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diff --git a/.gitattributes b/.gitattributes new file mode 100644 index 0000000..d7b82bc --- /dev/null +++ b/.gitattributes @@ -0,0 +1,4 @@ +*.txt text eol=lf +*.htm text eol=lf +*.html text eol=lf +*.md text eol=lf diff --git a/LICENSE.txt b/LICENSE.txt new file mode 100644 index 0000000..6312041 --- /dev/null +++ b/LICENSE.txt @@ -0,0 +1,11 @@ +This eBook, including all associated images, markup, improvements, +metadata, and any other content or labor, has been confirmed to be +in the PUBLIC DOMAIN IN THE UNITED STATES. + +Procedures for determining public domain status are described in +the "Copyright How-To" at https://www.gutenberg.org. + +No investigation has been made concerning possible copyrights in +jurisdictions other than the United States. Anyone seeking to utilize +this eBook outside of the United States should confirm copyright +status under the laws that apply to them. diff --git a/README.md b/README.md new file mode 100644 index 0000000..9f82fd2 --- /dev/null +++ b/README.md @@ -0,0 +1,2 @@ +Project Gutenberg (https://www.gutenberg.org) public repository for +eBook #61857 (https://www.gutenberg.org/ebooks/61857) diff --git a/old/61857-8.txt b/old/61857-8.txt deleted file mode 100644 index 3575d5d..0000000 --- a/old/61857-8.txt +++ /dev/null @@ -1,10766 +0,0 @@ -The Project Gutenberg eBook, Bashful Fifteen, by L. T. Meade - - -This eBook is for the use of anyone anywhere in the United States and most -other parts of the world at no cost and with almost no restrictions -whatsoever. You may copy it, give it away or re-use it under the terms of -the Project Gutenberg License included with this eBook or online at -www.gutenberg.org. If you are not located in the United States, you'll have -to check the laws of the country where you are located before using this ebook. - - - - -Title: Bashful Fifteen - - -Author: L. T. Meade - - - -Release Date: April 17, 2020 [eBook #61857] - -Language: English - -Character set encoding: ISO-8859-1 - - -***START OF THE PROJECT GUTENBERG EBOOK BASHFUL FIFTEEN*** - - -E-text prepared by MWS, Martin Pettit, and the Online Distributed -Proofreading Team (http://www.pgdp.net) from page images generously made -available by Internet Archive (https://archive.org) - - - -Note: Images of the original pages are available through - Internet Archive. See - https://archive.org/details/bashfulfifteen00mead - - - - - -BASHFUL FIFTEEN - -by - -L. T. MEADE - -Author of "Out of the Fashion," "A Sweet Girl Graduate," "The Medicine -Lady," "Polly, a New-Fashioned Girl," "A World of Girls," etc. - - - - - - -New York -Cassell Publishing Company -104 & 106 Fourth Avenue - -Copyright, 1892, by -Cassell Publishing Company. - -All rights reserved. - -The Mershon Company Press, -Rahway, N. J. - - - - -CONTENTS. - -CHAPTER PAGE - I. CURIOSITY, 1 - - II. THE NEW GIRL, 10 - - III. RIBBONS AND ROSES, 24 - - IV. THE QUEEN OF THE SCHOOL, 35 - - V. BREAKING IN A WILD COLT, 52 - - VI. CAPTIVITY, 62 - - VII. WHO IS TO PROVIDE THE NEEDFUL? 73 - - VIII. THE "JANET MAY STALL," 82 - - IX. TAKING SIDES, 98 - - X. CHECKMATE, 106 - - XI. A WILD IRISH PRINCESS, 114 - - XII. LADY KATHLEEN, 128 - - XIII. PEARSON'S BOOK OF ESSAYS, 147 - - XIV. "I'M BIG, AND I'M DESPERATE," 158 - - XV. BRIDGET O'HARA'S STALL, 177 - - XVI. STILL IN THE WOOD, 193 - - XVII. PERSIAN CATS, 200 - - XVIII. AN IRISH WELCOME, 215 - - XIX. "BRUIN, MY DOG," 221 - - XX. THE SQUIRE AND HIS GUESTS, 232 - - XXI. THE HOLY WELL, 244 - - XXII. WILD HAWK, 260 - - XXIII. UNDER A SPELL, 275 - - XXIV. NORAH TO THE RESCUE, 289 - - XXV. HER MAJESTY THE WITCH, 294 - - XXVI. A TERRIBLE NIGHT, 303 - - XXVII. "SPEAK OUT," 310 - -XXVIII. WHAT THE O'HARAS SAID TO ONE ANOTHER, 318 - - XXIX. THE CHILD OF HIS HEART, 323 - - - - -BASHFUL FIFTEEN. - - - - -CHAPTER I. - -CURIOSITY. - - -The school stood on the side of a hill, which faced downward to the -sea. Its aspect was south, and it was sheltered from the east and west -winds by a thick plantation of young trees, which looked green and -fresh in the spring, and were beginning already to afford a delightful -shade in hot weather. - -A fashionable watering-place called Eastcliff was situated about a -mile from Mulberry Court, the old-fashioned house, with the old-world -gardens, where the schoolgirls lived. There were about fifty of them -in all, and they had to confess that although Mulberry Court was -undoubtedly school, yet those who lived in the house and played in -the gardens, and had merry games and races on the seashore, enjoyed a -specially good time which they would be glad to think of by and by. - -The period at which this story begins was the middle of the summer -term. There were no half-term holidays at the Court, but somehow the -influence of holiday time had already got into the air. The young girls -had tired themselves out with play, and the older ones lay about in -hammocks, or strolled in twos or threes up and down the wide gravel -walk which separated the house from the gardens. - -The ages of these fifty girls ranged from seventeen to five, but from -seventeen down to five on this special hot summer's evening one topic -of conversation might have been heard on every tongue. - -What would the new girl be like? Was she rich or poor, handsome or -ugly, tall or short, dark or fair? Why did she come in the middle of -the term, and why did Mrs. Freeman, and Miss Delicia, and Miss Patience -make such a fuss about her? - -Other new girls had arrived, and only the faintest rumors had got out -about them beforehand. - -A couple of maids had been seen carrying a new trunk upstairs, or old -Piper had been discovered crawling down the avenue with his shaky cab, -and shakier horse, and then the new girl had appeared at tea-time and -been formally introduced, and if she were shy had got over it as best -she could, and had soon discovered her place in class, and there was an -end of the matter. - -But this new girl was not following out any of the old precedents. - -She was coming at mid-term, which in itself was rather exceptional. - -Mrs. Freeman and Miss Patience had driven away in a very smart carriage -with a pair of horses to meet her. - -Miss Delicia was fussing in and out of the house, and picking fresh -strawberries, and nodding to the girls she happened to meet with a kind -of suppressed delight. - -What _could_ it all mean? It really was most exciting. - -The smaller girls chatted volubly about the matter, and little Violet -Temple, aged ten, and of course one of the small girls, so far -forgot herself as to run up to Dorothy Collingwood, clasp her hand -affectionately round the tall girl's arm, and whisper in her impetuous, -eager way: - -"I'm almost certain, Dolly, that she's to sleep in a room by herself, -for I saw the Blue Room being got ready. I peeped in as we were going -down to dinner, and I noticed such jolly new furniture--pale blue, and -all to match. Oh, what is it, Olive? Now you've pinched my arm." - -"Run back to your companions this minute, miss," said Olive Moore. -"You're getting to be a perfect tittle-tattle, Violet. There, I'm not -angry, child, but you must learn not to talk about everything you see." - -Violet frowned all over her fair, small face, but Olive Moore, -a sixth-form girl, was too powerful an individual to be lightly -disregarded. She shrugged her shoulders therefore, and walked sulkily -away. - -"Why did you speak so sharply to her, Olive?" exclaimed Dorothy. "After -all, her curiosity is but natural--I must even own that I share it -myself." - -"So do I, Dorothy, if it comes to that, but Violet must be made to know -her place. She is one of those little encroachers without respect of -persons, who can become absolute nuisances if they are encouraged. But -there, we have said enough about her. Ruth and Janet are going to sit -in 'The Lookout' for a little; they want to discuss the subject of the -Fancy Fair. Shall we come and join them?" - -Dorothy turned with her companion; they walked along the wide gravel -sweep, then entered a narrow path which wound gradually up-hill. -They soon reached a rural tower, which was called by the girls "The -Lookout," mounted some steep steps, and found themselves standing on a -little platform, where two other girls were waiting to receive them. - -Ruth Bury was short and dark, but Janet May, her companion, was -extremely slim and fair. She would have been a pretty girl but for the -somewhat disagreeable expression of her face. - -"Here you are," exclaimed the two pairs of lips eagerly. - -"Sit down, Dorothy," cried Ruth, "we have kept your favorite armchair -vacant for you. Now, then, to discuss the Fancy Fair in all its -bearings. Is it not kind of Mrs. Freeman to consent to our having it? -She says it is quite an unusual thing for girls like us to do, but in -the cause of that poor little baby, and because we wish the Fancy Fair -to be our break-up treat, she consents. The only stipulation she makes -is that we arrange the whole programme without troubling her." - -"Yes," continued Janet, "she met me half an hour ago, and told me to -let you know, Dorothy, and you, Olive, and any other girls who happen -to be specially interested, that we are to form our programme, and -then ask her to give us an audience. She will look herself into all -our plans, and tell us which can and cannot be carried into effect. -The only other thing she stipulates is that we do not neglect our -studies, and that we leave room in the happy day's proceedings for the -distribution of the prizes." - -While Janet was speaking, Dorothy, who had refused to seat herself in -the armchair assigned to her, and whose clear, bright blue eyes were -roving eagerly all over the beautiful summer landscape, exclaimed in an -eager voice: - -"After all, what does the Fancy Fair signify--I mean--oh, don't be -shocked, girls--I mean, what does it signify compared to a real living -_present_ interest? While we are discussing what is to take place in -six weeks' time, Mrs. Freeman and Miss Patience are driving up the -avenue with _somebody else_. Girls, the new inmate of Mulberry Court -has begun to put in an appearance on the scene." - -"Oh, let me look; do let me look!" cried Ruth, while Olive and Janet -both pressed eagerly forward. - -From where they stood they obtained a very distinct although somewhat -bird's-eye view of the winding avenue and quickly approaching carriage. -Mrs. Freeman's tall and familiar figure was too well known to be -worthy, in that supreme moment, of even a passing comment. Miss -Patience looked as angular and as like herself as ever; but a girl, who -sat facing the two ladies--a girl who wore a large shady hat, and whose -light dress and gay ribbons fluttered in the summer breeze--upon this -girl the eyes of the four watchers in the "Lookout" tower were fixed -with devouring curiosity. - -"Well, I never!" exclaimed Dorothy, after a pause. "I don't suppose -Mrs. Freeman will allow that style of wardrobe long. See, girls, do -see, how her long blue ribbons stream in the breeze; and her hat! it is -absolutely _covered_ with roses--I'm convinced they are roses. Oh, what -would I not give for an opera glass to enable me to take a nearer view. -Whoever that young person is, she intends to take the shine out of us. -Why, she is dressed as if she had just come from a garden party." - -"I don't believe she's a new schoolgirl at all," cried Ruth; "she's -just a visitor come to stay for a day or two with Mrs. Freeman. No -schoolgirl that ever breathed would dare to present such a young lady, -grown-up appearance. There, girls, don't let's waste any more time over -her; let's turn our attention to the much more important matter of the -Fancy Fair." - -Notwithstanding these various criticisms, the carriage with its -occupants calmly pursued its way, and was presently lost to view in the -courtyard at the side of the house. - -"Now, do let us be sensible," said Janet, turning to her companions. -"We have seen all that there is to be seen. However hard we guess we -cannot solve the mystery. Either a new companion is coming among us, -who, I have no doubt, will be as commonplace as commonplace can be, or -Mrs. Freeman is receiving a young lady visitor. Supper will decide the -point, and as that is not half an hour away I suppose we can exist for -the present without worrying our brains any further." - -"Dear Janey, you always were the soul of sense," remarked Dorothy, in -a somewhat languid voice. "For my part I pity those poor little mites, -Violet and the rest of them. I know they are just as curious with -regard to the issue of events as we are, and yet I can see them at this -moment, with my mental vision, being driven like sheep into the fold. -They'll be in bed, poor mites, when we are satisfying our curiosity." - -"You have a perfect mania for those children, Dorothy," exclaimed -Olive. "I call it an impertinence on their parts to worry themselves -about sixth-form girls. What's the matter, Janet? Why that contraction -of your angel brow?" - -"I want us to utilize our opportunities," said Janet. "We have a few -minutes all to ourselves to discuss the Fancy Fair, and we fritter it -away on that tiresome new girl." - -"Well, let's settle to business now," said Ruth; "I'm sure I'm more -than willing. Who has got a pencil and paper?" - -Dorothy pulled an envelope out of her pocket. Olive searched into the -recesses of hers to hunt up a lead pencil, and Janet continued to speak -in her tranquil, round tones. - -"The first thing to do is to appoint a committee," she began. - -"O Janey," exclaimed two of the other girls in a breath, "a committee -does sound so absurdly formal." - -"Never mind, it is the correct thing to do. In a matter of this kind -we are nothing if we are not businesslike. Now, who _is_ coming to -interrupt us?" - -Steps--several steps--were heard clattering up the stone stairs of the -little tower, and two or three girls of the middle school, with roughly -tossed heads and excited faces, burst upon the seclusion of the four -sixth-form girls. - -"O Dolly," they exclaimed, running up to their favorite, "she has -come--we have seen her! She is very tall, and--and----" - -"Do let me speak, Marion," exclaimed little Violet Temple, coloring all -over her round face in her excitement and interest. "You know I got the -first glimpse of her. I did, you know I did. I was hiding under the -laurel arch, and I saw her quite close. It's awfully unfair of anyone -else to tell, isn't it, Dolly?" - -"Of course it is, Violet," replied Miss Collingwood in her good-natured -way. "But what a naughty imp you were to hide under the laurel arch. -The wonder is you did not get right in the way of the horses' hoofs." - -"Much I cared for that when I had a chance of seeing her," remarked -Violet. "I _did_ get a splendid peep. She's awfully tall, and she -was splendidly dressed; and O Dolly! O Ruthie! O Janey! she's just -_lovely_!" - -"I wish you'd go away, child!" said Janet in a decidedly cross tone. -"What are all you small girls doing out and about at this hour? Surely -it's time for you to be in bed. What can Miss Marshall be about not to -have fetched you before now?" - -"Cross-patch!" murmured Violet, turning her back on Janet. "Come, -Marion; come, Pauline, we won't tell her any more. We'll tell _you_, -Dolly, of course, but we won't tell Janet. Come, Marion, let's go." - -The children disappeared in as frantic haste to be off as they were a -few minutes ago to arrive. - -"Now, let's go on," said Janet, in her calm tones. "Let us try -and settle something before the supper bell rings. We must have a -committee, that goes without saying. Suppose we four girls form it." - -"What about Evelyn?" inquired Dorothy. - -When she said this a quick change flitted over Janet's face. She bit -her lips, and, after a very brief pause, said in a voice of would-be -indifference: - -"I don't suppose that Evelyn Percival is to rule the school. She is -away at present, and we can't wait on her will and pleasure. Let's form -our committee, and do without her." - -"It's a distinct insult," began Dolly. "I disapprove--I disapprove." - -"And so do I"--"And I"--cried both Ruth and Olive. - -"Well," said Janet, "if you insist on spoiling everything, girls, you -must. You know what Evelyn is." - -"Only the head girl of the school," remarked Dolly in a soft tone. "But -of course a person of not the _smallest_ consequence. Well, Janet, what -next?" - -"As I was saying," began Janet---- - -A loud booming sound filled the air. - -Ruth clapped her hands. - -"Hurrah! Hurrah! Supper!" she cried. "Your committee must keep, Janet. -Now for the satisfaction of rampant, raging curiosity. Dolly, will you -race me to the house?" - - - - -CHAPTER II. - -THE NEW GIRL. - - -Although the booming sound of the great gong filled the air, the supper -to which the head girls of the school were now going was a very simple -affair. It consisted of milk placed in great jugs at intervals down -the long table, of fruit both cooked and uncooked, and large plates of -bread and butter. - -Such as it was, however, supper was a much-prized institution of -Mulberry Court; only the fifth-form and sixth-form girls were allowed -to partake of it. To sit up to supper, therefore, was a distinction -intensely envied by the lower school. The plain fare sounded to them -like honey and ambrosia. They were never tired of speculating as to -what went on in the dining room on these occasions, and the idea of -sitting up to supper was with some of the girls a more stimulating -reason for being promoted to the fifth form than any other which could -be offered. - -On this special night in the mid-term the girls who were ignominiously -obliged to retire to their bedrooms felt a sorer sense of being left -out than ever. - -As Dorothy and her companions walked through the wide, cool entrance -hall, and turned down the stone passage which led to the supper room, -they were quite conscious of the fact that some of the naughtiest and -most adventurous imps of the lower school were hovering round, hanging -over banisters or hiding behind doors. A suppressed giggle of laughter -proceeded so plainly from the back of one of the doors, that Dorothy -could not resist stretching back her hand as she passed, and giving a -playful tap on the panels with her knuckles. The suppressed laughter -became dangerously audible when she did this, so in mercy she was -forced to take no further notice. - -The girls entered the wide, long dining hall and immediately took their -places at the table. - -Mrs. Freeman always presided at the head of the board, Miss Patience -invariably sat at the foot, Miss Delicia wandered about restlessly, -helping the girls to milk and fruit, patting her favorites on their -backs, bending down to inquire tenderly how this girl's headache was, -and if another had come off conqueror in her tennis match. No girl in -the school minded or feared Miss Delicia in the least. Unlike her two -sisters, who were tall and thin, she was a little body with a round -face, rosy cheeks, hair very much crimped, and eyes a good deal creased -with constant laughter. No one had ever seen Miss Delicia the least bit -cross or the least bit annoyed with anyone. She was invariably known -to weep with the sorrowful, and laugh with the gay--she was a great -coddler and physicker--thought petting far better than punishment, and -play much more necessary for young girls than lessons. - -In consequence she was popular, with that mild sort of popularity which -is bestowed upon the people who are all patience and have no faculty -for inspiring fear. - -Mrs. Freeman could be austere as well as kind, and Mrs. Freeman was ten -times more loved than Miss Delicia. - -The girls took their places at the table--grace was said, and the meal -began. - -A sense of disappointment was over them all, for the new girl -upon whom their present thoughts were centered had not put in an -appearance--nothing was said about her--Mrs. Freeman looked as -tranquil as usual, Miss Patience as white and anxious, Miss Delicia as -good-natured and downy. - -Dorothy was beginning to whisper to her companion that all their -excitement was safe to end in smoke, when the door at the farther end -of the dining hall was softly pushed open, and a head of luxuriant -nut-brown curling hair was popped in. Two roguish dark blue eyes looked -down the long room--they greeted with an eager sort of delighted -welcome each fresh girl face, and then the entire person of a tall, -showily dressed girl entered. - -"My dear Bridget!" exclaimed Mrs. Freeman, so surprised by the -unexpected apparition that she was actually obliged to rise from her -seat and come forward. - -"Oh, my dear, ought you not to be asleep?" exclaimed Miss Patience in -thin, anxious tones from the other end of the board, while Miss Delicia -ran up to the girl and took one of her dimpled white hands in hers. - -"I did not feel tired, Mrs. Freeman," replied the newcomer in an eager, -irrepressible sort of voice. "You put me into my room and told me to -go to bed, but I didn't want to go to bed. I have had my supper, thank -you, so I don't want any more, but I have been dying with curiosity to -see the girls. Are these they? Are these my schoolfellows? I never saw -a schoolfellow before. They all look pretty much like other people. -How do you do, each and all of you? I'm Bridget O'Hara. May I sit near -you, Mrs. Freeman?" - -"Sit there, Miss O'Hara, please," said Mrs. Freeman. She tried to -suppress a smile, which was difficult. "Girls," she said, addressing -the fifth and sixth forms, "girls, this young lady is your new -schoolfellow--her name is Bridget O'Hara. I meant to introduce her -to you formally to-morrow, but she has taken the matter into her own -hands. I am glad you are not tired, Miss O'Hara, for you have had a -very long journey." - -"Oh, my!" exclaimed Miss O'Hara, "that's nothing. Goodness gracious me! -what would you think of thirty or forty miles on an Irish jaunting car, -all in one day, Mrs. Freeman? That's the sort of thing to make the back -ache. Bump, bump, you go. You catch on to the sides of the car for bare -life, and as likely as not you're pitched out into a bog two or three -times before you get home. Papa and I have often taken our thirty to -forty miles' jaunt a day. I can tell you, I have been stiff after those -rides. Did you ever ride on a jaunting car, Mrs. Freeman?" - -"No, my dear," replied the head mistress, in a rather icy voice, "I -have never had the pleasure of visiting Ireland." - -"Well, it's a very fine sort of place, as free and easy as you please; -lots of fishing in the lakes and in the rivers. I'm very fond of my -gun, too. Can you handle a gun, Mrs. Freeman? It kicks rather, if you -can't manage it." - -An audible titter was heard down the table, and Mrs. Freeman turned -somewhat red. - -"Will you have some fruit?" she said coldly, laying a restraining hand -as she spoke on the girl's beflowered and embroidered dress. - -"No fruit, thank you. Oh, what a lovely ring you have on! It's a -ruby, isn't it? My poor mother--she died when I was only three--had -some splendid rubies--they are to be mine when I am grown up. Papa is -keeping them for me in the County Bank. You always keep your valuables -in the Bank in Ireland, you know--that's on account of the Land -Leaguers." - -"I think, my dear, we won't talk quite so much," said Mrs. Freeman. -"At most of our meals German is the only language spoken. Supper, of -course, is an exception. Why, what is the matter. Miss O'Hara?" - -"Good gracious me!" exclaimed Bridget O'Hara, "am I to be dumb during -breakfast, dinner, and tea? I don't know a word of German. Why, I'll -die if I can't chatter. It's a way we have in Ireland. We _must_ talk." - -"Patience," said Mrs. Freeman, from her end of the supper table, "I -think we have all finished. Will you say grace?" - -There was a movement of chairs, and a general rising. - -Miss Patience asked for a blessing on the meal just partaken of in a -clear, emphatic voice, and the group of girls began to file out of the -room. - -"May I go with the others?" asked Miss O'Hara. - -"Yes, certainly. Let me introduce you to someone in particular. Janet -May, come here, my dear." - -Janet turned at the sound of her name, and came quickly up to her -mistress. She looked slight, pale, and almost insignificant beside -the full, blooming, luxuriously made girl, who, resting one hand in a -nonchalant manner on the back of her chair, was looking full at her -with laughing bright eyes. - -"Janet," said Mrs. Freeman, "will you oblige me by showing Miss O'Hara -the schoolrooms and common rooms, and introducing her to one or two of -her companions? Go, my dear," she continued, "but remember, Bridget, -whether you are tired or not, I shall expect you to go to bed to-night -at nine o'clock. It is half-past eight now, so you have half an hour to -get acquainted with your schoolfellows." - -"My! what a minute!" said Miss Bridget, tossing back her abundant hair, -and slipping one firm, dimpled hand inside Janet's arm. "Well, come -on, darling," she continued, giving that young lady an affectionate -squeeze. "Let's make the most of our precious time. I'm dying to know -you all--I think you look so sweet. Who's that love of a girl in gray, -who sat next you at supper? She had golden hair, and blue eyes--not -like mine, of course, but well enough for English eyes. What's her -name, dear?" - -"I think you must mean Dorothy Collingwood," said Janet in her clear, -cold English voice. "May I ask if you have ever been at school before, -Miss O'Hara?" - -"Oh, good gracious me! don't call me Miss O'Hara. I'm Biddy to my -friends--Biddy O'Hara, at your service--great fun, too, I can tell you. -You ask my father what he thinks of me. Poor old gentleman, I expect -he's crying like anything this minute without his Biddy to coddle him. -He said I wanted polishing, and so he sent me here. I have never been -in England before, and I don't at all know if I will like it. By the -way, what's your name? I didn't quite catch it." - -"Janet May. This is the schoolroom where the sixth form girls do their -lessons. We have a desk each, of course. That room inside there is for -the fifth form. I wonder which you will belong to? How old are you?" - -"Now, how old would you think? Just you give a guess. Let me stand in -front of you, so that you can take a squint at me. Now, then--oh, I -say, stop a minute, I see some more girls coming in. Come along, girls, -and help Miss May to guess my age. Now, then, now then, I wonder who'll -be right? How you do all stare! I feel uncommonly as if I'd like to -dance the Irish jig!" - -Dorothy, Ruth, and Olive had now come into the schoolroom, and had -taken their places by Janet's side. She gave them a quick look, in -which considerable aversion to the newcomer was plainly visible, then -turned her head and gazed languidly out of the window. - -Bridget O'Hara bestowed upon the four girls who stood before her a -lightning glance of quizzical inquiry. She was a tall, fully developed -girl, and no one could doubt her claim to beauty who looked at her even -for a moment. - -Her eyes were of that peculiar, very dark, very deep blue, which seems -to be an Irish girl's special gift. Her eyelashes were thick and black, -her complexion a fresh white and pink, her chestnut hair grew in thick, -curly abundance all over her well-shaped head. Her beautifully cut -lips wore a petulant but charming expression. There was a provocative, -almost teasing, self-confidence about her, which to certain minds only -added to her queer fascination. - -"Now, how old am I?" she asked, stamping her arched foot. "Don't be -shy, any of you. Begin at the eldest, and guess right away. Now then, -Miss Collingwood--you see, I know your name--the age of your humble -servant, if _you_ please." - -Dorothy could not restrain her laughter. - -"How can I possibly tell you, Miss O'Hara?" she replied. "You are a -tall girl. Perhaps you are seventeen, although you look more." - -"Oh! hurrah, hurrah, hurrah! What will my dear dad say when I tell him -that? Biddy O'Hara seventeen! Don't I wish I were! Oh, the lovely balls -I'd be going to if those were my years! Now, another guess. It's your -turn now--you, little brown one there--I haven't caught your name, -darling. Is it Anne or Mary? Most girls are called either Anne or Mary." - -"My name is Ruth," replied the girl so addressed, "and I can't guess -ages. Come, Olive, let us find our French lessons and go." - -"Oh, I declare, the little dear is huffed about something! Well, then, -I'll tell. _I'll be fifteen in exactly a month from now!_ What do you -say to that? I'm well grown, am I not, Janet?" - -"Did you speak?" asked Miss May in her coldest tones. - -"Yes, darling, I did. Shall we go into the common room now? I'm dying -to see it." - -"I'm afraid I have no more time to show you any of the house this -evening," answered Janet. "The common room is very much the shape of -this one, only without the desks. I have some of my studies to look -over, so I must wish you good-evening." - -Bridget O'Hara's clear blue eyes were opened a little, wider apart. - -For the first time there was a faint hesitation in her manner. - -"But Mrs. Freeman said----" she began. - -"That I was to take you round and introduce you to a few companions," -continued Janet hastily. "Miss Collingwood, Miss O'Hara--Miss Moore, -Miss O'Hara--Miss Bury, Miss O'Hara. Now I have done my duty. If you -like to see the common room for yourself, you can go straight through -this folding door, turn to your left, see a large room directly facing -you; go into it, and you will find yourself in the common room. Now, -good-night." - -Janet turned away, and a moment later reached the door of the -schoolroom, where she was joined by Olive and Ruth. "Come," she said -to them, and the three girls disappeared, only too glad to vent their -feelings in the passage outside the schoolroom. Dorothy Collingwood -lingered behind her companions. "Never mind," she said to Biddy, "it is -rude of Janet to leave you, but she is sometimes a little erratic in -her movements. It is a way our Janey has, and of course no one is silly -enough to mind her." - -"You don't suppose I mind her?" exclaimed Bridget. "Rudeness always -shows ill-breeding, but it is still more ill-bred to notice it--at -least, that's what papa says. She spoke rather as if she did not like -me, which is quite incomprehensible, for everybody loves me at home." - -There was a plaintive note in the girl's voice, a wistful expression in -her eyes, which went straight to Dorothy's kind heart. - -"People will like you here too," she said. "I am certain you are -very good-natured; come and let me show you some of our snug little -arrangements in the common room, and then I think it will be time for -bed." - -"Oh, never mind about bed--I'm not the least sleepy." - -"But Mrs. Freeman wants you to go to bed early to-night." - -"Poor old dear! But wanting Biddy O'Hara to do a thing, and making -her do it, are two very different matters. I'll go to bed when I'm -tired--papa never expected me to go earlier at home. I declare I feel -quite cheerful again now that I have got to know you, Dorothy. Janet is -not at all to my taste, but you are. What a pretty name you have, and -you have an awfully sweet expression--such a dear, loving kind of look -in your eyes. Would you mind very much if I gave you a hug?" - -"I don't mind your kissing me, Bridget, only does not it seem a little -soon--I have not known you many minutes yet?" - -"Oh, you darling, what do minutes signify when one loves? There, Dolly, -I have fallen in love with you, and that's the fact. You shall come and -stay with me at the Castle in the summer, and I'll teach you to fire a -gun and to land a salmon. Oh, my dear, what larks we'll have together! -I'm so glad you're taking me round this house, instead of that stiff -Janet." - -Dorothy suppressed a faint sigh, took her companion's plump hand, and -continued the tour of investigation. - -The common room to which she conducted Miss O'Hara was entirely for the -use of the elder girls; the girls of the middle and the lower school -had other rooms to amuse themselves in. But this large, luxuriously -furnished apartment was entirely given up to the sixth and fifth-form -schoolgirls. - -The room was something like a drawing room, with many easy-chairs and -tables. Plenty of light streamed in from the lofty windows, and fell -upon knickknacks and brackets, on flowers in pots--in short, on the -many little possessions which each individual girl had brought to -decorate her favorite room. - -"We are each of us allowed a certain freedom here," said Dorothy. "You -see these panels? It is a great promotion to possess a panel. All the -girls who are allowed to have the use of this room cannot have one, -but the best of us can. Now behold! Open sesame! Shut your eyes for a -minute--you can open them again when I tell you. Now--you may look now." - -Bridget opened her eyes wide, and started at the transformation -scene which had taken place during the brief moment she had remained -in darkness. The room was painted a pale, cool green. The walls -were divided into several panels. One of these had now absolutely -disappeared, and in its place was a deep recess, which went far enough -back into the wall to contain shelves, and had even space sufficient -for a chair or two, a sewing machine, and one or two other sacred -possessions. - -"This is my panel," said Dorothy, "and these are my own special pet -things. I bring out my favorite chair when I want to use it, or to -offer it to a guest; I put it back when I have done with it. See these -shelves, they hold my afternoon tea set, my books, my paint box, my -workbasket, my photographic album--in short, all my dearest treasures." - -"I must have a cupboard like that," said Biddy. "Why, it's perfectly -delicious!" - -"Yes; you have got to earn it first, however," replied Miss -Collingwood, slipping back the pale green panel with a dexterous -movement. - -"Earn it--how? Do you mean pay extra for it? Oh, that can be easily -managed--I'll write to papa at once. He has heaps of money, even though -he is Irish, and he can deny me nothing. He's paying lots more for -me than most of the girls' fathers pay for them. That's why I have a -room to myself, and why I am to have riding lessons, and a whole heap -of things. But I mean to share all my little comforts with you, you -darling. Oh, if the cupboard is to be bought, I'll soon have one. Now -let us sit in this cosy, deep seat in the window, and put our arms -round one another and talk." The great clock in the stable struck nine. - -"Don't you hear the clock?" exclaimed Dorothy, unconscious relief -coming into her tones. - -"Yes, what a loud, metallic sound! We have such a dear old eight-day -clock at the Castle; it's said to be quite a hundred years old, and I'm -certain it's haunted. My dear Dolly, to hear that clock boom forth the -hour at midnight would make the stoutest heart quail." - -"Well, and our humble school clock ought to make your heart quail -if you don't obey it, Bridget. Seriously speaking, it is my duty to -counsel you, as a new girl, to go to bed at once." - -"The precious love, how nicely she talks, and how I love her gentle, -refined words. But, darling, I'm not going to bed, for I'm not tired." - -"But Mrs. Freeman said----" - -"Dolly, I will clap my hands over your rosebud lips if you utter -another word. Come, and let us sit in this deep window-seat and be -happy. Would you like to know what papa is doing at the Castle now?" - -"I don't think I ought to listen to you, Bridget." - -"Yes, you ought. I'm going to give you a lovely description. Papa has -had his dinner, and he's pacing up and down on the walk which hangs -over the lake. He is smoking a meerschaum pipe, and the dogs are with -him." - -"The dogs?" asked Dorothy, interested in spite of herself. - -"Yes, poor old Dandy, who is so lame and so affectionate, and Mustard -and Pepper, the dear little snappers, and Lemon. Poor darling, he is a -trial; we have called him Lemon because he exactly resembles the juice -of that fruit when it's most acrid and disagreeable. Lemon's temper -is the acknowledged trial of our kennel, but he loves my father, and -always paces up and down with him in the evening on the south walk. -Then of course there's Bruin, he's an Irish deerhound, and the darling -of my heart, and there's Pilate, the blind watchdog--oh! and Minerva. -I think that's about all. We have fox hounds, of course, but they are -not let out every day. I see my dear father now looking down at the -lake, and talking to the dogs, and thinking of me. O Dolly, Dolly, I'm -lonely, awfully lonely! Do pity me--do love me! O Dolly, my heart will -break if no one loves me!" - -Bridget's excitable eager words were broken by sobs; tears poured out -of her lovely eyes, her hands clasped Dorothy's with fervor. - -"Love me," she pleaded; "do love me, for I love you." - -It would have been impossible for a much colder heart than Dorothy -Collingwood's to resist her. - -"Yes, I will love you," she replied; "but please go to bed now, dear. -You really will get into trouble if you don't, and it seems such a pity -that you should begin your school life in disgrace." - -"Well, if I must go, and if you really wish it. Come with me to my -room, Dorothy. O Dolly, if you would sleep with me to-night!" - -"No, I can't do that; we have to obey rules at school, and one of our -strictest rules is that no girl is to leave her own bedroom without -special permission." - -"Then go and ask, darling. Find Mrs. Freeman, and ask her; it's so -easily done." - -"I cannot go, Bridget. Mrs. Freeman would not give me leave, and she -would be only annoyed at my making such a foolish proposition." - -"Oh, foolish do you call it?" A passing cloud swept over Bridget -O'Hara's face. It quickly vanished, however; she jumped up with a -little sigh. - -"I don't think I shall like school," she said, "but I'll do anything -you wish me to do, dearest Dorothy." - - - - -CHAPTER III. - -RIBBONS AND ROSES. - - -Dorothy shared the same bedroom as Ruth and Olive. Each girl, however, -had a compartment to herself, railed in by white dimity curtains, which -she could draw or not as she pleased. Dorothy's compartment was the -best in the room; it contained a large window looking out over the -flower garden, and commanding a good view of the sea. She was very -particular about her pretty cubicle, and kept it fresh with flowers, -which stood in brackets against the walls. - -Ruth and Olive slept in the back part of the room. They had a cubicle -each, of course, but they had not Dorothy's taste, and their little -bedrooms had a dowdy effect beside hers. - -They were both undressing when she entered the room this evening, but -the moment she appeared they rushed to her and began an eager torrent -of words. - -"Well, Dolly, have you got rid of that horrible incubus of a girl at -last? What a trial she will be in the school! She's the most ill-bred -creature I ever met in my life. What can Mrs. Freeman mean by taking -her in? Of course, she cannot even pretend to be a lady." - -"And there's such a fuss made about her, too," interrupted Olive. "A -carriage and pair sent to meet her, forsooth, and a separate room -for the darling to sleep in. It was good-natured of you to stay with -her, Dolly; I assure you Ruth, and Janet, and I could not have borne -another moment of her society." - -"She's not so bad at all," began Dorothy. - -"Oh, oh, oh! if you're going to take her part, that is the last straw." - -"I shan't allow her to be persecuted," said Dorothy, with some -firmness. "She's the most innocent creature I ever met in my life. -Fancy a girl of her age, who has simply never had a rebuff, who has -been petted, loved, made much of all her days, who looks at you -with the absolute fearlessness of a baby, and talks out her mind as -contentedly and frankly as a bird sings its song. I grant she's an -anomaly, but I'm not going to be the one to teach her how cruel the -world can be." - -"Oh, _if_ you take it up in that way," said Olive; but her words had a -faint sound about them--she was a girl who was easily impressed either -for good or evil. - -If Dorothy chose to take the new girl's part, she supposed there -was something in her, and would continue to suppose so until she -had a conversation with Janet, or anyone else, who happened to have -diametrically opposite opinions to Dorothy Collingwood. - -Dorothy went into her own little cubicle, drew her white dimity walls -tight, and, standing before the window, looked out at the summer -landscape. - -She had to own to herself that Bridget had proved a very irritating -companion. She would take her part, of course; but she felt quite -certain at the same time that she was going to be a trial to her. As -she stood by her window now, however, a little picture of the scene -which the Irish girl had described so vividly presented itself with -great distinctness before Dorothy's eyes. - -She saw the wild landscape, the steep gravel path which overhung the -lake, the old squire with his white hair, and tall but slightly bent -figure, pacing up and down, smoking his pipe and surrounded by his -dogs. Dorothy fancied how, on most summer evenings, Bridget, impetuous, -eager, and beautiful, walked by his side. She wondered how he had -brought himself to part with her. She gave a little sigh as she shut -the picture away from her mind, and as she laid her head on her pillow, -she resolved to be very kind to the new girl. - -Breakfast was at eight o'clock at Mulberry Court. The girls always -assembled a quarter of an hour before breakfast in the little chapel -for prayers. They were all especially punctual this morning, for they -wanted to get a good peep at Miss O'Hara. - -She was not present, however, and did not, indeed, put in an appearance -in the breakfast room until the meal was half over. - -She entered the room, then, in a long white embroidered dress, looped -up here, there, and everywhere with sky-blue ribbons. It was a charming -toilet, and most becoming to its wearer, but absolutely unsuitable for -schoolroom work. - -"How do you do, Mrs. Freeman?" said Bridget. "I'm afraid I'm a little -late; I overslept myself, and then I could not find the right belt for -this dress--it ought to be pale blue to match the ribbons, ought it -not? But as I could not lay my hand on it, I have put on this silver -girdle instead. Look at it, is it not pretty? It is real solid silver, -I assure you; Uncle Jack brought it me from Syria, and the workmanship -is supposed to be very curious. It's a trifle heavy, of course, but it -keeps my dress nice and tight, don't you think so?" - -"Yes, Bridget, very nice--go and take your place, my dear. There, -beside Janet May. Another morning I hope you will be in time for -prayers. Of course, we make all allowances the first day. Take your -place directly, breakfast is half over." - -Bridget raised her brows the tenth of an inch. The faintest shadow of -surprise crossed her sweet, happy face. Then she walked down the long -room, nodding and smiling to the girls. - -"How do you do, all of you?" she said. "Well, Janet, good-morning"; she -tapped Janet's indignant back with her firm, cool hand, and dropped -into her place. - -"Now, what shall I eat?" she said. "By the way, I hope there's a nice -breakfast, I'm awfully hungry. Oh, eggs! I like eggs when they're -_very_ fresh. Mrs. Freeman, are these new laid? do you keep your own -fowls? Father and I wouldn't touch eggs at the Castle unless we were -quite sure that they were laid by Sally, Sukey, or dear old Heneypeney." - -A titter ran down the table at these remarks; Mrs. Freeman bent to pick -up her pocket handkerchief, and Miss Delicia, rushing to Bridget's -side, began to whisper vigorously in her ear. - -"It is not the custom at school, my dear child, to make remarks about -what we eat. We just take what is put before us. Here's a nice piece -of bacon, dear, and some toast. Don't say anything more, I beg, or you -will annoy Mrs. Freeman." - -"Shall I really--how unfortunate; but she doesn't look a bad-tempered -woman, and what is there in wishing for fresh eggs? Stale eggs aren't -wholesome." - -"Do try not to make such a fool of yourself," repeated Janet, angrily, -in her ear. - -Bridget turned and looked at her companion in slow wonder. Janet's -remark had the effect of absolutely silencing her; she ate her bacon, -munched her toast, and drank off a cup of hot coffee in an amazingly -short time, then she jumped up, and shook the crumbs of her meal on to -the floor. - -"I've had enough," she said, nodding to Mrs. Freeman in her bright way. -"I'm going out into the garden now, to pick some roses." - -Bridget's movements were so fleet that the head mistress had no time to -intercept her; there was a flash of a white dress disappearing through -the open window, and that was all. - -The eyes of every girl in the room were fixed eagerly on their -mistress; they were all round with wonder, lips were slightly parted. -The girls felt that a volcano had got into their midst, an explosion -was imminent. This feeling of electricity in the air was very exciting; -it stirred the somewhat languid pulses of the schoolgirls. Surely -such an impulsive, such a daring, such an impertinent, and yet such a -bewitching girl had never been heard of before. How sweet she looked in -her white dress, how radiant was her smile. Those pearly white teeth of -hers, those gleaming, glancing eyes, that soft voice that could utter -such saucy words; oh! no wonder the school felt interested, and raised -out of itself. - -"My dears," said Mrs. Freeman, answering the looks on all faces, "your -young companion's extraordinary conduct can only be explained by the -fact that she has never been at school before. I am going out to the -garden to speak to her. You girls will now go as usual to your separate -schoolrooms and commence study." - -"Come, my dears," said Miss Patience to the girls near her, "let us -lose no more valuable time. Please don't scrape your chair in that -atrocious way, Alice. Rose, _what_ a poke! Susie, hold back your -shoulders. Now, young ladies, come to the schoolroom quietly; quietly, -if you please." - -Miss Patience had a thin voice, and her words fell like tiny drops of -ice on the girl's excited hearts. They followed their teachers with a -certain sense of flatness, and with very little desire to attend to -French verbs and German exercises. - -Dorothy Collingwood ran after Mrs. Freeman. - -"Please remember----" she began. - -"What is it, my dear?" The head mistress drew herself slightly up, and -looked in some surprise at her pupil. - -"I ought not to speak," said Dorothy, turning very red, "but if you are -going to be hard on Bridget----" - -"Am I ever hard to my pupils, my love?" - -"No, no--do forgive me!" - -"I think I understand you, Dorothy," said Mrs. Freeman. "Kiss me!" - -Miss Collingwood was turning away, when her mistress stretched out her -hand and drew her back. - -"I shall look to you to help me with this wild Irish girl," she said -with a smile. "Now, go to your lessons, my dear." - -Dorothy ran away at once, and Mrs. Freeman walked down the garden in -the direction where she had just seen a white dress disappearing. - -She called Bridget's name, but the wind, which was rather high this -morning, carried her voice away from the young girl, who was gayly -flitting from one rosebush to another, ruthlessly pulling the large, -full-blown flowers with buds attached. - -"I don't think I ever felt my temper more irritated," murmured the good -lady under her breath. "Why did I undertake an Irish girl, and one who -had never been from home before? Well, the deed is done now, and I -must not _show_ impatience, however I may _feel_ it. Bridget, my dear! -Bridget O'Hara! Do you hear me?" - -"Yes, what is it?" - -Biddy turned, arrested in her gay flight from rosebush to rosebush. - -As she cut the blossoms off, she flung them into her white skirt, -which she had raised in front for the purpose. Now, as she ran to meet -Mrs. Freeman, the skirt tumbled down, and the roses--red, white, and -crimson--fell on the ground at her feet. - -"Bridget, do look," said Mrs. Freeman; "you have trodden on that lovely -bud!" - -"Oh, I am sorry!" - -Miss O'Hara stooped carelessly to pick it up. "Poor little bud!" she -said, laying it on her hand. "But there are such a lot of you--such a -lot! Still, it seems a pity to crush your sweetness out." - -"It is more than a pity, Bridget," said her governess in a severe tone. -"I am sorry to have to open your eyes, my dear child; but in picking -any of my roses you have taken an unwarrantable liberty." - -"What?" said Bridget, coloring high. "Do you mean seriously to tell me -that I--I am not to pick flowers? I think I must have heard you wrong! -Please say it again!" - -"You are not to pick flowers, Miss O'Hara; it is against the rules of -the school." - -"Oh, how very funny--how--how unpleasant. Did you tell papa about that -when he arranged to send me here?" - -"I did not specially mention the flowers, my dear. There are many rules -in full force at Mulberry Court, and the pupils are expected to obey -them all." - -"How disagreeable! I can't live without flowers. I suppose papa will -not expect me to stay if I don't like the place?" - -"He will expect you to stay until the end of the term." - -"Good gracious, why, that's weeks off! I can't live without flowers for -weeks! Look here, Mrs. Freeman; is there not to be an exception made -for me? Papa said, when I was coming here, that my happiness was to be -the first thing considered. Don't you agree with him? Don't you wish me -to be very, very happy?" - -"I do, my love. But your truest happiness is not secured by giving you -your own way in everything." - -"Oh, but I hate self-denial, and that dreadful motto--'No cross, no -crown.' I'm like a butterfly--I can't live without sunshine. Papa -agrees with me that sunshine is necessary for life." - -"So it is, Bridget. But you will permit me, an old woman compared to -you, to point out a fact--the self-denying people are the happy ones, -the selfish are the miserable. Take your own way now in your youth, -sip each pleasure as it comes, turn from the disagreeables, trample on -those who happen to be in your way, as you did on that rosebud just -now, and you will lay up misery for yourself in the future. You will be -a very wretched woman when you reach my age." - -"How solemnly you speak," said Bridget, tears coming slowly up and -filling her eyes. "Is that a sermon? It makes me feel as if someone -were walking over my grave. Why do you say things of that sort? I'm -superstitious, you know. I'm very easily impressed. You oughtn't to do -it--you oughtn't to frighten a stranger when she has just come over to -your hard, cold sort of country." - -"But, my dear child, our hearts are not cold. I assure you, Bridget, I -am most anxious to win your love, and so also is Dorothy Collingwood." - -"Is she? I love her--she is a sweet darling! And you really want me -to love you, Mrs. Freeman? Well, then, I will. Take a hug now--there, -that's comfortable." - -Bridget's arms were flung impulsively round her governess's neck, and -then one hand was tucked within the good lady's arm. - -Mrs. Freeman could not help uttering a faint, inward sigh. - -"I must break you in gradually, dear," she said. "As this is your first -day at school you need not do any lessons, but you must come with me -presently to the schoolroom in order that I may find out something -about your attainments." - -"My attainments! Good gracious, I haven't any!" - -"Don't say 'good gracious,' Bridget; it's a very ugly way of expressing -yourself. You have learnt something, haven't you?" - -"Learnt something? I should rather think I have. You question me on -dogs, their different breeds, and their complaints! Do you know, Mrs. -Freeman, what's the best thing to do for a dog if he shows signs of -distemper?" - -"I don't mean that sort of learning, Bridget. I mean what you acquire -from books--grammar, French, music." - -"I adore music; I play by ear all the old Irish jigs and the melodies. -Oh, doesn't father cry when I play 'The Harp that once through Tara's -Halls,' and 'She is far from the Land,' and 'The Minstrel Boy.' And oh, -Mrs. Freeman, even you, though you are a bit old and stiff, could not -help dancing if I strummed 'Garry Owen' for you." - -"Well, my dear, you must play it for me some evening, but we don't -allow _strumming_ at the Court." - -"Oh, good gra----! I mean, mercy Moses!" - -"That's as bad as the other expression, Bridget." - -"I expect I shan't be allowed to talk at all." - -"Yes, you will. You'll soon learn to control your tongue and to speak -in a ladylike way." - -"I loathe ladylike ways." - -"Now, my dear child, will you come into the house with me? I ought to -be in the schoolroom now." - -"Please wait one moment, Mrs. Freeman." - -"Yes, my dear, what is it?" - -"Are you going to be cross when you find I don't know your sort of -things?" - -"I hope not, Bridget." - -"It will be awfully unfair if you are, for I could pose you finely on -my subjects. What's the first thing to do for a dog who shows symptoms -of hydrophobia? How do you land a salmon? What keeps a gun from -kicking? How does a dear old daddy like his pipe filled with tobacco? -What is the best way to keep your seat when you ride bare-backed, and -the horse runs away? Ha, ha, I thought I'd pose you. I could have a -very jolly school of my own, if I tried." - -"Bridget, my dear, before you come into the schoolroom I must request -that you go upstairs and change your dress." - -"Change my dress! Now I really _don't_ understand you. Am I to come -down in my dressing-gown?" - -"No. You are to take off that unsuitable afternoon costume you are now -wearing, and put on a neat print dress for your morning work." - -"This is the very plainest dress I possess, Mrs. Freeman; I pulled a -lot out of my trunk this morning to look at them. There was a sky-blue -delaine with coffee lace, and a pink surah, and----" - -"Spare me, my dear. I really am in too great a hurry to hear a list of -your wardrobe. Is it possible that your father sent you to school with -all that heap of finery, and nothing sensible to wear?" - -"It wasn't father, it was Aunt Kathleen. She chose my outfit in Paris. -Oh, I do think it's lovely. I do feel that it's hard to be crushed on -every point." - -"Well, dear, you are not to blame. I shall take you to Eastcliff this -afternoon, and order some plain dresses to be made up for you." - -"Oh, goodness--no, I mustn't--mercy! nor that either; oh, I--I _say_, -Mrs. Freeman, don't let the new dresses be frumpy, or I'll break my -heart. I do so adore looking at myself in a lovely dress." - -"Come into the schoolroom with me," said Mrs. Freeman. She was -wondering how it would be possible