness of her new, darling mamma. Then suddenly an expression of
+intense surprise passed over her face, which was succeeded by one which
+it would be difficult to define, as the letter dropped into her lap, and
+she sat looking straight before her, but evidently seeing nothing, and
+entirely forgetful of the doctor's presence.
+
+"Poor child!" he thought, as he watched the tears slowly gathering in
+her eyes; "it has come at last, and she so young! It is cruel in me to
+watch her; but I _must_ know how deeply it affects her."
+
+Suddenly Marion sprang up with the letter in her hand, and was running
+through the long parlor-window, when the doctor called to her:--
+
+"Miss Marion, have you forgotten your promise?"
+
+"No, indeed!" answered Marion, without looking round. "Stay there; I'll
+be back in a moment."
+
+Dr. Drayton put his letter in his pocket, and folded his arms across his
+breast as he leaned against the pillar, like Marion looking straight
+before him, but seeing nothing. "If she can hide her wounds so bravely,
+cannot I do the same?" thought he; "it would be too cruel for me to make
+her tell me herself; I can at least spare her that." He was so lost in
+thought, that Marion had again stepped on to the piazza, and stood
+beside him before he was aware of her presence.
+
+"Now, doctor," she said, startling him by the brightness of her tone,
+"I'm ready to be questioned. There _was_ quite an important piece of
+news in the letter."
+
+"You need not tell me," he said very gently, "I know it already."
+
+"And how did you know it?" asked Marion, in a disappointed tone of
+voice. "I was to be the first one told, and then _I_ was to tell
+Rachel."
+
+"Your letter was delayed probably, and mine from Fred, written the next
+day, when every one knew it, came in the same mail."
+
+"But you don't seem a bit glad," said Marion. "_I_ am perfectly
+delighted."
+
+He looked down at her silently for a few moments. Could she be acting?
+He would put her to the test.
+
+"Miss Marion, I _will_ hold you to your promise; you said you would tell
+me honestly how you felt about this piece of news."
+
+"And so I will," replied Marion, surprised at his serious manner. "Mr.
+Thornton is as fine a young man as I know, and has always been a good
+friend of mine. When I tell you that I think him in every way worthy of
+Florence, you may know that is the highest compliment I can pay him; and
+I am perfectly delighted they are engaged."
+
+"And this is on your honor?"
+
+"On my honor," answered Marion, looking up at him with her clear,
+truthful eyes.
+
+"I believe you," he said; "but forgive me if I ask why, feeling so, the
+tears should have come into your eyes when you read the letter?"
+
+"Dr. Drayton," cried Marion, her face flushing, "it was too bad of you
+to watch me! It is cruel in you to ask me."
+
+"I know it is cruel," he answered; "but nevertheless I _must_ ask you."
+
+"I will tell you," replied Marion, hurriedly, "or you will misunderstand
+me. Florence and I have been very, very dear friends; we have loved each
+other all our lives, as I think few girls rarely do love; there has
+never been a cloud between us that was not soon cleared away; and when I
+first read that she was engaged to Arthur Thornton, I could not help
+feeling a little bit of sorrow, in spite of my greater joy, to think
+that now she would have some one to take my place away from me. But that
+feeling is all gone now--or will be soon," she added, choking down a
+sob, that would come in spite of her.
+
+"Marion," he almost whispered, as he bent over her, "are you sure you
+never loved Arthur Thornton?"
+
+"Very sure," answered Marion, not daring to raise her eyes, and blushing
+crimson as he for the first time called her by name.
+
+He bent lower still, and was about to lay his hand upon her arm, when
+Rachel rushed through the parlor-window, exclaiming, "Uncle Robert,
+Marion can't marry Mr. Thornton, if she wants to ever so much, and I
+want my diamond ring!"
+
+"The six months are past," replied her uncle.
+
+"I don't think that's fair, do you, Marion?" But Marion had slipped
+away, and was nowhere to be seen.