for her to keep Bridget O'Hara in -her school. - - - - -CHAPTER IV. - -THE QUEEN OF THE SCHOOL. - - -It is not an easy matter to break in a wild colt, and this was the -process which had now to take place with regard to the new girl, whose -eccentricities and daring, whose curious mixture of ignorance and -knowledge, of affectionate sympathy and careless levity, made her at -once the adored and detested of her companions. - -In every sense of the word Bridget was unexpected. She had an -extraordinary aptitude for arithmetic, and took a high place in the -school on account of her mathematics. The word mathematics, however, -she had never even heard before. She could gabble French as fluently -as a native, but did not know a word of the grammar. She had a perfect -ear for music, could sing like a bird, and play any air she once heard, -but she could scarcely read music at all, and was refractory and -troublesome when asked to learn notes. - -"Just play the piece over to me," she said to her master. "I'll do -it if you play it over. Yes, that's it--tum, tum, tummy, tum, tum. -Oughtn't you to crash the air out a bit there? I think you ought. Yes, -that's it--_isn't_ it lovely? Now let me try." - -Her attempts were extremely good, but when it came to laboriously -struggling through her written score, all was hopeless confusion, -tears, and despair. - -With each fresh study Bridget showed the queer vagaries of a really -clever mind run more or less to seed. She did everything in a dramatic, -excitable style--she was all on wires, scarcely ever still, laughing -one moment, weeping the next; the school had never known such a time as -it underwent during the first week of her residence among them. - -After that period she found her place to a certain extent, made some -violent friends and some active enemies, was adored by the little -girls, on whom she showered lollipops, kisses, and secrets, and was -disliked more or less by every girl in the sixth and fifth form, -Dorothy Collingwood excepted. - -All this time Miss Percival, the head girl of the school, was absent. -She had been ill, and had gone home for a short change. She did not -return until Bridget had been at the Court a fortnight. - -By this time the preparations for the Fancy Fair were in active -progress. Janet May had obtained her own wish with regard to the -Committee, each member of which was allowed to choose a band of workers -under herself, to make articles for the coming sale. - -The Fair was the great event to which the girls looked forward, and in -the first excitement of such an unusual proceeding each of them worked -with a will. - -Janet was the heart and soul of everything. She was a girl with a -great deal of independence of character; she was not destitute of -ambition--she was remarkable for common sense--she was sharp in her -manner, downright in her words, and capable, painstaking, and energetic -in all she did. - -She was a dependable girl--clever up to a certain point, nice to those -with whom she agreed, affectionate to the people who did not specially -prize her affection. - -Janet was never known to lose her temper, but she had a sarcastic -tongue, and people did not like to lay themselves open to the cutting -remarks which often and unsparingly fell from her lips. - -She used this tongue most frequently on Bridget O'Hara, but for the -first time she was met by a wondering, puzzled, good-humored, and -non-comprehending gaze. - -"What does Janet mean?" Bridget would whisper to her nearest companion. -"_Is_ she saying something awfully clever? I'm sorry that I'm stupid--I -don't quite catch her meaning." - -These remarks usually turned the tables against Janet May, but they -also had another effect. She began to be sparing of her sharp, unkind -words in Bridget's hearing. This, however, did not prevent her hating -the new girl with the most cordial hatred she had ever yet bestowed -upon anyone. - -Bridget was a fortnight at the school, and had more or less shaken down -into her place, when the evening arrived on which Miss Percival was to -return. - -Dorothy, Bridget, and a number of the girls of the lower school were -walking up and down a broad road which led to the shore. They were -talking and laughing. The smaller girls were dancing and running about -in their eagerness. Some very funny proposal had undoubtedly been made, -and much explosive mirth was the result. - -Janet and Olive Moore were returning slowly to the house after a -vigorous game of tennis. They stopped to look down at the group who -surrounded Dorothy. - -"We have lost her," said Olive, with a sigh. - -"Lost whom?" answered Janet in her tart voice. - -"Why, Dorothy Collingwood; she has gone over to the ranks of the enemy." - -"What do you mean, Olive?" Olive turned and looked at Janet. - -"You know perfectly well what I mean," she answered; "you know who the -enemy is--at least you know who is your enemy." - -"I never knew before that I had an enemy," said Janet, in her guarded -voice. - -Olive looked at her steadily. - -"Come now, Janet," she said, "confession is good for the soul--own--now -do own that you cordially hate the new girl, Bridget O'Hara." - -"I'm sick of the new girl," said Janet; "if you are going to talk -about her I shall go into the house; I want to look over my French -preparation. M. le Comte is coming to-morrow morning, and he is so -frightfully over-particular that I own I'm a little afraid of him." - -"Nonsense, Janet, you know you're one of the best French scholars in -the school. You won't get out of answering my question by that flimsy -excuse. Don't you hate Miss O'Hara?" - -"Hate her?" said Janet; "there must be a certain strength about a girl -to make you hate her. I've a contempt for Bridget, but I don't rouse -myself to the exertion of hating." - -"Oh, well; it's all the same," said Olive. "You won't admit the feeling -that animates your breast, but I know that it is there, _chérie_. Now -I have got something to confess on my own account--I don't like her -either." - -"You have too good taste to like her, Olive, but do let us talk about -something more interesting. How are you getting on with that table -cover for the fair?" - -"Oh, I'll come to that by and by; now about Miss O'Hara. Janet, I deny -that she's weak." - -"You deny that she's weak," repeated Janet. "I wonder what your idea of -strength is, Olive." - -"She's not learned, I admit," replied Olive, "but weak! no, she's -not weak; no weak character could be so audacious, so fearless, so -indifferent to her own ignorance." - -"If she had any strength, she'd be ashamed of her ignorance," retorted -Janet. - -"I don't agree with you," answered Olive. "Strength shows itself in -many forms. Miss O'Hara is pretty." - -"Pretty," interrupted Janet, scorn curling her lip. - -"Yes, Janet, she's pretty and she's rich, and she's destitute of fear. -She is quite certain to have her own party in the school. I repeat," -continued Olive, "that there is no weakness in Bridget. I grant that -she is about the most irritating creature I know, but weak she is not." - -"Well, well," interrupted Janet impatiently, "have your own way, Olive. -Make that tiresome, disagreeable girl a female Hercules if you fancy, -only cease to talk about her. That is all I have to beg." - -"I must say one thing," replied Olive, "and then I will turn to a more -congenial theme. I hope Evelyn Percival won't take Miss O'Hara's part. -You know, Janet, what strong prejudices Evelyn has." - -"Oh, don't I!" said Janet, stamping her small foot. - -"And if she happens to fancy Bridget she won't mind a word we say -against her. She never does mind what anyone says. You know that, -Janet." - -"I know," echoed Janet, a queer angry light filling her eyes for a -minute. "Oh, dear! oh, dear! What with our examinations and the Fancy -Fair, and all this worry about the new girl, life scarcely seems worth -living--it really doesn't." - -"Poor darling!" said Olive, in a sympathetic tone. "I thought I'd tell -you, Janet, that whatever happened I'd take your part." - -"Thanks!" said Janet calmly. - -She looked at her friend with a cool, critical eye. - -Olive Moore belonged to the toadying faction in the school. Toadies, -however, can be useful, and Janet was by no means above making use of -Olive in case of need. - -She scrutinized Olive's face now, a slightly satirical expression -hovering round her somewhat thin lips. - -"Thanks!" she repeated again. "If I want your help I'll ask for it, -Olive. I'm going into the house now, for I really must get on with my -preparation." - -Janet turned away, and Olive was obliged to look out for a fresh -companion to attach herself to. - -She looked at the merry group on the lawn, and a desire to join them, -even though of course she knew she was in no sense one of them, came -over her. - -She ran lightly down the grassy slope, and touched Dorothy on her arm. - -"I'm here, Dolly," she said, in her rather wistful manner. - -"Oh, well; it's all right for you to be here, I suppose," said Dorothy. -"What were you saying, Bridget? I didn't catch that last sentence of -yours." - -"I was going up the staircase," continued Bridget. "I held a lighted -candle in my hand. It was an awful night--you should have heard the -wind howling. We keep some special windbags of our own at the Castle, -and when we open the strings of one, why--well, there is a hurricane, -that's all." - -"Oh, she's telling a story," whispered Olive under her breath. She -settled herself contentedly to listen. - -"Go on; tell us quickly what you did with the candle, Biddy!" cried -little Violet, pulling her new friend by the arm. - -"Don't shake me so, Vi, my honey; I'm coming to the exciting place--now -then. Well, as I was going up the stairs all quite lonely, and by -myself, never a soul within half a mile of me----" - -"But your castle isn't half a mile big," said Katie, another small -girl. "And you did say your father lived there with you, and, of -course, there must have been some servants." - -"Well, dear, well! half a mile is a figure of speech. That's a way -we have in Ireland--we figure of speech everything; it's much more -graphic. Now, to go on. I was running up the stairs with my candle, and -the wind rushing after me like mad, and the Castle rocking as if it -were in an agony, when---- What do you think happened?" - -"What?" said Katie, her eyes growing big with fascination and alarm. - -"The wind dropped as if it were dead. After screeching as if it had the -tongues of hundreds of Furies, it was mummer than the timidest mouse -that ever crept. The Castle ceased to rock; it was the suddenest and -deadest calm you could possibly imagine. It was miles more frightful -than the storm. Just then there came a little puff of a breeze out of -the solid stone wall, and out went my candle." - -"O Bridget!" exclaimed the little girls, starting back in affright. - -"Bridget, you are talking a great deal of nonsense," said Dorothy, "and -I for one am not going to listen to you. We are much too sensible to -believe in ghost stories here, and there is no use in your trying to -frighten us. Good-by, all of you; I am off to the house!" - -Dorothy detached herself from Bridget's clinging arm, and ran quickly -up the sloping lawn. - -Bridget stood and watched her. Olive kept a little apart, and the -smaller girls clustered close together, watching their new friend's -face with interest and admiration. - -The Irish girl looked certainly pretty enough to win any number of -susceptible small hearts at that moment. Her pale blue dress set off -her graceful figure and fair complexion to the best advantage. Her -mirthful, lovely eyes were raised to follow Dorothy as she disappeared -into the house. Her lips were parted in a mischievous smile. She raised -one hand to push back the rebellious locks of chestnut curls from her -forehead. - -"Now, Biddy, go on, Biddy!" exclaimed the children. "We love ghost -stories, so do tell us more about the candle." - -"No!" said Bridget. "_She_ says they aren't good for you, so you shan't -have them. Let's think of some more fun. Who's that new girl, who, you -say, is going to arrive to-night?" - -"New girl!" exclaimed Katie, "why, she's about the very oldest girl in -the school--the oldest and the nicest. She's the head of the school. -We call her our queen. She's not like you, Biddy, of course; but she's -very nice--awfully nice!" - -"And what's the darling's name?" asked Bridget. - -"Evelyn Percival. Doesn't it sound pretty?" - -"Faix, then, it does, honey. I'm all agog to see this lovely queen. Why -has she been absent so long? Doesn't Mrs. Freeman require any lessons -of the sweet creature? Oh, then, it's I that would like to be in her -shoes, if that's the case." - -"She has been ill, Biddy," said Violet. "Evelyn has been ill, but she -is better now; she's coming back to-night. We are all glad, for we all -love her." - -"Let's run down the road, then, and give her a welcome," said Bridget. -"In Ireland we'd take the horses off the carriage, and draw her home -ourselves. Of course, we can't do that, but we might go to meet her, -waving branches of trees, and we might raise a hearty shout when we saw -her coming. Come along, girls--what a lark! I'll show you how we do -this sort of thing in old Ireland! Come! we'll cut down boughs as we go -along. Come! be quick, be quick!" - -"But we are not allowed to cut the boughs, Bridget," said Katie. - -"And we are not allowed to go out of the grounds by ourselves," cried -several other voices. - -"We are not by ourselves when we are together," replied Bridget. "Come -along, girls, don't be such little despicable cowards! I'll square -it with Mrs. Freeman. You trust _me_. Mrs. Freeman will forgive us -everything when the queen is coming back. Now, do let's be quick, we -haven't a minute to lose!" - -Small girls are easily influenced, and Bridget and her tribe rushed -down the avenue, shouting and whooping as they went. - -Olive had no inclination to join them. They had taken no notice of her, -and she was not sufficiently fascinated by Bridget to run any risk for -her sake. She knew that her present proceedings were wrong, but she -was not at all brave enough to raise her voice in protest. She walked -slowly back to the house, wondering whether she should go and tell -Janet, or sink down lazily on a cozy seat and go on with a story book -which was sticking out of her pocket. - -As she was approaching the house she was met by Miss Delicia, who -stopped to speak kindly to her. - -"Well, my dear child," she said, "I suppose you, like all the rest of -us, are on tenter hooks for our dear Evelyn's return. From the accounts -we received this morning, she seems to be quite well and strong again, -and it _will_ be such a comfort to have her back. I don't know how it -is, but the school is quite a different place when she is there." - -"We'll all be delighted to have her again, of course," said Olive. "And -is she really quite well, Miss Delicia?" - -"Yes, my love, or she would not be returning." - -Miss Delicia hurried on, intent on some housewifely mission, and Olive -entering the house went down a long stone passage which led to the -sixth form schoolroom. - -Janet was there, busily preparing her French lesson for M. le Comte. -She was a very ambitious girl, and was determined to carry off as many -prizes as possible at the coming midsummer examinations. She scarcely -raised her eyes when Olive appeared. - -"Janet!" - -"Yes, Olive; I'm very busy. Do you want anything?" - -"Only to tell you that that pet of yours, Bridget O'Hara, is likely to -get herself into a nice scrape. She has run down the road with a number -of the small fry to meet Evelyn. They are taking boughs of trees with -them, and are going to shout, or do something extraordinary, when they -see her arriving. Janet, what's the matter? How queer you look!" - -"I'm very busy, Olive; I wish you'd go away!" - -"But you look queer. Are you frightened about anything?" - -"No, no; what nonsense you talk! What is there to be frightened about? -Do go; I can't learn this difficult French poetry while you keep -staring at me!" - -"I wish you'd say what you think about Bridget. Isn't she past -enduring, getting all the little ones to disobey like this? Why, she -might be expelled! Yes, Janet; yes, I'm going. You needn't look at me -as if you'd like to eat me!" - -Olive left the room with slow, unwilling footsteps, and Janet bent her -head over the copy of Molière she was studying. - -"Nothing in the world could be stupider than French poetry," she -muttered. "How am I to get this into my head? What a nuisance Olive is -with her stories--she has disturbed my train of thoughts. Certainly, -it's no affair of mine what that detestable wild Irish girl does. I -shall always hate her, and whatever happens I can never get myself to -tolerate Evelyn. Now, to get back to my poetry. I have determined to -win this prize. I won't think of Evelyn and Bridget any more." - -Janet bent her fair face again over the open page; a faint flush had -risen in each of her cheeks. - -She was beginning to collect her somewhat scattered thoughts, when the -door was opened suddenly, and, to her surprise, Mrs. Freeman came into -the room. - -"Pardon me for disturbing you," she said; "I did not know anyone was in -the schoolroom at present." - -"I am looking over my French lesson, madam," answered Janet, in her -respectful tones. "It's a little more difficult than usual, and I -thought I'd have a quiet half hour here, trying to master it." - -"Quite right, Janet, I am glad you are so industrious. I won't disturb -you for more than a minute, my love. I just want to look out of this -window. It is the only one that commands a view of the road from -Eastcliff. Evelyn ought to be here by now." - -Janet did not say any more. She bent forward, ostensibly to renew her -studies, in reality to hide a jealous feeling which surged up in her -heart. - -What a fuss everyone _was_ making about that stupid Evelyn Percival. -Here was the head mistress even quite in a fume because she was a -minute or two late in putting in an appearance. - -It really was too absurd. Janet could not help fidgeting almost audibly. - -"Janet," said Mrs. Freeman, "come here for a moment. I want you to use -your young eyes. Do you see any carriage coming down the hill?" - -Janet sprang from her seat with apparent alacrity. - -"Look, dear," said the governess. "What is that distant speck? I am so -terribly near-sighted that I cannot make out whether it is a carriage -or cart of some sort." - -"It is a covered wagon," said Janet. "I see it quite plainly. There is -no carriage at all in view, Mrs. Freeman." - -"My dear, I must tell you that I am a little anxious. Hickman took that -shying horse, Caspar, to bring Evelyn home. I intended Miss Molly to -have been sent for her. Dear Evelyn is still so nervous after her bad -illness that I would not for the world have her startled in any way. -And really, Caspar gets worse and worse. What is the matter, Janet? -_You_ have started now." - -"Nothing," replied Janet. "I--I--shall I run out to the front, Mrs. -Freeman, and listen if I can hear the carriage? You can hear it a very -long way off from the brow of the hill." - -"Do, my love, and call to me if you do. I would not have that dear girl -frightened for the world. I am more vexed than I can say with Hickman." - -Janet ran out of the room. Her heart was beating hard and fast. Should -she tell Mrs. Freeman what Olive had just confided to her, that Bridget -and a number of the smaller children of the school had rushed down the -road to meet Evelyn, carrying boughs in their hands, and doubtless -shouting loudly in their glee? - -Caspar was a sensitive horse; even Janet, who had no physical fear -about her, disliked the way he started, and shied sometimes at his own -shadow. It was scarcely likely that he would bear the shock which all -those excited children would give him. - -Oh, yes, she ought to tell; and yet--and yet---- - -She stood wavering with her own conscience. Caspar was nervous, but he -was not vicious. - -All that could possibly happen would be a little fright for Evelyn, -and a larger measure of disgrace for Bridget. And why should Janet -interfere? Why should she tell tales of her schoolfellows? Her story -would be misinterpreted by that faction of the girls who already had -made Bridget their idol. - -No, there was nothing to be alarmed about. Evelyn was too silly, with -her nerves and her fads. Janet stood by the bend of the hill. Her -thoughts were so busy that she scarcely troubled herself to listen for -the approaching carriage. - -She stood for a minute or two, then walked slowly back to the window, -out of which her schoolmistress leaned. - -"I don't hear any sound whatever, Mrs. Freeman," she said, "but please -don't be alarmed; Evelyn's train may have been late." - -"Hark! Stop talking!" said Mrs. Freeman. - -There was a sound, a commotion. Several steps were heard; eager voices -were raised in expostulation and distress. - -"Let me go," said the head mistress. - -She stepped out of the open window, and walked rapidly across the wide -gravel sweep. - -Alice, Violet, and several more of the little girls were running and -tumbling up the grassy slope. The moment they saw Mrs. Freeman they -ran to her. - -"Oh, come at once!" said Violet, "there has been an accident, and -Evelyn is hurt. Bridget is with her. Come, come at once!" - -The child's words were almost incoherent. Alice, who was not quite so -excitable, began to pour out a queer story. - -"I know we've all been awfully naughty, but we didn't think Caspar -would mind the boughs. He turned sharp round and something happened -to the wheels of the carriage--and--and--oh, Mrs. Freeman, do come. I -think Evelyn must be dead, she's lying so still." - -"Are you there, Janet?" said Mrs. Freeman. "Go into the house, and ask -Miss Patience to follow me down the road. And see that someone goes -for Dr. Hart. Alice, you can come back with me. The rest of the little -girls are to go into the playroom, and to stay there until I come to -them." - -Mrs. Freeman spoke calmly, but there was a look about her face which -gave Janet a very queer sensation. The schoolmistress took Alice's -hand, and walked as quickly as she could to the scene of the accident. - -The carriage lay smashed a couple of hundred yards from the gates of -the avenue. - -Bridget was sitting in the middle of the dusty road with a girl's head -on her lap. The girl's figure was stretched out flat and motionless; -her hat was off, and Bridget was pushing back some waves of fair hair -from her temples. - -"It's all my fault, Mrs. Freeman," said Bridget O'Hara, looking up with -a tear-stained face at her governess. "_I_ made the children come, and -_I_ made them cut the branches off the trees, and we ran, and shouted -as we ran. I didn't think it would do any harm, it was all a joke, and -to welcome her, for they said she was the queen, but no one is to blame -in all the wide world but me." - -"Oh, what a wicked girl you are," said Mrs. Freeman, roused out of -her customary gentle manner by the sight of Evelyn's motionless form. -"I can't speak to you at this moment, Bridget O'Hara; go away, leave -Evelyn to me. Evelyn, my darling, look at me, speak to me--say you are -not hurt!" - -When Mrs. Freeman told Bridget to go away and leave her, the Irish girl -stopped playing with the tendrils of hair on Evelyn's forehead, and -looked at her governess with a blank expression stealing over her face. - -She did not attempt to rise to her feet, however, and Mrs. Freeman was -far too much absorbed to take any further notice of her. - -"If I had only some smelling salts," she began. - -Bridget slipped her hand into her pocket, and pulled out an exquisitely -embossed vinaigrette. - -The governess took it without a word, and opening it applied it to -Evelyn's nostrils. - -After two or three applications the injured girl stirred faintly, a -shade of color came into her cheeks, and she opened her eyes. - -"There, thank Heaven, I haven't killed her!" exclaimed Bridget. - -She burst into sudden frantic weeping. - -"I believe I am more frightened than hurt," said Miss Percival, -struggling to sit up, and smiling at Mrs. Freeman, "I'm so awfully -sorry that I've lost my nerve. Where am I? what has happened? I only -remember Caspar turning right round and looking at me, and some people -shouting, and then the carriage went over, and I cannot recall anything -more. But I don't think--no--I am sure I am not seriously hurt." - -"Thank God for that, my darling," said Mrs. Freeman. She put her arm -round the young girl, kissed her tenderly, and drew her away from -Bridget. - - - - -CHAPTER V. - -BREAKING IN A WILD COLT. - - -Miss Percival's accident, and Bridget O'Hara's share in it, were the -subjects of conversation not only that night, but the next morning. - -The doctor had come to see Evelyn, had pronounced her whole in limb, -and not as much shaken by her fall out of her carriage as might have -been expected. After prescribing a day in bed, and all absence of -excitement, he went away, promising to look in again in a few days. - -Mrs. Freeman breathed a sigh of relief. - -"And now," she said, turning to her two sisters, "the question of -questions is this: what is to be done with Bridget O'Hara? Is she to -continue at Mulberry Court after such a daring act of disobedience? -Must the safety of the other scholars be sacrificed to her?" - -"I'd punish her very severely," said Miss Patience. "I am sure -punishment is what she wants. She ought to be broken in." - -"I don't believe you'll ever drive her," said Miss Delicia. "I know -that sort of character. It's only hardened when it's driven." - -"I shall do nothing to-night," said Mrs. Freeman. "But to-morrow, -after morning school, I must speak to Bridget. Her conduct during that -interview will more or less decide what steps I must take." - -The next morning, after breakfast, Mrs. Freeman went upstairs to sit -with her favorite Evelyn. - -Evelyn Percival, the head girl of the school, was now between -seventeen and eighteen years of age. She was a rather pale, rather -plain girl; her forehead was broad and low, which gave indications of -thoughtfulness more than originality; her wide open gray eyes had a -singularly sweet expression; they were surrounded by dark eyelashes, -and were the best features in a face which otherwise might have -appeared almost insignificant. - -But plain as Evelyn undoubtedly was, no one who knew her long ever -remarked about her appearance, or gave a second thought to the fact -that she could lay small claim to physical beauty. - -There was a spirit that shone out of those gray eyes, and lent -sweetness to that mouth, which was in itself so beautiful that it -radiated all over Evelyn, and gave her that strong fascination which -those who are striving heavenward ever possess. - -She never came into a room without exercising in a silent, unobtrusive, -very gentle way, a marked effect for good. - -Uncharitable talk about others ceased when Evelyn drew near. -Selfishness slunk away ashamed. - -All the other girls in the school tried to be good when Evelyn was by, -not because she would reproach them, but because she had a certain way -about her which made goodness so attractive that they were forced to -follow it. - -She was not a specially clever girl, nevertheless she was now, in -virtue of her seniority, and a certain painstaking determination, which -made her capable of mastering her studies, at the head of the school. - -There are some jealous people who dislike the beautiful because they -are beautiful, the good because they are good. Girls with this special -character are to be found in every school. Janet May was one of them, -but perhaps in the whole of Mulberry Court she was the only person who -at this juncture cordially disliked Evelyn Percival. - -"It is delightful to have you back again," said Mrs. Freeman, bending -over her pupil and kissing her. "And really, Evelyn, you look almost -well. Oh, my dear child, what a fright I got about you last night." - -"But I'm all right to-day," said Evelyn, in her bright voice. "I don't -feel any bad effects whatever from my accident. I can't think why I was -so stupid as to faint, and give you a fright. I ought really to have -more control over my nerves." - -"My dear, you have been ill, which accounts for your nervousness. But -in any case a person with the stoutest nerves may be pardoned for -fainting if she is flung out of a carriage. I cannot imagine how you -escaped as you have done." - -"I feel quite well," replied Evelyn, "quite well, and disinclined to -stay in bed. I want to get up and see all my friends. You don't know -how I have been looking forward to this." - -"You shall see the girls one at a time in your room, darling, for -whether you feel well or not, the doctor wishes you to remain quiet -to-day." - -Evelyn gave a very faint sigh, and turning her head looked out of the -window. - -Mrs. Freeman went over and drew back the curtains. - -"You can watch the sea from your bed, my dear," she said, "and I will -send Dorothy to sit with you after morning school. Now I want to ask -you if you can give any idea of how the accident occurred?" - -A slight additional color came into Miss Percival's cheeks. - -"Caspar shied at something," she said. - -"Yes, but at what?" - -"Well, Mrs. Freeman, you know how fond the children are of me, and I of -them. They came to meet me, several of the little ones, and one tall, -beautiful girl, whom I do not know. Perhaps they were all over-excited. -They shouted a good deal, and waved branches of trees. Poor Caspar -evidently could not stand it; but they really did nothing that anyone -could blame them about." - -"Nonsense, Evelyn. They disobeyed my most stringent orders. Are they -not to be blamed for that?" - -"Hadn't they got leave to come to meet me?" - -"No, it was that wild Irish girl's doing. I really don't know what to -do with her." - -"Is she the beautiful girl who was the ringleader? I don't think I ever -saw anyone with such presence of mind. She absolutely caught me as I -was flung out of the carriage. I felt her arms round me; that was why I -was not hurt." - -"Yes, I am sure she has a good deal of physical courage, but that -does not alter the fact of her having defied my authority and led the -children into mischief." - -"Poor girl!" said Evelyn, a wistful expression coming into her eyes. - -"Now, my dear, you are not going to plead for her. I must manage her my -own way. I will leave you now, Evelyn. Rest all you can, dear, and if -you are very good you may perhaps be allowed to join us at supper." - -Mrs. Freeman left her pupil's room, and went downstairs. - -Evelyn Percival was one of the few girls in the school who was -privileged to have a room to herself. Her little room was prettily -draped in white and pink. It was called the Pink Room, and adjoined the -Blue Room, which was occupied by Bridget O'Hara. - -On her way downstairs Mrs. Freeman stepped for a moment into Bridget's -room. Her pupil's large traveling trunks had been removed to the box -room, but many showy dresses and much finery of various sorts lay -scattered about. - -Bridget was evidently not blessed with the bump of order. Valuable -rings and bracelets lay, some on the mantelpiece, some on the dressing -table; ribbons, scarfs, handkerchiefs, littered the chairs, the -chest of drawers, and even the bed. A stray stocking poked its foot -obtrusively out of one of the over-packed drawers of the wardrobe. -Photographs of friends and of scenery lay face downward on the -mantelpiece, and kept company with Bridget's brushes and combs in her -dressing-table drawer. - -Mrs. Freeman was very particular with regard to tidiness, and the -condition of this very pretty room filled her with grave displeasure. -The rules with regard to tidy rooms, neatly kept drawers, a place for -everything and everything in its place, were most stringent at Mulberry -Court, but up to the present rules mattered nothing at all to Bridget -O'Hara. - -"There is nothing whatever for it," murmured Mrs. Freeman; "I must -punish the poor child in a way she will really feel. If this fails, -and I cannot break her in before the end of the term, I must ask her -father to remove her." - -Mrs. Freeman sighed as she said these words. - -She went downstairs and entered her own private sitting room. It was -now half-past eleven o'clock, and morning school was over. The weather -was too hot for regular walks, and the girls were disporting themselves -according to their own will and pleasure on the lawns and in the -beautiful grounds which surrounded the school. - -Mrs. Freeman could see them as she sat in her sitting room. - -Janet, accompanied by Olive and Ruth, was pacing slowly backward and -forward under some shady trees. Her satellites were devoted to her, -and Janet's slender figure was very erect, and her manner somewhat -dictatorial. Dorothy Collingwood was not to be seen, she had evidently -gone to join Evelyn upstairs. The girls of the middle school were -preparing to exert themselves over more than one tennis match. The -smaller children were going down to the shore. - -Bridget, her hat hanging on her arm, defiance very marked on her brow, -came suddenly into view. She was alone, and Mrs. Freeman noticed that -Janet and her two companions stopped to look at her as if they rather -enjoyed the spectacle. They paused for a moment, stared rudely, then -turned their backs on Miss O'Hara. - -Bridget wore a white muslin dress with a long train. Her silver girdle -was clasped round her waist. She went deliberately up to a rose tree in -full flower, and, picking two or three half-opened buds, put them in -her girdle. - -Mrs. Freeman got up, and sounded an electric bell in the wall. - -When the servant answered her summons, she desired her to ask Miss -O'Hara to come to her immediately. - -In about ten minutes' time Bridget came into the room without knocking. -Her hat was still swinging on her arm; there was a wild-rose color on -her cheeks; her eyes had a certain excited, untamed gleam in them. - -"Did you want me, Mrs. Freeman?" she said, in her lazy, rich, somewhat -impertinent voice. - -"I certainly want you, Bridget. I am not in the habit of sending for my -pupils if I don't wish to speak to them." - -Bridget uttered a faint sigh. - -"Well, I'm here," she said; "what is it?" She still used that -half-mocking, indifferent voice. - -Mrs. Freeman could scarcely restrain her impatience. - -"I'm afraid I have some unpleasant things to talk about, Miss O'Hara," -she said. "But, before I begin, I must distinctly request you to -remember that you are a young girl in the presence of the lady who has -been appointed by your father to guide, direct, and command you." - -"Command me?" said Bridget, her nostrils dilating. - -"Yes; does not a mistress always command her pupils?" - -"When she can," replied Bridget. Her hands dropped to her sides. She -lowered her eyes; her proud lips were firmly shut. - -After a little pause, during which neither mistress nor pupil spoke, -the pupil raised her head. - -"I hate school," she said. "I want to go back to the Castle. Can I go -to-day?" - -"No, Bridget, you cannot. You have been sent here to be under my care, -and you must remain with me at least until the end of the term." - -"When will that be?" - -"Not for over a month?" - -"Couldn't you write to father, Mrs. Freeman, and tell him that I am not -happy? Say, 'Biddy is not happy, and she wants to go back to you and -the dogs.' If you say that, he'll let me come home fast enough. You -might write by the next post, and father, he'd jump on the jaunting-car -and drive into Ballyshannon, and send you a wire. If papa wires to you, -Mrs. Freeman, the very moment he gets your letter, I may perhaps be -home on Sunday." - -Bridget's changeful face was now all glowing with excitement, -eagerness, and hope. Her defiant attitude had vanished. As she looked -full at Mrs. Freeman, her governess noticed for the first time that her -eyelids were red, as if she had been crying. That, and a certain pathos -in her voice, made the head mistress regard her in a new light. - -"My dear," she said, "I cannot grant your request. You have been sent -to me by your father. He wishes you to stay here as long as you are -well in body. You are quite well, Bridget; you must therefore make up -your mind, whether you like school or whether you hate it, to remain -here until the end of the term." - -"Very well, if it must be so, but I shall be very miserable, and misery -soon makes me ill." - -"You were not miserable yesterday." - -"No, not very. The younger girls were fond of me, and Dorothy -Collingwood was nice." - -"And isn't she nice to-day?" - -"_No_ one is nice to-day. There's the most ridiculous, unfair fuss -being made about nothing. There isn't a single girl in the school who -hasn't turned against me, because of the accident last night to that -stupid, plain Miss Percival. If I'd hurt her, or if she were ill, and -in the least pain, I'd be as sorry as the rest of them; but she's not -in the slightest pain; she's quite well. I can't understand all this -fuss." - -"Can't you, Bridget? I'm afraid I must make you understand that the -fact of Evelyn being uninjured does not alter your conduct." - -"My conduct? What _have_ I done?" - -"You have disobeyed me. One of my strictest rules forbids the girls to -leave the grounds without permission. You not only left the grounds -contrary to my express order, but you took several of the little -children of the school with you. It is against my orders to have the -trees destroyed by breaking off branches. Knowing this, you willfully -disobeyed me again, and you and your companions rushed down the road -shouting wildly. What was the result? Evelyn Percival mercifully -escaped serious injury, but my carriage was broken and my horse -damaged. The mere money loss you have occasioned me, Bridget----" - -"Oh, papa'll pay that! Don't you fret about that, Mrs. Freeman; the -dear old dad will settle it. He quite loves writing checks!" - -"But your father cannot pay for your disobedience--for the bad example -you have set the little children, for the pain and anxiety you have -given me." - -"Pain and anxiety! I like that! You are just angry with me--that's -about all!" - -"I am sorry for you also, my dear. I earnestly desire that you should -be a good girl, for the girl is the mother of the woman, and a good -girl makes that admirable and priceless treasure--a good woman by and -by." - -Bridget moved restlessly. She looked out of the window. The sun was -shining brilliantly, and the grass under the big shady trees looked -particularly inviting. - -"I suppose I may go," she said, "if that's all you have got to say?" - -"I have some more things to say. I must get you, Bridget, before you -leave this room, to make a promise." - -"What is that?" - -"That you will obey me." - -"I don't know how I can, Mrs. Freeman. I said at once, when I came to -school and saw what kind of place it was, that I wouldn't obey the -rules. They were so tiresome and silly; I didn't see the use of them." - -"Bridget, you are incorrigible. If kindness won't make you see that you -are bound in honor to obey me, I must try punishment. Wretched child, I -don't wish to be hard to you, but do what I say, you _must_!" - -Bridget's face turned very white. She looked wildly toward the door, -then at the window. - -Mrs. Freeman went up to her, and took her hand. "My dear," she said, "I -must make you feel my authority. I do this with great pain, for I know -you have not had the advantage of the training which many of the girls -who live here have received. I would treat you with kindness, Bridget, -but you won't receive my kindness. Now I must be severe, but for your -good. Until you promise to obey the rules of the school, you must not -join your schoolfellows either at work or play. My sister Patience -will allow you to sit with her in her sitting room, and your meals -will be brought to you there. The length of your punishment rests with -yourself, my dear." - - - - -CHAPTER VI. - -CAPTIVITY. - - -There are times in life when all one's preconceived ideas are -completely upset and altered. We looked at the world from a certain -point of view. From that special angle of our own it showed in gold -and rose color and blue. A day came when we were forced to change our -vantage ground, and on that day we for the first time perceived the -grays and the blacks of that same old world--it ceased to smile on us, -it ceased to pet us--it ceased to say to us, "I was made to render -your life beautiful, I was made to minister to every selfish desire of -yours; I am your slave, you are my mistress; do with me what you will." - -On this particular day the world ceases to speak in those gentle and -submissive tones. With all its grays and its blacks turned full in -view, it says: "You are only an atom; there are millions of other human -beings to share my good things as well as my evil. After all, I am not -your slave, but your mistress; I have made laws, and you have got to -obey them. Up to the present I have treated you as a baby, but now I am -going to show you what life really means." - -It was in some such fashion that the world spoke to Bridget O'Hara on -this special summer's morning. - -Mrs. Freeman took her unwilling hand, led her into Miss Patience's dull -little sitting room, which only looked out upon the back yard, and, -shutting the door behind her, left her to her own meditations. - -"You remain here, Bridget," she repeated, "until you have promised to -obey the rules of the school. No longer and no shorter will be your -term of punishment. It remains altogether with yourself how soon you -are liberated." - -The door was closed then, and Bridget O'Hara found herself alone. - -The summer sounds came in to her, for the window of her dull room was -open, the birds were twittering in the trees, innumerable doves were -cooing; there was the gentle, soft whisper of the breeze, the cackling -of motherly hens, the lowing of cows, and, far away beyond and over -them, the insistent, ceaseless whisper of the gentle waves on the shore. - -Bridget stood by the window, but she heard none of these soothing -sounds. Her spoilt, childish heart was in the most open state of -rebellion and revolt. - -She was in every sense of the word an untamed creature; she was like a -wild bird who had just been caught and put into a cage. - -By and by doubtless the poor bird would be taught to develop his -notes into something richer and rarer than nature had made them, but -the process would be painful. Bridget was like the bird, and she was -beating her poor little wings now against her cage. - -Her first impulse was to open the door of her prison and go boldly out. - -She had not passed a pleasant morning, however, and this plan scarcely -commended itself to her. - -For some reason her companions, both old and young in the school, had -taken upon themselves to cut her. - -In all her life Bridget had never been cut before. - -At the dear old wild Castle in Ireland she had been idolized by -everyone, the servants had done her bidding, however extravagant and -fanciful that bidding had been. She led her old father where she wished -with silken reins. The dogs, the horses, even the cows and the calves, -followed Bridget like so many faithful shadows. In short, this wild -little girl was the beloved queen of the Castle. To cut her, or show -her the smallest incivility, would have been nothing short of high -treason. - -This morning Bridget had been practically "sent to Coventry." Even -Dorothy was cold in her manner to her. The small children who had hung -upon her words and followed her with delight the evening before, were -now too frightened at the consequences of their own daring to come -near her. Janet, Ruth, and Olive had shown their disapproval by marked -avoidance and covert sneers. Bridget had done a very naughty act, and -the school thought it well to show its displeasure. - -There was little use, therefore, in rushing out of her prison to join -her companions in their playground or on the shore. - -Should she run away altogether? Should she walk to Eastcliff and take -the next train to London, and then, trusting to chance, and to the -kindness of strangers, endeavor to find her way back to the dear and -loving shores of the old country, and so back again to the beloved home? - -Tears rolled down her cheeks as she thought of this plan; but, in the -first place, she had no idea how to manage it, and, what was a far more -serious obstacle, her little sealskin purse, her father's last present, -was empty. - -Bridget could certainly not return home without money. - -She sat down presently on the nearest chair and covered her face with -her hands. She could only resolve on one thing--she would certainly not -yield to Mrs. Freeman's request--nothing would induce her to promise to -obey the rules of the school. - -A story book, belonging to the school library, happened to be lying -on a chair close to her own. She took it up, opened it, and began to -read. The tale was sufficiently interesting to cause her to forget her -troubles. - -She had read for nearly an hour when the door of the room opened, and -Miss Patience came in. Miss Patience was an excellent woman, but she -took severe views of life; she emphatically believed in the young -being trained; she thought well of punishments, and pined for the -good old days when children were taught to make way for their elders, -and not--as in the present degenerate times--to expect their elders -to make way for them. Miss Patience just nodded toward Bridget, and, -sitting beside a high desk, took out an account book and opened it. -Miss O'Hara felt more uncomfortable than ever when Miss Patience came -into the room; her book ceased to entertain her, and the walls of her -prison seemed to get narrower. She fidgeted on her chair, and jumped up -several times to look out of the window. There was nothing of the least -interest, however, going on in the yard at that moment. Presently she -beat an impatient tattoo on the glass with her fingers. - -"Don't do that, Bridget," said Miss Patience; "you are disturbing me." - -Bridget dropped back into her seat with a profound sigh. Presently -the dinner gong sounded, and Miss Patience put away her papers and -accounts, and shutting up her desk, prepared to leave the room. Bridget -got up too. "I am glad that is dinner," she said; "I'm awfully hungry. -May I go up to my room to tidy myself, Miss Patience?" - -"No, Bridget, you are to stay here; your dinner will be brought to -you." Bridget flushed crimson. - -"I won't eat any dinner in this horrid room," she said; "I think I have -been treated shamefully. If my dinner is sent to me I won't eat it." - -"You can please yourself about that," said Miss Patience, in her -calmest voice. She left the room, closing the door behind her. - -Bridget felt a wild desire to rush after Miss Patience, and defying all -punishment and all commands, appear as usual in the dining room. - -Something, however, she could not tell what, restrained her from doing -this. She sank back again in her chair; angry tears rose to her bright -eyes, and burning spots appeared in her round cheeks. - -The door was opened, and a neatly dressed servant of the name of -Marshall entered, bearing a dinner tray. - -She was a tall, slight girl, fairly good-looking, and not too -strong-minded. - -"Here, Miss O'Hara," she said good-naturedly, "here's a lovely slice of -lamb; and I saved some peas for you. Them young ladies always do make -a rush on the peas, but I secured some in time. I'll bring you some -cherry tart presently, miss, and some whipped cream. You eat a good -dinner, miss, and forget your troubles; oh, dear! I don't like to see -young ladies in punishment--and that I don't!" - -While Marshall was speaking she looked down at the pretty and -rebellious young prisoner with marked interest. - -"I'd make it up if I was you, miss," she said. - -Marshall, with all her silliness, was a shrewd observer of character. -Had the girl in disgrace been Janet May or Dorothy Collingwood, she -would have known far better than to presume to address her; but Bridget -was on very familiar terms with her old nurse and with many of the -other servants at home, and it seemed quite reasonable to her that -Marshall should speak sympathetic words. - -"I can't eat, Marshall," she said. "I'm treated shamefully, and the -very nicest dinner wouldn't tempt me. You can take it away, for I can't -possibly touch a morsel. Oh, dear! oh, dear! how I do wish I were at -home again! What a horrid, horrid sort of place school is!" - -"Poor young lady!" said Marshall. "Anyone can see, Miss O'Hara, as -you aint accustomed to mean ways; you has your spirit, and I doubt me -if anyone can break it. You aint the sort for school--ef I may make -bold to say as much, you aint never been brought under. That's the -first thing they does at school; under you must go, whether you likes -it or not. Oh, dear, there's that bell, and it's for me--I must fly, -miss--but I do, humble as I am, sympathize with you most sincere. You -try and eat a bit of dinner, miss, do now--and I'll see if I can't get -some asparagus for you by and by, and, at any rate, you shall have the -tart and the whipped cream." - -"I can't eat anything, Marshall," said Bridget, shaking her head. "You -are kind; I see by your face that you are very kind. When I'm let -out of this horrid prison I'll give you some blue ribbon that I have -upstairs, and a string of Venetian beads. I dare say you're fond of -finery." - -"Oh, lor, miss, you're too good, but there's that bell again; I must -run this minute." - -Marshall departed, and Bridget lifted the cover from her plate and -looked at the nice hot lamb and green peas. - -Notwithstanding her vehement words, some decided pangs of hunger seized -her as she saw the tempting food, She remembered, however, that in -the old novels heroines in distress had never any appetite, and she -resolved to die rather than touch food while she was treated in so -disgraceful a manner. - -She leant back, therefore, in her chair and reflected with a sad sort -of pleasure on the sorrow which her father would feel when he learnt -that she had almost died of hunger and exhaustion at this cruel school. - -"He'll be sorry he sent me; he'll be sorry he listened to Aunt -Kathleen," she said to herself. - -A flash of self-pity filled her eyes, but there was some consolation in -reflecting on the fact that no one could force her to eat against her -will. - -Marshall reappeared with the asparagus and cherry tart. - -She gave Bridget a great deal of sympathy, adjured her to eat, shook -her head over her, and having gained a promise that a pair of long -suède gloves should be added to the ribbons and Venetian beads, went -away, having quite made up her mind to take Bridget's part through -thick and thin. - -"It's most mournful to see her, poor dear!" she muttered. "She's fat -and strong and hearty, but I know by the shape of her mouth that she's -that obstinate she won't touch any food, and she won't give in to obey -Mrs. Freeman, not if it's ever so. I do pity her, poor dear, and it -aint only for the sake of the things she gives me. Now let me see, -aint there anyone I can speak to about her? Oh, there's Miss Dorothy -Collingwood, she aint quite so 'aughty as the other young ladies; I -think I will try her, and see ef she couldn't bring the poor dear to -see reason." - -The girls were leaving the dining room while these thoughts were -flashing through Marshall's mind. Dorothy and Janet May were walking -side by side. - -"Miss Collingwood," said Marshall, in a timid whisper, "might I say a -word to you, miss?" - -"Yes, Marshall," said Dorothy; she stopped. Janet stopped also, and -gave Marshall a freezing glance. - -"We haven't a moment to lose, Dorothy," she said, "I want to speak to -you alone before the rest of the committee arrive. That point with -regard to Evelyn Percival must be settled. Perhaps your communication -can keep, Marshall." - -"No, miss, that it can't," said Marshall, who felt as she expressed it -afterward, "that royled by Miss May's 'aughty ways." "I won't keep Miss -Collingwood any time, miss, ef you'll be pleased to walk on." - -Janet was forced to comply, and Dorothy exclaimed eagerly: - -"Now, Marshall, what is it? How fussy and important you look!" - -"Oh, miss, it's that poor dear young lady." - -"What poor dear young lady?" - -"Miss Bridget O'Hara. She aint understood, and she's in punishment, -pore dear; shut up in Miss Patience's dull parlor. Mrs. Freeman don't -understand her. She aint the sort to be broke in, and if Mrs. Freeman -thinks she'll do it, she's fine and mistook. The pore dear is that -spirited she'd die afore she'd own herself wrong. Do you think, Miss -Collingwood, as she'd touch a morsel of her dinner? No, that she -wouldn't! Bite nor sup wouldn't pass her lips, although I tempted her -with a lamb chop and them beautiful marrow peas, and asparagus and -whipped cream and cherry tart. You can judge for yourself, miss, that -a healthy young lady with a good, fine appetite must be bad when she -refuses food of that sort!" - -"I'm very sorry, Marshall," said Dorothy, "but Miss O'Hara has really -been very naughty. You have heard, of course, of the carriage accident, -and how nearly Miss Percival was hurt. It's kind of you to plead for -Miss O'Hara, but she really does deserve rather severe punishment, and -Mrs. Freeman is most kind, as well as just. I don't really see how I -can interfere." - -"Are you coming, Dorothy?" called Janet May from the end of the passage. - -"Yes, in one minute, Janet! I don't know what I'm to do, Marshall," -continued Dorothy. "I should not venture to speak to Mrs. Freeman on -the subject; she would be very, very angry." - -"I don't mean that, miss; I mean that perhaps you'd talk to Miss -Bridget, and persuade her to do whatever Mrs. Freeman says is right. I -don't know what that is, of course, but you has a very kind way, Miss -Dorothy, and ef you would speak to Miss O'Hara, maybe she'd listen to -you." - -"Well, Marshall, I'll see what I can do. I must join Miss May now, for -we have something important to decide, but I won't forget your words." - -Marshall had to be comforted with this rather dubious speech, and -Dorothy ran on to join Janet. - -"Well," said Janet, "what did that impertinent servant want? I hope you -showed her her place, Dorothy? The idea of her presuming to stop us -when we were so busy!" - -"She's not at all impertinent," said Dorothy. "After all, Janet, -servants are flesh and blood, like the rest of us, and this poor -Marshall, although she's not the wisest of the wise, is a good-natured -creature. What do you think she wanted?" - -"How can I possibly guess?" - -"She was interceding for Bridget," said Dorothy. - -"Bridget O'Hara!" exclaimed Janet, "that incorrigible, unpleasant girl? -Why _did_ you waste your time listening to her?" - -"I could not help myself," replied Dorothy. "You know, of course, -Janet, what Bridget did last night?" - -"Yes, yes, I know," replied Janet, with a sneer; "she did something -which shook the nerves of our beloved favorite. Had anyone else given -Miss Percival her little fright, I could have forgiven her!" - -"Janet, I wish you would not speak in that bitter way." - -"I can't help it, my dear; I'm honest, whatever I am." - -"But why will you dislike our dear Evelyn?" - -"We won't discuss the whys nor the wherefores; the fact remains that I -do dislike her." - -"And you also dislike poor Bridget? I can't imagine why you take such -strong prejudices." - -"As to disliking Miss O'Hara, it's more a case of despising; she's -beneath my dislike." - -"Well, she's in trouble now," said Dorothy, with a sigh. "I think you -are very much mistaken in her, Janet; she's a very original, clever, -amusing girl. I find her tiresome at times, and I admit that she's -dreadfully naughty, but it's the sort of naughtiness which comes from -simply not knowing. The accident last night might have been a dreadful -one, and Bridget certainly deserves the punishment she has got; all the -same;--I'm very sorry for her." - -"I can't share your sorrow," replied Janet. "If her punishment, -whatever it is, deprives us of her charming society for a few days, it -will be a boon to the entire school. I noticed that she was absent from -dinner, and I will own I have not had a pleasanter meal for some time." - -"Well, Marshall is unhappy about her," replied Dorothy. "She said that -Bridget would not touch her dinner. I don't exactly know what Mrs. -Freeman means to do about her, but the poor girl is a prisoner in Miss -Patience's dull little sitting room for the present." - -"Hurrah! Hurrah! Long may she stay there! Now, do let us drop this -tiresome subject. We have only ten minutes to ourselves before the rest -of the committee arrive, and that point with regard to Evelyn Percival -must be arranged. Come, Dorothy, let us race each other to the Lookout!" - - - - -CHAPTER VII. - -WHO IS TO PROVIDE THE NEEDFUL? - - -Fast as they ran, however, the two girls were not the first at the -place of rendezvous. Olive and Ruth, and another girl of the name of -Frances Murray, were all waiting for them when they arrived. - -These three girls, with Janet and Dorothy, were the members of the -committee who were managing all the affairs of the Fancy Fair. - -The subject now to be brought under discussion was whether Evelyn -Percival, the head girl of the school, should be asked to join the -committee. - -Janet was very much opposed to the idea; the other girls, for more -reasons than one, were in favor of it. - -Evelyn was popular; she had a very clear head, she had a good many -original, as well as sensible ideas; last, but not least, she was rich. -If Evelyn took up the idea of the Fancy Fair with enthusiasm, the -scheme would certainly succeed, for she would spare neither time nor -money on the cause. She would, however, also, in the natural sequence -of things, become immediately the guiding spirit of the scheme. - -Janet was head at present; Janet first thought of the Fancy Fair. A -little boy in the neighborhood had lost his father and mother; the -father had been drowned at sea, the mother had died of the shock--the -baby-boy of a year old had been left without either friends or -providers. - -When out walking one day, Janet and one of her companions met the -child, who was a beautiful boy, with picturesque hair and one of those -fair, sweet faces which appeal straight to the hearts of all women. A -little barefoot and slip-shod girl was carrying the child. Janet and -her companion stopped to speak to him; his sad story was told by his -eager little nurse. The girls were full of sympathy; even Janet May's -languid interest was aroused. She was poor, but she took half a crown -out of her purse and gave it to the beautiful baby; her companion -immediately followed suit. Janet and her friend talked of the boy all -the way home, and that evening the Fancy Fair was first mooted as a -means of raising a substantial sum of money for little Tim's benefit. - -Mrs. Freeman was only too pleased to see the rather cold-hearted Janet -May roused to take an interest in another. She gave her sanction to -the girls' ideas, and the Fancy Fair was now the principal object of -conversation in the school. The girls liked to think they were working -for little Tim, and Janet secured more affectionate glances and more -pleasant words than she had ever received before in the school. She -enjoyed herself greatly. Ambition was her strongest point, and that -side of her character was being abundantly gratified. She was looked up -to, consulted, praised; she was the head of the committee. Janet liked -to be first; she was first now, with a vengeance. No fear of anyone -else even trying to claim this envied position. Janet was clever; she -had a good head for business; she was first; the glory of the scheme -was hers; the praise, if it succeeded, would be hers. It was all -delightful, and nothing came to dim her ardor until the news reached -her that Evelyn Percival had recovered and was returning to the school. - -This news was most unwelcome to Janet. Everybody loved Evelyn; she was -the head girl. If she joined the committee she would be expected to -take the lead; Janet would be no longer first. If such a catastrophe -occurred, Janet felt that the Fancy Fair would immediately lose all -interest in her eyes. Her object of objects now was, whether by foul -means or fair, to keep Evelyn Percival from being asked to join the -committee. - -She knew that her task would be a delicate one, as it would be -impossible for her to give the real reasons for her strong objection to -Evelyn being on the committee. - -"Well, girls, here you are!" sang out Frances Murray, as the two, -panting and breathless, ran up the winding stairs of the little tower. -"We thought you weren't coming; but three make a quorum, and we were -about to transact the business ourselves; weren't we, Ruth?" - -"Yes," said Ruth, in her prim, somewhat matter-of-fact voice; "but," -she added, glancing at Janet, "we are only too delighted that you have -come, Janey, for what really important step can be taken with regard to -the fair without your advice?" - -"Of course," echoed Olive; "it is dear old Janey's idea from first to -last. Sit here, Janet, love; won't you, next me? It is very hot up -here, but there's nice shade under my big umbrella." - -Janet took very little notice of her satellites Ruth and Olive. They -were useful to her, of course, but in her heart of hearts she rather -despised them. She was by no means sure of their being faithful to her -in case anything occurred to make it more for their own interest to go -over to the other side. - -"Sit down, sit down, and let us begin!" said Frances, who was a very -downright, honest sort of girl. "What I want to do is to get to -business. The fair is only three weeks off. We have committed ourselves -to it, and we have really made very little way. The idea of the fair -is, of course, Janet's, and she's the head for the present; but when -Evelyn joins us, we'll have a lot of fresh force put into everything. -Mrs. Freeman says that Evelyn is better, and that she will be down to -supper this evening, and I vote that we tell her about the fair then, -and ask her at once to come on the committee. What do you say, Dolly?" - -"I agree, of course," said Dorothy. "Evelyn is delightful; and she has -such a lot of tact and sense that having her with us will insure the -success of the fair." - -"Well, that is our principal business to-day," continued Frances. "We -can soon put it to the vote, and then each member of the committee can -join her own working party, and get things as forward as possible. For -my part, I can't get the girls to do much needlework this hot weather. -I have done everything in my power to incite them; little Tim's -destitute condition has been aired before their eyes so often that it -begins to lose its effect. The girls who are well off say they will buy -things, or write to their several homes for them, and the girls who are -badly off simply loll about and do nothing." - -"You have not sufficient influence, Frances," said Janet, some -angry spots coming into her cool, pale cheeks. "Now, my girls work -extraordinarily well. Annie and Violet, and Rosy and Mamie, are -painting some beautiful fans; they will be really artistic, and will -fetch a good price. All that is wanted is to get a girl to take up -the work she is really interested in. She'll do it fast enough then. -You can't expect anyone to care to hem stupid pinafores, and to make -babies' frocks this weather." - -Frances colored; she had no love for Janet, whose ideas on every point -were opposed to her own. - -"It's all very well to sneer at my pinafores and babies' frocks," she -exclaimed; "but when people go to bazaars they like to buy useful -articles. Your ideas are all very well, but you carry your art mania -too far; however, when Evelyn is with us she'll make everything smooth. -How glad I am that she has come back in time! Now then, who'll vote to -have her asked to join the committee?" - -"I will, of course," said Dorothy Collingwood. Janet was silent; she -walked across the little platform at the top of the Lookout, and -leant over the low parapet. Ruth and Olive were also silent; they -cast anxious and undecided glances at their friend's back. They knew -by her attitude that she was waiting for them to speak. In her heart -Ruth adored Evelyn, but she was more or less in Janet's power, who had -helped her many times with her more difficult lessons. Olive also felt -that up to the present it would be her best policy to side with Janet. - -"Well, Ruth, you, of course, wish us to ask Evelyn to join," said -Frances, fixing her bright eyes on the girl. - -"I--I don't know," said Ruth, in a hesitating voice. - -"It might rather upset arrangements now," faltered Olive. - -"Yes, I agree," said Janet, flashing round; "I agree with Ruth and -Olive." - -"Ruth doesn't know her own mind, so you can't agree with her," -interrupted Frances. - -"Yes, Ruth does know her own mind," said Janet; "she's a little bit -timid, I grant, but she knows it well enough. You don't want Evelyn to -be asked to join us, do you, Ruthy?" - -"No," said Ruth, with sudden boldness, "no, I don't." - -"Well, then, the votes are against you, Frances," said Janet; "so the -matter is settled; three against two. I suppose we needn't waste any -more time now; we can all go away and set to work." - -"No; wait a minute," said Dorothy. "The decision you have come to, -Janet--of course, Olive and Ruth always go with you; you know that, so -they scarcely count--the decision you have come to seems to us most -extraordinary. You offer a direct slight to Evelyn Percival; you leave -her out in the cold. I do not see that there is anything for it, but -for Frances and me to send in our resignations, if Evelyn is not to -join us." - -"I have very good reasons for what I am doing," said Janet. "When I -stayed with my aunt, Mrs. Greville, last summer, she had a Fancy Fair -very much on the lines on which I propose to conduct ours. At the last -moment a lady of influence in the neighborhood was asked to join. She -was very nice and very important, just as Evelyn is very nice and -very important, and the people said just what you say now, that they -could not possibly do without her, and that it would be a great slight -not to have her. Well, she was asked at the eleventh hour to come -on the committee, and from that moment everyone else's arrangements -were turned topsy-turvy, and the fair was an absolute failure. Had -Evelyn been here at the beginning, we could not have helped asking -her to join, but I know that it's a mistake now. I don't think I'm -unreasonable in saying this." - -Janet had great control of her emotions, and her words, now uttered -very calmly and quietly, had a certain effect upon Frances Murray. - -"There's something in what you say," she remarked after a pause. "Of -course, Evelyn might be told that matters are too advanced now for her -to take any active part, but there is another matter, Janet, which -you have overlooked. It is this: There is not a single rich person on -our committee. I am as poor as a church mouse, and am not ashamed to -own it. I don't suppose you are overburdened with pelf, and I know -that Dolly and Ruth and Olive are not oppressed with the weight of -their purses. Now, Evelyn is rich. If Evelyn took an interest in this -bazaar, she would think nothing of spending five or six pounds in -buying all sorts of pretty things; she would send to London and have -some big packets sent down full of those sorts of little fresh tempting -_souvenirs_ which people always take a fancy to at bazaars and always -buy." - -While Frances was speaking, Janet turned rather pale. She had foreseen -this great difficulty, and was much puzzled to know how to get over it. - -"The fact is," said Dolly, "there are only two really rich girls in the -school. Evelyn is one, and that poor wild little Biddy is the other." - -"Is Bridget O'Hara rich?" asked Janet suddenly. - -"Rich? I should think so. Mrs. Freeman told me one day that the poor -child is an heiress, and will have more money than she knows what to do -with." - -"Why do you talk of an heiress as 'a poor child,' Dorothy?" said Janet. -"That kind of speech sounds so affected and out of date." - -"Well, you needn't be cross to me," said Dorothy. "I do pity Bridget -very much; she will have a lot of responsibility by and by, and up to -the present she certainly has no wise ideas with regard to her future." - -"Poor dear," said Janet, with a little sneer, "her position is truly -afflicting." - -"Well, well, do let us return to business," said Frances. "Is Evelyn to -be asked to join or not? We all know that Janet doesn't love her; we -can't make out why, but we are not going to trouble ourselves on that -score. I repeat that it is a slight to Evelyn not to ask her to join, -but that fact may be glossed over by making a great deal of the fact -that she was not here at the beginning. We might support you, Janet, in -this, in order that you might retain your dearly coveted position as -head of the fair." - -"I don't care a bit about that," said Janet, coloring high. - -"Now, my dear; now, my dear, don't let that graceful little tongue lend -itself to a wicked story. However, to return to business. If we exclude -Evelyn from taking an active part in the arrangements of the fair, who -is to provide the needful? Now, Janet May, there's a puzzler for you; -answer it if you can." - -Janet walked over to the little parapet, and, leaning against it, -looked out over the dazzling, dancing summer sea. She was silent for a -full moment, then she turned slowly and looked at her companions. - -"I own that the money is a sore puzzle," she said. "It goes without -saying that we must have money. Give me twenty-four hours, girls, to -think what is best to be done. If, at the end of that time, I have -thought of no expedient, I will own myself defeated, and will withdraw -my opposition to Evelyn Percival being asked to join." - - - - -CHAPTER VIII. - -THE "JANET MAY STALL." - - -The several girls of the committee separated, and went to join the -different parties who were working for the Fancy Fair. - -Almost every girl in the school had volunteered to do something, and -on this long, lovely half-holiday they had decided to take their work -out to different parts of the grounds, where they sat, some under the -shelter of the wide-spreading beech trees, others in the summerhouses, -or tents, which were scattered here and there in the grounds. - -Ruth, who had a certain gift for management, was helping three or four -of the smaller girls to make some patchwork quilts, but Olive had -decided to keep with Janet and help her as much as possible. - -Janet's party had assembled in a large, roomy summerhouse. There was a -rustic table in the middle, and rustic chairs and benches surrounded -it. Here six girls, all of whom belonged to the lower school, were -sitting round a table laughing and chatting merrily. Some bits of -colored silk, some gay chintzes, a heap of wools for crewel work, -several boxes of water-color paints, some pieces of cardboard, some -fans, screens, and pretty baskets were scattered about. - -The girls were waiting for Janet and Ruth. They were not disposed to -work. They lolled about and laughed, and looked somewhat wistfully at -the lovely outer world, with the flickering shadows on the grass, and -the dancing, happy sunshine making itself felt through everything. - -"Even a Fancy Fair is a bore," said pretty little Violet to her crony -Nora. - -"But then we are doing it for Tim," said Alice, raising her charming, -sweet face, and blushing as she spoke. - -"Yes," retorted Violet again; "I think of Tim all the time, and how -nice it will be to collect money for the little darling, and how happy -we'll be in the long vacation, when we remember how we saved the pet -from going to the workhouse, but still I do want to bathe awfully -to-day, and however hard I think of the good this Fancy Fair is going -to do, I cannot help being lazy this hot weather." - -"Did you know, girls," exclaimed Nora, "that Bridget can swim and dive? -She made a bet yesterday in the school that if we dropped sixpence into -the sea she'd bring it up again in her mouth. She did really; she was -most positive about it. Mary Hill and Cissy Jones bet against her that -she wouldn't, but she was so fierce, and said she had done it fifty -times before in the lake at home. I do love Bridget, don't you, Violet?" - -"Yes, I adore her," said Violet, "she's quite the jolliest girl I ever -came across. I'm awfully sorry she has got into trouble, and I hope -Mrs. Freeman will soon forgive her. Poor dear, she doesn't mean to do -wrong, and she is such fun." - -"She's like a big baby," said Alice; "but all the same, it is wrong of -her to bet, isn't it?" - -"I don't know," replied Violet; "the way Biddy does things makes them -appear not a bit wrong. I should like awfully to see her bring up -that sixpence in her mouth. But hush, let us pretend to be talking of -something else, for here comes Janet and that nasty Olive." - -"Janet is really very nice about this fair," said Alice; "but she hates -Biddy, and she has always hated darling Evelyn; it is so funny!" - -"O Alice, do shut up," exclaimed Violet. "Here's Janet coming in. Let's -pretend to be talking of something else." - -The little girls bent their heads together, pulled forward their -different working materials, and looked busy and important when Janet -and Olive came in. - -"Well, girls," said Janet, "I hope you are making lots of progress. -How about that fan, Alice? Oh, you naughty puss, you have not touched -it yet to-day. Now set to work; do set to work. Violet, how is your -mat getting on? Let me look at it, dear; very pretty indeed; don't you -think you could finish it to-day? Molly," turning to the smallest girl -in the summerhouse, "you said you would paint some ribbon markers. -Have you begun them yet? No, I see you haven't. Sit down now, you lazy -darling, and try to make good progress." - -Janet's tone was bright and confident. It had immediate effect upon, -the children, stimulating their listlessness, and exciting them to work -with energy. - -Janet herself sat near the entrance of the summerhouse. She had an -easel in front of her, and was painting an exquisite little water-color -from nature. Janet had great talent for a certain kind of painting. -There was nothing bold nor masterful in her work, but her touch was -true and delicate, and in a small way she could produce a very pretty -effect. - -The younger girls thought Janet's painting perfection, and they stole -up now, one by one, to look at her work and to give enthusiastic -opinions with regard to it. - -Their little comments were delightful to her. She had a great thirst -for praise, and could swallow it in any guise. - -While she worked, however, her thoughts were very busy; she had to -solve a difficult problem, and had only a few hours to do it in. - -After a long period of silence a remark dropped from her lips. - -"I have made up my mind," she said, turning round and addressing all -the children. - -"O Janey, what have you thought of now?" asked Alice, raising her -pretty flushed face, and pushing aside her painting. - -"Take care of messing that fan, dear; you are painting in that red -poppy very nicely," answered Janet. "Well, girls, I have made up my -mind." - -"Yes, Janey, yes; what about?" they all answered. - -"Our stall is to be far and away the most beautiful at the Fancy Fair." - -"Three cheers!" exclaimed the children, but then Alice said in a -wistful tone: - -"I don't see how it can be, Janet, for we are none of us rich. I heard -Dolly say this morning that Evelyn's stall would certainly be far and -away the best, for she was the only one of us who had money." - -"Evelyn may not have a stall at all," said Janet, "but, in any case, -if you six little girls will back me, and if Olive--I can answer for -Olive that she will do her best--if Olive will help also, our stall -will be the richest and the most lovely at the fair. Will you trust me -to manage this, children?" - -"Of course, Janet!" replied Nora, her eyes sparkling. - -"Now I tell you what," said Janet, "I know pretty well what the other -girls are doing. Frances Murray's girls are going in for the sober and -useful; Dorothy Collingwood's are working with a will on the same dull -lines. Poor old Ruth--oh, I'm not disparaging her--can't rise above her -patchwork quilts, whereas we, we alone, have embraced ART. Girls, the -combination of _art_ and _money_ will produce the most lovely stall -at the fair. Now I have spoken! You stick to me, girls, and keep your -secret to yourselves. Say nothing, but determine, every one of you, to -do her utmost, not only for little Tim, but for the glory of the 'Janet -May Stall.'" - -"We will, we will!" said the children. - -They were quite impressed by Janet's enthusiasm, and looked upon their -own humble little efforts in the great field of art with some awe. - -"It shall be done!" said Janet. "You have my word for it; I can, I will -manage it. I shall take immediate steps. Olive, will you look after the -girls during the remainder of this afternoon? I must do something at -once to secure our ends." - -Janet walked quickly back to the house. She was so lost in thought that -she never saw a girl who was running full tilt against her. - -"A penny for your thoughts, Janey!" exclaimed Dorothy Collingwood. -"I never saw your brow so knit with care, my love. What _can_ be the -matter? Is the problem you have got to solve within twenty-four hours -so intensely difficult?" - -"It is difficult, Dorothy," replied Janet. "But, puzzling as it is, I -am not going to allow it to conquer me. By the way, that reminds me; -have you just come from the prisoner?" - -"What prisoner?" - -"That sweet Irish maid, Bridget O'Hara." - -"No, I haven't, Janet; I have not forgotten her by any means. But I -suppose I ought to ask Mrs. Freeman's leave before I visit her." - -"Well, can't you ask it?" - -"I have been looking all over the place for her, but can't find her -anywhere. I am ever so sorry, for I should like to see Biddy, and I am -sure I could exercise a little influence over her. However, there is -nothing to be done until I get Mrs. Freeman's permission, and, as I'm -going up to Evelyn now, poor Biddy must ponder over her shortcomings -for at least another hour." - -"What a happy girl you are, Dorothy!" said Janet. "Just fancy spending -all one's time between the good and the naughty favorite of the school. -Oh, what will not money effect!" - -"I did not know before that poor Biddy was the favorite of the school," -said Dorothy. "I wish you would not speak in such a satirical way, -Janet. What is the good of trying to throw scorn on Evelyn? People -only dislike you when you speak like that, and I earnestly wish you -wouldn't." - -"You are a good little soul, Dolly," said Janet, "but I must speak -as the spirit moves me. Now don't let me keep you from your darling. -There! I'll try and tolerate her for your sake." - -Dorothy ran off, and Janet walked slowly past the front of the house, -her brow knit in anxious thought. - -She had reached a little wicket gate, which led round to the back -premises, when she was suddenly startled by finding herself face to -face with Mrs. Freeman. - -For a moment a flood of color rushed to her cheeks. She felt inclined -to pass her mistress with a brief salutation; then another impulse -arrested her steps. - -"Mrs. Freeman," she said, "may I speak to you for a moment?" - -"Certainly, my dear! Can I do anything for you?" - -"I should like to ask a favor of you." - -"Well, Janet, you don't very often petition for my small mercies. You -are a good girl, studious and attentive. Your masters and mistresses -always give me pleasant reports of your progress. Now, what can I do -for you?" - -"I've been told that Bridget O'Hara is under punishment. I should very -much like to see her." - -This request of Janet's evidently astonished Mrs. Freeman. She looked -attentively at her pupil, then said in a voice of surprise: - -"I did not even know that you were friends." - -"Nor are we. I think without any doubt we are at the antipodes in -everything. But--I am sorry for a girl who is under punishment. I -thought perhaps I might say something to her about--submitting. -She might take it better from one of her schoolfellows than from a -mistress. This occurred to me, but perhaps I am only taking a liberty." - -"By no means, Janet. I frankly say I am pleased and surprised at your -thoughtfulness. I confess to you, my dear, that Bridget is a very -difficult girl to manage." - -"I am sure of that!" - -"Very, very difficult. The care of her weighs heavily on me. I -sympathize with her in some things. She is full of good impulses, but -her character--well, it has not been trained at all. Are you likely to -be able to influence her, Janet?" - -"I could but do my best!" - -Mrs. Freeman paused to consider. - -"Had Dorothy made this petition," she said then, "I should have granted -it, as a matter of course. Dorothy has always tried to be nice to -Bridget, and it would have been like her to do a kindness now. Dorothy, -however, has come to me with no such request, and you have, Janet. I am -pleased with your thoughtfulness. I shall certainly not refuse you. Go -to her, dear, and say what is in your heart. You have my best wishes!" - -"Thank you, Mrs. Freeman," said Janet, in her low, pretty voice. She -tripped away, and a moment later was knocking at Miss Patience's -sitting-room door. - -"Come in, whoever you are!" said a sulky voice from the interior of the -room. - -Janet opened the door, shut it carefully behind her, and advanced to -the table, on the edge of which Bridget had perched herself as if she -were on horseback. - -"Well, what do you want now that you have come?" asked Miss O'Hara, in -her proudest voice. "You never liked me, so I suppose you are awfully -pleased to see me like this?" - -"Now do hush," said Janet. "I have not come in an unkind spirit. You -must really listen, Bridget, to what I have come to say. I am the very -first of your schoolfellows to visit you, and _would_ I trouble to come -if I did not mean it kindly?" - -Janet's voice was the essence of gentle calm. It affected poor -tempest-tossed Biddy, who jumped down from her imaginary horse, and -leant up against the window-sill, a strikingly handsome, but defiant -looking young sinner. - -"I suppose you do mean it kindly," she said, "and you are the first of -the girls to look me up. But you are sure Mrs. Freeman did not send -you?" - -"She knows that I have come, but she certainly did not send me." - -"Well, I suppose it's good-natured of you. I thought Dolly Collingwood -would have come to me before now, but it's 'out of sight, out of mind' -with her as with the rest of them." - -"Dorothy, at the present moment, is with Evelyn Percival." - -"The girl who was thrown out of the carriage last night--the queen of -the school? I may be thankful she was not badly hurt, poor dear." - -Janet did not say anything. Bridget turned to the window, and began to -beat a tattoo on the pane with her knuckles. - -"Look here," she said again, after a pause, "now that you are here, -what do you want? It's good-natured of you to come, of course, but I -can't make out what good you are likely to do." - -"Yes. I shall do plenty of good," said Janet, in her assured tones. "I -am going to give you some advice which you will be very glad to take." - -"Indeed, then, you are finely mistaken. I'll be nothing of the kind." - -"You've not heard what I'm going to say, yet. Won't you sit down and -let us be comfortable?" - -"You can sit if you fancy it. I prefer standing." - -"Very well; we shall both be pleased. This is a very comfortable chair." - -Janet sank back in it, and raised her placid face to Bridget's. The -two girls were in all particulars contrasts. Biddy's curls were now a -mop; a wild, aggressive, almost disreputable looking mop. Her white -dress was draggled and crumpled, her cheeks were deeply flushed, her -eyes flashed ominous fire, her proud lips took many haughty and defiant -curves. Janet, in contradistinction to all this, was the soul of neat -commonplace. Her pale blue cambric frock fitted her neat figure like a -glove. She had white linen cuffs at her wrists; her little hands were -exquisitely clean; her fair face looked the essence of peace. Her neat, -smooth head of light hair shone like satin. - -"I am anxious about you," said Janet. "I can see quite plainly that you -are going all wrong." - -Bridget gave a sort of snort. - -Janet held up her small hand imploringly. - -"Do listen," she said. "How can I explain myself if you interrupt me -each moment?" - -"But you never liked me, Janey. You have shown that all too plainly. I -cannot imagine what you are prying into my affairs for. Now if Dolly -came----" - -"Dolly has not come, and I have. Now, will you listen. I will frankly -say that I did not care about you when you first came to the school. -When I saw you so--so defiant, Bridget, so proud, so free, so -absolutely fearless; when I saw you with all these characteristics, -taking people by storm, for you know you did take the little girls of -the school quite by storm, I felt a sense of strong irritation against -you. I never met a girl like you before; you puzzled me; you did not -please me. Now, I am going to be quite frank; I do not really like you -much better now, but as I see that you fully intend to be on my side, -it is impossible for me any longer not to take your part." - -"I fully intend to be on your side?" repeated Bridget. "Indeed, then, I -don't, and I may as well say so frankly at once." - -"Yes, Bridget, you do; you can't help yourself, for you and I will in -future have good cause to hate the same girl." - -"What girl?' - -"Evelyn Percival; the one you have just spoken of as the queen of the -school." - -"The darling!" exclaimed Bridget, "and why in the name of goodness am I -to hate her?" - -"Well, you must be a poor-spirited thing if you don't. May I ask if -you would have got into your present scrape but for her? Have you not -before this disobeyed Mrs. Freeman? Up to last night she took pity on -you; she said to herself: 'Bridget knows nothing of the rules of the -school; Bridget has never been accustomed to obey any rules, I will be -merciful to her, I will be lenient, I will never forget that Biddy has -been queen in her Irish home.'" - -"Oh, don't talk to me about my home," said Bridget, her lips quivering, -her eyes filling with tears. - -"Yes; but is it not true, Bridget? Has not Mrs. Freeman been very -lenient to you in the past?" - -"I suppose she has. I never thought much about it. I scraped along -somehow; I was happy enough." - -"Well, was she lenient to you to-day?" - -"Need you ask, Janet? I'm a prisoner; a close prisoner in this -abominable room. Such treatment will soon kill me. I can't eat; I shall -soon die of misery." - -"It is hard on you, Bridget; you are exactly like a wild bird of the -woods put into a cage." - -"Yes, that's it; and the captive bird will break its heart." - -"Poor Bridget! I didn't like you in your free days, but I'm willing to -own that I pity you now." - -"Thank you, thank you; but I hate pity. Whoever would think of offering -pity to Bridget O'Hara at home?" - -"But Bridget O'Hara is no longer at home; she is a captive in a strange -land. Don't cry, Biddy. Let us leave sentimentalities now, and come to -facts. Whom do you think you owe this severe treatment to?" - -"I am sure I can't tell you." - -"I can tell you, however. You owe it entirely--to Evelyn Percival." - -"Now what do you mean? that nice girl whom I nearly killed?" - -"You didn't nearly kill her; that's all stuff! Bridget, you don't know -Evelyn Percival, but I do. Had any other girl been in the carriage when -you and the children startled the horses, you would have been forgiven. -Mrs. Freeman would still have remembered that you were unaccustomed -to rules, and she would have tried to break you in gently and -considerately; but as Evelyn happened to be the person whose delicate -nerves sustained a shock, Mrs. Freeman was incapable of showing any -mercy. Evelyn Percival poses in the school as a sort of saint. Nearly -everyone bows down to her; Mrs. Freeman, head mistress though she is, -is so influenced by her that you are sure to have a bad time in future." - -"I shan't stand it; it isn't likely." - -"You will be forced to stand it. If Evelyn gives the smallest -suggestion about you, it will be certain to be followed out. I pity -you, Bridget, but you are certainly likely to have a lively time." - -"You don't mean to tell me," answered Bridget, "that I have to thank -Miss Percival for this punishment; that it is at her instigation I am -here?" - -"You are certainly here at no one else's instigation." - -"Did she tell Mrs. Freeman to make a close prisoner of me, and to -starve me?" - -"It is your own fault if you are starved, Bridget; don't exaggerate, -my dear; you do no good by that. As to your being made a prisoner, you -certainly owe it to Evelyn. She can say things, even though she does -not put them into words." - -"Oh, I understand," said Bridget. She turned again to look out of the -window, and her impatient fingers once more played a tattoo on the -glass. - -"Evelyn is most popular," continued Janet, "for the simple reason that -people don't read her through and through. I can see beneath that -sweet, saintly calm, and I honestly say that I cannot bear her. Now, -Bridget, if you will come on my side, if you will join me in opposing -the pernicious influence that girl exercises, I can help you out of -this scrape without allowing you to humiliate yourself, and I can at -the same time put you up to having the nicest little revenge in the -world on this delightful Miss Percival." - -"But Dorothy believes in her, and Dorothy is so sweet and kind," -exclaimed Bridget, in perplexity. - -"Poor, dear Dolly," exclaimed Janet, "anyone can take her in; but you, -my dear, although you are not very learned, are clever. However, this -is your own concern. If you like to stay in this hot room until Mrs. -Freeman breaks in your proud spirit, and if you like to submit to the -many indignities which I can plainly see are before you, that, of -course, is your affair. I thought it only kind to warn you, but perhaps -I have interfered unwarrantably. If so, forgive me." - -Janet rose as she spoke, and took a step or two toward the door. - -"No, don't go," exclaimed Biddy. "You puzzle me very much; there's no -one in the world who hates mean ways more than I do, and if Evelyn is -that sort----" - -"She is that sort, Bridget." - -"Well, well!" Bridget turned again to the window. - -"What am I to do, Janet?" she said, after a pause. Her tone was quite -humble; there was a crushed expression in her face. - -"Poor old thing!" said Janet, in her light, silvery voice. She went up -to Bridget, and gave her a careless kiss on her cheek. She could afford -to do this, for she knew the victory was hers. - -"In the future I will be your friend," she said; "you may rely upon me. -We are going to choose fresh chums in a week's time. Suppose we choose -one another. I know we are not a bit alike, but that's just the very -thing; opposites should keep together. However, there's time enough to -settle that presently." - -"Yes, quite time enough," said Bridget. "I thought that I'd take Dolly -for my chum." - -"You can't get her, my dear; she's bespoken to Evelyn long ago." - -"That horrid Evelyn!" Bridget stamped her foot impatiently. - -"Ah, I see, Biddy, that you and I will get on capitally. I could kiss -you again, but kissing isn't my way. Now then to business. The first -thing is to get you out of this room." - -"How is that to be effected? Mrs. Freeman says that I am to stay here -until I promise to obey the rules of the school. I can't obey them, so -I suppose I'm to stay here until I die." - -"And why can't you obey them, Bridget?" - -"Why can't I obey the rules of the school? We are not likely to be -chums if you talk to me in that fashion, Janet." - -"Now, my dear, I must just reason with you a little. You say you can't -obey the rules of the school; you say so because you fail to understand -them. If you put yourself under my guidance, and I am quite willing to -take charge of you, I will show you that you can obey them sufficiently -to keep yourself out of all serious scrapes, and yet at the same time -you will enjoy as much liberty as any girl need desire. Do you think I -am unhappy on account of the rules of the school?" - -"No; but you haven't got a wild heart like me." - -"Poor Biddy, I'll take care of your wild heart. It was ill-natured of -me not to see after you before, but in the future, my dear, you are -quite safe. I am going to fetch Mrs. Freeman now." - -"What in the world for?" - -"To tell her that you will obey the rules, that you will cease to be an -unruly member of the community, that you are going to be my chum." - -"O Janet, but it's dreadful to promise and not to perform. I have been -awfully naughty, I know, over and over and over again, but I have never -stooped to breaking a promise." - -"You shall not break this promise, for I won't let you, but I can show -you a way to keep the fetters from galling. Now I am going to fetch -Mrs. Freeman. It's worth your while to submit at once, Biddy, for I -intend to take you for a row." - -"A row on the water!" Bridget's eyes sparkled; she threw back her -shoulders with a gesture of relief. - -"Yes," repeated Janet, "a row on the water. The school boat is at our -disposal this evening. Mademoiselle is coming to take charge of us, -but, as she is really nobody, we shall practically be as free as air. -Stay where you are, Biddy, until I fetch Mrs. Freeman." - - - - -CHAPTER IX. - -TAKING SIDES. - - -When Dorothy entered Evelyn's bedroom she found her friend up and -dressed. - -"I'm quite well, really, Dolly," said Evelyn, with a smile. "I stayed -in bed until I could endure it no longer. I can't tell you how vexed I -am that I fainted last night, and gave Mrs. Freeman a fright. There was -nothing really to make anyone else faint, for that brave girl saved me -from being hurt in the most wonderful manner. By the way, how is she? I -should like to see her and to thank her." - -"Poor Eva," said Dorothy, coming up and kissing her friend, "you are -just the most forgiving creature in existence. Anyone else would be -awfully angry with Bridget. Her conduct very nearly cost you your life!" - -"There is a wide difference between 'very nearly' and 'quite,'" said -Evelyn, with a smile. "I escaped with a 'very nearly,' and feel as well -as ever now, and rather ashamed of myself. There never was a girl who -meant less harm than this Bridget. I can see her now running down the -road, her face all smiles, her eyes dancing, her white teeth showing; -I can see the little ones surrounding her. They waved boughs of trees, -and they shouted and sang as they came. For one moment I said to -myself, 'O Jubilate! here is a welcome worth having!' but then Caspar -took fright, the carriage swayed horribly, the cushions jumped up as -if they were going to strike me, and I remembered nothing more until I -awoke with my head on this girl's lap, and Mrs. Freeman bending over -me. I should like to see the girl, to thank her. Where is she, Dolly? I -am attracted by her face; it is a very lovely one!" - -"Well, sit down, now, by the window, and let us talk," answered -Dorothy. "I shall be jealous if you give all your thoughts to Bridget -O'Hara. I know she's a pretty girl, and I like her very much for some -things. But, oh dear, she is a care! I don't believe that any school -had ever before such a madcap in it. But don't let us waste all our -time talking about her. You can't help hearing her name spoken morning, -noon, and night, when you come into the school." - -Evelyn sank down in a low easy-chair by the open window. She wore a -white cambric dress, and a pale blue belt round her slender waist. Her -gentle eyes, also faint blue in their coloring, looked out over the -summer scene. She was not beautiful, but there was a charm about her, a -sense of repose, which made it delightful to be with her. The singular -unselfishness of her nature was apparent in everything she did, said, -and thought. - -"I'm delighted to be back, Dolly," she said. "This illness of mine has -been such a bother, and it's delicious to be well and able to go in for -things again. Now, if I may not speak of Bridget, tell me about the -other girls in the school. Tell me, also, what is the great object of -interest at present?" - -"Oh, the Fancy Fair!" Dorothy colored as she spoke. "You need not -bother your head about it, Evelyn," she continued quickly. "Janet is -at the head of it; it was she who thought of the fair, and she's the -moving spring. You know what that means, don't you, darling?" - -"I'm afraid I do," replied Evelyn. "Does Janet May dislike me as much -as ever?" - -"She certainly does; but don't fret about her; she's not worth it. Eva, -you will most likely be asked to come on the committee, and to take a -stall at the Fancy Fair. If you get the invitation, will you accept it?" - -"Of course I shall. Need you ask? Alack and alas! I have no chance of -winning any prizes, so the fair will be a great diversion. I suppose -it's a charity concern; who is it for?" - -"A little orphan boy in the neighborhood. Oh, you'll learn all about -him presently. We are working as hard as possible for the fair. If -you come on the committee, Evelyn, you must let me help you with your -stall." - -"_If_ I come on the committee," repeated Evelyn. "I suppose I am quite -certain to be asked to join? Dolly, you look at me in rather a queer -way!" - -"_Do_ I? Don't notice my looks. There is something worrying me, but -nothing bad may come of it. It is so nice to talk to you again. Now I -have something to say about that poor Biddy. At the present moment she -is in disgrace." - -"In disgrace? What about?" - -"I'm afraid it's about you." - -"Oh, but I must speak to Mrs. Freeman. She really meant nothing wrong, -dear child." - -"She broke the rules in leaving the grounds without leave. I think it -is for her disobedience that Mrs. Freeman is punishing her. She has -shut her up in Miss Patience's room, and poor Biddy won't eat, and -is in a dreadful state of mind. Marshall spoke to me about her after -dinner, and asked me to go to her; but we had a committee meeting just -then, and afterward I could not find Mrs. Freeman." - -"Have you left the poor girl by herself all this time, Dolly?" - -"I must own that I have. I will go and have a talk with her as soon as -ever I leave you; not that I can do much good, she's such a queer kind -of mixture of obstinacy and passion." - -"But it does seem dreadful to leave her by herself all this time; just -as if no one had a scrap of sympathy for her. Let us both go to her at -once, Dolly. I want to thank her for being so brave." - -"But Mrs. Freeman; we ought to ask her leave." - -"Mrs. Freeman will be in her own sitting room at this time. Come along, -Dolly, we have just a few minutes to spare before the gong sounds for -tea." - -Dorothy made no further objections, and she and Eva went downstairs -side by side. - -They knocked at Mrs. Freeman's sitting-room door. She was not in, but -Miss Delicia was tidying books and papers on her davenport. - -"Is that you, Eva!" she exclaimed in delight. "Why, you look as well -and jolly as possible. How nice to have you back again!" - -The little lady ran up to Evelyn, and kissed her affectionately. "Now, -my darling, you are not going to tire yourself," she said. "Come and -sit here by the open window." - -"I have been sitting still and lying down all day," replied Evelyn, -with a faint little grimace; "I am not really tired at all. Dolly and -I came, Miss Delicia, to ask Mrs. Freeman to give us leave to go and -see that poor girl, Bridget O'Hara. It seems she has got into a scrape -on my account." - -"And rightly, my dear; and very rightly. For my part, I don't approve -of punishments; I am all the other way; but such conduct as Bridget's -does deserve a sharp reprimand. Suppose you had been seriously hurt, -Evelyn?" - -"But I was not hurt at all. I wish I could go and see Miss O'Hara now; -I want to thank her for having saved my life. If she did give me a -fright, Miss Delicia, she also kept me from the consequences of her own -act. I wish I could thank her." - -"Well, dear, do go to her; I'll give you permission, and set things -right with Mrs. Freeman. If you and Dolly can bring that wild child to -hear reason we shall all be only too delighted. Run away, my dears, -both of you, and do your best." - -The girls left the room, and ran down the stone passage which led to -Miss Patience's little sitting room at the other side of the big house. - -They were surprised, however, on reaching it, to find the door flung -wide open and the room empty. - -Dorothy gave an exclamation of astonishment. - -"Bridget must have given in," she said; "Mrs. Freeman must have come to -her, and she must have yielded. Oh, what a relief! How glad I am! Come, -Evelyn, let us go on the terrace, and walk up and down until tea is -ready." - -The broad terrace which ran in front of the house was completely -sheltered from the sun at this hour. There was a pleasant breeze, and -the girls, as they paced arm in arm up and down the broad path, looked -happy and picturesque. - -Two girls who were coming up the grassy slope at this moment stopped at -sight of them; one uttered a slight exclamation of dismay, the other -made an eager bound forward. - -"There's Dolly!" exclaimed Bridget; "do let me run to her, Janet." - -"Miss Percival is with her," exclaimed Janet. "Do you really want to -speak to Miss Percival, Bridget, after all you have suffered on her -account?" - -"But she looks very nice." - -"What a poor, weak kind of creature you are to be influenced by looks; -besides, she is in reality very plain. Even her warmest admirers have -never yet bestowed on her the palm of beauty." - -"Oh, I like her face; it looks so good." - -Janet paused in her walk to give her young companion a glance of steady -contempt. - -"Can I possibly go on with this scheme of mine?" she muttered to -herself. "Bridget O'Hara is altogether too dreadful." Had Janet yielded -to her impulses at that moment she would have told Bridget to join her -beloved Dorothy and Evelyn Percival, and have declared her intention of -washing her hands of her on the spot. Had Janet acted so, this story -need never have been written. But that strong ambition, that thirst -for praise, which was her most marked characteristic came to her aid. -Bridget was the only means within her power to achieve a most desirable -end, and as such she must be tolerated. - -"Come down this walk with me," she said, in a low tone; "come quickly, -before those girls see us. I want to say a word to you." She took -Biddy's hand as she spoke and hurried her into a little sheltered path -which led round to the back of the house. - -"Now, Bridget," she said, "I must clearly understand how matters are -going to be. Dorothy Collingwood cares nothing at all for you; she is -a most fickle girl. She took you up to a certain extent when first you -came, but her conduct during your punishment proves how little she -really cares for you. She and Evelyn will be all in all to each other, -and if you go back to them, you will soon see for yourself that three -is trumpery; now, on the other hand, if you will be guided by me, I -will keep my promise to you. I am willing to become your chum, and if I -am your chum, I will see you safely past all the rocks ahead. You know -nothing whatever about school. There are two sorts of girls at every -school; there is the girl who is always in trouble, who doesn't learn -her lessons, who doesn't obey the rules. Such a girl is a misery both -to herself and her companions. There is also the girl who obeys the -rules, and who learns her lessons. I represent the one sort of girl, -you represent the other. I can teach you to become like me, without -making things at all unpleasant to you, but you must choose at once; -you must be on my side, or on Evelyn Percival's side. Now which is it -to be?" - -"Yours, of course," said Bridget; "you are the only girl in the school -who was kind to me to-day, so of course I'll be on your side." - -"Very well, that's all right. You must copy me when you talk to Evelyn -Percival. You must show Dorothy also that you resent her coldness. -There's the tea gong. Let us go in. Immediately after tea you will -find time to write that letter to your father, won't you, dear?" - -"Yes, of course. I know he'll give me as much money as I want." - -"Ask him for plenty; there's nothing like money when all is said and -done. Now come along to tea. I won't be able to sit near you, Bridget, -but I'll have my eye on you, so don't forget how I'll expect you to -behave." - - - - -CHAPTER X. - -CHECKMATE. - - -There was great astonishment among the girls who met at the Lookout the -next day when Janet pronounced in calm, decided tones that a new member -was willing to join the committee, that the new member was the Irish -girl, Bridget O'Hara, who would help her at her stall, and would give -as much money to the cause as was necessary to insure its success. - -"Bridget O'Hara is not here," said Janet, "but she has asked me to -speak for her. She has written to her father to ask him to send her -plenty of funds. She will be more or less of a cipher, of course, but -having the wherewithal she will be a useful one. I propose, therefore," -continued Janet May, "that our committee remains as it is with this one -welcome addition, and that Evelyn Percival is not asked to join." - -While Janet was speaking Dorothy's rosy face turned very pale. "Now I -understand," she murmured; "now I can account for poor Biddy's change -of manner. O Janet, why didn't you leave her alone?" - -"What do you mean?" said Janet, flashing round angrily. "Bridget's -help is most desirable. She has money, and she won't interfere with -projects already formed. Had Miss Percival been asked to join, she -would, of course, have given us plenty of money, but she would also -have interfered. I may as well plainly say that I don't choose to -be interfered with at this juncture. That is plain English, I hope; -you can make the worst of it, girls, all of you! I prefer that poor -nonentity of a Bridget to Miss Percival, and I have managed to have my -way." - -"I suppose we must vote for Biddy," said Ruth and Olive. - -"Of course, you must vote for her," retorted Janet. - -"I do not object to her joining the committee," said Frances; "but I -think you have managed the whole thing in a very underhand way, Janet. -You are fond of saying that you like frank opinions, so there is mine -for you." - -"All right!" said Janet; "I accept it for what it is worth. Now then, -girls, this weighty matter is settled. Dorothy, you must say something -nice to Evelyn. Of course, you have a reasonable excuse to give her. It -would be ridiculous to ask her to join us at the eleventh hour. She is -a sensible girl, and will----" - -At this moment, Olive, who was bending over the parapet, turned round, -and said to her companions in a low, almost awestruck voice: - -"Mrs. Freeman is coming up the steps of the Lookout!" - -The next instant the smiling face of the head mistress appeared. - -"Well, my dears," she said, "I won't waste your valuable time a single -moment longer than is necessary. I am very much pleased with all your -zeal in getting up this little bazaar. I, on my part, will take every -possible pains to see that your Fancy Fair is well attended. I have a -suggestion, however, to make; it is this: Evelyn Percival ought to be -asked to take a prominent part in the management of the fair. She has -come back in sufficient time for this; her health is quite restored, -and it is due to her position in the school to pay her this respect. I -dare say, my loves," continued Mrs. Freeman, "that you have all thought -of this already, and are even now preparing to ask her to join you. If -so, you will find her in the summerhouse at the end of the East Walk -with Kitty Thompson. Good-by, my dears! Forgive me if I have interfered -unnecessarily." - -Mrs. Freeman went away. The girls had no time to ask her a question. -The head mistress was always quick and decisive in her movements. She -was kind, even indulgent, but she was also firm. From Mrs. Freeman's -decision each girl in the school felt there was no appeal. - -As her retreating footsteps sounded on the winding stairs of the little -tower, the girls who formed the committee for the Fancy Fair looked -at one another. In Janet's gaze there were open-eyed consternation -and dismay. Olive and Ruth appeared what they were: the very essence -of uncertainty and nervousness. Frances Murray could not restrain an -expression of triumph appearing in her bright eyes, while Dolly looked -both glad and sorry. - -"O Janet!" she said, "I wish I could take your side and my own. I wish -I could obey dear Mrs. Freeman, and have our darling Evelyn to help us, -and be one of us, and I also wish to do the thing that makes you happy." - -"Oh, don't worry about me," said Janet. "Of course, the thing is -inevitable. Under existing circumstances, I give in. I have only -one request to make, girls, and that is, that you will not betray -to Evelyn Percival, who, of course, will take the lead now in the -management of the Fancy Fair, the