+
+A few evenings later the three were sitting on the piazza, enjoying
+their last night at the mountains. Mr. and Mrs. Berkley had retired
+early, so as to feel bright and fresh for their homeward journey the
+next day, but the rest had declared their intention of sitting up to
+watch the moon, as it went slowly down behind the distant hills.
+
+"Rachel," said Dr. Drayton, as he threw away his cigar, "how should you
+like to go to Europe next spring?"
+
+"Like it!" exclaimed Rachel, clasping her hands with delight. "I should
+be perfectly happy!"
+
+"Well, I thought so," replied her uncle, "and I am going to take you."
+
+"O Uncle Robert! you are too good! Marion, isn't that splendid?"
+
+But before Marion could answer, Dr. Drayton went on, as if he had not
+heard Rachel's remark. "Of course, it will not do for you to go
+travelling over Europe with only me."
+
+"Take Mrs. Marston!" exclaimed Rachel, determined to surmount all
+difficulties; "take Mrs. Marston; she's just the one!"
+
+"Oh, no!" replied her uncle, in a very decided tone; "she wouldn't do at
+all; she's too old. I've been thinking about it for some time; you want
+a young person, and so I am going to get married."
+
+"O Uncle Robert!" cried Rachel, jumping up, and taking hold of his arm;
+"don't get married! please don't! I'd rather never go to Europe as long
+as I live, than to have you do that!"
+
+"I am sure you are very kind indeed," replied her uncle, "to give up
+your pleasure on my account; but really I don't see as I can very well
+help being married now, for I've asked the lady, and she said yes."
+
+"O uncle! uncle! to think of your getting married just for the sake of
+having some one to go to Europe with me! It's dreadful!"
+
+"Yes, dear, I think it would be, if that were the case; but to tell you
+the truth I am very much in love with the lady myself."
+
+"Then I shall hate her!" exclaimed Rachel, dropping her uncle's arm,--"I
+know I shall hate her!"
+
+Marion had been sitting perfectly quiet during this conversation, with
+her back turned towards the speaker; she now rose, and attempted to pass
+by Dr. Drayton into the parlor; but he caught her with both hands, and
+turned her round towards his niece, saying, as he did so, "Allow me,
+Rachel, to introduce you to your future aunt; if you don't love her for
+my sake, try to for her own; she's worth it."
+
+Rachel stood in speechless astonishment, and Marion, also, could not
+utter a word.
+
+"This is a pretty state of things, I must say," said the doctor.
+"Rachel, won't you kiss your Aunt Marion?"
+
+"Kiss her!" exclaimed Rachel, finding her voice, and throwing her arms
+round Marion's neck; "I thought I loved her before, but _now_ I shall
+fairly worship her! I never was so happy in my life!"
+
+"Nor I either," whispered Marion, very softly.
+
+"But I don't understand it," cried Rachel, still in a state of
+bewilderment. "I never thought of such a thing. I thought you didn't
+like Marion at all, Uncle Robert."
+
+"I know it, my dear, and she thought the same; but I have satisfied her
+to the contrary, and I guess I can you."
+
+"Ah! Uncle Robert," said Rachel, archly, "I guess I _shan't_ have the
+handsomest diamond-ring at Bigelow's; I suppose Marion has that."
+
+"No, she has not," replied the doctor, lifting Marion's left hand, on
+which Rachel could see in the moonlight a heavy, plain, gold ring.
+
+"What!--not diamonds?"
+
+"No," replied the doctor, as he held the hand in both his own; "my wife
+shall have all the diamonds she wants, but this ring must be plain
+gold."
+
+"Are you satisfied, Marion?" asked Rachel.
+
+Marion gave a quick glance up at the doctor, then looked at Rachel, as
+she answered, "Perfectly."
+
+
+
+
+
+End of the Project Gutenberg EBook of Marion Berkley, by Elizabeth B. Comins
+
+*** END OF THE PROJECT GUTENBERG EBOOK 41524 ***