very frank objections I have made to -having her with us. We must welcome her, of course, with a good grace, -and I trust to you all to keep my little remarks to yourselves." - -"Of course, of course, Janey," they each eagerly replied. - -"As if we could be so mean as to tell," remarked Ruth, going up to her -friend and giving her hand a squeeze. - -Janet did not return the pressure of Ruth's hand. She turned abruptly -to Dorothy. - -"Evelyn is to be found in the summerhouse. Will you go and fetch her at -once, Dolly?" - -Dorothy ran off without another word. While she was absent Janet kept -her back to her friends. She generally carried a little sketchbook in -her pocket; she took it out now, and under the shelter of her parasol -pretended to sketch the lovely summer landscape which surrounded her. - -The other girls who were watching saw, however, that her small, dainty -fingers scarcely moved. - -When voices and steps were heard in the distance, Janet was the first -to turn round, and when Evelyn appeared on the scene Janet went up and -bade her welcome. - -"We have elected you to join our committee," she said, in a low and -careless voice. "As the head girl of the school, you will naturally -take the lead in the matter; but, as you have been obliged to be absent -when our scheme was first started, you would perhaps like me to tell -you how far we have gone." - -"I am delighted to join the committee," replied Evelyn, "and -particularly glad that you have asked me, Janet. You may be sure, -girls, I'll do all I can to help, but as the idea of the Fancy Fair was -yours, Janet, I don't think I ought to take the lead." - -For a second a pleased expression flitted across Janet May's cold, -self-possessed face. It vanished, however, as quickly as it came. - -"No," she said, "I cannot possibly take the lead. The head girl of -the school has certain rights which no one must deprive her of. It is -generous of you to offer me your place, Evelyn, but, even if I allowed -myself to accept the position, Mrs. Freeman would instantly require -me to vacate it in your favor. The thing is settled, then; you are -formally invited by us all to join our committee; is that not so, -girls?" - -"Yes, yes," they all exclaimed, delight and relief plainly apparent on -every face. - -"You are formally elected, therefore," proceeded Janet. "Won't you sit -down, Evelyn? That is a comfortable seat in the shade over there. Won't -you take it? I can then tell you as briefly as possible what we have -done." - -Evelyn sat down in the comfortable seat without a word. Frances Murray -sprang to her side, slipped her hand through her arm, and looked into -her face with adoration; Ruth and Olive were only restrained by Janet's -presence from groveling at her feet. Dolly alone leant in a careless -attitude against the low parapet of the tower. Her affectionate glance -traveled many times to her friend's face, but she had too much tact and -too good taste to show her preference too openly while Janet May was -present. - -"Up to the present," said Janet, also leaning against the parapet, and -exactly facing Evelyn, "up to the present I have managed the proposed -bazaar. If it is generally wished, I can still remain treasurer. At the -present moment, I am sorry to say, there is very little money to guard. -If the thing is to be a success, more money must be spent, but that, -of course, is for Evelyn to decide. We are having the bazaar, Evelyn, -hoping to raise money to send little Tim Donovan to a good school. Mrs. -Freeman said something about this bazaar being repeated, if necessary, -in the future; but that, of course, we need not discuss at present. The -bazaar is to be called a Fancy Fair. It will be held in a large tent in -the four-acre field. This part of the entertainment Mrs. Freeman has -herself promised to provide. Our present idea is to have four stalls. -You will, of course, conduct the principal one; I, if permitted, will -take the second; Dorothy or Frances Murray will manage the third; -and there will also be a refreshment stall, for which we have not at -present provided. Each girl of the committee has undertaken to secure -a certain number of fancy materials for sale at the fair. Ruth, Olive, -and I at the present time are doing well; about six little girls of the -lower school are helping us. We meet twice a week in the summerhouse -at the end of the South Walk to work for the bazaar, and the results -will, I believe, be fairly creditable. I cannot say what arrangements -Frances is making, but she will doubtless tell you herself. Dorothy -is also the soul of industry. You'll probably reconstruct everything, -and I shall be ready to come to you for advice whenever you ask me. -There is, I think, only one thing more to say, and that is, that I -have persuaded the new girl, Bridget O'Hara, to join us. She does not -strictly belong either to the upper or the lower school at present. -Her position in the house is, I think, somewhat unique. She is a very -tall, grown-up-looking girl, but she is not yet quite fifteen years of -age. Her mind very much resembles her body, being extremely grown-up -in some ways, and absolutely childish in others. Her acquirements -are also those of a child. I have thought it right, however, in your -absence, of course, Evelyn, to ask her to join us. She has a good -deal of originality; she has also some money, which she is willing to -devote to the cause. I think that is all. I am now going to join my -workers in the summerhouse at the end of the South Walk. You, Ruth, and -you, Olive, can come with me if you like, but if you prefer it, you -are quite at liberty to join Evelyn's stall, for now that I have got -Bridget's help I can do admirably without you." - -Ruth and Olive looked more undecided than ever, but Evelyn said in -a firm voice: "Of course, girls, you could not for a moment wish to -desert Janet. I should like to say one thing before you go, Janet; it -is this, that I am very much surprised at your pluck and bravery in -getting up a bazaar of this sort. I am pleased to join it, and to do -all I can to promote it. Under the circumstances, I should much prefer -working as your aide-de-camp to taking the lead; but you are quite -right in saying that the head girl of the school has certain privileges -which, whether she likes it or not, she cannot forego. I must, of -course, take the principal part at the bazaar, but I shall, in every -way in my power, do what is most agreeable to you, and will lose no -opportunity to let my friends know that the idea is yours, not mine." - -"You are very good-natured," said Janet, "but I, too, have something -to say. Under the circumstances, I prefer sinking into the background. -After all, the only person to be seriously considered is little Tim -Donovan. If he is substantially helped I don't suppose it matters much -what anyone thinks of us." - - - - -CHAPTER XI. - -A WILD IRISH PRINCESS. - - -The girls of the lower school were all busy with their preparation. -Violet and Rose sat side by side. They had been chums for nearly a -year now, and the fact was so fully recognized in the school that -even their desks were placed close together. Violet was puzzling her -little brains over a very difficult piece of French translation, Rose -endeavoring to learn four or five long stanzas from Scott's "Lady of -the Lake." They were both clever little girls, and, as a rule, their -preparation was quickly over, and their tasks speedily conquered; but -to-night there was a holiday feeling in the air; a sense of idleness -pervaded everyone. Lessons seemed cruel, and the children rebelled -against their tasks. They looked at one another, laughed, yawned, -struggled with the listlessness which seized them, shot envious glances -at their more studious companions, and absolutely refused to overcome -the difficulties of the French translation and the English poetry. - -The door between the lower schoolroom and the room occupied by the -girls of the middle school had been thrown open, and from where the -children sat they could see the pretty flounce of a pale blue muslin -dress, and the provoking and exasperating peep of a little, pointed, -blue Morocco shoe. The shoe evidently belonged to a restless foot, for -it often appeared beneath the flounce, to vanish as quickly, and then -to poke itself into notice again. - -"It's Biddy," whispered Violet in a low tone to Rose. "I don't believe -she's learning her lessons a bit better than we are." - -"She never learns them at all," answered Rose. "Janet does them for her -now; don't you know that, Violet?" - -"Hush!" said Violet, "we are disturbing Katie and Susy Martin, and they -are such spiteful little cats, they are sure to tell on us. Hush! do -hush, Rose! you ought not to say such things." - -"I won't say them if you don't like," whispered Rose back again; "but -they are true all the same." - -Violet bent over her French translation. Rose made another frantic -struggle to conquer "The Lady of the Lake." - -The other children in the room were working with considerable industry; -the little idlers in the corner had to suppress their emotions as best -they could. - -Rose had a very emphatic way; she was a stronger character than Violet, -and in consequence had her little friend more or less under her thumb. - -Violet had a great admiration for Biddy, and, as she was really an -honorable and conscientious child, Rose's words shocked her very much. - -The moments went by. The summer evening outside looked more beautiful -and inviting each moment. After preparation was over, there was a treat -in store for the children. This was Bridget O'Hara's birthday, and she -was herself the giver of the treat. The children were to have a sort of -supper-tea in the tent on the lawn, and afterward Biddy was going to -give each of them a little present in memory of the day. - -The thought of Biddy's present and Biddy's treat had filled every -little heart with a pleasant sense of excitement during the entire day; -but Violet felt now that if Rose's words were really true she would not -care to accept a keepsake from Bridget. - -As she sat before her desk, too lazy, too languid, and at the same time -too excited, to pay the smallest heed to her lessons, she could not -help wishing that she could see something more of the blue frock than -just that part which covered the pretty foot. - -She slipped down lower and lower by her desk, and presently contrived -to get a view of Bridget's desk. She could not see her face, but she -could catch a glance of a plump young hand; it was quite still, it did -not move, it did not turn a page. Violet could stand it no longer. In -a moment of desperation she kicked off her slipper, and springing from -her seat, bent low on the floor to pick it up. - -From there she could see the whole of Biddy's figure. Oh, horror! her -little heart went down to zero; Bridget O'Hara's head rested against -her plump hand; she was fast asleep. - -The shrill voice of mademoiselle was heard from her corner of the room: - -"Reste tranquille, mon enfant; tu es bien ennuyeuse; est ce que tu ne -sais pas que c'est l'heure de silence?" - -Violet scrambled to, her feet, and sat down before her French -translation with a crimson face. - -In the meanwhile a pale, quiet-looking girl had entered the room where -the middle school were busy over their tasks, and, bending down by -Bridget O'Hara's side, took up an exercise she had just finished, and -looked over it swiftly and eagerly. - -"That is right," she said; "you will get good marks for this. Now, what -about your arithmetic?" - -"I have managed my sums fairly well, Janet; see," pulling an -exercise-book forward. "I suppose they are all right, but they look -very funny." - -"They must be all right, dear. Let me see! Yes, yes; oh, what an -incorrigibly stupid girl you are! This sum in compound subtraction has -got the answer which should be attached to the compound addition sum. -Quick, Bridget, give me your pen; I will score through these two lines, -and then you must add the figures underneath yourself. That is right. -What have you done with my----" - -"Your copy, Janet? I was going to tear it up, as I had done with it." - -"Don't do that, give it to me; it will be safest. Now, try and look -over your poetry, Bridget. I will wait for you outside." - -"Oh, that is easy enough; I shan't be any time. It's the first page or -two of that delightful 'Ancient Mariner'; I can get it done in no time." - -"Lucky for you. I will wait for you outside; I have something I want to -say to you. Be quick, for all those small tots will be out immediately, -and they'll want to take up every moment of your time. Give me those -notes, however, before I go." - -Bridget pulled some crumpled bits of paper out of her pocket, and -thrust them into Janet's eager hand. - -Miss May left the room, and Biddy, wide awake now, devoted herself to -her poetry. - -There was an eager, pleased, almost satisfied, expression on her face. - -It was over a week now since Janet had taken her up. During that time -she had, without in the least guessing the fact herself, been brought -into a considerable state of discipline. - -If she obeyed no one else in the school, Janet's slightest nod was -sufficient for her. - -It was Janet's present aim, whether by foul means or fair, to make -Biddy appear both good and fascinating. - -She did not want her captive to feel the end of her chain; she was -clever enough to make Biddy her complete slave without allowing the -slave to be conscious of her slavery. - -The result of this week of very judicious slavery was, as far as -externals went, highly beneficial. - -Biddy had a gorgeous taste in the matter of dress. She wore her -splendid garments with truly barbarian recklessness, overdressing -herself on one occasion, being untidy and almost slovenly on another. -A few suggestions, however, from Janet, altered all this, and the most -fastidious person could now see nothing to object to in the clothes -which adorned her beautifully proportioned figure, and the hats under -which that charming and lovely face looked out. - -To-night, Biddy's pale blue muslin, made simply, but with a lavish -disregard to expense in the matter of lace and ribbons, was all that -was appropriate; her crisp chestnut curls surrounded her fair face like -a halo. There was a queer mixture of the woman and the child about her; -she was by many degrees the most striking-looking girl in the school. - -It took Biddy but a very few minutes to conquer the difficulties of -"The Ancient Mariner." She had a great aptitude for committing poetry -to memory, and after repeating the stanzas two or three times under her -breath, she slipped the book inside her desk and ran out. - -To do this she had to go through the schoolroom where the little girls, -Violet and Alice, were sitting mournfully in front of their unlearned -lessons. - -"Oh, you poor tots!" she said, struck by the expression on their -wistful faces, "haven't you done yet? The feast is almost ready. I've -ordered clothes baskets of strawberries, my dears, and quarts and -quarts of cream." - -"Silence, mademoiselle!" screamed the French teacher. - -Bridget put her rosy fingers to her lips in mock solemnity, blew a kiss -to all the children, and banged the door somewhat noisily behind her. - -Violet's blue eyes sought Alice's; there was a world of entreaty in -their meaning. Alice began, with feverish, forced energy, to mutter to -herself: - - - "A chieftain's daughter seemed the maid." - - -Violet continued to gaze at her; then, taking up a scrap of paper, she -scribbled on it: - - - "I don't believe that Janet helps Biddy with her lessons." - - -This scrap of paper was thrust into Alice's hand, who, in a moment, -tossed a reply into Violet's lap: - - - "Yes, she does. You ask Honora Stedman or Jessie Sparkes." - - -Violet tore the paper into a thousand bits. Tears, she could scarcely -tell why, dimmed her pretty eyes. She sank back in her seat, and -resumed her lessons. - -"Maintenant, mes enfants, l'heure de préparation est passée," said the -French governess, rising, and speaking with her usual, quick little -scream. "Mettez vos livres de côté; allons-nous à la fête donnée par la -gracieuse Mlle. Bridget O'Hara." - -The children jumped up with alacrity. Chairs scraped against the -floor; desks were opened and books deposited therein more quickly than -quietly, and then the whole eager group went out. - -There was a large tent erected on the front lawn; gay flags were posted -here and there round it, and a rustic porch had been hastily contrived -at the entrance. This was crowned with many smaller flags, and was -further rendered gay with bunches of wild flowers and ferns which had -been fastened to it, under Bridget's supervision, early in the day. - -The brilliant effect of the many colored flags and banners, the peep -within the tent of tempting tables and many charming presents, excited -the wild spirits of the little ones to an almost alarming degree. - -Alice looked at Violet with a face full of ecstasy. - -"_How_ I love Biddy O'Hara!" she exclaimed. "Think of her getting up -such a lovely, exquisite treat for us! Would any other girl think only -of others on her birthday? Oh, I love her; I do love her!" - -"But if she does really crib her lessons!" answered Violet, in a low -tone of great sorrow. "O Alice, it can't be true." - -"It is true," replied Alice; "but, for goodness' sake, Violet, don't -fret yourself; it isn't our affair if Biddy chooses to do wrong. -Whether she does right or wrong, I shall still maintain that she's -a dear, generous darling. Do come on now, Violet, and let us enjoy -ourselves." Alice caught her little companion's hand as she spoke, and -the two children ran down the rather steep grassy incline to the tent. - -Most of their companions had arrived before them, and when they entered -under the flower-crowned porch, they found themselves in the midst -of a very gay and attractive scene. Bridget, with two or three older -girls of the school, was entertaining the children with strong sweet -tea, piles of bread and butter, cakes of various sizes and shapes, and -quantities of strawberries, which were further supplemented with jugs -of rich cream. - -Violet and Alice seated themselves at once at one end of the long -table, and the merry feast went on. - -What laughter there was at it, what childish jokes, what little -harmless, affectionate, mirthful repartees! Bridget O'Hara's face wore -its sweetest expression. The Irish girl had never looked more in her -element. Frances Murray and Dorothy, who were both helping her, had -never seen Bridget look like this. She showed herself capable of two -things: of giving others the most intense pleasure and enjoyment, and -absolutely forgetting herself. - -Dorothy had not felt kindly disposed to Bridget during the past week. -Bridget's conduct, Bridget's extraordinary reserve, the marked way in -which she resented small overtures of friendship from Evelyn Percival, -hurt her feelings a great deal; but to-night Dorothy Collingwood felt -her heart going out to Biddy in a new, unexpected way. - -"I agree with Evelyn," she said suddenly, turning round and speaking to -Frances Murray. - -"About what, my dear?" retorted that young lady. "You generally do -agree with Evelyn, you know." - -"Don't tease me, Frances; of course we're chums, but I hold, and always -will hold, my own opinions. I agree with her now, however. I agree with -her with regard to Bridget O'Hara." - -"Biddy looks very sweet to-night," replied Frances, "but surely Evelyn -cannot care about her." - -"Biddy has been very nasty to Evelyn," answered Dolly. "Of course, I -know who is really to blame for it. Still I thought Biddy would have -more spirit than to be led in a matter of this sort. But do you think -Evelyn resents this sort of thing? Not a bit of her. She is just as -sweet and good about it all as she can be, and she said to me, what I -am really inclined to believe, that if Biddy is only done justice to, -there won't be a nobler woman in the world than she." - -"Oh, fudge!" said Frances; "I grant that she does look very sweet now, -but it's just like Evelyn to go to the fair with things, and it's just -like you, Dolly, to believe her. Come, come, the little ones cannot eat -another strawberry, however hard they try, and Bridget is going up to -the end of the tent to distribute the presents." - -"Let us see," replied Dolly. - -The two girls went up to the far end of the tent, where a little table -covered with a crimson cloth stood; on this Bridget had placed her -small gifts. - -They were all minute, but all dainty. They had arrived from Paris, a -few nights ago, in a small box. Thimbles in charming little cases, -dainty workboxes, writing cases, penholders, dolls, photograph frames, -boxes of colors, etc., etc., lay in profusion on the pretty table. - -Biddy stood by her presents, a bright light in her eyes, a bright -color on her cheeks. The two elder girls, who stood in the background, -could not help a sudden pang as they watched her. There was something -about her mien and bearing which made them, for the first time, clearly -understand that this girl was a wild Irish princess at home. For the -first time they got an insight into Biddy's somewhat complex character. - -"Come here, darlings," she said to the children in her sweet, rather -low-pitched voice. "I am glad to give you a little bit of pleasure. It -is the best sort of thing that can happen to me, now that I'm away from -father. Had you enough to eat, pets?" - -"Oh, yes, Biddy, oh, yes!" they all cried. - -"That's right. I thought you would. We have lots of feasts of this sort -at the Castle. The children aren't like you, of course; they live, -half of them, down in the cabins near the water's edge, and they come -up with their little bare feet, and their curly heads that have never -known hat nor bonnet, and their eyes as blue as a bit of the sky, or -as black as the sloes in the hedges. Oh, they are pets every one of -them, with their soft voices, and their little prim courtesies, and -their 'Thank you, kind lady,' and their 'Indeed, then, it's thrue for -ye, that I'm moighty honored by ateing in the sight of yer honor.' -Ah, I can hear them now, the pets! and don't they like the presents -afterward, and don't they send up three cheers for father and me before -they go away! They are all having a feast to-night at the Castle in -honor of my birthday, and father is there, and all the dogs, but I'm -away; I expect they're a bit lonesome, poor dears, without Biddy, but -never mind! You have all been very good to let me give you a little -feast, my dear darling pets." - -There was a great pathos in Biddy's words; the children felt more -inclined to cry than to laugh; Dolly felt a lump in her throat, and -even Frances looked down on the ground for a second, but when there -was a brief pause Frances raised her hand, and waved it slightly as a -signal. - -This was enough, all the hands were raised, all the handkerchiefs -waved, and from every throat there rose a "Hip! hip! hurrah!" and -"Three cheers for the Irish princess!" - -"Many happy returns of the day," said Frances, and then all the -children repeated her words. - -"You must not add any more," exclaimed Biddy. "I don't wish to cry; I -want to be happy, as I ought to be when you are all so nice and good -to me. I may as well say frankly that I did not at all like school at -first, but I do now. If you are all affectionate and loving, and if -Janet goes on being kind to me, I shall like school, and I shan't mind -so much being broken in." - -"Poor Biddy," exclaimed Dorothy, turning to her companion; "she reminds -me of the lovely silver-winged horse Pegasus. She does not like the -taming process." - -"No, my dear, that's true," replied Frances; "but Pegasus grew very -fond of Bellerophon in the end." - -"Only I deny," said Dolly, "that Janet is in the least like -Bellerophon." - -"Listen!" exclaimed Frances. - -"I am going to give you your presents now," said Bridget. "Come here, -each of you in turn." - -The children pressed eagerly to the front, and Biddy put a small gift -into each of their hands. - -"Now come for a walk with me," she said. "I shall tell you a fairy -story--a very short one; it pleased the barefooted children at home, -and I dare say it will please you. After that you must go to bed." - -It was really late now. The sun had set, but there was an after-glow -all over the sky, and the moon was showing her calm, full, round face -above the horizon. - -Alice linked her hand inside Biddy's arm, the other children surrounded -her, and Violet felt herself pressed up to her other side. - -On another occasion Violet would have taken Biddy's arm, and held it -tight. She did not do so to-night; she walked quietly by her side, -holding a lovely jointed doll in her arms. - -Bridget told a wonderful fairy tale, but Violet's eyes were fixed on -her doll, and her thoughts were far away. - -The other children cheered and applauded, and questioned and -criticised, but Violet was absolutely silent. - -At last the gong in the great house sounded. This was the signal for -all the little ones to go to bed. They each of them pressed up to kiss -Bridget, and thank her for the lovely treat she had given them. Each -one after she had kissed her friend ran into the house. - -At last Violet was the only child left. Even Alice ran off, but Violet -stood in the middle of the gravel walk, clasping her doll in her arms. - -"What is the matter, Vi?" asked Bridget. "Don't you like the doll? -Would you rather I exchanged it for something else?" - -Alice had climbed the steep grassy slope. She stood on the summit, and -shouted down into the gathering darkness: - -"Come, Violet, come at once, or you'll be late!" - -"Kiss me, Violet, and run to bed," said Bridget. "If you don't like the -doll, I'll exchange it to-morrow." - -"But I do like the doll," said Violet. "I love it! It isn't that, -Biddy. May I ask you something?" - -"Of course you may, you little darling. How pale you look. What's the -matter, Vi?" - -"Is it true, Biddy, that you crib your lessons? Alice says it's true; -but I don't believe her." - -Bridget had knelt down by Violet in her earnest desire to comfort her. -She rose now to her feet, and stood erect and tall in the moonlight. -After a very brief pause, she spoke in a haughty tone: - -"Alice says that I crib?" she repeated. "What do you English girls mean -by 'cribbing'?" - -"Alice says--oh, please don't be angry, Biddy--she says that Janet -helps you; that Janet does--does _some_ of your lessons for you, -herself. I don't believe it! I said it wasn't true." - -"You are a good little soul," said Biddy. - -She took the child's hand within her own. - -"What a plucky little thing you are, Vi. So you think it wrong to crib?" - -"I think it wrong to crib?" repeated Violet. "I think it wrong to crib? -Why, of course; it is _most un_honorable." - -Bridget colored. - -"That's what you English think," she said, in a would-be careless tone; -"but when a girl doesn't know, and when she's quite certain to get into -all sorts of scrapes--eh, Vi--you tell me what a girl of that sort has -got to do?" - -"She must not crib," said Violet, in a shaky and intensely earnest -little voice; "it's most awfully unhonorable of her; a girl who -cribs must feel so--so mean. If it was me, I'd rather have all the -punishments in the school than feel as mean as _that_. But you don't -crib, Biddy, darling; you are so lovely, and you are so sweet; I -know--I _know you don't crib_." - -Bridget O'Hara had been tempted by Janet into a very dishonorable -course of action, but no spoken lie had ever yet passed her lips. - -When Violet looked up at her with the moonlight reflected on her little -pale, childish, eager face, Biddy felt the hour for that first lie had -arrived. She thought that she would do anything in the world rather -than crush the love and the eager trust which shone out of Violet's -eyes. - -"Of course I don't crib," she was about to say; but suddenly, like a -flash, she turned away. - -"I'm sorry to destroy your faith in me, Vi," she said, in a would-be -careless tone; "but though I have done a very 'unhonorable' thing, as -you call it, I really can't tell a lie about it. I do crib, if cribbing -means taking Janet's help when I learn my lessons." - -The faint roses which Violet wore in her cheeks faded out of them. - -"I'm awfully sorry for you," she said. "I didn't believe it a bit when -Alice said it; I wouldn't believe it now from anyone but yourself. -There's the doll back again, Biddy; I--I can't keep it, Biddy." - -She pushed the waxen beauty into Bridget's arms, and rushed back to the -house. - - - - -CHAPTER XII. - -LADY KATHLEEN. - - -For the past week, Janet May had managed, through her tact and -cleverness, to make Bridget's life quite comfortable to her. She had -shown her a way in which she could obey the rules and yet not feel the -fetters. She imparted to Bridget some of that strange and fatal secret -which leads to death in the long run, but which at first shows many -attractions to its victims. Bridget might live at the school, and have -a very jolly, and even independent time; all she had to do was to obey -the letter and break the spirit. - -In point of acquirements, Biddy could scarcely hold a place even in -the middle school. She had many talents, but her education had never -been properly attended to. During the last week, however, she had made -rapid progress in her studies; she had been moved up a whole class, and -was steadily getting to the top of her present one. Her masters and -mistresses praised her, and these words of approval proved themselves -extremely sweet, and spurred her on to make genuine efforts in those -studies for which she had really a talent. Biddy's English was perhaps -her weakest point. Her spelling was atrocious; her writing resembled -a series of hieroglyphics; her sums were faulty; her history was -certainly fable, not fact. - -She could speak French perfectly; her marks, therefore, in this -tongue were always good. Now her English, too, began to assume quite a -respectable appearance; her sums were invariably correct; her spelling -irreproachable; her various themes were well expressed, and her facts -were incontestable. She was making her way rapidly through the middle -school, and Mrs. Freeman said that she had every reason to hope that so -clever a girl might take her place in the upper school by the beginning -of the next term. - -As it was, Bridget was accorded a few of the privileges of the upper -school. One of these privileges was very much prized; she might spend -her evenings, once preparation was over, exactly as she pleased. - -After Violet's unexpected reproof she came slowly into the house. She -had that uncertain temperament which is so essentially Irish; her -spirits could rise like a bird on the wing, or they could fall into the -lowest depths of despondency. - -She had felt gay and joyful while her birthday treat was going on; now -as she entered the house she could scarcely drag one leaden step after -the other. - -Janet was standing in the stone passage which led to the common room, -when Biddy passed by. - -"I have been waiting for you," she said, in a rather cross voice. "What -an age you've been! Surely the treat need not have been followed by a -whole wasted hour afterward?" - -"I was telling the children a story," said Biddy; "the story was part -of the treat." - -Janet's thin lips curled somewhat sarcastically. - -"Well, come now," she said; "the committee have all assembled in the -common room, and we're only waiting for you to begin." - -"You must do without me to-night," said Bridget; "I have got a -headache, and I'm going to bed." She turned abruptly away, utterly -disregarding Janet's raised brows of astonishment, and the faint little -disagreeable laugh which followed her as she went upstairs. - -Bridget's room adjoined the one occupied by Evelyn Percival. As Bridget -was entering her bedroom, Evelyn was coming out of hers. - -"Had you a nice treat?" she said, stopping for a moment to speak to -Bridget. "You never asked me to come and look on, and I should have -enjoyed it so much." - -"But you're the head girl of the school; my treat was only for the -little ones," said Bridget, in a cold tone. - -"I love treats for little ones," said Evelyn, "and I think it was so -nice of you to think of it. Aren't you coming down to the committee, -Miss O'Hara? This is the evening when we arrange our different -contributions. You know, of course, that the bazaar is only a week off." - -"I don't care when it is held," said Biddy; "there never was such -a stupid fuss made about anything as that bazaar; I'm sick of the -subject. No, Miss Percival, I'm not going to join the committee -to-night." - -"Well, good-night, then," said Evelyn. - -She ran downstairs, and Biddy shut herself into her own room and locked -the door. - -About an hour later the other girls went to bed. Biddy unlocked her -door, and getting between the sheets just as she was, in her pretty -blue muslin frock, waited until all the house was still. Miss Delicia -usually visited the girls the last thing before going to bed. She came -into Bridget's room as usual, but noticed nothing wrong. The top of a -curly head was seen above the sheet. Miss Delicia stepped lightly on -tiptoe out of the room, and a few moments later the large house, with -its many inmates, was wrapped in profound silence. - -When this silence had lasted about a quarter of an hour, Biddy raised -herself on her elbow, and listened intently; then she threw aside the -bedclothes, and stepped lightly on to the floor. Her slippers were -discarded, and her little stockinged feet made no sound as she walked -across the boards. She managed to open her door without its making a -single creak, and a few moments later, guided by the moon, she was -standing in the deserted schoolroom, and was unlocking her school desk. -From out of it she took three very neat looking exercise-books. From -each of these books she tore a page. These three pages she deliberately -reduced to the minutest fragments; returned the books to her desk, -locked it, and went back to bed. - -No one had heard her go or come. When she laid her head once more on -her pillow a little sob escaped her lips. - -"You shan't ever say I'm unhonorable again, Violet," she muttered; some -tears stole from under her thick, curly lashes. Two or three minutes -afterward she had dropped into profound and peaceful slumber. - -The next day at lesson time Bridget O'Hara was in extreme disgrace. She -had no exercises, either good or bad, to show; not the most careless or -untidy notes had she with regard to her history lesson; her geography -had simply not been prepared at all. - -Biddy went to the bottom of her class, where she stayed for the -remainder of the morning. - -She was to learn her lessons during the hours of recreation, and was -told by her indignant teachers that she might consider herself in great -disgrace. - -She received this announcement with complacency, and sat with a -contented, almost provoking, smile hovering round her lips. - -Morning school being over, the girls went out to play as usual; -but Biddy sat in the schoolroom with her sums, history lesson, and -geography all waiting to get accomplished. - -"You have been a good girl lately, Bridget; you have prepared your -lessons carefully and cleverly," said Miss Dent, the English teacher. -"I am quite sure, therefore, that you will speedily retrieve the great -carelessness of this morning. I am willing to make all allowances -for you, my dear, for we none of us forget that yesterday was your -birthday. Now, just give your attention to these lessons, and you will -have them nicely prepared by dinner time." - -"I don't believe I shall," said Bridget, with a comical expression. She -bent over her books as she spoke, and Miss Dent, feeling puzzled, she -did not know why, left the room. - -A moment later Janet came in. - -"What is the matter?" asked Janet. "I have just met Miss Dent, who -tells me that you failed in your three English lessons this morning. -How can that be? Your grammar and English history and geography were -perfect last night. They had not a single mistake!" - -"You mean," said Bridget, raising her eyes and looking full at, Janet, -"that _your_ grammar and geography and English history were perfect -last night." - -Janet shrugged her shoulders. - -"It's all the same," she said. "I told you that I'd help you with your -lessons, and I shall keep my word. How is it that you have managed to -get into disgrace, after all the trouble I have taken for you?" - -"You are never to take it again, Janet; that is all!" - -"Never to take it again! Dear me, what a very superior voice we can -use when we like! And has our 'first' sweet little 'gem of the ocean' -discovered that her own mighty genius can tide her over all school -troubles?" - -"I'm not going to be afraid of you, Janet," said Biddy. "Of course, -you've been awfully kind to me, and I'm not ungrateful. But -something--something _happened_ last night which made me see that I've -been a mean, horrid, deceitful girl to let you help me at all, and you -are not to do it again; that's all." - -"What happened last night to open your virtuous eyes?" - -"I'm not going to say." - -"Have any of the girls found out?" - -Janet turned decidedly pale as she asked this question. - -"I'm not going to say." - -"You don't mean to hint to me, Bridget, that you have told the teachers -about what I have done?" - -"Of course I haven't, Janet. But I'll tell you what I did do. I went -down last night when all the other girls--you among them--were sleeping -the sleep of the just, and I tore a sheet out of each of these books; -the sheet which you had so carefully prepared for me last night. That's -why I had no English lessons, good, bad, or indifferent, to show this -morning." - -Janet stood quite silent for a moment or two; her delicately formed -fingers beat an impatient tattoo on the top of Biddy's desk. - -"You can please yourself, of course," she said, after a pause. "You -can wade through your lessons as best you can, and sink to your proper -position, you great big baby, in the lower school. You have shown a -partiality for the little children. You are likely to see enough of -them in future, for you will belong to them." - -"They are dear little creatures, much nicer than any of the big girls, -except Dolly. I'd rather be with them and do right than stay in the -middle school, or even the upper, and feel as I did last night." - -"It is delightful to see what a tender conscience you have got! -I confess I did not know of its existence until to-day, but I -congratulate you most heartily on such a priceless possession. It will -be a great relief to me, not to have to worry any more about your -lessons. For the future I wash my hands of you." - -"Am I not to be your chum any more, then, Janet?" - -Bridget looked up, with decided relief on her face. - -Janet saw the look. Her brow darkened; she had to make a great effort -to suppress the strong dislike which filled her breast. Bridget, -however, was rich; she might be useful. - -"Of course, we are chums still," she said in a hasty voice. "It is your -own fault if I don't do as much for you as I promised. You are a great -little goose to reject the help which I am giving you. Your father sent -you to school in order that you might learn; you can't learn if you -are not helped. However, it's your own affair; but if you ever let out -to mortal that I gave you this assistance your life won't be worth -living, that's all." - -"I'm not a bit afraid of your threats, Janet; but I won't tell, of -course." - -"I say," exclaimed Janet, suddenly rushing to the window, "what a nice -carriage, and what fine horses! Who in the world can be coming to -Mulberry Court now?" - -Bridget had again bent over her lessons. They were hopelessly -difficult. It was on the tip of her tongue to say: - -"Janet, how am I to parse this sentence?" But she restrained herself. - -Janet had forgotten all about her. She was gazing at the beautiful -carriage and spirited horses with eyes full of curiosity. - -The carriage, a smart little victoria, contained only one occupant. The -horses were pawing the ground impatiently now; the lady had disappeared -into the house. - -"I say," exclaimed Janet, turning to Bridget; but whatever further -words she meant to utter were arrested on her lips. There was the -swishing sound of voluminous draperies in the passage, a gay, quick -voice could be distinguished pouring out eager utterances, and the next -moment the room door was opened hastily, and a lady rushed in. - -She was immediately followed by Miss Patience, who seemed somewhat -amazed. - -"Really, Lady Kathleen----" she began. - -"Now, my dear Miss Patience, don't interrupt me. I know what a good -soul you are; but if you think I'm going to sit in your drawing room -waiting until that precious child is brought to me, you are finely -mistaken. Ah, and here you are, my treasure! Come into Aunt Kitty's -arms!" - -"Aunt Kathleen!" exclaimed Bridget. - -She rushed from her seat, upsetting a bottle of ink as she did so, and -found herself clasped in a voluminous embrace. - -"Now that's good," said Lady Kathleen. "I'll write full particulars -about you to Dennis to-night. And how are you, my pet? And how do you -like school? Are they very cross? Oh, _I_ know them! I was here long -ago myself. Patience, do you remember how you used to insist upon -punishing the girls, and dear old Delicia used to beg them off? I -expect you are just the same as ever you were. Does Miss Patience give -you many punishments, my ducky, and does Miss Delicia beg you off?" - -"I'll leave you now, Lady Kathleen," said Miss Patience, still in -her stiff voice. "If you really prefer staying in this room to the -comfortable drawing room, I cannot help it. Of course, you will remain -to dinner? Mrs. Freeman will be delighted to see you again." - -"Dear Mrs. Freeman! If there's a woman in the world I respect, she's -the one. But stay a moment, Miss Patience; I'll come and see Mrs. -Freeman another time. I want to take this dear child off with me now -to Eastcliff for the day, and I'd be delighted if her young companion -would come too. What's your name, my love?" - -"May," replied Janet. - -"May? What a nice little flowery sort of title. Well, I want you to -come and spend the day with me, May." - -"My name is Janet May." - -"It's all the same, I expect. Now, Miss Patience, may I take these two -sweet children to Eastcliff? I'll promise to have them back under your -sheltering wings by nine o'clock this evening." - -Miss Patience hesitated for a moment, but Lady Kathleen Peterham was -not a person to be lightly offended. - -"It is very kind of you," she said, "and also most natural that you -should wish to have your niece with you. But Janet----" - -"Oh, come, come," said Lady Kathleen, with a hearty laugh, "I want to -have them both, dear children. Run upstairs, now, both of you, and make -yourselves as smart as smart can be. While the girls are getting ready, -you and I can have a little talk, Patience. Run, my loves, run, make -yourselves scarce." - -Bridget and Janet both left the room. All the crossness had now -disappeared from Janet's face. She was in high good humor, and even -condescended to link her hand inside Bridget's arm as they mounted the -stairs to their bedrooms. - -Janet had very quiet and very good taste in dress. - -She came downstairs presently in a dove-colored cashmere, a black lace -hat on her head, and dove-colored gloves on her hands. A pretty black -lace parasol completed her ladylike attire. There was nothing expensive -about her simple toilet, but it was youthful, refined, and suitable. - -Biddy did not return so quickly to the schoolroom. Alas! alas! she was -given _carte blanche_ with regard to her dress. Miss O'Hara loved gay -clothing. She came out of her room at last bedizened with fluttering -ribbons, wherever ribbons could be put. Her dress was of shimmering -sea green; she wore a large white hat, trimmed with enormous ostrich -feathers; white kid gloves were drawn up her arms. Her parasol was of -white lace, interspersed with bows of sea-green velvet. This gorgeous -costume had not before seen the light. It suited Biddy, whose radiant -sort of beauty could bear any amount of dress. Beside this splendid -young person, quiet Janet May seemed to sink into utter insignificance. -Miss Patience gave a gasp when Bridget appeared, but Lady Kathleen -Peterham smiled with broad satisfaction. - -"Ah!" she said, rising from her chair, "I call that costume really -tasty. The moment I saw it at Worth's I knew it would suit you, -Biddy, down to the ground. No, you naughty child, I'd be afraid even -to whisper to you what it cost; but come along now, both of you, or -we'll be late for all our fun. Miss Patience, I see you are lost in -admiration of Bridget's turn-out." - -"I must be frank with you, Lady Kathleen," said Miss Patience. "I -consider your niece's dress most unsuitable--the child is only fifteen. -A white muslin, with a blue ribbon belt, is the fitting costume for -her, and not all that tomfoolery. You'll excuse me, Lady Kathleen; I -think you and Mr. O'Hara make a great mistake in overdressing Miss -Biddy as you do." - -"Oh, come, come," said Lady Kathleen, "Bridget is my poor dear sister's -only child, and my brother-in-law and I can't make too much of her. In -school hours, of course, she can be as plain as you please, but out -of school----" The lady raised her eyebrows, and her expression spoke -volumes. - -"Come, my dear," she said. - -A moment later the gay little victoria was bowling back to Eastcliff, -and Lady Kathleen was pouring out a volley of eager remarks to Janet -May. The change from the dull routine of school life bewildered and -delighted sober Janet; she forgot her habitual reserve, and became -almost communicative. Biddy, notwithstanding all her fine feathers, -seemed for some reason or other slightly depressed, but Janet had never -known herself in better spirits. - -"What a sweet companion you are for my niece!" said Lady Kathleen. "You -may be quite sure, my love, that I'll tell my brother-in-law all about -you. I shouldn't be a bit surprised if he invited you to the Castle -for the holidays. I shall be there, and we are going to have all kinds -of gay doings. Eh, Biddy, love, what do you say to having your pretty -school friend with you? Why, how pensive you look, my deary!" - -"When I see you, Aunt Kathleen, I cannot help thinking of father and -the dogs," said Bridget abruptly. She turned her head away as she spoke. - -"Oh, my darling, the dogs; that recalls something to my mind. Minerva -has had four pups, elegant little creatures, thoroughbred, every one of -them. Dennis telegraphed their arrival to me last night." - -Janet thought this information highly uninteresting, but Biddy's -cheeks quite flamed with excitement. She asked innumerable and eager -questions, and absorbed all Lady Kathleen's attention until they -reached the gay hotel where the lady was staying at Eastcliff. - -Lady Kathleen Peterham had a suite of rooms to herself, and no pains -were spared to make these as luxurious and beautiful as possible. The -wide balconies of her drawing room, which looked directly over the -sea, were gay with many brilliant and lovely flowers. They were also -protected from the rays of the sun by cool green-and-white striped -awnings. - -Lunch was ready when the girls arrived, but immediately afterward Lady -Kathleen took them out to sit on the balcony with her. - -"We will have our ices and coffee here, Johnson," she said to the -servant who waited on them. - -As she spoke, she sank into a comfortable chair, and taking up a large -crimson fan, began to move it slowly backward and forward before her -somewhat heated face. - -Lady Kathleen was still a very handsome woman. Her blue eyes resembled -Bridget's in their brightness and vivacity; but her skin, brows, -and hair were much darker, and her expression, although vivacious -and winning, had not that charming innocence about it which marked -Bridget's young face. - -Lady Kathleen was a woman of about five-and-thirty. She was made on a -large scale, and the first slenderness of youth was already lost. She -had seen a great deal of what she called "life," for she had married -early, and had lived almost ever since in Paris with her husband. - -Hers was a somewhat frivolous nature. She was imprudent, injudicious, -incapable of really guiding the young; but, at the same time, she was -the soul of good nature, and would not willingly have hurt the smallest -living creature. - -Janet could not help being greatly impressed by Lady Kathleen. If there -was one point more strongly developed than another in Janet's character -it was her worldliness. She was a lady by birth, but she was poor. Some -day Janet knew that she would have to earn her own living. She had -the most intense respect, therefore, for those people who were blessed -with an abundance of this world's goods. Hers was naturally a cold, -cynical, and calculating nature. Bridget was, in reality, not in the -least to her taste, but the rumors of Bridget's wealth had always been -pleasant to listen to. On account of these rumors, Janet had done what -she considered good service to the willful and headstrong schoolgirl. - -She felt highly pleased now with her own worldly wisdom, as she sat -under the shelter of the green-and-white awning, and ate strawberry -ices, and sipped her coffee. - -Lady Kathleen was, in all respects, a woman to Janet's taste. She had -the _savoir faire_ which impresses young girls. Janet's respect for -Bridget increased tenfold when she saw that she was related to such -a woman, and she wondered to herself how the aunt could have so much -style and the niece be so _gauche_. - -Lady Kathleen, who was determined to make the day delightful to her -young companions, questioned Janet eagerly with regard to her school -and school pursuits. - -"Now, my darling," she said, "you must tell me about your little world. -I know what school is. I was at school myself for many a weary year. At -school there always is a big excitement going on. What's the present -one?" - -Biddy had seated herself close to the edge of the balcony, and -was looking out over the sea. She was thinking of the Castle, and -of Minerva, and of the cherished litter of pups; of her father's -excitement, and Pat Donovan's raptures, and Norah Mahoney's comments. - -She saw the Irish serving man and woman gesticulating and exclaiming; -she saw her father's white hair and weatherbeaten, eagle face, and -could almost hear his deep tones of satisfaction as he bent over -Minerva, and patted her wise head. - -"Biddy!" shrieked Lady Kathleen; "Biddy, child, wake up! What in the -world have you gone off into one of those brown studies for? Here's -this dear little Janet telling me that you're going to have a Fancy -Fair at Mulberry Court." - -"Oh, yes, Aunt Kathie," said Bridget; "I believe we are." - -"Well, child, and isn't that a bright, lively sort of amusement for -you? And the bazaar is to be for a charitable object, too? Splendid! -splendid! Why, Dennis will be quite delighted when I tell him. I always -said the Court was the right school for you, Biddy. It gives a sort -of all-round training. It isn't only accomplishments--tinkle, tinkle -on the piano, and that sort of thing--hearts are also thought of, and -trained properly to think of others. Well, darlings, I'm very much -pleased about the bazaar, and this good little Janet tells me that it -is her idea; most creditable to her. You are the head of the whole -thing, are you not, Janet?" - -"No," said Janet, trying to speak in a calm, indifferent voice; "of -course _I_ don't mind; I _can't_ mind, but one of Mrs. Freeman's -strictest rules is that seniority goes before all else. I am not the -head girl of the school, Lady Kathleen; the head girl's name is Evelyn -Percival, and, although I was the one to think of the Fancy Fair, and -although Evelyn was away from the school during the first two or three -weeks while the matter was being planned out and we were getting -materials ready for our stalls, still, the moment she came home, Mrs. -Freeman insisted on our asking her to join the committee, and since -then she has taken the lead, and hers will be the principal stall on -the day of the fair." - -"And you'll be nowhere, so to speak?" said Lady Kathleen. - -"Well, I don't know that; I hope to have a pretty stall too; Bridget is -helping me with my stall; aren't you, Biddy?" - -"I don't know that I am," replied Bridget. "Father sent me a little -money to buy a few pretty things, and that was about all that I could -do. I love pretty things, but I am no worker." - -She turned away as she spoke, and once more looked out over the sea -with longing in her eyes. - -Lady Kathleen had a keen perception of character. Janet had spoken -in a very quiet, subdued voice, but the fact was by no means lost on -the good lady that she was terribly chagrined at the position she was -obliged to occupy at the fair. - -"Confess, my little one; you don't like being second," she said, -bending over her and tapping her fair head with the large crimson fan. - -Janet colored faintly. "'What can't be cured,'" she said, shrugging her -shoulders. - -Lady Kathleen took up the proverb and finished it. "'Must be endured,'" -she said. "But I don't believe that this position of affairs can't be -cured. It strikes me as extremely unfair that you should have had the -trouble of getting up this fair, and then that you should be pushed -into a second position. I don't care if fifty Mrs. Freemans say you -are not to be first. I don't choose that my niece, Bridget O'Hara, -should have anything to do with a second-rate stall; or a second-rate -position. Wake up, Biddy, child, and listen to me; I insist upon one -thing--you and Janet are to be first on the day of the fair." - -Janet's eyes began to sparkle, and the faint glow in her cheeks grew -bright and fixed. Her eager expression spoke volumes, but she did not -utter a word. Bridget, however, exclaimed wearily: - -"Oh, what does it matter who is first! Besides, whether you like it or -not, Aunt Kathie, you can't alter matters. Mrs. Freeman is mistress in -her own school; and if she decides that Evelyn is to take the lead, -Evelyn will take the lead, no matter whether you wish it or not, fifty -times over." - -"My good little Biddy, you are a bit of an innocent for all you are -growing such a fine big girl--the pride of your father's heart, and -the light of your old auntie's eyes! Little Janet has more wisdom than -twenty great handsome creatures like you. Now, my pets, you listen to -me; we'll manage this matter by _guile_. Miss Percival may have the -first stall at the bazaar, if she likes. Who cares twopence about that? -You, Janet, and you, Biddy, will have the stall that all the visitors -will flock to. You leave me to manage the matter; I'll make your stall -so lovely that all the others will sink into insignificance." - -"Oh, will you?" exclaimed Janet; "how--_how_ good you are!" - -"I will do it, my dear, I certainly will; the honor of the O'Haras is -involved in this matter. Now, girls, you just put on your hats, and -we'll go round Eastcliff, and see if we can't pick up a basketful of -pretty trifles for you to take home with you this evening. Of course, -they will be nothing to what will presently follow, but they'll just do -for a beginning. You leave it to me, my loves; leave it all to me. This -great, grand, wise Evelyn Percival can't compete with Paris and the Rue -Rivoli; you leave it all to me." - -"How kind you are," said Janet again. - -"Don't thank me," said Lady Kathleen, rising; "it's for the honor of -the O'Haras. Whoever yet heard of an O'Hara eating humble pie, or -taking a second position anywhere? Now, girls, run into my room, and -make yourselves smart as smart can be, for we have plenty to do with -our time, I can assure you." - -The rest of the day passed for Janet in a sort of delicious dream. -Money seemed as plentiful to Lady Kathleen Peterham as the pebbles -on the seashore. Janet almost gasped as she saw the good lady take -one gold piece after another out of her purse to expend on the merest -nothings. Lady Kathleen had exquisite taste, however, and many useless -but beautiful ornaments were carefully tucked away in the large basket -which was to be taken to Mulberry Court that evening. - -"I shall go to Paris on Monday," said Lady Kathleen; "I will telegraph -to my husband to expect me. When is your bazaar? next Thursday? I shall -be back at Eastcliff on Wednesday at the latest. One day in Paris will -effect my purpose. I mean to attend this bazaar myself, and I mean to -bring several friends. Do your best, loves, in the meantime to make as -creditable a show as possible, but leave the final arrangements, the -crowning dash of light, color, and beauty to me." - -When the two girls were starting for Mulberry Court in the evening, -Lady Kathleen opened her purse and put five golden sovereigns into -Biddy's hand. "I don't know how you are off for pocket money, my pet," -she said, "but here's something to keep you going. Now, good-night, -dears; good-night to you both." - - - - -CHAPTER XIII. - -PEARSON'S BOOK OF ESSAYS. - - -Now that the break-up day was so near, nothing was talked of in the -school but the coming examinations, the prizes, and the delightful fair -which was to bring such honor and renown to Mulberry Court. The school -resembled a little busy hive of eager, animated workers. Even play -during these last days was forgotten, and everyone, from the eldest to -the youngest, was pressed into the service of the fair. - -When the matter was first proposed, Mrs. Freeman had said to the girls: -"You are abundantly welcome to try the experiment. My share will -consist in giving you a large marquee or tent; everything else you must -do yourselves. I shall invite people to see your efforts and to buy -your wares. Each girl who contributes to the bazaar will be allowed to -ask two or three guests to be present; the only stipulation I have to -make is that you don't produce a failure; you are bound, for the honor -of the school, to make the fair a success." - -The programme for the great day was something as follows: The -examinations were to be held in the morning. Immediately afterward the -prize-winners would receive their awards; there would be an interval -for dinner; and at three o'clock the great fair would be opened, and -sales would continue until dusk. - -The girls who were to sell at the stalls were all to be dressed in -white with green ribbons. Mrs. Freeman had herself selected this quiet -and suitable dress; she had done this with a special motive, for she -was particularly anxious that Biddy should have no opportunity of -displaying her finery. - -The evening before the great and important day arrived. Evelyn had -purchased a great many useful and beautiful articles for her stall. -She and Dolly were to be the saleswomen; and Mrs. Freeman had arranged -that the principal stall should be at the top end of the large marquee. -Janet felt a sarcastic smile curling her lips when this arrangement was -made. - -"It does not really matter," she said to herself; "Bridget's and my -stall will be exactly in the center. The light from the entrance to -the tent will fall full upon it. After all, we shall have a better -position, even than that occupied by the head stall." She kept her -thoughts to herself. Her spirits had never been better, her manners -never more amiable, than since the day of her visit to Lady Kathleen. -The girls who were working under her were very busy, and much delighted -with the basket of beautiful things which had been brought from -Eastcliff, but about any further contributions Janet was absolutely -silent. - -On the afternoon of the day before the bazaar, Bridget came into the -bedroom which was shared by Janet and one other girl. "Mrs. Freeman -tells me that you are going into Eastcliff," she said. - -"Yes," replied Janet, "I'm to drive in with Marshall. There has been -a mistake about some of the confectionery, and Mrs. Freeman wants me -to go to Dovedale's, in the High Street, without delay, to order some -more cheese cakes, creams, and jellies. Frances Murray ought really -to attend to this, for she is to manage the refreshment stall, but -she happens to be in bed with a stupid headache. What's the matter, -Bridget? How excited you look! and, good gracious, my dear! you have -been crying; your eyes have red rims round them." - -"I have had a letter from home," said Bridget, "and Pat Donovan is ill: -he fell off the ladder and hurt his back. Norah Mahoney wrote about -him--she's awfully troubled. Poor Norah, she is engaged to Pat, you -know; she's says he's very bad, poor boy!" - -"Who in the world is Pat Donovan? and who is Norah Mahoney?" asked -Janet, as she hastily drew on her gauntlet gloves. "Friends of yours, -of course. But I never heard of them before." - -"They are very dear friends of mine," replied Bridget; "they are two -of the servants; I love them very much. Poor, poor Pat! Norah has been -engaged to him for years and years, and now only to think of his being -hurt so dreadfully! Norah wrote me such a sad letter. I'll read it to -you, if you like." - -"No thanks, my dear; I really have no time to listen to the sorrows -of your servants. It is too absurd, Bridget, to go on like that! Why, -you're crying again, you great baby! I thought, when you spoke of them, -that you meant people in your own rank." - -"I won't tell you any more!" said Biddy, coloring crimson. "You have no -heart, or you wouldn't speak in that horrid tone! Dear, dear Pat! I'm -ten thousand times fonder of him than I am of anyone else in the world, -except father and the dogs, and, perhaps, Aunt Kathleen. I used to -ride on his shoulder all over the farm when I was quite a little tot!" - -"Well, my dear, I must run now. I am sorry that I can't sympathize with -you." - -"Yes; but, Janet, one moment. I want to send a little present to Pat; -I can, for Aunt Kathleen gave me five pounds. I want to send him a -post-office order for two pounds, and I want to know if you will -get it for me. Here's the letter, all written, and here are the two -sovereigns. Will you get a postal order and put it into the letter for -me, Janet, and then post it at Eastcliff?" - -"But you are going home yourself in a couple of days." - -"Oh! that doesn't matter; I wouldn't leave Pat a hour longer than I -could help without his letter. You may fancy how fond I am of him, when -I tell you that he has the care of Minerva and the pups." - -"I think you're a great goose," said Janet. "But there's no time to -argue. Give me the money, child, and let me go." - -"Be sure you post the letter in good time," said Bridget. "Here it is; -I haven't closed it." - -She laid the directed envelope on Janet's dressing table, put the two -sovereigns on the top of it, and ran off. - -The whole place was in bustle and confusion. Many of the girls were -packing their trunks preparatory to the great exodus which would take -place the day after to-morrow. Evelyn and her favorite friends were -sitting in the large summerhouse which faced the front of the house. -They were chatting and laughing merrily, and seeing Biddy they called -to her to come and join them. Her impulse was to rush to them, and pour -out some of her troubles in Dolly's kind ears; but then she remembered -certain sarcastic sayings of Janet's. Janet's many insinuations were -taking effect on her. - -"They all look good enough up in that summerhouse," she said to -herself; "but according to Janet they are each of them shams. Oh, dear, -dear, what a horrid place the world is! I don't think there's anyone -at all nice in it, except father and the dogs, and Pat and Norah. Aunt -Kathie is pretty well, but even she is taken in by Janet. I don't -think school is doing me any good; I hate it more and more every day. -I shan't join the girls in the summerhouse; I'll go away and sit by -myself." - -She turned down a shady walk, and presently seating herself under a -large tree, and, clasping her hands round her knees, she began to think -with pleasure of the fast approaching holidays. - -While Bridget was so occupied, two ladies passed at a little distance -arm in arm. They were Miss Delicia and the English mistress, Miss Dent. -These two were always good friends; they were both kind-hearted, and -inclined to indulge the girls. They were great favorites, and were -supposed to be very easily influenced. - -When she saw them approach, Bridget glanced lazily round. They did not -notice her, but made straight for the little rustic bower close to the -tree under which she was sitting. - -"I can't account for it," said Miss Dent. "Of course, I have always -found plenty of faults in Bridget O'Hara, but I never did think that -she would stoop to dishonor." - -Bridget locked her hands tightly together; a great wave of angry color -mounted to her temples. Her first impulse was to spring to her feet, to -disclose herself to the two ladies, and angrily demand the meaning of -their words. Then a memory of something Violet had said came over her; -she sat very still; she was determined to listen. - -"I think you must be mistaken, Sarah," said Miss Delicia to her friend. -"I know my sister, Mrs. Freeman, thinks that Bridget, with all her -faults, has a fine character. I heard her saying so to Patience one -day. Patience, poor dear, just lacks the very thing she was called -after, and Henrietta said to her: 'The material is raw, but it is -capable of being fashioned into something noble.' I must say I agreed -with Henrietta." - -"My dear Delicia," responded the other lady, "am I unjust, suspicious, -or wanting in charity?" - -"No, Sarah; Patience--poor Patience--does fail in those respects -occasionally; but no one can lay these sins to your door." - -"I am glad to hear you say so. Now you must listen to the following -facts. You know what a queer medley that poor girl's mind is in; -she has a good deal of knowledge of a certain kind: she has poetic -fancy, and brilliant imagination, she has a lovely singing voice, and -the expression she throws into her music almost amounts to genius; -nevertheless, where ordinary school work is concerned, the girl is an -absolute ignoramus. Her knowledge of geography is a blank. Kamschatka -may be within a mile of London, for all she knows to the contrary, -Africa may be found at the opposite side of the Straits of Dover; her -spelling is too atrocious for words. As to arithmetic, she is a perfect -goose whenever she tries to conquer the smallest and simplest sum." - -"Well, my dear," interrupted Miss Delicia, "granted all this, the poor -child has been sent to school to be taught, I suppose. I can't see why -she should be accused of dishonor because she is ignorant." - -"My dear friend, you must allow me to continue. I am coming to my point -immediately. When Bridget first came to school, she was placed in the -lowest class in the middle school. She was with girls a couple of years -her juniors. Mrs. Freeman was much distressed at this arrangement, for -Bridget is not only fifteen--she arrived at that age since she came -to school--but she is a remarkably developed, grown-up-looking girl -for her years; to have to do lessons, therefore, with little girls of -twelve and thirteen was in every way bad for her. - -"There was no help for it, however, and we had really to strain a point -to keep her out of the lower school. - -"For two or three weeks Biddy did as badly as any girl with a -reasonable amount of brains could. Each day we felt that we must take -her out of the middle school. Then occurred that unfortunate accident, -when Evelyn Percival was so nearly hurt. That seemed to bring things to -a crisis. Bridget was punished, you remember?" - -"Yes," said Miss Delicia, nodding her wise head, "I remember perfectly." - -"Bridget was punished," continued Miss Dent, "but on that day also she -submitted to authority. The next morning she took her usual place in -class, but--lo and behold! there was a marked and sudden improvement. -Her spelling was correct, the different places in the world began to -assume their relative positions. Her sums were more than good. In two -or three days she had risen to the head of her class; she was moved -into a higher one, and took a high place in that also. This state of -things continued for a fortnight; we were all in delight, for the girl -had plenty about her to win our interest. All she wanted to make her -one of the most popular girls in the school was attention to the rules, -and a certain power of getting on at her lessons. - -"This golden fortnight in Biddy's life, however, came to an end. Her -aunt, Lady Kathleen Peterham, called a week ago, and took her and -Janet May to Eastcliff. On that very morning Bridget had absolutely no -lessons to say; she had not written out her theme, she had not learned -her geography; her sum book was a blank. From that day she has returned -to her normal state of ignorance; her lessons are as hopelessly badly -learnt as ever." - -"Well, well," said Miss Delicia, "I am sorry for the poor child. That -rather silly aunt of hers probably turned her brain, but I cannot even -now see how you make her conduct dishonorable. She's a naughty child, -of course, and we must spur her on to greater efforts next time; but as -to her being wanting in _honor_, that's a strong word, Sarah." - -"Wait a minute," said Miss Dent. "You know the girls have to give up -all their exercise books a couple of days before the examinations? -Bridget handed me hers a couple of days ago. Her books were -disgraceful--blotty, untidy, almost illegible. I examined them in -hopeless despair. Suddenly my eyes were arrested; I was looking through -the English themes. - -"'Ah!' I said, 'here is the little oasis in the desert; these are the -exercises Biddy wrote during the fortnight she was so good.' - -"I suppose it was the force of the contrast, but I looked at these -neatly written, absolutely correct, well spelled pages in astonishment. -Busy as I was, I felt obliged to read one of the little essays over -again; the subject was 'Julius Cæsar.' Bridget went up to the top of -her class for the masterly way in which she had worked out her little -essay. I read it over again, in perplexity and admiration. The English -was correct, the style vigorous; there were both conciseness and -thought in the well turned sentences. One phrase, however, struck on my -ear with a curious sense of familiarity. At first I said to myself, 'I -remarked this sentence when Bridget read her theme aloud, that is the -reason why it is so familiar,' but my mind was not satisfied with this -explanation. Like a flash I remembered where I had seen it before. I -said to myself the child has got this out of Pearson's book of English -extracts. Her essay is admirable, even without this concluding thought. -I must tell her to put marks of quotation another time when she uses -phrases not her own. I rose and went to the bookcase, and taking down -Pearson, looked out his remarks on Julius Cæsar. My dear Delicia, -judge of my feelings; the little essay was copied word for word from -Pearson's book! It was a daring act, and, putting the wickedness out -of sight, almost a silly one, for to quote from such a well-known -author as Pearson was naturally almost to invite discovery. All the -good, carefully written essays were copied from the same volume. I can -at last understand why Bridget has fallen back into her old state of -hopeless ignorance. I can also, alas! understand that golden fortnight -of promise." - -"But this is dreadful!" said Miss Delicia. "What have you done; have -you told my sister yet?" - -"No, I wanted to consult you before I spoke to anyone else on the -matter." - -Bridget got up slowly and softly, and moved away down the shady path; -the two ladies did not see her as she went. She soon found herself -standing on the open lawn in front of the house. The great marquee was -being put up there; several workmen were busy, and little girls were -fluttering about like gay, happy butterflies. Alice, Violet, and two or -three more ran up to her when they saw her. "We are making wreaths of -evergreens; won't you help us, Bridget?" they exclaimed. - -"No," she said; "I have a headache--don't worry me." She turned -abruptly away and walked down the avenue. - -She had no longer any wish to break the rules, but she thought she -would wait about near the entrance gates, in order to catch Janet on -her way back from Eastcliff. - -The girls were all busy round the marquee, and Bridget had this part -of the avenue to herself; she went and stood near an ivy-covered -wall; leaned her elbows against the trunk of a tree, and waited; a -motionless, but pretty figure, her gay ribbons streaming about her, her -hat pushed back from her forehead, her puzzled, troubled eyes looking -on the ground. - -Bridget knew that Janet would be back within an hour. It mattered very -little to her how long she had to wait; she felt too stunned and sore -to be troubled by any keen sense of impatience. - - - - -CHAPTER XIV. - -"I'M BIG--AND I'M DESPERATE." - - -As soon as Janet found herself alone in the pony trap, she took a -letter out of her pocket, opened it, and read its contents with -eagerness. These were the words on which her eyes fell: - - - MY DEAR, GOOD LITTLE JANEY: - - I am afraid I cannot take your advice; I cannot exercise the virtue - of patience another day. Mine has run its course, my dear, and the - whole stock is exhausted. I have resolved to leave my situation on - Saturday. I have given Miss Simpkins notice--she does not believe - me, of course, but she'll know who's right when Saturday comes, - and she has no one to hector and bully and make life a misery to. - I wonder where you are going to spend your holidays. Don't go to - Aunt Jane's, I beg of you; I know she has sent you an invitation, - but don't accept it. Now, couldn't you and I go off for a little - jaunt together to Margate, and have some fun? And look here, dear, - _will_ you send me two pounds by return of post? I absolutely must - have the money, for Miss Simpkins paid me in full a week ago, and - I shan't have a penny when I leave, as of course, the little I get - from her--she is the stingiest old wretch in existence!--naturally - goes to keep your humble servant in dress, stamps, paper, etc., - etc. Lend me two pounds, like a darling. I'll pay it back when I - can. I do not want to go to Aunt Jane's, and I will have to do it - if you cannot oblige me, Janey; but if you can I will go to Margate - and take a bedroom there, which you can share, my love, and we'll - have some fun, if it's only for a couple of days. - - Your loving sister, - - SOPHIA. - - -"Poor Sophy," exclaimed Janet. She folded up the letter and placed it -in her pocket. "I wonder where she thinks I'm going to get two pounds -from?" she muttered. "I am as hard up as a girl can be. Sophy might -have stayed with Miss Simpkins, but she's a sort of bad penny; always -returning on one's hands when one least expects her. Well, I don't see -how I'm going to help her. It would be very nice to go to Margate with -her, but what would Mrs. Freeman say? No, I think I know a better plan -than that. I am not going to Aunt Jane's for the holidays; I am going -to have a good time, but it won't be at Margate. Suppose Sophy came, -too? she's very pretty, and very clever, and I think Lady Kathleen -would like her awfully. I must think over this. Oh, here we are at -Eastcliff. Now, my dear little Biddy, the first thing to be done is -post your letter, but if you think I am going to get that postal order, -and place it in it, you are vastly mistaken. I do not at all know that -I shall send the two sovereigns to Sophy, but it is convenient to have -them at hand in case of need." - -Janet was always very cool and methodical in her movements. She never, -as the phrase goes, "lost her head." She could also make up her mind -clearly and decidedly. Having done so, she now proceeded to act. She -slipped her sister's most troublesome letter into her pocket, and -driving to the pastry cook's, ordered the creams, jellies, and other -refreshments necessary for the next day's entertainment. She then went -to the post office and wrote a few lines. - - - MY DEAR SOPHY [she wrote]: How am I to get two pounds? You must be - mad to think that I can send you so large a sum of money. If Aunt - Jane pays for my schooling, she takes very good care to stint my - pocket money. You had better be wise and go straight to her when - you leave Miss Simpkins. I _may_ have a nice plan to propose in a - day or two, but am not sure. You may be certain I'll do my best for - you, only do be patient. - - Your affectionate sister, - - JANET MAY. - - -This letter was sealed and directed, and in company with Bridget's -found its way into one of Her Majesty's mail bags; then Janet stepped -once again into the pony carriage, and desired the coachman to drive -her back to Mulberry Court. - -The two sovereigns were snugly placed in her purse. She had not yet -quite made up her mind to steal them, but she liked even the temporary -sense of wealth and possession that they gave her. - -The wickedness of her own act did not trouble her hardened conscience; -she sat lazily back in the snug little carriage, and enjoyed the -pleasant feel of the summer breeze against her forehead. A passing -sense of annoyance swept over her as she thought of Sophy. Sophy was -nineteen; a very pretty, empty-headed girl. She had not half Janet's -abilities. She was really affectionate, but weak, and most easily -led. Janet was three years younger than her sister, but in force of -character she was several years her senior. The two girls were orphans. -They had lived a scrambling sort of life; tossed about when they were -little children, from one uncomfortable home to another. Finally, -at the ages of fourteen and eleven, they found themselves with a -very strict and puritanical old aunt. Her influence was bad for both -of them, particularly for Janet. Old Aunt Jane was a very good and -excellent woman, but she did not understand the two badly trained and -badly disciplined girls. She was by no means rich, but she struggled -to educate them. Sophy was not clever enough to undertake the somewhat -arduous duties required from governesses in the present day, but Miss -Laughton took great pains to get her a post as companion. Janet had -plenty of abilities, and she was sent to Mulberry Court to be trained -as a teacher. - -The girls were fond of each other. Perhaps the only person in the -wide world whom Janet really loved was this frivolous and thoughtless -sister. She ruled Sophy, and, when with her, made her do exactly -what she wished; but still, after a fashion, she felt a very genuine -affection for her. - -"Sophy might have stayed at Miss Simpkins's," muttered Janet, as she -drove back to the Court; "but as she has given notice, there's no help -for it. I must get Lady Kathleen to invite her to Ireland when I go. -I'm determined to manage that little affair for myself, and Sophy may -as well join in the fun." - -The carriage turned in at the white gates of Mulberry Court, and -Bridget sprang forward to meet it. - -"Get out, Janet!" she said, in an imperious, excited voice; "get out at -once; I have something to say to you." - -"Stop, Jones," called Janet to the driver. "If you want to speak to me, -Bridget, you had better jump into the carriage, for I mean to go back -to the house; I want to speak to Mrs. Freeman." - -"You won't do anything of the kind," said Bridget; "you have got to -speak to me first; if you don't, I'll go straight to Miss Delicia -and Miss Dent and tell them everything. I know now about Pearson's -extracts, and I'll tell about them; yes, I will; I won't live under -this disgrace! You had better jump out at once, and let me speak to -you, or I'll tell." - -Bridget's eyes were flashing with anger, and her cheeks blazing with -excitement. - -In this mood she was not to be trifled with. - -Janet could not comprehend all her wild words, but she guessed enough -to feel an instant sense of alarm. There was danger ahead, and danger -always rendered Janet May cool and collected. - -"My dear child," she exclaimed, "why do you speak in such a loud, -excited voice? Of course, I'll go and talk to you if you really want -me. Jones, please take this basket carefully to the house, and if you -see Mrs. Freeman tell her that I shall be with her in a few minutes, -and that everything is arranged quite satisfactorily for to-morrow. -Don't forget my message, Jones." - -"No, miss; I'll be careful to remember." The man touched his hat. Janet -alighted from the pony trap, and, taking Bridget's hand, walked up the -avenue with her. - -"Now, you dear little Quicksilver," she exclaimed, "what is the matter? -I posted your letter, my love, so that weight is off your mind." - -"Thank you, Janet," exclaimed poor Bridget; "you did not forget to -put the postal order in, did you?" Janet raised her delicate brows in -well-acted astonishment. - -"Is that likely?" she exclaimed. "But now, why this excitement? Have -you heard fresh news of that valuable Pat, and that delightful Norah?" - -"Janet, you are not to talk of the people I love in that tone; I won't -have it! I quite hate you when you go on like this. I'm not mean, but -I know what you are wanting, and I shall speak to Aunt Kathleen and -ask her not to invite you to Ireland if you go on in this way. Aunt -Kathleen likes you because she does not know you, but I can soon open -her eyes." - -Janet put on a mock tone of alarm. - -"You must not crush me, my dear," she exclaimed; "it _would_ be a trial -not to go to the Castle. There, there, I don't want really to tease -you, my love. Now, what is the matter? Why have you been making those -extraordinary remarks about Pearson? Who _is_ Pearson?" - -"You know better than I do, Janet. I'll tell you what has happened. You -copied a lot of themes, and gave them to me as if they were your own -to put into my exercise book. It was very, very wrong of me to let you -help me at all, but, of course, I thought that you had done so without -referring to books." - -"My dear little saint! I don't see what difference that makes!" - -"I don't suppose it makes any difference in the wickedness," retorted -Bridget; "but it certainly does in the chance of being found out. -I overheard Miss Dent and Miss Delicia talking in one of the -summerhouses; Miss Dent has discovered that my essays were copied -from Pearson's extracts, and she's awfully angry, and Miss Delicia is -horrified. I won't live under it! no, I won't! I was awfully wicked -ever to allow it, but I'd much, much rather confess everything now. I -am an idle, scapegrace sort of a girl; but I can't think how I ever -submitted to your making me dishonorable. I'm horribly dishonorable, -and I could die of the shame of it! I'll go straight this very minute -to Mrs. Freeman, and tell her to punish me as much as ever she likes. -The only thing I shall beg of her is not to tell father, for this is a -sort of thing that would break my father's heart. You must come with -me, of course, Janet; you must come at once and explain your share in -the matter. That's what I waited for you here for. It is most important -that everything should be told without a minute's delay." - -Bridget's words were poured out with such intense passion and anguish -that Janet was impressed in spite of herself. She was not only -impressed; she was frightened. It took a great deal to arouse the sense -of alarm in her calm breast, but she did realize now that she had got -herself and the young Irish girl into a considerable scrape, and that, -if she did not wish to have all her own projects destroyed, it behooved -her to be extremely wary. - -"Let us go down and walk by the sea, Biddy," she said. "Oh, yes, -there's plenty of time; meals will be quite irregular to-day. Why, how -you tremble, you poor little creature!" - -"I'm not little," said Bridget; "I'm big, and I'm desperate. The time -has gone by for you to come round me with soft words, Janet. Why am I -to go and walk with you by the sea? The thing to be done is for us both -to find Mrs. Freeman, and tell her, without mincing words, how wicked -we are." - -"Have you really made up your mind to do this?" said Janet. - -She turned and faced her companion. The color had left her cheeks, her -lips trembled, her eyes were dilated. - -"Do you positively mean to do this cruel thing?" she repeated. - -"Cruel?" said Bridget, stamping her foot; "it's the only bit of justice -left; it's the one last chance of our ever retrieving our position. Oh, -do come with me at once; there's just time for us to see Mrs. Freeman -before tea." - -"You can go, Bridget," said Janet. "If you are determined to go I -cannot prevent you. You can make all this terrible mischief if you -like; but you must do it alone, for I shall not be with you. The -effect of your confession will be this: you will suffer some sort of -punishment, and by and by you will be forgiven; and by and by, too, you -will forget what you now consider such an awful tragedy; but what you -are now doing will ruin me for all my life. I am only sixteen--but no -matter. However long I live I shall never be able to get over this step -that you are taking. If you go--as you say you will--to Mrs. Freeman, -there is only one thing for me to do, and that is to run away from -school. I won't remain here to be expelled; for expelled I shall be if -you tell what you say you will of me. They'll make out that I am worse -than you, and they'll expel me. You don't know the effect that such -a disgrace will have on my future. I am not rich like you; I have no -father to break his heart about me. The only relations I have left in -the world are an old aunt, who is very stingy and very hard-hearted, -and who would never forgive me if I did the smallest thing to incur her -displeasure; and one sister, who is three years older than myself, and -who is very pretty and very silly, and who has written to me to say she -has lost her situation as companion. If you do what you are going to -do, Bridget, I shall walk back to Eastcliff, and take the next train -to Bristol, where Aunt Jane lives. You will ruin me, of course; but -I don't suppose that fact will influence your decision. I did what I -did for you out of a spirit of pure kindliness; but that, too, will be -forgotten, now that your conscience has awakened. I am just waiting for -you to choose what you will really do, Bridget, before I run away." - -When Janet finished speaking she moved a few steps from her companion. -She saw that her words had taken effect, for Biddy's determined -expression had changed to one of indecision and fresh misery; her -troubled eyes sought the ground, her red lips trembled. - -"I see you have made up your mind," said Janet. (She saw quite the -reverse, but she thought these words a politic stroke.) "I see you have -quite made up your mind," she continued; "so there is nothing for me to -do but to go. Good-by! I only wish I had never been so unlucky as to -know you." - -Janet turned on her heel, and began to walk down the avenue. - -"You know you can't go like this," Bridget called after her. "Stop! -Listen to me! You know perfectly well that, bad as you are, I don't -want to ruin you. I'll go by myself, then, and say nothing about you. -Will that content you?" - -"I see you are going to be reasonable," said Janet, returning, and -taking her companion's arm. "Now we can talk the matter out. Come down -this shady walk, where no one will see us. Of course, the whole thing -is most disagreeable and unpleasant, but surely two wise heads like -ours can see a way even out of this difficulty." - -"But there is no way, Janet, except by just confessing that we have -behaved very badly. Come along, and let us do it at once. I don't -believe you'll get into the awful scrape you make out. I won't let you! -I'll take your part, and be your friend. You shall come to Ireland -with Aunt Kathleen and me, and father will be ever so kind to you, and -perhaps--I'm not sure--but _perhaps_ I'll be able to give you one of -the dogs." - -"Thanks!" said Janet, slightly turning her head away; "but even the -hope of ultimately possessing one of those valuable quadrupeds cannot -lighten the gloom of my present position. There is no help for it, -Biddy, we must stick to one another, and resolve, whatever happens, -_not_ to tell." - -"But they know already," said Bridget. "Miss Delicia and Miss Dent know -already! Did I not tell you that I overheard them talking about it?" - -"Yes, my dear, you did. It is really most perplexing. You must let me -think for a moment what is best to be done." - -Janet stood still in the center of the path; Bridget looked at her -anxiously. - -"What a fool I was," she murmured under her breath, "to use that -extract book. It was just my laziness; and how could I suppose that -that stupid Miss Dent would go and pry into it? It will be a mercy if -she does not discover where some of my own happy ideas have come from. -If I trusted to my own brains I could have concocted something quite -good enough to raise poor little Biddy in her class. Discovery would -then have been impossible. Oh, what a sin laziness is!" - -"What are we to do?" said Bridget, looking anxiously at her companion. -"We have very little time to make up our minds in, for probably before -now Miss Dent and Miss Delicia have told Mrs. Freeman. I do want, at -least, to have the small merit of having told my own sin before it has -been announced by another. There's no way out of it, Janet. Come and -let us tell at once!" - -"How aggravating you are!" replied Janet. "There is a way out of it. -You must give me until after tea to think what is best to be done. -Ah! there's the gong! We _can't_ tell now until after tea, even if we -wished to. Come along, Bridget, let us return to the house. I'll meet -you in the South Walk at seven o'clock, and then I shall have something -tangible to propose." - -Bridget was obliged very unwillingly to consent to this delay. Hers was -a nature always prone to extremes. She thought badly of her conduct -in allowing Janet to help her with her lessons ever since the moment -little Violet had given back the waxen doll, but even then she did not -know the half of the sin which she and another had committed. It only -needed Miss Dent and Miss Delicia to open her eyes. A sick sense of -abasement was over her. Her proud spirit felt humbled to the very dust. -She was so low about herself that she looked forward to confession with -almost relief. - -Janet's nature, however, was a great deal firmer and more resolute -than Bridget's. There was no help for it: the Irish girl was bound to -comply with her decision. The two walked slowly up to the house, where -they parted, Janet running up to her room to take off her hat, wash her -hands, and smooth her hair, and Biddy, tossing her shady hat off in the -hall, and entering the tea room looking messed and untidy. On another -day she would have been reprimanded for this, but the excitement which -preceded the grand break-up prevented anyone noticing her. She sank -down in the first vacant seat, and listlessly stirred the tea which she -felt unable to drink. - -Janet's conduct in this emergency differed in all respects from -Bridget's. No girl could look fresher, sweeter, or more composed than -she when, a moment or two later, she entered the long room. Mrs. -Freeman was pouring out tea at the head of the table. Janet went -straight up to her, and entered into a lucid explanation of what she -had done at Eastcliff, and the purchases she had made. - -"Very nice, my dear! Yes, quite satisfactory. Ah! very thoughtful of -you, Janet. Sit down now, dear, and take your tea." - -Janet found a place near Dolly. She ate heartily, and was sufficiently -roused out of herself to be almost merry. - -When the girls were leaving the tea room, Janet lingered a little -behind the others. Her eyes anxiously followed Miss Delicia, who, with -a flushed face and dubious, uncertain manner, was watching her elder -sister, Mrs. Freeman. Miss Dent had not appeared at all at tea, which -Janet regarded as a very bad sign, but she also felt sure, by the head -mistress's calm expression, that the news of Bridget's delinquencies -had not been revealed to her. Janet saw, however, by Miss Delicia's -manner that this would not long be the case. Janet had thought the -matter over carefully, and had made up her mind to a determined and -bold stroke. - -Miss Delicia, who had, as usual, been hopping about during the meal, -attending to everyone's comforts, and quite forgetting her own, was now -seen by Janet to walk up by the side of the long table, evidently with -the intention of waylaying Mrs. Freeman as she left the room. - -With a sudden movement Janet frustrated her intentions. Mrs. Freeman -passed out through the upper door of the tea room, and Miss Delicia -found herself coming plump up against Janet May. - -"Oh, I want to speak to you!" said Janet. - -"Pardon me," said Miss Delicia, "I will attend to you in a moment; but, -first of all, I wish to say a word to my sister; she will shut herself -up in her own room, for she is going to be very busy over accounts, -if I don't immediately secure her. I'll be back with you in a moment, -Janet, after I have spoken to Mrs. Freeman." - -"Please forgive me," said Janet, "but what I have to say is of very -great importance. Perhaps you won't want to speak to Mrs. Freeman after -you have talked to me." - -"Now, my dear, what do you mean?" - -Miss Delicia raised her kind, but somewhat nervous eyes. She was a -little round body, nearly a head shorter than tall Janet May. - -"I want to speak to you by yourself," said Janet; "it is of great -importance--the very greatest. Please talk to me before you say -anything to Mrs. Freeman." - -"Come to my private room," said Miss Delicia, taking Janet's hand -in her own. "Come quickly before Patience sees us. Miss Patience is -very curious; she will wonder what is up. Ah, here we are with the -door shut; that is a comfort. Now, my dear, begin. Your manner quite -frightens me." - -"I have something most important to say. I am very glad--very, very -glad--that it is to you, Miss Delicia, that I have got to say this -thing. Your kindness is--is well known. Each girl in the school is well -aware of the fact that you would not willingly hurt anyone." - -"My dear, none of us would do that, I hope." Miss Delicia drew her -little figure up. "We are Pickerings; my sister, Mrs. Freeman, is a -Pickering by birth; and the Pickerings have been in the scholastic line -from time immemorial. Those who guide the young ought always to be -tolerant, always kind, always forbearing." - -"Yes, yes," interrupted Janet, "I know that, of course, but some people -are more forbearing than others. Mrs. Freeman, Miss Patience, and you -are loved and respected by us all; but you are loved the most, for you -are the kindest." - -Miss Delicia's little face flushed all over. - -"I am gratified, of course," she said, "but _if_ this is the general -feeling, I shall be most careful to keep the knowledge from my sisters -Henrietta and Patience. Now, Janet, what is it you want to say to me?" - -"I want to speak to you about Bridget O'Hara." - -Miss Delicia felt the color receding from her cheeks. - -"Oh!" she exclaimed; "what about her? I may as well say at once that I -am not happy with regard to that young girl." - -"I know," said Janet, "I--I know more than you think; that is what -I want to speak about. Biddy has told me; poor Biddy, poor, poor -misguided Biddy." - -"Bridget O'Hara has told you? Told you what, Janet? It is your duty to -speak; what has she told you? - -"The truth, poor girl," said Janet, shaking her head mournfully. -"I'll tell you everything, Miss Delicia. Biddy, through an accident, -overheard you and Miss Dent speak about her this afternoon." - -"Then she's an eavesdropper as well as everything else," said Miss -Delicia. "Oh, this is too bad. I did not suppose that such an -absolutely unprincipled, wicked girl ever existed; with her beautiful -face too, and her kind, charming, open manners. Oh, she's a wolf in -sheep's clothing, she will be the undoing of the entire school. It -is very difficult, Janet, to rouse my anger, but when it is aroused -I--I--well, I feel things _extremely_, my dear. I must go to Mrs. -Freeman at once; don't keep me, I beg." - -Janet placed herself between Miss Delicia and the door. - -"I must keep you," she said. "You are not often angry, Miss Delicia; I -want you on this occasion to be very forbearing, and to restrain your -indignation until you have at least listened to me. Biddy did not mean -to eavesdrop." - -"Oh, don't talk to me, my dear!" - -"I must, I will talk to you. Please, please let me say my say. Biddy -behaved badly, disgracefully, but she did not mean to listen. She was -in trouble, poor girl, about a friend of hers, a servant who was ill in -Ireland. She was sitting in the shrubbery thinking about it all when -you and Miss Dent came and sat in the summerhouse near by. You spoke -her name, and said some very plain truths about her. She forgot all -about going away and everything else in the intense interest with which -she followed your words. She rushed away at last, and waited near the -gates in the avenue to unburden herself to me. Whatever you may have -said to Miss Dent, Miss Delicia, the effect on Bridget was really -heartrending; she told me that you had opened her eyes, that she saw -at last the disgrace of her own conduct. I never could have believed -that the poor girl could get into such a state of mind; I really felt -quite anxious about her. I don't think my sympathies were ever more -thoroughly aroused, and you know that I am not easily carried away by -my feelings." - -"That is certainly the character you have received in the school, Janet -May." - -"It is true," repeated Janet, in her steady voice; "I am not -demonstrative. Therefore, when I am roused to pity, the case which -arouses me must be supposed to be extreme. Poor Biddy is in the most -terrible anguish." - -"Did she tell you, did she dare to tell you, that she copied her -extracts from Pearson?" - -"She did, she told me everything. She says she is quite sure that Mrs. -Freeman will expel her, and that, if so, her father will die of grief." - -"Oh, she has deputed you, then, to plead for her?" - -"She has not; it has never occurred to her that anyone should plead for -her. She does not feel even a vestige of hope in the matter; but I do -plead for her, Miss Delicia. I ask you to have mercy upon her." - -"Mercy," said Miss Delicia, "mercy! Is this sort of thing to go on in a -respectable high-class school? We are not going to be heartlessly cruel -to any girl, of course, but my sisters Henrietta and Patience must -decide what is really to be done." - -"I have come to you with a bold request," said Janet. "I will state it -at once frankly. I want you not to consult your sisters about Bridget -until--until after the festival to-morrow." - -"I can't grant your request, my dear." - -"But please consider. I am taking great and personal interest in -Bridget; you know that I am very steady." - -"You are, Janet; you are one of the best girls in the school." - -"Thank you," said Janet, "I try to do my duty; I take a great interest -in Bridget, and I have an influence over her. You know how badly she -has been brought up; you know how reckless she is, how untaught, how -affectionate and generous she can be, and yet also how desperate and -defiant. There are only two people in the world whom she greatly loves; -her old father is one; oh, she has told me lovely, pathetic stories -about her gray-headed old father; and her aunt, Lady Kathleen Peterham, -is the other. To-morrow is to be a great day in the school, and if -Bridget is to be in disgrace and publicly held up to opprobrium, you -can imagine what Lady Kathleen's feelings will be--what Bridget's own -feelings will be. What will be the effect? Bridget will be taken away -from school and in all probability never educated at all." - -"But, my dear--you are a remarkably wise girl, Janet--my dear, the -fact of my sisters knowing the truth about Bridget O'Hara need not be -followed by public and open disgrace. We three must consult over the -matter and decide what are the best steps to take." - -"Forgive me," said Janet, "you know--you must know what Mrs. Freeman's -and Miss Patience's sentiments will be. If you, who are so gentle and -charitable, feel intense anger, what will their anger be? Reflect, Miss -Delicia, you must reflect on the plain fact that they will feel it -their duty publicly to disgrace Bridget." - -"For the sake of example," murmured Miss Delicia. - -"Precisely," said Janet, "for the sake of example; and Biddy's -character will be ruined forever. Lady Kathleen will take her from -school, and all chance of making her what she may become, a brave and -noble woman, will be at an end." - -"If I thought that----" said Miss Delicia. - -"It is true. I assure you, it is true!" - -"What do you want me to do then, Janet?" - -"Simply to keep your knowledge to yourself for twenty-four hours." - -"I am much puzzled," murmured Miss Delicia. "You're a queer girl, Janet -May, but I will own there is wisdom in your words." - -"How sweet you are, Miss Delicia! You will never, never repent of this -forbearance." - -"But there is Miss Dent to be thought of, my love. She is most unhappy -about the whole thing." - -"You will talk to her," said Janet; "you will talk to her as if from -yourself; you will, of course, not mention me, for who am I? nothing -but a schoolgirl. You will tell Miss Dent that you have thought it -wisest to defer saying anything to Mrs. Freeman until the anxieties -of to-morrow are over. Oh, it does seem only right and natural; I am -so deeply obliged to you. May I kiss you? This lesson in Christian -forbearance will, I assure you, not be thrown away on me, and will, -doubtless, be the saving of poor, poor Biddy." - -Janet ran out of the room; Miss Delicia pressed her hand in a confused -way to her forehead. - -"Have I really promised not to tell?" she murmured; "I suppose so, -although I don't remember saying the words. What a queer, clever girl -that is, and yet, at the same time, how really kind. It is noble of -her to plead like that for Bridget! Well, after all, twenty-four hours -can't greatly signify, and the delay will certainly insure Henrietta -and Patience a peaceful time. Now, I must go and talk to poor, dear -Sarah Dent." - - - - -CHAPTER XV. - -BRIDGET O'HARA'S STALL. - - -"And now, my dears," said Mrs. Freeman, addressing her assembled -school, "we have come to the end of our school term; the prizes -have been distributed; the examinations are over. To those girls -who have succeeded in winning prizes, and who have, in consequence, -been raised to higher classes in the school, I offer my most hearty -congratulations; they have worked well and steadily, and they now reap -their due rewards. You, my dears"--the head mistress waved her hand in -the direction of the successful girls who were each of them pinning -a white satin badge into their dresses, and were standing together -in a little group--"you, my dears, will wear the badge of honor all -through the remainder of this day; may honor dwell in your hearts, -and may success attend you through life; that success, my dear girls, -which comes from earnest living, from constant endeavor to pursue the -right, from constant determination to forsake the wrong. You have been -successful in this day's examinations; you have every reason to be -pleased with your success; but, at the same time, it must not render -you self-confident. In short, my dear girls, you must ask for strength -other than your own to carry you safely though the waves of this -troublesome world. I now want to say a word or two to those girls who -have not to-day earned prizes. I want you, my dear children, not to go -away with any undue sense of discouragement. If, through carelessness -or inattention, you have not got the prize you coveted, you must -try very hard to be careful and attentive next term; you must also, -however, remember that every girl cannot win a prize, but that patience -and constant endeavor will secure to each of you the best rewards in -due time. On the whole, the term's work has been satisfactory, and the -progress made in every branch of study gratifying. I now declare the -school closed as far as lessons are concerned. Some of you will go away -to your own homes to-night; some to-morrow morning. We shall all meet -again, I hope, in September; and now there is a very happy time before -us. To the courage and the thoughtfulness of a young girl in this -school whom you all know--I allude to Janet May--we are going to have -a Fancy Fair for the benefit of a child who has none of the advantages -which you one and all possess. Evelyn Percival, as the head girl of the -school, and as my special friend and right hand, will hold the first -stall at the Fancy Fair; this, of course, is her due--but, that every -justice should be done, I wish you all, girls, now to acknowledge that -the first thought of the fair was due to Janet. Shall we cheer her?" - -A chorus of applause followed the head mistress's speech. Janet, in -her white dress with green ribbons, the glistening satin badge of a -prize-winner pinned on her breast, stood pale and slender, a little in -advance of the other girls who had also won prizes. A brief gleam of -triumph filled her dark, steel-blue eyes; she glanced at Evelyn, who, -next to her, occupied the most conspicuous position; her breath came -fast; her lips trembled. The burst of applause was delicious to her. - -The girls were all clapping and stamping vigorously. Their "hip, hip, -hurrrah!" echoed through the large hall where the examinations had just -been held. - -Raising her eyes suddenly, Janet perceived that Bridget O'Hara stood -motionless. She was in front of a group of smaller girls; her lips were -shut; neither hands nor feet responded to the volume of applause which -was echoing on all sides for Janet May. - -"Now we'll cheer our head girl," said Mrs. Freeman. "We are thankful -for her restoration to health, and we wish her long to remain an inmate -of Mulberry Court. Now, girls, with all your might, three cheers for -Evelyn Percival, the school favorite!" - -The burst of applause was deafening; the old roof rang with the -exultant young voices. Evelyn, in her turn, proposed some cheers for -the head mistress and the other teachers, after which the school broke -up. - -"Why didn't you cheer Janet May, Biddy?" asked Violet, when the girls -were streaming out of the hall. "I noticed that you didn't say a word, -and that you neither clapped your hands nor stamped your feet. I was -surprised, for I thought you were so fond of her." - -"I'm not fond of her at all," said Bridget. "Don't bother me, Vi; I -must run down now to the marquee to see about my stall." - -Violet's little face looked mystified. She turned to say something to -her chum Alice, and Bridget ran down the lawn to the marquee. - -The school was broken up by twelve o'clock, but the Fancy Fair was not -to be opened until three. - -Evelyn Percival's stall had been fully dressed the night before. It -looked very lovely and inviting, and although Janet's and Bridget's -stall also looked pretty, the stall of the head girl took the shine out -of all the others. - -When Bridget found herself standing by the marquee she looked around, -to find no one present but Janet. - -"I suppose you are satisfied now?" she said, giving Miss May a slightly -contemptuous glance. "You had your desire; you were publicly honored -and clapped by the whole school." - -"Well, my dear love," retorted Janet, who was most anxious to be -friendly with Bridget, "don't be vicious about it. I noticed that you -didn't clap me, nor cheer me. Why was that, _chérie_? Your conduct -didn't look at all amiable." - -"I was to clap you for being good and honorable. As I happen to know -you are not at all good, and most frightfully dishonorable, it was -impossible for me to join in the applause." - -"Oh, now, my dear Bridget, if you are going to preach!" - -"I to preach? Certainly not! I need someone to preach _me_ sermons. -When are we to see Mrs. Freeman?" - -"I told you not before this evening. Why will you worry me with that -unpleasant subject? We have enough on our hands now in getting the fair -well through." - -"I wish it were over; I hate the Fancy Fair! I saw Miss Delicia looking -at me, and Miss Dent's eyes were so red, while Mrs. Freeman was talking -of the goodness of her girls. I never felt smaller nor meaner in my -life. If Mrs. Freeman had known everything, you would not have been -standing where you were, Janet, with all that false glory shining -about you. I couldn't have taken it, if it were me; but you didn't seem -to mind." - -"Mind, dear? I like it, I assure you! I mean to have some more of that -sort of glory before the day is out. Ah, and here they come! I knew -they would not fail us." - -Janet's eyes glistened with delight; she forgot all Biddy's unpleasant -words in the ecstasy of this moment. Two men were seen walking across -the lawn, each of them bearing a large hamper. They laid them down on -the grass beside Janet and Bridget. - -"These are from Lady Kathleen Peterham," the foremost of the men said. -"She desired that they should be delivered without delay to Miss -Bridget O'Hara and Miss Janet May." - -"This is Bridget O'Hara, and I am Janet May," exclaimed Janet. - -The man touched his hat. - -"That's all right, then, miss. There are four more hampers to be -brought along; we has 'em in a cart at the gate. My mate and me'll go -back and fetch 'em, miss; and Lady Kathleen said that one of us was to -stay and help you to open them." - -"Yes, yes," said Janet eagerly. "Bring the hampers round, please, -to the back part of the marquee. We shall have the place quite to -ourselves, for the girls do not think there is anything more to be -done, and they are busy finishing their packing. Now, Biddy, Biddy, -help me! let us set to work. Oh, Glory and Honor, we shall have -something more to do with _you_ this day!" - -Janet's delicate complexion began to flame with excitement; her hand -shook with eagerness. She fastened a large brown holland apron over -her pretty white dress, and with the aid of one of the men, who was -very handy and efficient, began to take out the contents of the hampers. - -Bridget stood aside without offering to help. Janet gave her one or two -indignant glances, and then resolved to waste no further time on her. - -The lovely things which Lady Kathleen had purchased in Paris were so -varied and so dazzling that the home-painted fans, and the various home -articles of beauty and art were pushed hastily out of sight, and the -stall practically redecked. - -Lady Kathleen had evidently spared neither time nor money. Her -magnificent contribution to the Fancy Fair consisted of necklets, -bangles, scarfs, handkerchiefs, aprons, ties, every conceivable house -ornament, gay butterflies for the hair, bewitching little Parisian -bonnets; in short, a medley of fashion and beauty which intoxicated -Janet out of all reason. She clapped her hands, and laughed aloud, and -even Bridget so far forgot her sorrows and the gloom and disgrace which -each moment was bringing nearer, to exclaim at the treasures which were -taken out of the wonderful hampers. - -Evelyn's really beautiful stall sank into complete insignificance -beside the stall which was decked with the rare articles of beauty -from the choicest Parisian shops. Evelyn might be head of the fair, -but Lady Kathleen would certainly have her wish, for no one with eyes -to see, and money in her pocket, would linger for a moment beside -the home-decked stall when the sort of fairyland which Bridget's and -Janet's stall now presented was waiting within a stone's throw for -their benefit. - -Lady Katherine, remembering the wants of the children, had supplied -endless toys and bonbon boxes. In short, no one was forgotten. From -the youngest to the oldest a fairy contribution could be found on this -wonderful stall. - -Lady Kathleen's final act of beneficence was shown in her having marked -an exceedingly low price on each of the beautiful articles. In short, -a whim had seized her ladyship. Money was of no moment to her; she -had spent lavishly, and gone to enormous expense. If every article on -the stall were sold, about half the money she had expended would be -realized, but that fact mattered nothing at all; her object being not -to benefit little Tim Donovan, but to bring honor and renown to her -beautiful niece Bridget. - -Janet had great taste. She knew in a moment where to place each article -to the best advantage; she grouped her colors with an eye to artistic -effect; every touch from her deft fingers told. She was so excited and -intoxicated with the cheers she had received in the school, and now -with this fulfillment of her dearest dream, that her natural talent -arose almost to genius. Even Biddy could not help exclaiming with -wonder at the results she produced. - -"Whatever you are, Janet, you're clever!" she said. "I never saw -anything more lovely than this stall; never, never, in all my life!" - -"Well," said Janet, "if you admire it, Bridget, be good-natured about -it. Whatever is going to happen in the next few hours, let us be happy -while the bazaar is going on. Nothing can take place to disturb or -frighten us during that time. Let us, therefore, be happy." - -"Lady Kathleen Peterham said, miss," remarked one of the men, now -approaching Janet, and touching his hat respectfully, "that this box -was to be given most especial to you and the other young lady when the -stall was decked. Lady Kathleen said you would know what was in it when -you opened it, and she'd be sure to be here herself in good time for -the fair. Is there anything more that me and my mate can do for you -both, young ladies?" - -"No, nothing further," said Janet, "we are much obliged. Please -clear away the hampers and the pieces of paper and wool in which the -different things were wrapped, and if you return to Lady Kathleen say -that everything is most satisfactory." - -Janet had assumed a slightly commanding air, which suited her well. The -men were under the impression that she must be Lady Kathleen's niece. -They respectfully attended to her bidding, and, holding the box in her -hand, she and Bridget walked round to the other side of the marquee. - -It was a large box, and at another time Janet would have been -disinclined to burden herself with anything so heavy; but she was in -too good a humor now to think of small inconveniences. Attached to the -box was pinned a little note. It was directed to Bridget. - -"Here!" said Janet, handing it to her. "This is from your aunt; you had -better read it at once." - -"I don't suppose it matters," said Biddy. - -"Of course it matters. I never saw anyone so dull and stupid! Shall I -read it to you?" - -"If you like." - -Janet tore the note open. Her eyes rested on the following words; she -read them aloud: - - - DARLING BIDDY: - - I am told that Mrs. Freeman wishes all the stall-holders to wear - simple white with green ribbons, but there are different degrees - and qualities of this charming combination. I have selected - something very simple for you and your friend Miss May to wear - on this auspicious occasion. You will find your dresses in the - accompanying box. I can promise that they will fit you perfectly. - - -"O Biddy, Biddy!" said Janet, in excitement, "was there ever anyone so -kind as your Aunt Kathleen? Let us bring this box into the house at -once, and look at our finery." - -Even Bridget was not proof against the charms of a new dress. She -had a great love for gay clothing, and one of the small things that -fretted her on the occasion of the Fancy Fair was having to wear a book -muslin dress, made after a prescribed pattern, with a simple sash of -apple-green round her waist. - -She, therefore, willingly helped Janet to convey the big box to the -house. - -In the general excitement and disturbance the girls had no difficulty -in conveying it unobserved to Bridget's bedroom, where they eagerly -opened it, and pulled out its contents. - -Lady Kathleen Peterham had been careful to obey Mrs. Freeman's commands -to the letter. The Parisian frocks were also of book muslin, and the -sashes to be worn with them were of apple-green. But very wide was the -difference between the dresses made by a home dressmaker at Mulberry -Court and those which two pairs of eager eyes now feasted on. - -Lady Kathleen was quite right when she said that there are many kinds -of simple costumes. The quality of this book muslin was of the finest; -the embroidery and lace of the most exquisite; the puffings and -frillings, the general cut and arrangements, were made in the newest, -the most stylish and the most becoming fashion. There was something -piquant about these dresses, which removed them many degrees from those -which Evelyn Percival, Dorothy Collingwood, and the other girls would -wear. There were white silk stockings for the girls' dainty feet, and -little apple-green satin shoes with pearl buckles and high heels for -them to wear with the stockings; there were rows of shining green beads -to clasp round their slender throats; and last, but not least, there -were the cunningest and most bewitching little headdresses in the world -to perch on their heads of sunny hair. - -"Let us dress quickly," said Janet. "Let us slip the dresses on and run -down to the marquee and stay there. Oh, what _does_ dinner matter? no -one will mind whether we dine or not to-day. Let us stay in the marquee -until the fair opens; then, even if Mrs. Freeman should disapprove, -there won't be time for us to change. O Biddy, can it really be true -that I am not only to wear this exquisite costume, but to keep it? Oh, -what a woman your Aunt Kathleen is; she is really better than any fairy -godmother." - -Bridget laughed, and cheered up a good deal while she was putting on -her beautiful dress. The two girls dressed with great expedition, and -ran down to the marquee, where they amused themselves flitting about -from one stall to another until half-past two. - -The fair was to open at three, and at half-past two Mrs. Freeman, -the numerous teachers belonging to the school, and the rest of the -stall-holders streamed down in a body from the house. The white canvas -which concealed the front of the tent was removed, and the different -girls bustled to their stalls to give the finishing touches to -everything. - -Bridget was feeling hungry for want of her dinner, but Janet was too -excited and too triumphant to feel the pangs of healthy appetite. - -She stood a little in the shadow, a slight tremor of nervousness -running through her, notwithstanding her delight. - -Mrs. Freeman was the first to enter the marquee; she was accompanied by -Evelyn and Dorothy; they all walked straight up to Evelyn's stall. It -was in the best position, and commanded the first view as one entered -the tent. - -Mrs. Freeman had not hitherto seen the stalls; her hand was drawn -affectionately through Evelyn's arm, she had a careless and relieved -expression on her face which made her look years younger. As she had -just remarked to one of the teachers: - -"I am like a schoolgirl myself to-day. I mean to slip away from dull -care for the next seven weeks." - -Mrs. Freeman was a very handsome woman, and in her gray silk dress, and -a prettily arranged black lace scarf over her shoulders, she presented -a striking and impressive appearance. - -"So this is our _first_ stall," she exclaimed; "very nice; very nice -indeed, Evelyn. I knew you had great taste, dear. I must now see what -Janet and Bridget have contrived between them." - -Janet took this opportunity to step forward. - -The shadow caused by the interior of the tent prevented Mrs. Freeman -from at once noticing the marked difference in her dress; she only -observed a very graceful girl, whose eyes were shining with happiness, -and cheeks flushed with natural excitement. - -"Will it not be a good plan," said Janet, "to have the side canvas -removed also from the marquee. Visitors can then come in from both -sides, and there will be no sun round at this angle. Bridget's and my -stall is a good deal in shadow; we should like to have the side canvas -removed." - -"Certainly," said Mrs. Freeman, "give your own directions, Janet." - -Janet ran away, called to one of the gardeners, spoke to him quickly -and eagerly, ran up a step ladder herself to show him exactly what was -to be done, then, springing to the ground, she caught hold of Bridget's -hand and waited with a beating heart for the result. - -What might have happened can never be known, but at the very moment -when the side canvas dropped, and the full glories of the Parisian -stall and the exquisitely dressed girls were exposed to view, a gay, -high voice was heard in the distance, and a lady was seen tripping with -little runs across the lawn, and advancing rapidly in the direction of -the marquee. - -Mrs. Freeman at once went to meet this lady. Dorothy, Evelyn, Frances -Murray, and the many school teachers stood motionless, transfixed with -astonishment. - -"Well, after that!" said Dolly at last, "are there fairies alive? -Janet, I think you are bewitched; what a stall!" - -"I never saw anything so beautiful in my life," said Evelyn; "only I -think I ought to have been told." - -"It's a nasty, mean trick!" said Frances Murray, "and I for one am not -going to be dazzled. It's enchantment, but it's not going to overcome -me." She turned away as she spoke; she realized the meaning of the -whole thing more quickly than the other two girls. - -"Janet, come here," said Evelyn, running up to her, and pulling her -forward. "You are dressed in white muslin and green ribbons, but--O -Dolly! look at these girls' dresses. There is nothing whatever for us -to do but to hide our diminished heads." - -"Not a bit of it!" said Dorothy in a stout voice. She turned away; her -cheeks were flushed with anger; she had never felt in a greater passion -in her life. - -"It's a trick to humiliate you, Eva," she said in a whisper. "I might -have guessed that Janet would have been up to something; she never -wanted you to have anything to do with the fair. You would not have -been asked to join at all but for Mrs. Freeman's command, and now she -has invented this way to spite us both. I am not going to be cowed, of -course; but I never felt so plain and dowdy in my life. I see now why -she has taken up with that wretched little Bridget. Oh, why did we clap -Janet in the hall just now?" - -"Never mind, dear," said Evelyn. "It does not really matter, of course, -whose stall is first. In my heart I never in the least cared to take a -prominent place in the bazaar. It was just Mrs. Freeman's wish." - -"Just Mrs. Freeman's wish!" echoed Dorothy. "It was your right, Evelyn; -you know that perfectly well." - -"Well, darling, my rights have been taken from me; not that it matters -in the very least. Please don't think that I am angry. Don't let us -seem sorry, Dolly; let us resign ourselves to the second position with -a good grace." - -"Never!" said Dorothy, stamping her foot. "This is the first stall and -you are at the head of the fair, whether people buy from us or not. -What--is that you are saying, Janet? I don't want to listen to you." - -"Only," said Janet, "you must not suppose this is my fault. I heard you -two muttering together, and I suppose you feel vexed that Bridget's and -my stall should be more beautiful than yours. If anyone is to blame in -the matter, it's Lady Kathleen Peterham. She said the other day she -would give us a contribution from Paris. It arrived this morning. How -could we possibly tell that it would be so large and magnificent?" - -"And I suppose she sent you those dresses, too?" - -"She did, quite unsolicited. Don't you admire them?' - -"Go away! I don't want to speak to you!" - -"You are making poor Bridget quite unhappy, Dorothy. Biddy, never mind, -dear; we will both do our utmost to keep in the shade, and, of course, -our stall is the second one, not the first. Whoever thought of its -being anything else?" - -Janet turned away as she spoke. The rest of the children were now -pouring down from the house, and more and more guests were arriving -each moment. Lady Kathleen, after keeping Mrs. Freeman talking outside, -until the very last instant, now rushed in to survey the premises. - -"Ah, my love!" she exclaimed, running up to her niece; "you do look -charming! I knew that cut about the shoulders, and that arrangement -of sleeve would suit you, Bridget. Come here, my treasure, and let -me look at you, and little May, too; sweet, dear little Mayflower. My -darling, let me whisper to you, you look most _recherchée--recherchée_, -yes, that is quite the word. Dear loves, your stall does us three -immense credit, does it not? Who talks of anyone else being first -now--eh, little Mayflower, eh?" - -Janet laughed, flushed, and tripped about. Bridget threw her arms round -Lady Kathleen, and gave her a hug. Her presence slightly cheered her. -The bazaar now really began, and Janet's tact during the long hours of -hard work which followed never deserted her. - -If Mrs. Freeman were angry she had no opportunity of showing her -feelings; neither Bridget nor Janet saw anything of Dolly and Evelyn; -they were surrounded by a stream of eager, worshiping, excited, -enthusiastic buyers. The dense mob which surrounded this one stall -seemed never for a moment to lighten. The girls worked with a will, and -money dropped into their boxes unceasingly. - -Once Janet could not resist raising herself on tiptoe, and then -springing on an empty box, to see how Dolly's and Evelyn's stall was -faring. - -Two or three sensible old ladies were calmly scrutinizing some -well-made children's frocks and pinafores; no one else seemed to be -buying; Dorothy and Evelyn did not look at all overworked. Turning her -head in another direction Janet saw that even the refreshment stall was -in nothing like the favor that her own stall was in. It was not only -the very beautiful things to be purchased, but the young stall-holders -were so piquant. One of them was so strikingly beautiful, and both -presented such an altogether uncommon appearance, that people pressed -forward to obtain a sight of them, and to wonder who they could be. - -Finding that the work was too much even for the two indefatigable young -sellers, Lady Kathleen herself at last donned a green ribbon badge, -and tying on an apron, stepped behind the counter to help the sale. -Her good nature, her fun, her quick repartees, made her even a greater -favorite than the two girls. The excitement rose now fast and furious. -Never, in short, had there been a greater success than Bridget O'Hara's -stall. - - - - -CHAPTER XVI. - -STILL IN THE WOOD. - - -But in the midst of all the fun Janet's heart was not easy. - -Last night she had managed very cleverly to induce Miss Delicia to keep -silence. She felt as she worked hard at the Fancy Fair, as she made -bargains with customers, and laughed and joked and looked the very -personification of light-heartedness and gayety, that she must set her -wits to work again to-night. Miss Delicia had only promised to keep -silence until the fair was over; but Janet was determined that, come -what would, Bridget should leave school before Mrs. Freeman knew of her -delinquencies. - -People were already beginning to depart, when Janet stole up to Lady -Kathleen, who was standing in the shade fanning herself with a huge fan. - -"Oh, my darling, what a success the whole thing has been," said that -good lady. "Aren't you proud, my little Mayflower, of having won -the day? I fear the head girl of the school was simply nowhere on -this occasion. I am really sorry for her, poor girl. I saw a dowdy, -pale-faced, uncouth-looking creature standing by an equally dowdy stall -at the other end of the marquee. Is _she_ the school favorite--the -school _queen_, my love?" - -"Yes," said Janet, in a low voice; "but please don't speak against -her, she is a very dear, very sweet girl. I really felt sorry for her -and her friend Dolly Collingwood to-day." - -"Dolly Collingwood was, I presume, that stout, bouncing looking young -person with the red cheeks. I thought she looked very cross. It's sweet -of you, Mayflower, to stand up for them both; but if you think that -I could allow Bridget O'Hara, my niece, to be overshadowed by girls -of that sort, you are pretty well mistaken. Thank goodness, the whole -affair has gone off splendidly. You look a little tired, Mayblossom, -but very, very sweet. Your dress is most becoming. I am so delighted -to find that the new way of puffing the drapery over the shoulders -suits a little _mignonne_ thing like you. As to Bridget, she is a -radiant creature--something like the sun in his strength. You, my dear, -resemble the pale moon; but don't be vexed, _chérie_, the moon, too, is -very lovely." - -"I want to speak to you," said Janet, laying her small hand on the -great lady's sleeve. "No, of course, I am not the least bit vexed. How -could I be vexed with anything you do? You are quite the kindest friend -I have ever come across; but I want to talk to you about Bridget." - -"Mercy, child, how solemn you look! What about my lovely girl?" - -"It is just this: I don't think she is well. She has a great color in -her cheeks, it is true, and her eyes shine; but she has eaten nothing -all day, and just now when I touched her hand it burned. I am sure she -is feverish, and over-excited. I wish, Lady Kathleen--I do wish, most -earnestly--that you would take her from the school to-night." - -"To-night!" said Lady Kathleen; "you quite alarm me, Janet May. If -Biddy is going to be ill there'll be a frightful to do. Why, she's -the only descendant we have any of us got; positively the last of the -family; the apple of her old father's eye, the core of my heart. Oh, my -colleen, let me get to her at once!" - -"Please, please," said Janet, "will you let me speak to you?" - -"Yes, you dear little anxious creature, I will. Why, there are -positively tears in your eyes! I never saw anyone so tender-hearted. -Oh, bother that Fancy Fair, I am sick to death of it! Let us walk here -in the shade. Now, my dear love, what is it?" - -"I happen to know," said Janet, "that Bridget is perplexed and unhappy; -she has taken some morbid views with regard to certain matters, and her -illness of body is really caused by the unrestful state of her mind. It -would be very bad for her if anyone noticed that she were not well, but -if anyone with tact--like yourself, for instance, Lady Kathleen--were -to take her right away from the school to-night, she would probably get -quite well at once. I cannot reveal to you what is worrying her, and I -must beg of you not to allude to the subject to her. In many ways she -is a most uncommon girl, and she is new to the sort of things that go -on here. She is quite morbid, poor dear, because she has not got up -higher in her classes, and has not won a prize; but it would _never_ do -to mention this to her. Only, Lady Kathleen, please, please, take her -away to-night." - -"I will," said Lady Kathleen; "I most undoubtedly will. Mum's the -word with regard to the reason, of course; but out of this Biddy goes -to-day, whatever happens. I don't stir until she goes with me. But -there's just one thing more, my sweet little Janet. When are you going -away? where are you going to spend your holidays?" - -Janet's eyes drooped. - -"I--I don't quite know," she said. - -"But I do, my darling. I would not part Biddy from such a -tender-hearted, affectionate little friend as you are for the world. If -Biddy and I leave Mulberry Court to-night, you leave it to-morrow; and -I know where you are going to spend your holidays; at Castle Mahun, in -dear old Ireland, with Biddy and her father and me. You'll like that, -won't you, sweet Mayflower?" - -"But I--I am a poor girl," said Janet, coloring. - -Lady Kathleen placed her hand across Janet's lips. - -"Not another word," she said; "you are my guest, and I pay for -everything. Now, run along, dear, and help Biddy with her packing, you -had better not mind the bazaar any more. I'll go and tell her that I am -going to take her away with me this evening." - -Janet ran off with a beating heart. - -She saw daylight in the distance, but she also knew that she was by -no means yet out of the wood. Miss Delicia was the most good-natured -of women, but she was also not without a strong sense of justice; and -even if Miss Delicia could have been induced to keep silence, there -was Miss Dent, the English teacher, to be considered. Miss Dent looked -fierce and uncomfortable all day. An angry glitter had shone in her -eyes whenever she turned them in Bridget's direction; this Janet had -not failed to observe. Yes, it was all very well to get Bridget away -that evening, and to go with her herself; but she might as well spare -all her pains if before they left Mulberry Court Miss Delicia had an -opportunity of telling her story to Mrs. Freeman. - -As Janet was running to the house she met the post boy; he handed -her the bag, which happened to be unlocked. In the confusion of the -morning the key had got mislaid. Janet took it from him, and, opening -it, looked eagerly at its contents. There were only two letters; one -for herself, the other, in deep mourning, addressed to Mrs. Freeman. -The moment Janet saw this letter she knew what it contained; she also -knew that here was an open way out of her difficulty. Mrs. Freeman -had a first cousin in Liverpool, who was very, very ill. She was -intensely attached to this cousin, whose husband wrote to her almost -daily with regard to her health. Janet had often seen the letters, and -knew the handwriting. Now, when she saw the black-edged letter with -the Liverpool postmark on it, she guessed at once that Mrs. Freeman's -favorite cousin was dead. - -"I know what I'll do," said Janet to herself; "I'll take this letter to -Miss Delicia; I'll tell her how I came by it, and beg of her not to let -Mrs. Freeman see it until the worries of the day are over. Miss Delicia -will be so pleased with me for this thoughtfulness that, perhaps, she -will agree that it is best not to worry Mrs. Freeman about Bridget's -naughtiness; at any rate, to-night. This is a bit of luck for me! I'll -go and find Miss Delicia at once." - -It was not easy to discover that most good-natured, bustling, and -obliging little woman. Her movements were so quick, her anxiety to make -everyone happy so intense, that she had almost the faculty of being in -several places at the same time. - -After several minutes' active search, Janet found her in one of the -attics, cording a schoolgirl's trunk herself. - -"Oh, my dear, what is it?" she said, when the girl entered. "How pretty -you look in that stylish frock, Janet! I know Henrietta will scold you -for wearing it, but I must own that it is becoming. I am to see my -sister on that other unpleasant matter about seven o'clock. Now, what -is wrong, my dear?" - -"I--I have brought you this," said Janet, her face turning pale, and -her voice trembling. "I--I am very sorry, but I thought perhaps you -would rather Mrs. Freeman did not have this letter just at present; it -came in the post bag, which was unlocked. The post boy gave me the bag, -and I looked in. There were only two letters, one for me, and this; -I--forgive me, Miss Delicia; it has the Liverpool postmark." - -"Good gracious!" said Miss Delicia, "a black-edged letter, and from -Liverpool; then it is all over; poor Susan is gone. The will of the -Lord be done, of course, but this will be a sore blow to Henrietta." - -"I--I thought you'd keep it, and give it to her by and by," said Janet. - -"Thank you, my dear; very thoughtful of you; very thoughtful, but I -think she must receive it at once, for she will probably wish to go to -Liverpool to-night. Poor Susan's husband will--will want her. Oh, this -is very, very sad; my dear, loving sister, what a blow I shall have to -deal to you!" - -"You," said Janet; she came up and laid her hand on Miss Delicia's arm; -her face turned ashy white, so much depended on this moment; "you--you -won't tell about--about Bridget, at the same time," she gasped. - -Miss Delicia stared back at Janet in amazement. - -"Of course not!" she said. "Who could be so heartless as to worry -Henrietta about school matters at a moment like this?" - -"You won't tell Miss Patience, either?" - -"I shall, probably, say nothing until Henrietta returns to the Court. -How queer you look, Janet; are you ill?" - -"No, no, I am very well indeed," said Janet. She bent forward and -kissed Miss Delicia on her forehead, and then ran out of the room. - - - - -CHAPTER XVII. - -PERSIAN CATS. - - -Lady Kathleen Peterham had not much difficulty in inducing Bridget to -return with her to Eastcliff. The young girl was in a state of intense -nervous excitement. She was making up her mind to face disgrace. -All through the triumph and supposed pleasure of the Fancy Fair she -kept seeing the indignant face of Mrs. Freeman when she heard of the -wicked trick which she and Janet had played upon her. She saw her Aunt -Kathleen with her shocked, incredulous, unbelieving expression; and -last, but not least, she saw her gray-headed old father when the news -reached him that the last of the O'Haras--the very last of all the -race--had stooped to dishonor. - -These thoughts took away Biddy's enjoyment. She became so wretched at -last that she almost wished for the crucial hour to be over. - -Janet came up to her as the last of the guests were departing. - -"It's all right," she whispered. "I have not time to explain matters -now, but you have nothing whatever to fear. Leave things in my hands, -and don't be nervous, for I assure you everything will be as right as -possible." - -Bridget had no time to ask Janet to explain her strange words, for the -next moment she had turned away to say something with eagerness to -Lady Kathleen. - -Lady Kathleen nodded, and looked intensely wise and affectionate. - -An hour later Bridget found herself driving away from Mulberry Court, -her last frantic endeavors to see Mrs. Freeman by herself having proved -utterly fruitless. - -"I can't make out what's the matter with you, Biddy!" said her aunt. -"Why are you flushing one moment and growing pale the next? I hope to -goodness you haven't caught anything. You look quite feverish." - -"Oh, I'm all right, Aunt Kathie!" said Bridget. "Please don't worry -about my looks; they don't signify in the least." - -"Your looks don't signify, Bridget? That's a strange thing to say -to me, who was born a Desborough. You are a Desborough yourself, -Bridget, on your poor mother's side, and have we not been celebrated -for our beauty through a long line of distinguished ancestors? Never -let me hear that kind of nonsense fall again from your lips, Biddy. -Heaven-born beauty is a gift which ought not to be lightly regarded." - -"I have a headache, then," said Bridget. "I suppose I needn't talk if I -don't want to?" - -"Of course you needn't, pet; and when we go back to the hotel you shall -go straight to bed. Oh, how pleased your father will be when we get -back to the Castle!" - -In reply to this speech Bridget burst into a sudden flood of tears. - -"I can't bear it!" she sobbed. "Oh, Aunt Kathie, I have been so -naughty! I wanted to see Mrs. Freeman to tell her everything; but she -had just had some bad news, and no one would let me go near her. Oh, -I am so miserable! I do hate school most dreadfully. Aunt Kathie, you -wouldn't love me if you knew what a bad girl I have been." - -"Now, my pet, that is nonsense. I'd just love you through everything. -I suppose you have got into a little school scrape? Bless you, Biddy, -all the girls do that. Now dry your eyes, and let us think no more -about trifles of that sort. Here we are at the hotel, and your holidays -have begun. I promise you, you'll never have gayer ones. I have a nice -little surprise in store for you, but you are not going to get it out -of me to-night." - -Bridget did not betray any inordinate curiosity with regard to her -aunt's surprise. She cheered up a little, and after a slight supper -retired to bed. - -In the meantime, Janet May was in her own room at the Court, busily -concluding her packing. - -The girl who shared her room with her had left that evening. Janet, -therefore, had the apartment to herself. - -Two letters had come by that evening's post; one which brought to her -at least some days of respite, for she was now quite sure that nothing -further would be done with regard to Miss Dent's discovery for a week -or ten days. It was even possible that the thing might remain in -abeyance until the school reassembled. - -In any case Janet had now time to breathe. - -Two letters had, however, come by the post, and while one gave her -relief, the other added to her perplexities. - -The other letter was from her sister Sophy. - - - DEAR JANET [this sister had written] I am waiting anxiously for - the moment when the post will bring me your letter with a couple - of pounds in it. I simply cannot do without it, as Miss Simpkins - has turned me out of doors. I am writing from a little stationer's - shop quite close, and I have bribed Annie, the housemaid, to bring - me your letter the instant it comes. I have exactly one shilling - in my pocket, so you may suppose that I am brought to a low ebb. - Miss Simpkins is the very crossest old cat that ever breathed, - and I could not help giving her cheek this morning, so she turned - me out, and refused to pay me my week's salary. It isn't worth - fighting with her, and, of course, I am willing to admit that there - were faults on both sides. The stationer's wife will give me a bed - to-night, but what _am_ I to do afterward? Of course, the money - will come from you, you dear, and then I shall immediately start - for Margate, and look for you to meet me there. Mrs. Dove, the - stationer's wife, knows of a nice little room, which we could share - together, for ten shillings a week--that is dirt cheap, as you must - know. The address is Mrs. Dove's, 9 Water Street, South Parade. - It's a top room--I suppose that means an attic; but, never mind; as - Mrs. Dove says, "the higher up you are, the better the air." - - Your devoted sister, - - SOPHY. - - P. S.--Oh, you cruel, cruel Janet! You heartless monster! The post - has come and your letter, and _no inclosure_. Mrs. Dove will let me - sleep here to-night--she is a kind soul; but, remember, I have only - got one shilling in the world, and I vow I will never ask Aunt Jane - to help me. - - -Very early the next morning Janet rose, and going downstairs met one of -the servants in the hall. - -"I'm going to walk to Eastcliff," she said. "I have got all my boxes -packed and directed. They are to be sent by the carrier to-day to the -railway station, where they are to be left for me until I send further -orders. They will be put into the booking office of course." - -"Very well, miss," said the servant, "but you'll want some breakfast of -course." - -"No, no, I am in a great hurry; I can't possibly wait." - -"Have you seen Miss Delicia, Miss May?" - -"It's all right," repeated Janet, not heeding this remark. She walked -through the hall as she spoke, opened the door herself, and let herself -out. - -She was neatly dressed in pale gray alpaca; her little sailor hat, with -a plain band of white ribbon round it, looked neat and girlish; she -carried a thin dust cloak on her arm. - -No one could look nicer or sweeter than Janet. She had a sort of good -heroine air about her, and this fact struck Lady Kathleen Peterham -most forcibly when about eight o'clock that morning the young lady was -admitted into her bedroom. - -Lady Kathleen was not an early riser. - -She was, indeed, sound asleep when her maid brought her a little note -on a silver salver. The note contained a few piteous lines from Janet. - - - I am in great trouble and perplexity [she wrote]; will you see me - for one minute? - - -"The little dear, of course I'll see her," said Lady Kathleen. She had -herself arrayed in a rose-colored silk dressing gown, and was sitting -up in the shaded light when Janet tripped into the room. - -"Oh, how kind of you to let me come," said the girl. - -"My love," said Lady Kathleen, "I was expecting you between ten and -eleven. I have not broken the news of our charming arrangement yet to -Biddy; I know well how delighted she'll be when I do tell her. Why -have you come so early, little Mayflower, and what is all this trouble -about? You look very nice, my love, notwithstanding your perplexities." - -"I am very anxious," said Janet; and then she proceeded to tell a -long and pathetic story about Sophy; Sophy was so pretty, but also so -willful; she was older than Janet, but she also leaned upon her. She -had just been turned out of her situation owing to the cruelty of her -employer, and--and--of course Janet could not go to Ireland and leave -her dear older sister in such a plight; she had saved a few shillings, -and she was going to take the very next train to Bristol to see her. - -The words that Janet hoped Lady Kathleen would utter fell at once from -the good lady's lips. "My darling," she said, "you and this naughty, -pretty little sister of yours shall both come to Castle Mahun. My -brother-in-law, dear fellow, will give you the best of Irish welcomes; -of course he will, you sweet little brave soul; why it's a heroine you -are, and no mistake." - -Janet replied in a very humble and pretty manner to these gratifying -words of praise, and soon a plan which she had already sketched out in -her own mind was proposed to her by Lady Kathleen. - -"You and your sister can cross over from Bristol to Cork," she said. -"From there it is only a short distance to Castle Mahun. Biddy and I -will start for home to-day, and we'll expect you in a day or two after. -Oh, my dear, you want a little money; I know you're poor, darling, and -I am rich, so where are the odds? It's no worry to me, but a pleasure -to help you. Give me your address in Bristol, and I'll send you a -postal order before Biddy and I leave Eastcliff to-day." - -Janet's eyes fell, and her heart sank a trifle. - -It would have been so much nicer to have got the money now; she did not -want to spend Biddy's two pounds if she could help it. Her intention, -indeed, had been to get a postal order to send off to Pat Donovan -before she left Eastcliff, but Lady Kathleen, who had risen to all -Janet's other suggestions, failed her in this. - -There was no help for it, therefore, she must spend part of the two -pounds in taking her railway ticket to Bristol, and could only trust -that Biddy would never hear of the non-reception of her gift. - -Janet bade Lady Kathleen an affectionate good-by and tripped off on her -errand of sisterly mercy. - -She sent a telegram to Sophy, and found her standing on the platform at -Bristol waiting to receive her. - -Sophy was smaller than Janet, a plump, softly rounded little person, -with wide-open eyes of heavenly blue, rosebud lips, and masses of -shining golden hair. At the first glance people as a rule fell in love -with Sophy; how long they continued in this state of devotion was quite -another matter, but the impression she made with those large-eyed -innocent glances was always favorable, and served her in good stead as -she fought her way through the world. - -She was not nearly as clever as Janet, but that very fact added to -her charms, for she had a way of confiding her troubles, of looking -pathetic and asking such touchingly simple questions with regard to -her future that, unless the person she addressed was very suspicious -indeed, the little good-humored pretty creature was taken at once to -the heart of her sympathizer. - -"Oh, here you are, Janey," she exclaimed, rushing up to her sister now -and clasping a plump little hand affectionately through her arm. - -She was really fond of Janet, and Janet really cared for her, but as -the two were perfectly open with each other it was unnecessary in -Janet's opinion to waste time in sentiment. - -"Yes, I have come," she said, "and very troublesome it is to me to have -to come. Why couldn't you keep your situation, Sophy?" - -"Oh, my darling," exclaimed Sophy, "if you had been me! you don't -know--you can't possibly know what Miss Simpkins is like. She is -full of the most awful fads, and she fusses so about the cats. There -were four cats when I first went to her, and now there are six, all -Persians, and every one of them affected with the most terrible -bronchitis. They have to be doctored and medicined and their hair -combed out, and watched like any number of babies. I do think, Janey, -I really do think that I might have a higher vocation in life than -looking after Persian cats." - -"That's stuff," said Janet. "Don't you prefer looking after Persian -cats to living with Aunt Jane?" - -"I am not quite sure, Janet." - -"But I am!" said Janet, favoring her sister with a quick, angry glance. -"I wouldn't eat the bread of dependence for anybody; but now let's come -back to Mrs. Dove's and have a talk." - -"Is there any money, Janey?" whispered Sophy, in an appealing tone. -"I told you that I had only a shilling, and it is absolutely true. I -ought to pay something for my bed, and she gave me some tea and a nice -new laid egg, lightly boiled, for breakfast. If I pay her the whole -shilling it will be cheap; very cheap, for what she has done for me. I -do trust and hope you have brought a little money with you, Janet!" - -"I have brought a little. It was very hardly come by, I can tell you, -and will have to go a tremendous long way. I may get into an awful -scrape about that money, and I really don't see why I should run such -risks for your sake." - -"O Janey, Janey, and you know I'd do anything in the world for you." - -Sophy's lovely eyes slowly filled with tears. Janet gave her a quick -half-contemptuous, half-affectionate glance. - -"There," she said, "you needn't fret; I daresay everything will be all -right, and I have something very jolly to tell you in a minute or two. -Only let us get to your lodgings first, for we can't talk comfortably -in this noisy street." - -The girls presently reached the poky little house where Sophy had spent -her night. They went up at once to a tiny room with a sloping roof, and -there Janet proceeded to administer a very sound lecture to her sister. - -"I have something unpleasant to talk about before I say anything nice," -she began. "You must first hear me out, whether you like it or not, for -if you cry until your eyes are sunk into your head it won't make the -least bit of difference to me. Speak I will, for it is for your good -and mine." - -No one could cry more copiously than Sophy on occasions, but she also -had a certain power of self-control. If her tears could effect no -object there was not the least use in her spoiling her pretty eyes, so -she sat very still now on the edge of the small hard bed, and gazed at -Janet, who sat opposite to her on a cane-bottomed chair. - -"The first thing to be done is this," said Janet; "I must see Miss -Simpkins, and ask her if she will take you back after the holidays are -over." - -"I won't go!" said Sophy, clenching her fist. - -"That is nonsense, Sophy; you will either have to go to Miss Simpkins -or to Aunt Jane. Aunt Jane will half starve you, and give you no money -at all; Miss Simpkins will feed you well--I know she does that, or -you'd be sure to tell me the contrary--then Miss Simpkins gives you -fifteen pounds a year. That being the case, there is no choice at all -between the two posts. Miss Simpkins's, notwithstanding the Persian -cats, is much the best place for you to live at." - -"Oh, you don't know," said Sophy; "it's the most horrid life. Besides, -she wouldn't have me again; I know she wouldn't. We were both -frightfully impertinent to each other. We were like two cats ourselves. -Miss Simpkins was the old tabby, and I was the angry, snarling kitten. -I have claws, you know, Janet, although I do look so velvety." - -"I know perfectly well that you have claws, my dear, but you must keep -them sheathed. As to going back to Miss Simpkins, I shall see her -myself, and I am sure I can manage that part. You have got to come with -me there after we have finished our present conversation, and you have -got to beg her pardon in the most humble and proper fashion." - -"I really don't know how I am to do it, Janey." - -"But I do, love; you must just lean on me, and do exactly what I -advise; it won't be for the first time." - -"I know that," said poor Sophy, "and you are three years younger than -me, and all. I didn't think you'd be such an awful tyrant; it seems -rather hard to bear from one's younger sister." - -"But I am older in mind, darling." - -"Yes, yes, and much cleverer; but after all a worm _will_ turn. Suppose -I refuse to go back to Miss Simpkins?" - -"Then, my love, I will try and screw together sufficient money to send -you back third class to Aunt Jane's." - -"Oh, I can't; I won't do that; it would be too horrible!" - -"Listen to me, Sophy. I always said I would help you. You are very -pretty, but you are not clever. You have not been educated up to the -required standard; you have no chance whatever of getting a situation -as governess. In these days it is the most difficult thing in the world -for lady-girls who are not educated, and have not got special talents, -to find anything at all to do. You are in great luck in getting this -situation as companion, and I am absolutely determined that you shall -not lose it. In two years' time I shall have left school. My object -then is to get a good situation as English and musical teacher in one -of the high schools. When I have got such a post, I may want you to -live with me, Sophy, as housekeeper; there is no saying. You would like -that, wouldn't you?" - -"Oh, shouldn't I! What larks we'd have." - -"Yes, we'd have a jolly time together; but there's not the least use in -thinking about it if you don't do what I tell you now. Put your hat on -straight, Sophy, and don't let your hair look quite so wild and fluffy, -and we will go across to Miss Simpkins's without delay. I have a very -jolly plan to propose to you after you have made your peace with the -old lady and the Persian cats, but not even a hint with regard to it -shall drop from my lips until you have been a good girl." - -"Oh, dear, oh, dear," said Sophy, "I don't know how I am ever to face -the old tabby cat again." - -"That's a very improper way to speak of your employer, and I'm not -going to laugh. Come; are you ready?" - -"I wish you weren't such a Solon, Janet." - -"It is well I have got some brains; I don't know where you and I would -be if I hadn't. Now, come along." - -"But I am not to go back and live with her to-day?" - -"No, no, I'll manage that; you shall have your bit of fun first, poor -Sophy. Now come at once, we have not a moment of time to lose." - -Sophy straightened her hat very unwillingly, brushed back her -disordered locks with considerable rebellion in each movement, but -finally followed Janet down into the street and across the narrow road -into the fashionable locality where Miss Simpkins and the Persian cats -resided. - -Miss Simpkins lived in a small house, which was kept scrupulously clean -and bright. There were flower boxes in all the windows, and the shining -brass knocker and handles of the door reflected the faces of the two -girls like mirrors. - -A neat but severe-looking servant answered Janet's rather determined -ring. She scowled at Sophy, but replied civilly to Janet's inquiry if -Miss Simpkins was at home. - -"Yes, miss," she replied; "my missus is in her morning room, very -particularly occupied." - -"I should like to see her for a few minutes," said Janet. - -"I am afraid, miss, that if you have come on behalf of that young lady, -the late companion, that you may spare yourself the trouble, for the -missus won't have nothing to say to her nor her belongings." - -"I have come on that business," said Janet. "I am much shocked at what -has occurred, and have come to offer apologies. My sister, Miss May, -has behaved with great indiscretion." - -Poor Sophy gasped. - -Janet did not pay the smallest heed to Sophy's indignant expression. -Her smooth young face looked full of shocked virtue. It impressed the -servant, who nodded back a sympathetic reply, and telling the girls to -wait a minute, walked sedately across the hall and into the morning -room. - -She returned in a few moments with the information that Miss Simpkins -would see the younger of the young ladies. - -"I can put you, Miss May," she said, turning to Sophy, "into the hall -room while the other young lady talks to my missus." - -"Yes, Sophy, go there and wait," said Janet; and Sophy went. - -Janet tripped lightly across the tiled hall. - -The servant opened the door of the morning room and then turned to -inquire the young lady's name. - -"Miss Janet May," was the response. - -"Miss Janet May!" shouted the servant, and Janet found the door closed -behind her. - -A severe looking woman, primly dressed, was seated by a round mahogany -table. In the center of the table sat a snow-white and very beautiful -Persian cat; a dark tabby of the same species was lapping a saucer of -milk also on the table; some Persian kittens gamboled about the room. -Miss Simpkins was bending over the tabby. She raised her eyes now and -murmured, half to herself, half to Janet, "She has taken exactly a -tenth of a pint of milk! That is a great improvement on yesterday." - -"I am sure of it," said Janet, entering into the spirit of the thing -without a moment's delay; "and what an exquisite cat! and oh! what a -beauty that white one is! I do admire Persian cats!" - -"Do you, my dear?" said the old lady. "This cat--Cherry Ripe I call -her--has won several prizes at the Crystal Palace. This tabby--his name -is Pompey--will also, I expect, be a prize-winner. These two kittens -that you see on the floor, Marcus Aurelius and Mark Antony, have been -sent to me direct from Persia. They are most valuable animals. The -Persian cat is a curious and remarkable creature. Don't you think so? -so sadly delicate! so fragilely beautiful! so sensitive and refined in -every movement! Breed is shown in each of its actions. These cats are -lovely--almost too lovely--and yet, my dear, whatever care you take of -them, they all suffer more or less from bronchitis! they all swallow -their long hairs when they wash themselves! and they all die young. -Beautiful darlings! it is too touching to think of your inevitable -fate!" - -Miss Simpkins, as she spoke, stroked the snow-white Persian with her -long, slender fingers. - -Janet murmured some words of rapture, and the old lady asked her to -seat herself. - -The subject of Sophy was introduced in a few moments, and here Janet -showed that talent for diplomacy which always marked her actions. Miss -Simpkins found, as she listened to the admirable words which dropped -from the lips of this young girl, her anger fading. After all, Sophy -had some good points. The white Persian cat liked to nestle on her -shoulder, and rub its soft head against her soft cheek. Miss Simpkins -fancied that the cat looked melancholy since Sophy's departure. In -short, knowing well in her heart that she would find it extremely -difficult to get anyone else to take the much-enduring Sophy's place, -she consented to have her back again on trial. - -"But not at once," said Miss Simpkins, "for I have just let this house, -furnished, to a friend. I don't really know what your sister will do, -Miss May, but Barker and I and the cats are quite as many as can travel -comfortably together. I shall be back here by the end of September, and -will receive your sister, if she faithfully promises to behave herself." - -These terms being quite to Janet's satisfaction, she closed with Miss -Simpkins's offer, and left the house in Sophy's company in high good -humor. - -"Now you have behaved well, and you shall hear of the treat I have in -store for you," she said to her sister. "But, first of all, let us -go to one of the shipping offices to find out at what hour the next -steamer sails for Cork." - - - - -CHAPTER XVIII. - -AN IRISH WELCOME. - - -Castle Mahun was the sort of old place which can be met in many parts -of Ireland. It consisted of almost innumerable acres of land, some -cultivated, some wild and barren, and of a large, rambling, and, in -parts, tumble-down house. Castle Mahun stood on rising ground which -faced due west. The ground was beautifully shaped, with many gentle -undulations and many steep and bold descents. It was thickly wooded, -and some of these forests of almost primeval trees sloped down to the -edge of a deep, wide lake of nearly two miles in length and half a mile -in width. This lake was the pride of Castle Mahun. In sunshiny weather -it looked blue as the sea itself; in winter its waters became dark -and turbid, the high waves tossed them and made themselves at times -as angry as if they were really influenced by the many currents and -the tides of ocean. The lake had two names. The owners of the property -called it Lake Crena, but the poor people--and they abounded all over -the lands of Castle Mahun--spoke of it as the Witch's Cauldron, and -said that although it was fair enough, and pleasant enough to live by -in summer, in winter it was haunted by a black witch, and woe betide -anyone who attempted to boat on its surface or fish in its waters at -that time of year. - -The Castle, or rather old house--for it bore little pretensions to -its name--hung partly over the lake. There were sloping lawns, badly -tended, but very picturesque in appearance, running down to the waters, -and a steep path, about three feet in width, with a sheer precipice at -one side, and a thick, heavy belt of forest trees at the other, running -right round the lake from one side of the old house. - -This was called the terrace walk, and it was here Dennis O'Hara took -his evening promenade, accompanied by the dogs. - -He was a handsome, picturesque looking man, with silvery white hair, -very piercing dark eyes, and aquiline features. He had a stentorian -voice, which he used to good effect on all those who came within -his reach; but he had also a kindly twinkle in those dark eyes, and -a kindly expression round his handsome, well-cut lips, which kept -the poor folks at Castle Mahun from fearing the master's indignant -bursts of strong language, and which made him one of the most popular -landlords all over the country. - -To-night there was great excitement at Castle Mahun, for the banished -princess, as the people chose to consider Bridget O'Hara, was coming -home from foreign parts. Bonfires were lit all along the hills in her -welcome. O'Hara had not gone himself to the nearest railway station, -twenty miles off, to meet his daughter, but he knew by the thin smoke -on a distant peak that the jaunting car, drawn by faithful Paddy, his -favorite chestnut horse, and driven by Larry O'Connor, was bearing his -darling back to him as quickly as the ill-kept roads would permit. - -"She's coming, masther," shouted a ragged little urchin, dashing up to -the squire, and then rushing frantically away again; "the first fire's -built, and me and Molly can see the smoke. Oh, come along, Molly! -and let's run down the road to ketch a sight of her. Oh, glory! the -darlint! and won't we be glad to have her back again." - -The child disappeared. There were some more wild shouts in the -distance; a troop of children, all ragged and bronzed and barefooted, -were seen rushing down the avenue, and then disappearing along the -dusty road. They carried branches of trees and old kettledrums, and -made a frantic noise as they ran in the direction which the jaunting -car would take. - -"Ah! here they are!" exclaimed Lady Kathleen from her seat on the car. -"Here are your villagers, Bridget, rushing to welcome you. And do you -see those fires lit in your honor? Watch the hills, child. There's a -fire on every hilltop. Now you'll be yourself again." - -Bridget's eyes were shining like stars. She turned and gripped Lady -Kathleen's hand with a fierce embrace. - -"I feel nearly mad with delight!" she exclaimed. "Oh, I say, Larry, do -drive faster. Gee-up, Paddy! Gee-up, old dear! Don't you think I might -take the reins, Larry? You can get down from your seat on the box, and -sit here to balance Aunt Kathleen, and let me jump up and take the -reins." - -"To be sure, miss," said Larry. He sprang lightly from his seat, and -Biddy, notwithstanding Lady Kathleen's bursts of laughter and futile -objections, took the seat of honor, and with a light, smart touch of -the whip sent Paddy spinning at a fine rate over the roads. - -"Hurrah!" she shouted when she came in sight of the motley crowd. -"Here I am back again, and driving Paddy as if I'd never set foot off -Irish soil. Welcome to you all! Good-evening, Dan; how's your lame -foot? Good-evening Molly, acushla macree. Good-evening, good-evening, -Jane and Susan and Norah. Now, then, let me drive quickly. I must get -to my daddy before I touch the hands of one of you." - -Bridget stood up on the driving seat, tightened the reins with energy, -gave Paddy another well-aimed delicate stroke just where it would -quicken his movements without irritating either his skin or his temper, -and the laughing, shouting, joking cavalcade--for the children and -the men and women were rushing after the car, and some of them even -clinging on to it--turned in at the gates, and up the steep avenue -which led to the Castle. - -"Now, then; three cheers for the old home! Let every one of us shout -with a will!" exclaimed Bridget. "Oh, it is nice to be back again." - -"You'll frighten the horse, Biddy!" exclaimed Lady Kathleen. "I do -think you have taken leave of your senses, child. Oh, don't set them -off shouting; Paddy really won't stand it; and at this steep part, too!" - -"Paddy is Irish," said Bridget, with some contempt. "He knows what an -Irish shout is worth. Now, then! Three cheers--Hip, hip, hurrah! Hip, -hip, hurrah!" - -Bridget held the reins with one hand, the other was waved high in the -air. She looked like a radiant, victorious young figure standing so, -with the crowd of welcoming, delighted faces surrounding her. Her -traveling hat had long ago disappeared, and her chestnut curls were -tumbling about her face and shoulders. - -"Hip, hip, hurrah!" she shouted again. "Three cheers for the Castle! -Three cheers for the master! Three cheers for the dogs! Three cheers -for old Ireland! and three cheers for the boys and girls who live at -Castle Mahun!" - -Frantic yells responded to Bridget's eager words. These were -intermingled by the yelping and barking of about a dozen dogs, who -rushed on the scene, and jumped all over Bridget in their ecstasy, -nearly dragging her from her eminence on the car. - -"Take the reins, Larry!" she exclaimed, tossing them to her satellite. -"Now then, do get out of the way, Bruin! Clear out, Mustard, my pet, or -I'll tread on you. Now then for a spring!" - -She vaulted lightly to the ground, and the next instant was in the arms -of her white-headed old father. - -"Eh, my colleen, my colleen," he murmured. He pressed her to his heart; -a dimness came over his eyes for a minute; his big, wrinkled hand -touched her sunny forehead tenderly. "You have come back," he said. "I -have had a fine share of the heart-hunger without you, my girleen." - -Bridget laid her head on his shoulder. - -"Oh, daddy," she exclaimed, in a sort of choked voice, "it is too good -to feel your arms about me again; I am too happy." - -"Don't you want to see Minerva's pups, miss?" asked the small and -rather officious little ragged girl called Molly. - -"Yes, to be sure. And she has had four, the darling; the dear, noble -pet. Do take me to the litter at once, won't you, father?" - -The mention of Minerva and her progeny was so intensely exciting that -even sentiment was put aside, and the Squire, Biddy, Lady Kathleen, and -all the retainers went in a motley procession to the stables, where -the little red-tipped pups were huddled together, and the proud Minerva -was waiting to show off their many beauties. - -Biddy made several appropriate observations; not a point about the four -little dogs was lost upon her. She and her father grew almost solemn in -the earnestness with which they discussed the virtues and charms of the -baby pups. - -Minerva was petted and praised; hunger and fatigue were alike forgotten -in the exciting and delicious task of examining the valuable puppies. -Bridget knelt on the ground, regardless of her pretty and expensive -traveling dress. A pup's short, expressive nose rubbed her cool cheek, -Minerva's head lay on her knee; the animal's beautiful, expressive eyes -were raised to hers, full of maternal pride and melting love. Another -little pup lay on the Squire's big palm, a third nestled on Biddy's -shoulder; a fourth tried to yelp feebly as it was huddled up in Molly's -ragged apron. - -Lady Kathleen stood over the group of adorers laughing and ejaculating. -Somebody screamed in the distance that supper was ready, and that a -feast was waiting in the kitchen for all the retainers in honor of Miss -Bridget's return. - -There was a scamper at this; even Molly put the cherished pup back into -its basket, and Bridget, her father, and aunt entered the house arm in -arm. - - - - -CHAPTER XIX. - -"BRUIN, MY DOG." - - -Two days afterward Lady Kathleen called Bridget aside, and, linking her -hand through her arm, said in an affectionate tone: - -"If you can spare me five minutes, Biddy, I have a pleasant little bit -of news to give you." - -Bridget O'Hara had resumed all the finery which had been more or less -tabooed at school. The time was seven o'clock, on a summer's evening. -She had on a richly embroidered tea gown of pale green silk, a silver -girdle clasped her slim waist, the long train of her dress floated out -behind her; it was partly open in front, and revealed a petticoat of -cream satin, heavily embroidered with silver. - -Strictly speaking, the dress was a great deal too old for so young a -girl; but it suited Biddy, whose rich and brilliant coloring, and whose -finely formed and almost statuesque young figure could carry off any -amount of fine clothing. She and Lady Kathleen were standing on the -terrace walk, which looked down on the lake. Its waters were tranquil -as glass to-night; a few fleecy clouds in the sky were reflected on its -bosom. A little boat with a white sail, which flapped aimlessly for -want of wind to fill it, was to be seen in the distance. The Squire was -directing the boat's wayward course, but it was making its way after a -somewhat shambling fashion to the nearest landing-place. Bridget waved -a handkerchief in the air. - -"Turn the boat a bit, daddy, and the sail will fill," she shouted. -"Now, then, Aunt Kathleen, what is it you want to say to me?" - -"If you will only attend, Biddy," said Lady Kathleen. "Your thoughts -are with your father, child; he's as safe as safe can be. Hasn't he -sailed on the waters of Lake Crena since he was a little dot no higher -than my knee?" - -"But it is called the Witch's Cauldron, too," said Bridget, her eyes -darkening. "They say that misfortune attends on those who are too fond -of sailing on its waters." - -Lady Kathleen laughed. - -"You superstitious colleen," she said; "as if any sensible person -minded what 'they say.'" - -"All right, Aunt Kathleen, what's your news? what are you exciting -yourself about?" - -"I'm thinking of you, my pet, and how dull it must be for you after all -the young companions you had at school." - -"Dull for me at the Castle?" exclaimed Bridget, opening her big eyes -wide. "Dull in the same house with daddy, and the servants, and the -dogs? I don't understand you!" - -"Well, my darling, that's just your affectionate way. You are very fond -of your father and the dogs, of course. The dogs are the dogs, but you -needn't try to blind me, my dearie dear. To the end of all time the -young will seek the young, and boys and girls will herd together." - -"Well, there are my cousins, Patrick and Gerald, coming next week." - -"Just so. Fine bits of lads, both of them; but, when all is said and -done, only lads. Now, girls want to be together as well as boys; they -have their bits of secrets to confide to one another, and their bits of -fun to talk over, and their sly little jokes to crack the one with the -other; they have to dream dreams together, and plan what their future -will be like. What a gay time they'll have in the gay world, and what -conquests they'll make, and whose eyes will shine the brightest, and -whose dress will be the prettiest, and which girl will marry the prince -by and by, and which will find her true vocation in a cottage. Oh, -don't you talk to me, Bridget; I know the ways of the creatures, and -the longings of them, and the fads of them. Haven't I gone through it -all myself?" - -"You do seem excited, Aunt Kathleen, but you must admit too that there -are girls and girls, and that this girl----" - -"Now, I admit nothing, my jewel. Look here, my cushla macree, you're -the soul of unselfishness, but you shall have your reward. You shall -have girls to talk to and to play with, and by the same token they are -coming this very moment on the jaunting car to meet you." - -"Who are coming on the jaunting car?" asked Bridget, in a voice of -alarm. - -"Well now, I knew you'd be excited; I knew you better than you knew -yourself. Your face tells me how delighted you are. That dear little -Janet May, that sweet little friend of yours, the girl you are as thick -as peas with, is going to spend the holidays at Castle Mahun. I sent -Larry off with the jaunting car after the early dinner to the station -to meet her. She'll be here in a minute or two with a sister of hers -whom she's nearly as fond of as she is of yourself. Now, isn't that a -surprise for you, my pet?" - -"It is," said Bridget, in a low voice. - -It was against all the preconceived ideas of the O'Haras to show -even by the faintest shadow of discontent that they were wanting in -hospitality. Bridget felt that the high spirits which had been hers -during the last two days, which had lifted the weight of care, and the -dreadful sensation of having done wrong, from her young heart, had -now taken to themselves wings, and that the awful depressed sensation -which used to try her so much at Mulberry Court must be once again her -portion. - -"You're pleased, aren't you, Biddy?" said Aunt Kathleen. - -"Of course," said Bridget, in an evasive tone, "but there's daddy just -landing, let me run to him." - -She flew away, skimming down the steep ascent with the agility of a -bird. She was standing by her father's side, flushed and breathless, -when he stepped out of the little boat. - -"Eh, colleen," he exclaimed, "what do you say to coming for a sail with -me?" - -"Give me a hug, daddy." - -"That I will, my girl; eh, my jewel, it's good to feel your soft cheek. -Now, then, what are you rubbing yourself against me for, like an -affectionate pussy cat?" - -"Nothing. I can't go for a sail, though; it's a bother, but it can't be -helped." - -"And why can't it be helped, if we two wish it, I want to know?" - -"There are visitors coming to the Castle; we'll have to entertain them, -daddy." - -"Visitors! of course, right welcome they'll be; but I didn't know of -any. Who are they? Do you think it's the O'Conors now, or may be the -Mahoneys from Court Macherry. What are you staring at me like that for, -child? If there are visitors coming, you and I must go and give them a -right good hearty welcome; but who in the world can they be?" - -"One of them is a schoolfellow of mine, her name is Janet May." - -"Janet May," repeated the squire; "we don't have those sort of names -in Ireland. A schoolfellow of yours? Then, of course, she'll be right -welcome. A great friend, I suppose, my pet? She'll be welcome; very -welcome." - -"Look at me, daddy, for a minute," said Bridget, speaking quickly and -in great excitement. "Let us welcome her, as of course all true Irish -people ought to welcome their guests, but don't let's talk about her -when you and I are alone. She has a sister coming too, and there's Aunt -Kathleen waving her hands to us, and gesticulating. They must have -arrived. If I had known it, I'd have ordered the bonfires to be lit on -the hilltops, but I did not hear a thing about it until aunty told me a -few minutes ago." - -"It was remiss of Kathleen, very remiss," said the squire. "It is -positively wanting in courtesy not to have the bonfires lit. Let's go -up at once, Biddy, and meet your guests in the porch." - -Squire O'Hara took his daughter's hand. They climbed the ascent swiftly -together, and were standing in the porch, Lady Kathleen keeping them -company, when the jaunting car drew up. - -To an Irish person bred and born there is no more delightful mode of -locomotion than this same jaunting car, but people fresh to the Emerald -Isle sometimes fail to appreciate its merits. - -The jaunting car requires an easy and yet an assured seat. No clutching -at the rails, no faint suspicion on the countenance of its occupant -that there is the least chance of being knocked off at the next abrupt -turn of the road, or the next violent jolt of the equipage. You must -sit on the jaunting car as you would on your horse's back, as if you -belonged to it, as the saying goes. - -Now, strangers to Ireland have not this assured seat, and although -Janet was too clever and too well bred to show a great deal of the -nervousness she really felt, she could not help clinging frantically to -the rail at the end of her side, and her small face was somewhat pale, -and her lips tightly set. She had maneuvered hard for this invitation, -she had won her cause, all had gone well with her; but this awful, -bumping, skittish rollicking car might after all prove her destruction. -What a wild horse drew this terrible car! What a reckless looking -coachman aided and abetted all his efforts at rushing and flying over -the ground! Oh, why did they dash down that steep hill? why did they -whisk round this sudden corner? She must grasp the rail of her seat -still tighter. She would not fall off, if nerve and courage could -possibly keep her on; but would they do so? - -Janet had plenty of real pluck, but poor Sophy was naturally a coward. -They had not gone a mile on the road before she began to scream most -piteously. - -"I won't stay on this awful, barbarous thing another minute," she -shrieked. "I shall be dashed to pieces, my brains will be knocked out. -Janet, Janet, I say, Janet, if you don't get the driver to stop at -once I'll jump off." - -"Oh, there aint the least soight of fear," said Larry, whisking his -head back in Sophy's direction with a contemptuous and yet good-humored -twinkle in his eyes. - -"I can't stay on; you _must_ pull the horse up," shrieked the -frightened girl. "I can't keep my seat; I am slipping off, I tell you I -am slipping off. I'll be on the road in another minute." - -"Here then, Pat, you stay quiet, you baste," said Larry. - -He pulled the spirited little horse up, until he nearly stood on his -haunches, then, jumping down himself, came up to Sophy's side. - -"What's the matter, miss?" he said; "why, this is the very safest -little kyar in the county. You just sit aisy, miss, and don't hould on, -and you will soon take foine to the motion." - -"No, I won't," said Sophy. "I'll never take to it; I am terrified -nearly out of my senses. I'll walk to that Castle of yours, whatever -the name of it is." - -"You can't do that, miss, for it's a matther of close on twenty mile -from here." - -"Oh, dear! oh, dear!" Sophy began to cry. "I wish I'd never come to -this outlandish, awful place!" she exclaimed, forgetting all her -manners in her extremity. "Janet, how heartless of you to sit like -that, as if you didn't think of anyone but yourself! I'd much rather be -back with Aunt Jane, or even taking care of those horrid Persian cats. -Oh, anything would be better than this!" - -"Don't you cry, miss," said Larry, who was a very good-natured person. -"The little kyar is safe as safe can be; but maybe, seeing as you're -frightened, miss, you'd like to sit in the well. We has a pretty big -well to this jaunting car, and I'll open it out and you can get in." - -The well which divided the two seats (running between them, as anyone -who knows an Irish jaunting car will immediately understand) was a very -small and shallow receptacle for even the most diminutive adult, but -"any port in a storm," thought poor Sophy. She scrambled gratefully -into the well, and sat there curled up, looking very foolish, and very -abject. - -The two travelers were therefore in a somewhat sorry plight when they -arrived at the Castle, and Sophy's appearance was truly ridiculous. - -Not a trace of mirth, however, was discernible on the faces of the kind -host, his sister-in-law, and daughter as they came out to meet their -guests. - -Dennis O'Hara lifted Sophy in a twinkling to the ground. Janet devoutly -hoped that she would not be killed as she made the supreme effort of -springing from the car. Then began a series of very hearty offers of -friendship and hospitality. - -"Welcome, welcome," said the squire. "I'm right glad to see you both. -Welcome to Castle Mahun! And is this your first visit to Ireland, -Miss--Miss May?" - -"Yes," said Janet, immediately taking the initiative, "and what a -lovely country it is!" - -"I agree with you," said the squire, giving her a quick, penetrating, -half-pleased, half-puzzled glance. "I must apologize for not having -bonfires lit in your and your sister's honor; but Lady Kathleen didn't -tell me I was to have the pleasure of your company until a few minutes -ago." - -"I kept it as a joyful surprise," said Lady Kathleen; "but now, Dennis, -let the two poor dear girls come in. They look fit to drop with -fatigue. And so this is your little sister Sophy, Mayflower! I am right -glad to see you, my dear. Welcome to Old Ireland, the pair of you; I -will take you up myself to your room. Biddy, darling! Biddy!" - -But, strange to say, Biddy was nowhere to be seen. - -There was a little old deserted summerhouse far away in a distant part -of the grounds, and there, a few minutes afterward, might have been -heard some angry, choking, half-smothered sobs. They came from a girl -in a pale green silk dress, who had thrown herself disconsolately by -the side of a rustic table, and whose hot tears forced themselves -through the fingers with which she covered her face. - -"I can't bear it," she said to herself. "I can't be hospitable, and -nice, and friendly, and yet I suppose I must. What would father say if -one of the O'Haras were wanting in courtesy to a visitor? Oh, dear! -how I _hate_ that girl! I didn't think it was in me to hate anyone -as I hate her! I hate her, and I--I _fear her_! There's a confession -for Bridget O'Hara to make. She's afraid of someone! She's afraid of -a wretched poor small specimen of humanity like that! But it is quite -true; that girl has got a power over me. She has got me into her net. -Oh, what induced Aunt Kathleen to ask her here? Why should the darling -beloved Castle be haunted by her nasty little sneaking presence? Why -should my holidays be spoiled by her? This is twenty times worse than -having her with me at school, for we were at least on equal terms -there, and we are not here. She's my visitor here, and I must be -polite to her. I don't mind that abject looking sister of hers, who -sat huddled up in the well of the car, one way or the other; but Janet -is past enduring. Oh, Aunt Kathleen, what have you done to me?" - -Bridget sobbed on stormily. The old sensation of having lowered -herself, of being in disgrace with herself, was strongly over her. -She hated herself for being angry at having Janet in the house, for -so strong were her instincts of hospitality that even to think an -uncourteous thought toward a visitor seemed to her to be like breaking -the first rules of life. - -She had rushed to the summerhouse to give herself the comfort of a -safety valve. She must shed the tears which weighed against her eyes. -She must speak aloud to the empty air some of the misery which filled -her heart. She was quite alone. It was safe for her to storm here; she -knew that if she spent her tears in this safe retreat she would be all -the better able to bear her sorrows by and by. - -As she sobbed, thinking herself quite alone, the little rustic door of -the old summerhouse was slowly and cautiously pushed open, and a dog's -affectionate, melting eyes looked in. - -The whole of a big shaggy head protruded itself next into view, four -big soft feet pattered across the floor, and a magnificent thoroughbred -Irish greyhound laid his head on the girl's knee. - -"O Bruin, Bruin; oh, you darling!" exclaimed Bridget. "I can tell _you_ -how sorry I am! I can tell _you_ how mean and horrid and contemptible I -feel! Kiss me, Bruin; let me love you, you darling! you darling! You'll -never tell that you found me like this, will you, Bruin?" - -"Never!" said Bruin's eyes. "Of course not; what can you be thinking -about? And now cheer up, won't you? - -"Yes, I will," said Bridget, answering their language. "Oh, what a -great comfort you are to me, Bruin, my dog!" - - - - -CHAPTER XX. - -THE SQUIRE AND HIS GUESTS. - - -The great bell clanged out its hospitable boom for supper. Supper -was a great institution at the Castle. It was the meal of the day. -A heterogeneous sort of repast, at which every conceivable eatable, -every available luxury, graced the board. From tea, coffee, and bread -and butter to all sorts of rich and spiced dishes, nothing that the -good-humored Irish cook could produce was absent from the squire's -supper table. - -It was the one meal in the day at which he himself ate heartily. The -squire ate enough then to satisfy himself for the greater part of the -twenty-four hours; for, with the exception of a frugal breakfast at -eight in the morning, which consisted of tea, bread and butter, and -two new-laid eggs, he never touched food again until the great evening -meal, which was tea, supper, and dinner in one. - -People had easy times at Castle Mahun. There was no stiffness -anywhere. The rule of the house was to go where you pleased, and do -what you liked. Once a visitor there, you might, as far as Squire -O'Hara was concerned, be a visitor for all the rest of your natural -life. Certainly no one would think of hinting at the possibility -of your going. When you did take it into your head to depart, you -would be warmly invited to renew your visit at the first available -opportunity, and the extreme shortness of your stay, even though -that stay had extended to months, would be openly commented upon and -loudly regretted. But, as in each fortress there is one weak spot, and -as in every rule there is the invariable exception, the Squire did -demand one thing from his own family and his visitors alike, and that -was a punctual attendance in the lofty dining hall of the Castle at -suppertime. - -Bridget heard the bell twanging and sounding, and knew that the summons -to appear at supper had gone forth. She mopped away her tears with a -richly embroidered cambric handkerchief, stuffed it into her pocket, -looked with a slight passing regret at some muddy marks which Bruin had -made on her silk dress, and prepared to return to the house. - -"I wonder, Bruin," she said, "if my eyes show that I have been crying? -What a nuisance if they do. I'd better run down to the Holy Well before -I go into the house, and see if a good bathe will take the redness -away. Come along, Bruin, my dog, come quickly." - -Bruin trotted on in front of Bridget. He knew her moods well. He had -comforted her before now in the summerhouse. No one but Bruin knew -what bitter tears she had shed when she was first told she must go to -England to school. Bruin had found her in the summerhouse then, and she -had put her arms round his neck and kissed him, and then she had mopped -her wet eyes and asked him as she did to-night if they showed signs of -weeping, and also as to-night the dog and the girl had repaired to the -Holy Well to wash the traces of tears away. - -Bruin went on in front, now trotting quickly, and never once troubling -himself to look back. They soon reached the little well, which was -covered with a small stone archway, under which the water lay dark -and cool. Rare ferns dipped their leaves into the well, and some wild -flowers twined themselves over the arch, which always, summer and -winter, kept the sun from touching the water. It was a lonely spot not -often frequented, for the well had the character of being haunted, and -its waters were only supposed to act as a charm or cure on the O'Hara -family. Bridget, therefore, stepped back with a momentary expression of -surprise when she saw a woman bending down by the well in the act of -filling a small glass bottle with some of its water. - -She was a short, stout woman of between fifty and sixty. Her hair was -nearly snow-white; her face was red and much weather-beaten; her small -gray, twinkling eyes were somewhat sunk in her head; her nose was broad -and _retroussé_, her mouth wide, showing splendid white teeth without a -trace of decay about them. - -The woman looked up when she heard a footstep approaching. Then, seeing -Bridget, she dashed her glass bottle to the ground, and rushing up to -the young girl, knelt at her feet, and clasped her hands ecstatically -round her knees. - -"Oh, Miss Biddy, Miss Biddy!" she exclaimed. "It's the heart-hunger I -have been having for the sake of your purty face. Oh, Miss Biddy, my -colleen, and didn't you miss poor Norah?" - -"Of course I did, Norah," said Bridget. "I could not make out where you -were. I asked about you over and over again, and they said you were -away on the hills, sheep-shearing. I did think it was odd, for you -never used to shear the sheep, Norah." - -"No," said Norah, "but I was that distraught with grief I thought maybe -it 'ud cool me brain a bit. It's about Pat I'm in throuble, darlin'. -It's all up with the boy and me! We has waited for years and years, and -now there don't seem no chance of our being wedded. He's no better, -Miss Biddy. The boy lies flat out on his back, and there aint no -strength in him. Oh! me boy, me boy, that I thought to wed!" - -"And where _is_ Pat, Norah?" said Bridget. "I asked about him, too, and -they said he had been moved up to a house on one of the hills, to get a -little stronger air. I was quite pleased, for I know change of air is -good for people after they get hurt. And why can't you be wed, Norah, -even if Pat is hurt? I should think he'd want a wife to nurse him -very badly now. Why can't you have a wedding while I'm at home, Norah -macree?" - -"Oh, me darlin'--light of me eyes that you are--but where's the good -when the boy don't wish it himself? He said to me only yesterday, 'Me -girl,' said he, 'it aint the will of the Vargen that you and me should -wed this year, nor maybe next. We must put it off for a bit longer.' -I'm close on sixty, Miss Bridget, and Pat is sixty-two, and it seems as -if we might settle it now, but he don't see it. He says it was the will -of the Vargen to lay him on his back and that there must be no coorting -nor marrying until he's round on his feet again. I am about tired of -waiting, Miss Bridget; for, though I aint to say old, I aint none so -young nayther." - -"But you have a lot of life left in you still, Norah," said Bridget. -"I'll go and talk to Pat to-morrow, and we'll soon put things right. I -was so dreadfully sorry to hear that he was hurt. And did you get my -letter that I wrote to you from school?" - -"To be sure, darlin'! and why wouldn't I? and it's framed up in Pat's -cottage now, and we both looks at it after we has said our beads each -night. It was a moighty foine letter, Miss Biddy! Pat and me said that -you was getting a sight of larning at that foreign school." - -"And did you get the money I sent you, Norah? I sent you and Pat two -whole pounds in a postal order. I was so glad I had it to give you. Two -pounds means a lot of money to an Irish boy and girl. Weren't you glad -when you saw it, Norah? Didn't it make you and Pat almost forget about -the accident and the pain?" - -"Oh, Miss Bridget, alanna!" Norah's deep-set, good-natured, and yet -cunning eyes were raised in almost fear to the young girl's face. "Miss -Bridget, alanna, there worn't never a stiver in the letter. No, as sure -as I'm standing here; not so much as a brass bawbee, let alone gold. -Oh, alanna, someone must have shtole the beautiful money. Oh, to think -of your sending it, and we never to get it; oh, worra, worra me!" - -Bridget turned rather pale while Norah was speaking. - -"I certainly sent you the money," she said. "Didn't I tell you so in -the letter?" - -Norah fumbled with her apron. - -"Maybe you did, darlin'," she said evasively. - -"But don't you _know_? It was principally to tell you about the money -that I wrote." - -"Well, you see, darlin'--truth is best. Nayther Pat nor me can read, -and so we framed the letter, but we don't know what's in it; only we -knew from the foreign mark as it was from that baste of a school, and -that it must be from you." - -"I think I must run in to supper now, Norah; there are some visitors -come to the Castle, and I'm awfully late as it is, and father may -be vexed. I'll ride up on Wild Hawk to-morrow to see Pat, and you -had better be there, and we'll find out where that money has got to. -Good-night, Norah; but first tell me what you were doing at the Holy -Well?" - -"Don't you be angry with me, Miss Biddy. I thought maybe if I brought -a bottle of the water to Pat, and he didn't know what it was, and he -drank some as if it was ordiner water, that it would act as a love -philter on him, and maybe he'd consint to our being married before many -months is up. For I'm wearying to have the courtship over, and that's -the truth I'm telling ye, Miss Bridget. I am awfully afraid as Pat has -seen me gray hairs, and that they are turning the boy agen me, and that -he'll be looking out for another girl." - -"If he does I'll never speak to him again," said Bridget slowly. "You -so faithful and so good! but now I must go in to supper, Norah." - -Bridget ran scrambling and panting up to the house. Bruin kept her -company step by step. He entered the large dining hall by her side, -and walked with her to the head of the board, where she sat down in a -vacant chair near her father's side. - -"You're late, alanna," he said, turning his fine face slowly toward her -with a courteous and yet reproachful glance. - -She did not reply in words, but placed her hand on his knee for a -moment. - -The touch brought a smile to his face. He turned to talk to Janet, who, -neatly dressed, and all traces of fatigue removed, was sitting at his -other side. - -Lady Kathleen was attending to Sophy's wants at the farther end of the -table; but between them and the squire were several other visitors. -These visitors were now so accustomed to paying long calls at Castle -Mahun that they had come to look upon it as a second home. They were -all Irish, and most of them rather old, and they one and all claimed -relationship with Squire O'Hara. Nobody said much to them, but they ate -heartily of the good viands with which the table was laden, and nodded -and smiled with pleasure when the squire pressed them to eat more. - -"Miss Macnamara, I _insist_ on your having another glass of sherry!" -the squire would thunder out; or, "Mr. Jonas O'Hagan, how is your lame -foot this evening? and are you making free with the beef? It is meant -to be eaten, remember; it is meant to be eaten." - -Jonas O'Hagan, a very lean old man of close on seventy, would nod back -to the squire, and help himself to junks of the good highly spiced beef -in question. Miss Macnamara would simper and say: - -"Well, squire, to _oblige_ you then, I'll have just a _leetle_ drop -more sherry." - -The business of eating, however, was too important for the squire to do -much in the way of conversation. - -Janet's small-talk--she thought herself an adept at small-talk--was -kindly listened to, but not largely responded to. - -Bridget whispered to herself, "I must really tell Janet another day -that father must be left in peace to eat the one meal he really does -eat in the twenty-four hours." - -Bridget herself did not speak at all. She scarcely ate anything, but -leaned back against her chair, one hand lying affectionately on Bruin's -head. Anxious and troubled thoughts were filling her young mind. What -had become of the two pounds she had given Janet to put into Norah's -letter? - -She felt startled and perplexed. It was an awful thing to harbor bad -feelings toward a visitor. All Bridget's instincts rose up in revolt at -the bare idea. She thought herself a dreadful girl for being obliged to -rush away to the old summerhouse to cry; but bad as that was, what was -it in comparison to the thoughts which now filled her mind? Could it be -possible that Janet, sitting there exactly opposite to her, looking so -neat, so pretty, so tranquil, could have stolen those two sovereigns? -Could the girl who called herself Bridget's friend be a thief? - -Oh, no, it was simply impossible. - -Bridget had already discovered much meanness in Janet May. Janet, with -her own small hand, had led Bridget O'Hara into crooked paths. - -But all that, bad as it was, was nothing--nothing at all in Bridget's -eyes, to the fact that she had stooped to be just a common thief. - -"I thought that only very poor and starving people stole," thought the -girl to herself, as she broke off a piece of griddle cake and put it -to her lips. "Oh, I can't--I won't believe it of her. The postal order -must have been put into the letter, and someone must have taken it -out before it reached Pat's hands. Perhaps the postal order is in the -envelope all this time. When I ride over on Wild Hawk to-morrow to see -Pat I'll ask him to show me the envelope. It would be a good plan if I -took Janet with me. I can soon judge by her face whether she stole the -money or not. Of course, if she did steal it, I must speak to her, but -I can't do it on any part of the O'Hara estate. It would be quite too -awful for the hostess to accuse her visitor of theft." - -"Biddy, alanna--a penny for your thoughts," said the squire, tapping -his daughter on her cheek. - -"They are not worth even a farthing," she replied, coloring, however, -and starting away from his keen glance. - -"Then, if our young friends have done their supper, you'll maybe take -them round the place a bit, colleen; they'll like to smell the sweet -evening air, and to---- By the way, are you partial to dogs, Miss May; -we have a few of them to show you if you are?" - -"Oh, I like them immensely," said Janet. ("Horrid bores!" she murmured -under her breath.) "I don't know much about them, of course," she -added, raising her seemingly truthful eyes and fixing them on the old -squire. "I had an uncle once; he's dead. I was very fond of him; he had -a deerhound something like that one." - -She nodded at Bruin as she spoke. - -"Ah," said Mr. O'Hara, interested at once, "then you can appreciate -the noblest sort of dog in the world. Come here, Bruin, my king, and -let me introduce you to this young lady. This is a thoroughbred Irish -deerhound, Miss May; I wouldn't part with him for a hundred pounds in -gold of the realm." - -The stately dog, who had been crouching by Bridget's feet, rose slowly -at his master's summons and approached Janet. He sniffed at the small -hand which lay on her knee, evidently did not think much of either it -or its owner, and returned to Biddy's side. - -"You won't win Bruin in a hurry," said the squire. "I doubt if he could -take to anyone who hasn't Irish blood; but for all that, although he -won't love you, since I have formally introduced you to each other he'd -rather die than see a hair of your head hurt. You are Bruin's guest -now, and supposing you were in trouble of any sort during your visit -to Castle Mahun, you'd find out the value of being under the dog's -protection." - -"Yes," said Janet, suppressing a little yawn. She rose from her seat as -she spoke. "Shall we go out, Biddy?" she said. "Will you take Sophy and -me round the place as your father has so kindly suggested?" - -"Certainly," said Bridget; "we'll walk round the lake, and I'll show -you the view from the top of the tower. There'll be a moon to-night, -and that will make a fine silver path on the water. Are you coming too, -Aunt Kathleen?" - -"Presently, my love, after I have been round to look at Minerva and the -pups." - -The three girls left the hall in each other's company. - -Sophy began to give expression to her feelings in little, weak, -half-hysterical bursts of rapture. "Oh, what a delightful place!" she -began, skipping by Bridget's side as she spoke. "This air does revive -one so; and _what_ a view!" clasping her two hands together. "Miss -O'Hara, how you are to be envied--you who live in the midst of this -beauty. Oh, good Heavens, I can't stand all those dogs! I'm awfully -afraid; I really am. Down, down! you _horrid_ thing, you! Oh, please, -save me; please, save me!" Sophy caught violent hold of Bridget's -wrist, shrieked, danced, and dragged her dress away. - -About a dozen dogs had suddenly rushed in a fury of ecstasy round the -corner. Some of them had been chained all day, some shut up in their -kennels. All were wild for their evening scamper, and indifferent in -the first intoxication of liberty to the fact of whether they were -caressing friends or strangers. They slobbered with their great mouths -and leaped upon the girls, licking them all over in their joy. - -The charge they made was really a severe one, and Sophy may easily have -been forgiven for her want of courage. - -Janet, who disliked the invasion of the dogs quite as much as her -sister, favored that young person now with a withering glance; but -Bridget spoke in a kind and reassuring tone. - -"I'm so sorry they should have annoyed you," she said; "I might have -known that you weren't accustomed to them. Daddy and I like them -to jump about in this wild fashion, but I might have known that it -wouldn't be pleasant to you. Down, this minute, dogs; I'm ashamed of -you! Down, Mustard; down, Pepper; down, Oscar; down, Wild-Fire. Do you -hear me? I'll use the whip to you if you don't obey." - -Bridget's fine voice swelled on the evening breeze. Each dog looked at -her with a cowed and submissive eye; they ceased their raptures, and -hung their drooping heads. - -"To heel, every one of you!" she said. - -They obeyed, and the girls entered the shady but steep walk which hung -over the lake. - - - - -CHAPTER XXI. - -THE HOLY WELL. - - -"You won't forget, girls," said Lady Kathleen the next morning when -breakfast was over, "that Patrick and Gerald are coming to stay here -to-day?" - -"Hurrah!" said Bridget; "we'll have some shooting and fishing then." - -"You can't shoot at this time of year," said the squire. - -"I don't mean to shoot game, father," she replied. "I want to learn -proper rifle shooting. What do you say, Janet; wouldn't you like to -handle firearms?" - -Janet hesitated for a moment; she saw disapproval on Lady Kathleen's -face, and took her cue from her. - -"I don't think I'm strong enough," she said. "Shooting with firearms -seems just the one accomplishment which a girl _can't_ manage; at -least, I mean an ordinary girl." - -Lady Kathleen clapped her hands. - -"Hear to you, Mayflower," she said. "Right you are; I go with you, my -dear. Firearms are downright dangerous things; and if I had my will, -Biddy should never touch them. Do you hear me, squire?" - -"Pooh!" said the squire; "what harm do they do? A girl ought to know -how to defend herself. As to the danger, if she uses her common sense -there is not any. I grant you that a foolish girl oughtn't to touch -firearms; but give me a sensible, strong-hearted colleen, and I'll -provide that she handles a gun with the precision and care of the best -sportsman in the land. Biddy here can bring down a bird on the wing -with any fellow who comes to shoot in the autumn, and I don't suppose -there is Biddy's match in the county for womanly graces either." - -"You spoil her, Dennis," said Lady Kathleen. "It's well she's been sent -to school to learn some of her failings, for she'd never find them out -here. Not but that I'm as proud as Punch of her myself. For all that, -however, I'd leave out the shooting; and I'm very much obliged to -little Mayflower for upholding me." - -"You haven't a wrist for a gun," said the squire, glancing at Janet's -small hands. "Your vocations lie in another direction. You must favor -me with a song some evening. I guess somehow by the look of your face -that you are musical." - -"I adore music," said Janet with enthusiasm. - -"That's right. Can you do the 'Melodies'?" - -"The 'Melodies'?" - -"Yes; 'She is far from the Land,' and 'The Minstrel Boy,' and 'The Harp -that once through Tara's Halls'; but it isn't likely you can touch -_that_. It requires an Irish girl born and bred, with her fingers -touching the strings of an Irish harp, and her soul in her eyes, and -her heart breaking through the beautiful birdlike voice of her, to give -that 'Melody' properly. We'll have it to-night, Biddy, you and I. We'll -get the harp brought out on the terrace, and when the moon is up we'll -have the dogs lying about, and we'll sing it; you and I." - -"Dear, dear, squire," said Lady Kathleen, "if you and Biddy sing 'The -Harp that once through Tara's Halls' as you _can_ sing it, you'll give -us all the creeps! Why, it seems to be a sort of wail when you two -do it. I see the forsaken hall, and the knights, and the chieftains, -and the fair ladies! Oh, it's melting, _melting_! You must provide -yourselves with plenty of handkerchiefs, Mayflower and Sophy, if we are -going to have that sort of entertainment. But here comes the postbag; I -wonder if there's anything for me." - -The door of the hall was swung open at the farther end, and a man of -about thirty, with bare feet, and dressed in a rough fustian suit, -walked up the room, and deposited the thick leather bag by the squire's -side. - -"Now what did you come in for, Jonas?" he asked. "Weren't any of the -other servants about?" - -"I couldn't help meself, your honor," said Jonas, pulling his front -lock of hair, and looking sheepishly and yet affectionately down the -long table. "I was hungering for a sight of Miss Biddy. I hadn't -clapped eyes on her sence she came back, and I jest ran foul of them -varmints, and made free of the hall. Begging your honor's parding, I -hope there's no harm done." - -"No, Jonas, not any. Make your bob to Miss Biddy now, and go." - -The man bowed low, flashed up two eyes of devotion to the girl's face, -and scampered in a shambling kind of way out of the room. - -"Good soul, capital soul, that," said the squire, nodding to Janet. - -"He seems very devoted," she replied, lowering her eyes to conceal her -true feelings. - -The squire proceeded to unlock the letter-bag and dispense its -contents. Most of the letters were for himself, but there was one -thick inclosure for Lady Kathleen. - -Janet sprang up to take it to her. As she did so she recognized the -handwriting and the postmark. The letter came from Eastcliff, and was -from Mrs. Freeman. - -Janet felt her heart beat heavily. She felt no doubt whatever that this -letter, so thick in substance and so important in appearance, contained -an account of poor Biddy's delinquencies. - -Lady Kathleen received it, and laid it by her plate. - -"Who's your correspondent, Kathleen?" asked the squire, from the other -end of the table. It was one of his small weaknesses to be intensely -curious about letters. - -Lady Kathleen raised the letter and examined the writing. - -"It's from Eastcliff," she said, "from Mrs. Freeman; I know by the way -she flourishes her t's. The letter is from Mrs. Freeman," she repeated, -raising her voice. "A thick letter, with an account, no doubt, of our -Biddy's progress." - -Bridget, who was standing by her father's side, turned suddenly pale. -Her hand, which rested on his shoulder, slightly trembled; a sick fear, -which she had thought dead, came over her with renewed force. She had -forgotten the possibility of Mrs. Freeman writing an account of her -wrong doings to Lady Kathleen. Now she felt a sudden wild terror, -something like a bird caught for the first time in the fowler's net. - -Squire O'Hara felt her hand tremble. This father and daughter were -so truly one that her lightest moods, her most passing emotions were -instantly perceived by him. - -"You are all in a fuss, colleen," he said, looking back at her; "but if -there is a bit of praise in the letter, why shouldn't we hear it? You -open it, and read it aloud to us, Kathleen. You'll be glad to hear what -my daughter has done at school, Miss Macnamara?" - -"Proud, squire, proud," retorted the old lady, cracking the top off -another egg as she spoke. - -"Please, father, I'd rather the letter wasn't read aloud. I don't think -it is all praise," whispered Biddy in his ear. - -The Squire's hawk-like face took a troubled glance for a quarter of a -minute. He looked into Biddy's eyes and took his cue. - -No one else had heard her low, passionate whisper. - -"After all," he said, "the colleen has a fair share of womanly modesty, -and I for one respect her for it. She can handle a gun with any man -among us, but she can't hear herself praised to her face. All right, -colleen, you shan't be. We'll keep over the letter for the present, if -you please, Kathleen." - -"That's as you please, Dennis. For my part, I expect it's just the -school bills, and there is no hurry about them. I want to go and speak -to Molly Fitzgerald about preserving the late raspberries, so I shan't -read the letter at all at present." - -She slipped it into her pocket, and, rising from the table, set the -example to the others to follow her. - -The three girls went out on the terrace. Janet walked by Bridget's -side, and Sophy ran on in front. - -"I can't believe," said Bridget, looking at Sophy, "that your sister -is older than you. She has quite the ways and manners of a very young -girl, whereas you----" - -"Thank you," said Janet. "I know quite well what you mean, Biddy. I -know I'm not young for my age. I needn't pretend when I am with you, -Biddy," she continued, speaking with a sudden emphasis; "you wouldn't -be young, either, if you had always had to lead my life. I have had -to do for myself, and for Sophy, too, since I was ever so little. I -have had to plot, and to plan, and contrive. I never had an easy life. -Perhaps, if I had had the same chances as other girls, I might have -been different." - -"I wish you would always talk like that," said Bridget, an expression -of real friendliness coming into her face. "If you would always talk -as you are doing now--I mean in that true tone--I--I could _bear_ you, -Janet." - -"Oh, I know what your feelings are well enough," said Janet. "I am not -so blind as you imagine. I know you hate having me here, and that if -it wasn't for--for _something_ that happened at school you wouldn't -tolerate my presence for an hour. But you see something did happen at -school; something that you don't want to be known; and you have got to -tolerate me; do you hear?" - -"You're mistaken in supposing that I would be rude to you now you -have come," said Bridget. "I don't think I should have invited you; I -didn't invite you. My aunt didn't even tell me that she had done so. -She thought we were friends, and that she was giving me a nice surprise -when she told me that you were coming." - -"I took care that you didn't know," said Janet in a low tone, and with -a short little laugh. "You don't suppose Lady Kathleen would have -thought of the nice little surprise by herself? It was I who managed -everything; the surprise, and the gay jolly time we are to spend at the -Castle, and all." - -"You are clever," said Bridget, "but I don't think I envy you your kind -of cleverness. All the same, now that you are here you are my visitor, -and I shall do what I can to give you a good time." - -"Thanks," said Janet, "I dare say I can manage that for myself. By the -way, did you notice that a letter has come from Eastcliff?" - -"From Mrs. Freeman; yes, what of that?" - -"There is no good in your saying 'What of that?' so calmly with your -lips, Bridget, when your heart is full of the most abject terror. -Didn't I see how your face changed color this morning when you saw the -letter, and didn't I notice you when you whispered something to your -father? You are very, very sorry that letter has come. It would be very -terrible to you--very terrible for you, if its contents were known." - -Sophy was still flitting on in front. The sunshine was bathing the -sloping lawns, and the dark forest trees, and the smooth bosom of -Lake Crena. It seemed to Bridget for the first time in her young life -that sunshine, even when it fell upon Irish land, was a mockery and a -delusion. - -"I do not want my father to know," she said, with a break in her voice. -"It would kill me if he knew. You see what he is, Janet, the soul of -all that is noble and honorable. Oh, it would kill me if he knew what I -have done; and I think it would kill him also. O Janet, why did you get -me into such an awful scrape?" - -"You didn't think it so very awful when you were knowing all your -lessons, and getting praise from everyone, and mounting to the head of -your class. It seemed all right to you then, and you never blamed me at -all; but now that the dark side of the picture comes, and you are in -danger of discovery, you see your conduct in a different light. I have -no patience with you. You have the appearance of being a very brave -girl; in reality you are a coward." - -"No one ever said that to me before," said Bridget, clenching her hand, -her eyes flashing. - -"Well, I say it now; it's very good for the petted, and the courted, -and the adored, to listen to unvarnished truths now and then. Oh, so -you have come back, Sophy. Yes, those are pretty flowers, but perhaps -Miss O'Hara doesn't wish you to pick her flowers." - -"Not wish her to pick the flowers," said Bridget, "and she a visitor! -What nonsense! Oh, you English don't at all know our Irish ways." - -"I think you have quite lovely ways," said Sophy. "I never felt so -happy in my life. I never, never was in such a beautiful place, and I -never came across such truly kind people." - -"Well, run on then," said Janet, "and pick some more of the flowers." - -"There's one of those awful jaunting cars coming up the avenue," said -Sophy. - -"Then the boys have come," exclaimed Bridget. "I must fly to them." - -She rushed away, putting wings to her feet, and the two May girls were -left standing together. Janet was absorbed in a brown study. Sophy's -eager eyes followed the car as it ascended the steep and winding avenue. - -"I wonder if we'll have any fun with the boys," she said, "and who are -the boys? I hope they are grown up." - -"You can make yourself easy on that score," said Janet, "they are only -lads--schoolboys. They live on the O'Mahoney estate, about eighteen -miles away. Their names are Patrick and Gerald, and I expect they are -about as raw and uninteresting as those sort of wild Irish can be. Now, -Sophy, do continue your pretty kittenish employment; skip about and -pick some more flowers." - -"I think I will be kittenish enough to run down the avenue and see what -the boys are really like," said Sophy. "I'll soon know whether there is -any fun to be got out of them." - -She ran off as she spoke, and Janet found herself alone. - -She stood still for a minute, irresolute and nervous. The arrival of -the letter by that morning's post had given her great uneasiness. She -was a young person of very calm judgment and ready resource, but as -matters now stood she could not see her own way. The next step was -invisible to her, and such a state of things was torture to a nature -like hers. Oh, if only she could secure that letter, then how splendid -would be her position. Bridget would be absolutely in her power. She -could do with this erratic and strange girl just what she pleased. - -Four gay young voices were heard approaching, some dogs were yelping -and gamboling about, boyish tones rose high on the breeze, followed by -the light sound of girlish laughter. - -"Talk of Bridget really feeling anything!" murmured Janet; "why, that -girl is all froth." - -She felt that she could not meet the gay young folks just now, and -ran round a shady path which led to the back of the house; here she -found herself in full view of a great yard, into which the kitchen -premises opened. The yard was well peopled with barefooted men, and -barefooted girls and women. Some pigs were scratching, rolling about, -and disporting themselves, after their amiable fashion, in a distant -corner. Some barn-door fowls and a young brood of turkeys were making -a commotion and rushing after a thickly set girl, who was feeding them -with barley; quantities of yellow goslings and downy ducklings were to -be seen making for a muddy looking pond. Some gentle looking cows were -lowing in their sheds. The cart horses were being taken out for the -day's work. - -It was a gay and picturesque scene, and Janet, anxious as she felt, -could not help standing still for a moment to view it. - -"And now, where are you going, Mayflower? and why aren't you with the -others?" exclaimed a gay voice. - -Janet hastily turned her head, and saw Lady Kathleen, with her rich, -trailing silk dress turned well up over her petticoat, a gayly colored -cotton handkerchief tied over her head, and a big basket in her hand. - -"Why aren't you with the others, Mayflower?" she repeated. "Are they -bad-hearted enough, and have they bad taste enough, not to want you, my -little mavourneen?" - -"I don't know, Lady Kathleen," said Janet, raising eyes which anxiety -had rendered pathetic. "I don't know that I am really much missed; some -people whom Bridget speaks of as 'the boys' have just arrived, and -she----" - -"Oh, mercy!" interrupted Lady Kathleen, "and so the lads have come. I -must go and talk to them as soon as ever I have helped cook a bit with -the raspberries. We are going in for a grand preserving to-day, and -cook and I have our hands full. Would you like to come along and give -us a bit of assistance, Mayflower!" - -"You may be sure I would," said Janet. - -"Well, come then," said Lady Kathleen. "You can eat while you pick. -I can tell you that the Castle Mahun raspberries are worth eating; -why, they are as large as a cook's thimble, each of them; I don't mean -a lady's thimble, but a cook's; and that's no offense to you, Molly -Malone." - -Molly Malone, who resembled a thick, short sack in figure, spread out -her broad hands and grinned from ear to ear. - -"Why, then, you must be always cracking your jokes, me lady," she said, -"and fine I likes to hear you; and it's the beautiful, hondsome lady -you is." - -"Get out with you, Molly," said Lady Kathleen; "don't you come over me -with your blarney. Now, then, here we are. Isn't it a splendid, great, -big patch of berries, Mayflower?" - -"I never saw raspberries growing before," said Janet; "how pretty they -look!" - -"They look even prettier when they are turned into rich red jam. Now, -then, we must all set to work. Put your basket here, Molly, and run -and fetch us some cabbage leaves; we'll each have a cabbage leaf to -fill with berries, and when our leaves are full we'll pop the berries -into the big basket. Oh, bother those brambles, they are tearing and -spoiling my dress; I wish I hadn't it on. It is quite a good silk, and -I know it will get both stained and torn, but when the notion came to -me to help Molly Malone with the preserving, I really could not be -worried changing it." - -Janet made no remark, and Lady Kathleen quickly busied herself with the -raspberry briars. She was a very expert picker, and filled two or three -leaves with the luscious, ripe fruit while Janet was filling one. - -"Why, my dear," she said, "what are you about? Those small fingers of -yours are all thumbs. Who'd have believed it? Oh! and you must only -pick the ripe fruit; the fruit that almost comes away when you look -at it. Let me show you; there, that's better. Now you have gone and -scratched your hand, poor mite; it's plain to be seen you have no Irish -blood in you." - -Janet looked at her small wounded hand with a dismal face. - -"As I said a minute ago, I never saw raspberries growing before," she -said. - -"You needn't remark that to us, my love; your way of picking them -proves your ignorance. Now, I tell you what you shall do for me. This -silk skirt that I have on is no end of a bother. I'll just slip it off; -there'll be no one to see me in my petticoat, and you can run with it -to the house and bring back a brown holland skirt which you'll find in -my wardrobe. Run straight to the house with the skirt, Janet, and I'll -be everlastingly obliged to you. Anyone will show you my bedroom; it -is at the end of the Ghost's Corridor. Run, child, run; put wings to -your feet. Well, you are a good-natured little thing; your eyes quite -sparkle with delight." - -"I am very glad to oblige you, Lady Kathleen," said Janet. Her -eyelashes drooped over her bright eyes as she spoke. Lady Kathleen -flung the rich silk skirt carelessly over her arm, and she ran off. - -"Be sure you bring me the brown holland, my dear, with the large fruit -stain in front; there are two of them in the wardrobe, and I want the -one with the fruit stain," shouted the good lady after her. - -Janet called back that she would remember, and, running faster, was -soon lost to view. - -When she could no longer get even a peep at Lady Kathleen she stood -still, and, slipping her hand into the pocket of the rich silk skirt, -took out the thick letter with the Eastcliff postmark on it. This was -transferred to her own pocket; then, going on to the house, she found -Lady Kathleen's bedroom, took down the holland skirt with the stain on -it, and was back again with the good lady after an absence of not more -than ten minutes. - -"That's right, my love, that's right," said Lady Kathleen; "you are -like that dear, little, old Greek god, Mercury, for swiftness and -expedition; and now, as you don't seem to care to pick raspberries, you -can go and join your young friends. They are safe to go on the lake -this morning, and I have no doubt you'll enjoy a row." - -"Oh, thank you," said Janet, "I love the water." - -She turned away, and soon found herself outside the great kitchen -garden and walking down the steep path which led directly to the lake. -She heard gay voices in the distance, and was willing enough to join -the young party now. Her heart felt as light as a feather. It was -delicious to know that she had, by one dexterous stroke, saved Bridget, -and, at the same time, put her into her power. - -"I am made for life," whispered Janet, as she stepped along. "Who -would have thought half an hour ago that such a lucky chance was to be -mine? I know perfectly well that Biddy hates me, but she would rather -conceal her hatred all her life than let her father know the contents -of the letter which I have in my pocket. I am not the least afraid of -Lady Kathleen suspecting me of having taken it. She is so erratic and -careless herself that she has probably quite forgotten that she ever -put Mrs. Freeman's letter into her pocket. Oh! I am as safe as safe can -be, and as happy also. I cannot stay long in this wild, outlandish sort -of place, but it is very well for a short time; and as I mean to make -plenty of use of Lady Kathleen in the future, I may as well cultivate -her all I can now. It would be rather a nice arrangement if poor little -Sophy were made Bridget's companion by and by; of course I can make any -terms with Bridget that I like, as I shall always keep the letter as a -rod in pickle to hold over her devoted head. Bridget will be so much -afraid of me that she will do exactly what I please, and it would be -nice for Sophy to live with her. - -"As to myself, I mean to go to Paris with Lady Kathleen. I shall go to -Paris and have a really gay and fine time; I mean to go, and I mean -also to wear some of the lovely Parisian dresses which are showered -in such profusion on that tiresome, stupid Biddy, which she can't -appreciate, and won't appreciate, but which I should make a fine -harvest out of. Oh, yes! oh, yes! my future is secure. Who would have -thought that in one little short half hour Dame Fortune would have so -completely turned her wheel?" - -Janet skipped and ran down the winding path. She presently came to the -neighborhood of the Holy Well. She knew nothing about the well. It -had no history whatever to her; but as she felt hot and thirsty, and -a little wooden cup was hanging by a chain to the arched stone roof, -and the water looked dark and clear and cool beneath, she stooped, -intending to take a long draught of the cold water. Going close to -the well, she held up her dress, and walked on the tips of her dainty -shoes. Bending forward, and stretching out her hand, she was about to -take the little wooden cup from its hook, and to dip it into the well, -in order to get a good draught of the delicious water, when a voice -suddenly said to her: - -"Why then, missy, if you drink that wather, you that don't belong to -the quality what lives at the big house, you'll have no luck all the -rest of your born days." - -The sound of this voice was so unexpected that Janet stepped back, -startled. - -A thickly set woman, with white hair, was standing near the well. - -"That wather is only for the O'Haras," she said. "They and their -kinsfolk can drink it, and it brings them a power of luck, but if -so be as strangers so much as wets their lips with it, why, a curse -enters into their bones with every dhrop they takes. That's thrue as I -am standing here, miss, and you had better be warned. Wance the curse -enters into you, you dwindles and dwindles till you dhrops out of sight -entirely." - -Janet gave a mocking laugh. - -"Oh, you _are_ a silly old woman," she exclaimed. "And do you really -think that I am going to be taken in by nonsense of that sort? I'll -show you now how much I believe you." - -She filled the wooden cup to the brim, then, raising it to her lips, -took a long, deep draught. - -"Am I beginning to dwindle already?" she asked, dropping a courtesy to -the angry looking Irishwoman. Without waiting for a reply she turned on -her heel, and ran down the slope. - -The woman followed her retreating form with flashing eyes. - -"I can't abide her!" she muttered. "She's an Englisher, and I can't -abide them Englishers. I hope she will dwindle and dwindle. Oh! me boy, -me boy! you as was a follower of the family--you and your forbears -before you--you ought to get good from this holy wather, and, oh! if it -would turn your heart to the breaking heart of your Norah, how happy -I'd be." - - - - -CHAPTER XXII. - -WILD HAWK. - - -The boys Patrick and Gerald were jolly, good-humored, handsome lads, -with not a scrap of affectation, but with rather more than the average -amount of boy mischief in their compositions. They were quite inclined -to be friendly with the two English girls whom they found established -at Castle Mahun, but that fact would by no means prevent their taking a -rise out of them at the first opportunity which offered. - -Sophy was full of little nervous terrors. She shrank back when they -offered to help her into the boat; she uttered a succession of little -shrieks as she was conveyed to her seat in the stern. Patrick winked -at Gerald when she did this, and they both made a mental resolution to -cajole the unfortunate Sophy into the boat some day when they could -have her all to themselves. They would not endanger her life on that -occasion, but unquestionably they would give her an exciting time. - -They meant to play some pranks on Sophy; but at the same time they -regarded the pretty, helpless, nervous little English girl with a -certain chivalrous good nature, which by no means animated the feelings -with which they looked at Janet. - -Janet was not at all to their taste. She had a supercilious manner -toward them, which was most riling. They were shrewd enough to guess, -too, that Bridget, notwithstanding her gentleness and politeness, in -her heart of hearts could not bear Janet. As Patrick and Gerald would -both of them have almost died for their cousin Bridget, the knowledge -that she was not fond of Janet was likely to give that young lady some -unpleasant experiences in the future. - -Although Bridget was in apparently gay spirits during the morning -of this day, she was in her heart of hearts extremely anxious and -unhappy. The fatal letter had arrived; the story of her deceit and -underhand ways would soon be known to her father and to Aunt Kathleen. -Aunt Kathleen might, and probably would, quickly forgive her; but -Squire O'Hara, although he forgave, would, at least, never forget. -Forever and forever, all through the rest of his days, the shadow of -Bridget's dishonor would cloud his eyes, and keep back the old gay and -heart-whole smile from his lips. He would love her, and pity her, and -be sweet to her, but never again would she be as the old Biddy to him. -Now he looked upon her as a pearl without a flaw, as the best of all -created beings; in the future there would be a dimness over her luster. - -While the poor young girl was laughing with her cousins, and trying to -make her visitors happy, these thoughts darkened and filled her mind. -She had also another care. - -She must discover if Janet had really taken the two pounds. It would be -too awful if she were really proved to be nothing better than a common -thief. Bridget intended to ask Janet to accompany her to Pat's cottage -on the hills that afternoon. The postal order might all the time be -safely tucked away in the envelope of the unread letter. If so, all -would be well; but if, on the other hand, it was nowhere to be found, -Bridget felt sure that she could, to a great extent, read the truth in -Janet's face. It would be impossible for her to speak to Janet on the -subject while she was in her father's house, or even in any part of the -grounds; but out on the hills, away from the O'Hara estate, she might -tell her plainly what she thought of her conduct. - -When the early dinner was over, Bridget called Janet aside and spoke to -her. - -"I am going to ride on my pony Wild Hawk," she said. "I am going to see -some poor people who live up in the hills. I don't want the boys to -come, but they can amuse Sophy if you like to ride with me, Janet. You -told me once at school that you were very fond of riding." - -"That is true," replied Janet. "I used to ride in Hyde Park when I was -a very little girl, but that, of course, is some years ago." - -"Oh, that doesn't matter, the knowledge will remain with you. We have a -very nice, quiet lady's horse, called Miss Nelly, in the stables; you -shall ride her." - -"But I haven't a habit," said Janet. - -"I have a nice little one which I have quite outgrown. Come to my room, -and let me try if it will fit you; I am almost sure it will." - -"All right," replied Janet; "I should enjoy a ride very much." - -She hoped that during this ride she would be able to tell Bridget that -she had secured the obnoxious letter, and the first step of putting -the young girl completely in her power would begin. - -She went with Miss O'Hara to her bedroom--an enormous room furnished -with oak, and strewn all over with costly knickknacks and ornaments. -The three large windows commanded an extensive view. They were wide -open, and Bridget when she entered the room went straight up to the -center one, and, clasping her hands, said in a low voice of passion: - -"How I love you!" - -"What do you love, Bridget?" asked Janet. - -"My land--my Ireland," she said. "Oh, you can't understand. Please help -me to open this long drawer. I'll soon find your habit." - -Janet assisted her with a will; the heavy drawer was tugged open, and a -neat dark blue habit, braided with silver, was pulled into view. - -Janet slipped it on, and found that it fitted her perfectly. - -"Take it to your room," said Bridget. "I am very glad it fits you; you -may want it many times while you are here." - -"Yes, and I may want to take it away with me, too," murmured Janet in a -whisper to herself. - -She went to her room, put on the dark, prettily made habit, and -looked at herself with much satisfaction in the glass. With a little -arrangement, Bridget's childish habit fitted Janet's neat figure like -a glove. She had never looked better than she did at this moment. The -rather severe dress gave her a certain almost distinguished appearance. -She ran downstairs in high spirits. Bridget was standing in the hall, -and the squire was also present to help the two girls to mount their -horses. He looked with pleasure at Janet, and said in a hearty tone: - -"I am very glad that you can ride, my little girl. It isn't often that -Bridget gets anyone at all her equal in horsemanship to accompany her." - -"Oh, father, you make a great mistake," exclaimed Bridget; "I have you." - -"What's an old boy worth to a young colleen," he replied; but he smiled -at her with fond affection, and the horses being led up by a shabbily -dressed groom, Bridget sprang lightly into her seat on Wild Hawk's back. - -He was a thoroughbred little Arab, with an eye of fire, a sensitive -mouth, and a jet-black shining skin. Miss Nelly was a pretty -roan-colored horse, but not a thoroughbred like Wild Hawk. - -"You'll be thoroughly safe on Miss Nelly," said the squire to Janet. -"Yes, that's right, now take the reins, so! You had better not use the -whip, but here is one in case you happen to require it." - -Janet nodded, smiled, and cantered after Bridget down the avenue. - -Her heart was beating fast. She was not exactly nervous, but as her -riding in old times had been of the slightest and most superficial -kind, she was truly thankful to find that Miss Nelly was gentle in -temperament, and not thoroughbred, if to be thoroughbred meant starting -at every shadow, and turning eyes like dark jewels to look at the -smallest obstruction that appeared on the road. - -"It's all right," said Bridget, noticing the uneasiness in Janet's -face. "Wild Hawk is a bit fresh, the beauty, but he'll quiet down and -go easily enough after I have taken it out of him a bit." - -"What do you mean by 'taking it out of him,' Bridget? He does not seem -to care much for this easy sort of trot, and he really does start so -that he is making Miss Nelly quite nervous." - -"Substitute Miss Janet for Miss Nelly," said Bridget, with a saucy curl -of her lips, "and you will get nearer to the truth. As to its being -taken out of the horse, you don't call this little easy amble anything? -Wait until we get on to the breezy hill, and then you will see what -kind of pranks Wild Hawk and I will play together." - -"But nowhere near Miss Nelly, I hope," said Janet. - -"Nowhere near Miss Nelly?" replied Bridget. "Dear me, Janet, you don't -suppose I am taking you out like this to lead you into any sort of -danger? I am not mean enough for that." - -"Some girls would be mean enough," said Janet, almost in a whisper. - -"Would they? Not the sort of girls I would have anything to do with. -Now, here we are on the top of the hill. Do you see these acres -and acres of common land which surround us, and do you notice that -small cottage or hovel which looks something like a speck in the far -distance? It is in that hovel that the poor people live whom I am going -to see. Now I mean to ride for that hovel straight as an arrow from a -bow. There are fences and sunk ditches in the way, but Wild Hawk and -I care for none of these things. You, my dear Janet, will follow this -little stony path on Miss Nelly's back; it is a considerable round to -the hovel over there on the horizon, but it is very safe, and you can -amble along as slowly as you please. I shall be at the cottage nearly -half an hour before you get to it, but what matter? Now then, Wild -Hawk, cheer up, my king; go like the wind, or like the bird after whom -you are named, my darling." - -Bridget rode on a few paces in front of Janet; then she suddenly bent -forward, until her lips nearly touched Wild Hawk's arched neck. Janet -thought that the wild Irish girl had whispered a word to the wild -horse; the next moment the two were seen flying through space together. -The horse seemed to put wings to his feet, his slender feet scarcely -touched the ground. With the lightness and sureness of a bird he -cleared the fences which came in this way. Janet could not help drawing -in her breath with a deep sigh--half of envy, half of admiration. - -"How splendid Bridget O'Hara is," she murmured; "such a figure, such a -face, such a bold, brave spirit! There is something about her which, -if the Fates were at all fair, even I could love. But they are not -fair," continued Janet, an angry flush filling her cheeks; "they have -given her too much, and me too little. I must help myself out of her -abundance, and there's noway of doing it but by humbling her." - -So Janet rode gently along the stony path, and in the course of time -found herself drawing in her reins by the low mud hovel, which looked -to her scarcely like a human habitation. - -The moment she appeared in sight two lean dogs of the cur species came -out and barked vociferously. Miss Nelly was, however, accustomed to the -barking of dogs, and did not take any notice. At the same instant a -stoutly built, gray-headed woman rushed out of the cabin and helped her -to alight. - -Janet felt a slight sense of discomfort when she recognized in this -woman the person who had warned her not to drink the water of the Holy -Well. It was not in her nature, however, to show her discomfort, except -by an extra degree of pertness. - -"How do you do?" she said, nodding to the woman, and springing to the -ground as she spoke. "I have not begun to dwindle yet, you see." - -"Why, me dear, it is to be hoped not," answered Norah, in quick retort; -"for, faix! then, you are so small already that if you grow any less -there'll be nothing for the eye to catch hould of. But come into the -cottage, missy; Miss Biddy is sitting by Pat, and comforting the boy a -bit with her purty talk." - -"Pat!" whispered Janet to herself. Her feeling of discomfort did not -grow less. The name of Pat seemed in some queer way familiar, but it -did not occur to her to connect it with the friends about whom Bridget -had cried at Mulberry Court. - -She had to stoop her head to enter the hovel, and could not help -looking round the dirty little place with disgust. - -"I have come, Biddy," she exclaimed. "I don't suppose you want to stay -long; this cottage is very, very close. I don't care to stop here -myself, but I can walk about while you are talking to your friends." - -"Oh, pray, don't!" said Bridget, springing to her feet; "I want to -introduce you to Pat. Come here, please!" She seized Janet's small -wrist, and pulled her forward. "Mr. Patrick Donovan--Miss Janet May. -This man, Janet, whom I have introduced to you as Patrick Donovan, is -one of my very dearest friends." - -"At your sarvice, miss," said Pat, blushing a fiery red, and pulling -his forelock awkwardly with one big, rather dirty hand. - -He was a powerfully built man, with great shoulders, long legs, and -grisly hair curling round his chin and on his head. His eyes were dark -and deep-set; capable of ferocity, but capable also of the affectionate -devotion which characterizes the noblest sort of dog. He looked askance -at Janet, read the contempt in her glance, and turned to look at -Bridget with a humble, respectful, but adoring glance. - -Norah had also entered the room; she was standing looking alternately -from Pat to Biddy. She was as plain as Patrick was the reverse, but the -love-light in her eyes, as she glanced at her suffering hero, would -have redeemed and rendered beautiful a far uglier face than hers. - -"It's all right then, Pat," said Bridget, "we'll have the wedding next -week; you'll be fit to be moved then, and you shall come down from the -hills on a litter, and the wedding shall be at Castle Mahun, and the -feast shall be in our kitchen, and I'll give you your bride my own -self." - -"Oh, Miss Biddy, long life to ye; the Heavens above presarve ye," -murmured poor Norah, in a voice of ecstasy. "Oh, me boy, me boy, to -think as in the long last we'll be wed!" - -"It's all right, Norah," said Pat, touching her forehead for a moment -with his big hand; "don't make a fuss, colleen, before the quality. -Keep yourself to yourself when there's strangers looking on." - -"Who talks of Miss Biddy as a stranger?" said Norah, with fierce -passion. - -"No one," said Pat; "but there's the young Englisher lady; may the God -above bless her, if she's a friend of yours though, Miss Biddy." - -Bridget made no response to this. She rose and offered her chair to -Janet. - -"Sit, Janet," she exclaimed; "there's a little matter I want to talk -over before we leave the cottage. You remember my telling you at -Mulberry Court about Pat's accident; you remember how troubled I was. -I wrote a letter to Pat and Norah, and you posted it. I gave you two -sovereigns to get a postal order to put into the letter. Now, a very -queer thing has happened. The letter arrived quite safely; here is the -letter; you see how neatly Pat has framed it; but the postal order -never arrived." - -"That's thrue, Miss Biddy," exclaimed Norah. "Here's all as was in the -letter, as sure as I'm standing up in my stockinged feet this minute." - -"I put the postal order in," said Janet, in a careless voice; "what -else should I do? I suppose your postmen here aren't honest." - -"Why then, miss, that's a bould thing to say of Mike Carthy," answered -Pat, in a low, angry voice, which resembled a growl. - -"I thought you might be able to throw some light on the matter," said -Bridget, "but it seems you cannot. We must be going home now, so I -shall have to say good-by, Pat. Norah, you can come down to the Castle -for some fresh eggs to-morrow, and I'll get Molly Malone to make up a -basket of all sorts of good things to strengthen Pat for his wedding." - -"You won't forget a wee dhrop of the crathur, lady?" muttered the -giant, looking up into Biddy's face. - -"No, no, that I won't, Pat, my poor fellow." - -Bridget wrung her retainer's hand, and a moment or two later she and -Janet were on their homeward way. - -"Now, look here," said Bridget, when the girls had gone a little -distance in almost unbroken silence; "I wish to say something; I shan't -talk about it when we get home, but out here we are both on equal -ground, and I can talk my mind freely and fully. I watched your face -when we were in that little cottage, Janet, and I am quite certain you -know something about those two sovereigns which I gave you to post to -Pat Donovan." - -"What if I do?" retorted Janet. - -"You have got to tell me the truth," answered Bridget. "If what I -suspect is the case, I shall not ask Aunt Kathleen to do anything to -shorten your stay at Castle Mahun; I shall not breathe the knowledge -that is given to me, to a soul in the house; but I myself will never -speak to you again. A few bare civilities it will be necessary for me -to offer, but beyond this I shall never address you. My silence will -not be noticed, for everyone else will be kind; but I--I tell you -plainly that, if what I suspect is true, I will _not_ associate with -you." - -"Will you kindly tell me your suspicions?" replied Janet. - -"I think--oh! it's an awful thing to say--I think that you took those -two sovereigns and put them into your own pocket." - -"And because of that, supposing it to be true, you will not speak to -me?" - -"I will not!" - -"But I tell you that you will; you will speak to me, and pet me, and -fawn on me, even though you regard me as a thief--there!" - -"I won't, Janet; I am a proud Irish girl, and I can't." - -"You are a very cowardly, mean Irish girl. You are not a bit the sort -of creature that people imagine you to be!" replied Janet, who was now -almost overcome by the passion which choked her. "You talk of speaking -quite openly and frankly, because we are on the hills together. I, too, -will give you a piece of my mind out here, with no one to listen to us." - -"No one to listen to us!" said Bridget, her face growing pale; "oh, -you forget, you must forget, there is Nature herself, her voice in the -breeze, and in the twitter of the birds, and her face looking up at us -from the earth, and her smile looking down at us from the sky. I should -be awfully afraid to tell a lie out here, alone with Nature." - -"My dear, I have no intention of telling any lies to you. I do breathe -tarradillies now and then; I am not too proud to confess it. You would, -too, if you were situated like me; but I don't waste them on people -whom it is necessary to be honest with. I did keep that money; it was -far more useful to me than it would be to that Patrick of yours. He -didn't want it, and I did. You were full of pity for him, but you had -not a scrap of pity to bestow on me, so I had to pity myself, and I did -so by taking your money. I found it most useful. But for it, Sophy and -I would not now be at Castle Mahun. I hoped what I did would never be -discovered. Well, it has been, but it does not greatly matter, as you -are the one to make the discovery." - -"What do you mean? what can you mean?" - -"What I say; you can send me to prison, of course, and ruin me for -life, but you won't, for your own sake. See what I have done to save -you!" - -Janet put her hand into her pocket and pulled out the Eastcliff letter. - -She held it aloft, and laughed in her companion's face. "You won't be -hard on me now, Biddy," she said, in the tones of one addressing an -equal. "If I have been a thief--it is an ugly word, and there is no -use in speaking it again; if I have been a thief, you, too, have done -something which you are ashamed of. That something has been discovered -at Mulberry Court, and this letter contains a full account of it. Your -aunt, Lady Kathleen, was to read it first, and then, of course, in the -ordinary course, your father would have heard the whole disgraceful -story. Little as you think of me, I have saved you from disgrace, -Biddy, my love. You are fond of Nature, but Nature won't tell tales. If -you will promise to respect the secret you have discovered about me, I -will respect your secret; I will tear up this letter, here on this wild -hilltop, and Nature shall bury the tell-tale pieces as she wills and -where she likes. Here is the letter, Biddy; I have saved you. Ought you -not to be obliged to me?" - -A queer change came over Bridget while Janet was speaking; a certain -nobleness seemed to go out of her figure; she looked less like part of -Wild Hawk than she had done five minutes ago; the color receded from -her cheeks; her eyes lost their proud fire, her lips their proud smile. - -"How did you manage to get that letter?" she whispered in a low tone. - -"I am not going to tell you, my darling; I have got it, and that ought -to be enough for you. Now, are we each to respect the secret of the -other, or not?" - -"Oh, I don't know; it seems so dreadful." - -"It is rather dreadful, dear; I admit that. If you go and tell your -father and Lady Kathleen about me, and about what I have just confessed -to you, I shall have a very uncomfortable time. I shall be thoroughly -and completely ruined, but in my ruin I shall pull you down too, -Bridget, from the pedestal which you now occupy. It would be easy for -me to put this letter back where Lady Kathleen will be able to lay her -hands on it; in that case she will read it, and your father will know -everything. I shall be ruined, and you will have a very unpleasant -time. You must choose now what you will do; shall we both go on -appearing what we are not? I, a modest, good-natured little girl, who -never did an underhand trick in my life, and you--you, Biddy, the soul, -the essence of what an Irishman calls honor." - -"Oh, don't," said Bridget, "you make my eyes burn; you make me feel -so small and wicked. Janet, why do you tempt me so awfully? Janet, I -wish--I wish that I had never, never known you." - -"My dear, I can't echo your wish. I am glad that I have met you, for -you can be very useful to me; but now you have got to choose; shall I -put the letter back in Lady Kathleen's room, or shall I tear it up?" - -"But, even if you do tear it up," said Bridget, "the evil day is only -delayed. When my aunt does not reply to Mrs. Freeman's letter, she will -soon write her another, and Aunt Kathleen will perhaps find out that -you took the letter." - -"I don't think she will; she is the kind of erratic person who won't in -the least remember where she put her letter, and not having a clew, why -should she suspect me of taking it?" - -"But Mrs. Freeman will write again." - -"When she does there will be time enough to consider the right steps to -take. She won't write for a week or a fortnight, and a great deal can -happen in that time. If the worst comes to the worst, it will be quite -possible for me to obtain possession of her next letter." - -"O Janet, I can't listen to you; your suggestions are too dreadful." - -"All right, my dear." Janet slipped the letter into her pocket. "I -know Lady Kathleen's room," she continued, "and I shall manage to put -this letter back on her dressing table when I go in. Who's that coming -to meet us? Oh, I declare, it is Squire O'Hara! How well your father -rides, Bridget! what a handsome man he is!" - -Bridget felt as if she should choke; the squire's loud, hearty voice -was heard in the distance. - -"Hullo, colleens; there you are!" he shouted. "I thought I'd bring the -General round in this direction; I had a curiosity to see how you were -managing Miss Nelly, my dear." He bowed as he spoke to Janet. "I see -you keep your seat very nicely. And you, Biddy--eh, my jewel--why, you -look tired. Has Wild Hawk been too much for you?" - -"Not a bit, father; I am as right as possible." Bridget turned swiftly -to Janet as she uttered these words. - -"I will give you your answer to-morrow," she said in a low tone; "give -me until to-morrow to decide." - - - - -CHAPTER XXIII. - -UNDER A SPELL. - - -Lady Kathleen did not make much fuss over the loss of her letter. - -"It's a queer thing," she said that evening to the squire, as they all -sat round the supper table, "but I can't lay my hand on the letter with -the Eastcliff post-mark. I made sure that I slipped it into the pocket -of the striped lilac silk dress I wore this morning; but I didn't, and -I can't imagine where I dropped it." - -"Well, my dear, we had better send someone to look for it," said the -squire. "That is the letter with all the praise of Biddy in it, isn't -it?" - -"Squire, you're nothing but a doting old father," replied Lady -Kathleen; "you think no one looks at that girl of yours without making -a fuss over her. She's a good bit of a thing--I am the last person to -deny that; but from the little I saw of Mulberry Court she was no more -than any other girl there--indeed, I think our little Janet had wormed -herself more into the good graces of the school than my jewel of a -Biddy. It's my opinion that the letter contained no more and no less -than just the account of the term's expenses, and a request for a check -in payment." - -"Oh, then, if that's all, it can keep," said Squire O'Hara. "Mr. -O'Hagan, I'll trouble you to pass me the whisky bottle, sir. What's -that you are saying, Kathleen?" - -"I may lay my hand on it in some out-of-the-way corner," said Lady -Kathleen; "if not, I'll write in a day or two to Mrs. Freeman, and tell -her that it just got lost. Letters are no end of bother, in my opinion; -busy people have really no time to read them. Now, my colleen, what -ails you? Why, you're quite white in the cheeks, and you're not eating -your usual hearty supper! Don't you fancy that sweetbread, Bridget?" - -"Yes, Aunt Kathleen, I am enjoying it very much," said Bridget. "I am -quite well, too," she added under her breath. - -The next morning Janet came into Bridget's room. - -"I won't stay a minute," she said; "but I just thought I'd save you the -trouble of a decision, so I tore up the letter last night, and burnt -the bits in my candle before I went to sleep. You can't get it back -now, even if you wish to be honorable--which I know you don't--so there -is a weight off your mind. I told you how Lady Kathleen would take it. -What a blessing it is that she is that scatter-brained sort of woman!" - -"You oughtn't to speak against her," began Bridget in a feeble tone. - -"Oh, oughtn't I, my love? Well, I won't another time. Now we are all -going for a pleasure party on the lake; won't you join us?" - -"I don't think so," said Biddy; "you two girls and Patrick and Gerald -can do very well without me. I want to see my father about Pat -Donovan's wedding, and----" - -"By the way," said Janet, "is it true that we are all going out to high -tea at some outlandish place ten miles away?" - -"It is true that we are going to Court Macsherry," said Bridget; "but I -don't think you will call it an outlandish place when you see it." - -"I can't say," retorted Janet; "and, what is more, I do not care. Your -wild Ireland does not come up to my idea at all. I don't care twopence -about natural beauties. But I have a little bit of news for you, my -pet. Who do you think we'll see at Court Macsherry?" - -"The Mahonys and their guests," replied Bridget. "I don't know of -anyone else." - -"Well--you'll be rather startled--Evelyn Percival is there! I had -a letter this morning from Susy Price, and she told me so. Now, of -course, I don't care in the very least about Evelyn. I dislike her -quite as much as you dislike her; but I want to look very smart and -fresh when I go to Court Macsherry, and I want my poor little Sophy -also to look as trim and bright as a daisy; so, as you are going to -stay at home this morning, Biddy, you might look out for some little -ornaments to lend us both." - -"Ornaments to lend you!" retorted Bridget, opening her eyes. "What do -you mean? Even if I wished to lend you my clothes they would not fit -either of you." - -"Your dresses wouldn't fit us, of course; but there are lots of other -things--sashes, for instance, and necklets, and hats, and we wouldn't -mind a pretty parasol each, and we should feel most grateful for some -of your embroidered handkerchiefs. I have got that sweet, pretty dress -Lady Kathleen gave me for the bazaar, but poor little Sophy has really -nothing fit to appear in; and you must admit that she's a pretty little -creature, and would look sweet if she were well dressed. I dare say you -have got some white embroidered dresses you used to wear before you -grew so tall and gawky, and if there were a tuck put into one of them, -little Sophy would look very well in it. I should like her to have a -pale blue sash to wear with it, and some large blue Venetian beads to -put around her neck. Oh, a young girl needn't have much dress, if it's -good. You'll see about it, Bridget, won't you, and have it ready in our -room when we come back from our boating expedition?" - -Janet ran out of the room as she spoke, slamming the door rather -noisily behind her. - -Bridget, whose face was white with passion, felt quite too stunned even -to move for a minute or two. Then she clenched her hands, walked to the -window, and looked out. - -"What have I done?" she murmured. "How can I allow myself to get into -that horrid girl's power? Oh, surely it would be much, much better to -tell my father everything." - -She leaned out of the open window, and looked down on the terrace. Her -father was lounging on one of the rustic benches. He was smoking a -pipe, and Bruin was lying at his feet. Looking at him from her window, -Bridget fancied that his old figure looked tired, more bent than usual, -more aged than she had ever before noticed it. - -"I can't, I won't give him pain!" murmured the girl fiercely. "I'd -rather be under the power of twenty people like Janet than break his -heart. But, O Biddy, Biddy O'Hara, what a wicked, senseless girl you -have been!" - -"Is that you, acushla?" called the squire up to her. "Come right -downstairs this minute, and let me hear all your fine plans for Norah's -and Pat's wedding. What a colleen you are for planning and contriving! -But come away down at once, and let me hear what's at the back of your -head." - -"Yes, father, in a minute!" - -Bridget rushed over to her glass. She looked anxiously at her fair, -bright face; it reflected back little or nothing of the loathing with -which she regarded herself. - -"Oh, what a living lie you are!" she said, clenching her fist at it. -"Oh, if father but knew what a base daughter he has got! But he mustn't -know. He must never, never know!" - -She ran down and joined her father on the terrace. - -He put his arm round her, made room for her to seat herself by his -side, and the two began eagerly to talk and to make arrangements for -the coming wedding. - -"But you're out of spirits, my darling," said Dennis O'Hara suddenly. -"Oh, you needn't try to hide it from me, Biddy. Your heart and soul -aren't in your words; I can tell that in the wink of an eye. What's up -with you, mavourneen?" - -"I'll tell you one thing, daddy; I hate--I loathe school!" - -"Well, now," said the squire, "I have no fancy for schools myself; -it was your aunt's wish. But your aunt, Biddy"--here a twinkle came -into his eye--"your aunt rules us, not with a rod of iron--oh, by no -means--but just with the little, soft, coaxing, and yet determined ways -which no one can withstand. She worked on my feelings for nearly two -years, Biddy O'Hara. She said you were a fine girl, and a good one, but -that you knew nothing, and that if you were ever to be of any use in -the world you must go to school." - -"Well, father," said Bridget, "did you really think in your own heart -when you and I were alone at Castle Mahun that I knew nothing? What -about the music we made in the old hall in the winter evenings? and -what about that time when I saved Minerva's life, and what about my -dancing? I think, somehow or other, I have a little bit of education, -father, and I doubt very much if I have really learned anything at -school." - -"But you will, my pet, you will. These are early days, and you will -learn at school. You will learn that sort of things that will make you -a fine lady by and by." - -"Father," said Bridget, "I don't want to be a fine lady." - -She put her arms suddenly round his neck, and looked into his eyes. -"Fine ladies are not good, father--they are not good. A girl can be -wild and ignorant, and yet good, very good; but a fine lady--oh, I hate -the thought of her!" - -"How excited you are, Biddy mavourneen, and how strangely you are -talking! Whoever thought of your not being the best sort of fine lady, -and what fine lady, except your poor Aunt Kathie, have you ever seen, -child?" - -"I have never seen any; but I feel down in my heart what they are like; -and I will never resemble them, even if I spend fifty years in school. -Now let us talk of Minerva and her pups. What are you going to do with -the pups?" - -The conversation turned into channels of a purely domestic nature, and -Biddy, as she talked, forgot the cares which harassed and filled her -soul. - -The young people soon returned from their expedition on Lake Crena. -Patrick and Gerald both seemed very much excited, Janet looked resolved -and defiant, Sophy alarmed. - -"What's the matter with you, Patrick?" said the squire. "I see mischief -in that eye of yours. What are you after?" - -"Oh, nothing, uncle, nothing," replied the lad. "It is only that Miss -Janet May has been rubbing me up. She doesn't believe any of the -stories I tell her about Lake Crena." - -"Of course I don't," said Janet. "Who would believe a schoolboy's wild -chattering nonsense?" - -Patrick's black eyes flashed. - -"Come, come," said the squire soothingly, and looking with half appeal -at Janet; "this fine lad is close on seventeen. He is scarcely to be -termed a schoolboy." - -"Oh, well, it does not matter what he is called," continued Janet. "If -I thought he were only joking, I shouldn't mind; but when he tells me -in sober earnest that a witch does live in the island in the center of -the lake; that she comes out on winter nights and curses the people who -sail on the lake; and, in short, that she's a sort of malevolent old -dame who belongs to the Dark Ages, I simply refuse to believe him." - -The squire looked rather startled while Janet was speaking. - -"You shouldn't talk of these things," he said to Patrick. "It's all -stuff and nonsense. Lake Crena is Lake Crena, the sweetest, sunniest -spot in the world all through the summer months; in the winter she is -the Witch's Cauldron, and we leave her alone, that's all. Now, young -folks, come in to lunch." - -Janet did not say anything further, but when in the course of the -afternoon the whole party were driving in a great big wagonette to -Court Macsherry, Patrick and she found themselves side by side. - -"Look here," he said to her then, "are you willing to stick to your -word?" - -"To what word?" she asked. - -"Why, you said that you didn't believe in the Witch?" - -"No more I do. How could I be so silly?" - -"Hush! Don't talk so loud; Uncle Dennis will hear us. Well, now, I'll -put faith in your bravery if you'll stick to what you said. You said -you wouldn't mind spending from nine till twelve any night alone on the -Witch's Island. Will you do it?" - -"As far as the Witch is concerned, I certainly will." - -"What do you mean by 'as far as the Witch is concerned'? There is -certainly no one else likely to trouble you. There is a little -broken-down arbor on the island where you can sit, and Gerald and I -will row you over, and come for you again after midnight." - -"But," said Janet, "if I promise to do this, you and Gerald won't play -me any trick, will you? I know what schoolboys are capable of. I used -to stay at a house once where there were lots of boys. I was a little -tot at the time, but they did lead me a life." - -"I should rather think they did," said Patrick, winking one of his -black eyes solemnly at his brother, who was regarding the two from the -opposite side of the wagonette with suppressed merriment. - -"Well," said Janet, "I know quite well what boys are like; and I'm -not going to give myself up to their tender mercies. Of course I -don't believe in that silly, stupid story about the Witch, but I do -think that you and that fine Gerald of yours over there would be -quite capable of playing me a trick, and dressing up as the Witch, or -something of that sort. If you both promise on your honor--and Irishmen -seem to think a great lot of their honor--if you'll both promise that -you'll do nothing mean of that sort, why I'll go to the Witch's Island -any night you like, and stay there from nine till twelve o'clock." - -"That's all right," said Patrick. "Gerry and I will give you our solemn -promise that we'll take you there and go away again, and come back at -midnight to fetch you, and that we won't do anything to frighten you -ourselves, nor, as far as we can tell, allow anyone else to play a -trick on you. There, now, are you satisfied?" - -"I suppose I am." - -"What night will you go?" - -"To-morrow night, if you wish." - -"That will do finely. The moon will be at her full from nine till -twelve to-morrow night, and if the Witch comes out of her lair you will -have a grand opportunity to get a good view of her. Well, then, that's -all right; only you mustn't tell anybody what you're going to do, for, -hark ye, Miss May, my Uncle Dennis over there believes in that Witch as -he believes in his own life. You wouldn't catch _him_ spending three -hours alone on that island; no, not for anybody under the sun." - -Bridget had felt very angry when Janet had coolly proposed that she and -her sister should be decked out in her finery; but, angry as she was, -the spell which was over her was sufficiently potent to make her comply -with the audacious request which had been made to her. Accordingly, -Janet and Sophy looked wonderfully smart when they took off their light -dust cloaks in the enormous square oak hall at Court Macsherry. There -is really very little difference between one soft coral pink sash and -another, between one row of sky-blue Venetian beads and another row; -and although Aunt Kathie, with one flashing glance of her bright eyes, -discovered that the sashes with which the May girls were ornamented, -and the beads which encircled their pretty throats, belonged to -Bridget, no one else guessed this for a moment. The Mays looked extra -smart and extra pretty, but Biddy had taken less pains than usual with -her own dress. It was rich and expensive in texture, as almost all -her clothes were, but it was put on untidily, and was too heavy and -hot-looking for this lovely summer evening. Her cheeks were flushed, -too, and her eyes too bright. She looked like a girl who might be ill -presently, and when Evelyn Percival, running down to meet her friends, -asked Biddy if she had a headache, she had to own to the fact that -this was the case. - -Evelyn was not a pretty girl, but her sweet, kind face looked full -of pleasantness to Bridget to-night. Her eyes had such an open, -truthful way of looking at one, her lips were so kindly in their -curves, her voice so pleasant in its tone, that Squire O'Hara, as he -said afterward, fell in love with her on the spot. There were several -handsome young Irish girls living at Court Macsherry, and Evelyn looked -only like a very pale little flower among them; nevertheless, the -squire singled her out for special and marked approval. - -"So you are one of my colleen's schoolfellows!" he said. "Well, well, -everyone to their taste, but I should have thought Lady Kathleen would -have asked _you_ to come and stay with us at Castle Mahun." - -"I shall be very glad to come over with my cousins to see you some -day," replied Evelyn. "I am not Irish, but I love Ireland, and I think -Court Macsherry the sweetest place in the world." - -"Oh, it isn't bad," said Dennis O'Hara. "I am not going to deny that it -is a fine bit of land, and notwithstanding those big bogs to the left -there, well cultivated. It might be improved by a bit of water, for -instance, but it isn't for me to disparage my neighbor's property." - -"My Cousin Norry has been telling me about your Lake Crena," said -Evelyn. "I should like to see it!" - -"So you shall, my dear; you'll admire it fine. It is as good as the -sea to us; there isn't its like in all the country round. When the -sun shines on its bosom it is a sight to be remembered, and as to the -moonlight effects, why they're just ravishing. Come and take a walk -with me on this terrace, my dear; I want to ask you about my girl -Biddy. She don't seem to take to that English school of yours, and I -must own that I'm scarcely surprised. That colleen of mine is a wild -sort of bird-like thing, and if you have a good many primity ways at -school, I don't wonder she can't abide them. Do you see much of her, -Miss Percival? You look about the same age, and I suppose you are in -the same class." - -"I am older than Bridget," said Evelyn Percival. "Bridget is a great -deal taller and bigger than any other girl of fifteen in the school." - -"Well, do you see much of her?" - -"Not as much as I should like. The fact is----" - -"What is it, my dear? you might confide in the colleen's father; if -there is anything I ought to know. - -"I can't exactly say there is, except--oh, perhaps I ought not to say -it." - -"But, indeed, you ought. I can see by your eyes that you are a -truthful, good sort of girl, and though I have only known you ten -minutes, I'd like my wild colleen to be friends with you. What is it -now? What's in your mind?" - -"I don't at all like to tell you; but the fact is, I was most anxious -to be fond of Biddy." - -"Yes, my dear, yes; I'm scarcely surprised at that." - -"I felt attracted to her the moment I saw her; she was so different -from the other girls. Of course, she didn't know the meaning of rules, -but there was something about her wonderfully fresh and pleasant, and I -and my friend Dorothy Collingwood would have done anything in our power -to make school life easy to her." - -"You don't mean to tell me that it wasn't easy? Why, she's about as -clever a bit of a thing as you could find." - -"I don't think anyone denies that; she has not been taught in the -ordinary way, so, of course, she could not get into a high class; but -that is not the point. I'd have been friends with her, the best of -friends, if she hadn't repulsed me." - -"Biddy repulse you! She never repulsed mortal in her whole life, the -poor darling!" - -"I don't think it was her fault; indeed, I am sure it was not, but--and -this is the thing that I don't at all like to say--she was, I am -convinced, influenced against me by another." - -"By another? Who? If you have a nasty sort of girl at the school, she -ought to be got rid of. Whom do you mean?" - -"I can't bear to tell you, and I may be wrong, but we do think, Dorothy -and I, that Biddy would be much, much happier at Mulberry Court but for -Janet May." - -"Phew!" the Squire drew a long breath; "that pretty little visitor -of mine? Lady Kathleen invited her and seemed much taken with her. -She told me that Janet was Biddy's dearest friend; but, now that you -mention it, I do not see the colleen much with her. You don't mean to -tell me?--oh, but I mustn't hear a word against one of my visitors." - -"I don't want to say anything, only that Dolly and I are sorry about -Bridget, and we are--I must say it frankly--not at all fond of Janet." - -"Maybe you're prejudiced; she's a pretty creature, and seems to mean -well." - -The great bell in the yard at Court Macsherry sounded a tremendous peal -for supper. - -"That's right," said the squire heartily; "that's a grateful sort of -sound when a man is starving, as I happen to be. Let me give you my -arm, Miss Percival. I'll never breathe what you have said, of course; -but I should be glad if you could do a kindness to my girl next term." - -"I will do my very utmost to help her," said Evelyn heartily. - -The guests had now assembled in the great dining hall, where a groaning -board awaited them. - -The squire looked down the long table. Biddy was nowhere to be seen. - -"Where can the girl be?" he said under his breath. Somebody else -remarked her absence, and Patrick immediately started up to go and look -for her. - - - - -CHAPTER XXIV. - -NORAH TO THE RESCUE. - - -Bridget had wandered away by herself. She knew her cousins, the Mahonys -of Court Macsherry, too well to stand on the least ceremony with them. -The load which crushed against her heart seemed to grow heavier each -moment. Her only desire was to be alone. - -She knew a spot where no one was likely to disturb her, and, catching -up the long train of her rich dress, she ran swiftly until she found -a solitary tree which stood a little apart from its fellows, and hung -over the borders of the great, big bog which formed a large portion of -the Court Macsherry estate. - -Bridget climbed up into the hollow of the oak tree, and leaning back -against its big trunk, looked out over the dismal, ugly bog. Her brows -were drawn down, her beautiful lips drooped petulantly, she pushed -back her rich hair from her brow. Her quaint many-colored dress, the -background formed by the oak tree, the effect of the wild country which -lay before her, gave to her own features a queer weirdness; and a -passing traveler, had any been near, might have supposed her to be one -of the fabled hamadryads of the oak. - -No travelers, however, were likely to see Bridget where she had now -ensconced herself. She sat quite still for nearly an hour, then -dropping her head on her hands she gave way to a low, bitter moan. - -She had scarcely done so before there was a rustling sound heard in -the grass. It was pushed aside in the place where it grew longest and -thickest, and a woman raised her head and looked up at her. - -"Eh, mavourneen?" she said, in a voice of deep love and pity. - -The woman was Norah Maloney. She had seen Biddy as she ran across the -grass to her seat in the oak tree, and had crept softly after her, -happy and content to lie silent and unobserved in the vicinity of her -adored young mistress. - -Norah was a _protégée_ of the Mahonys as well as the O'Haras, and -thought nothing of walking from one estate to the other. She crouched -motionless in the long grass, scarcely daring to breathe or discover -her vicinity in any way, until Biddy's heartbroken moan reached her -ears. - -Uncontrollable pity then overcame all other feelings. Her child, her -darling was unhappy. Come what might, Norah must comfort her. - -"Eh, mavourneen?" she said then. "Core of me heart, you're in throuble! -What can Norah do for yez?" - -"I am unhappy, Norah!" said Bridget. She sprang out of the oak tree as -she spoke. "O Norah, Norah!" she exclaimed, clasping the old servant's -horny hand; "don't tell anyone--don't, don't for the life of you, -Norah; but I hate Janet May." - -"That young Englisher colleen?" said Norah, her eyes flashing angry -fire. "Eh, but she's a cowld-hearted foreigner. Eh, but it isn't me nor -Pat nayther that's took with her ways." - -"It's dreadful of me to say anything," continued Bridget. "She's my -visitor, and I have told you that I hated her. Forget it, Norah--forget -it." - -"Secret as the grave I'll keep it," replied Norah, with emphasis. - -Bridget ran back to the house, and the old servant, with a certain -stealthy movement, which was more or less habitual to her, glided away -through the long grass. She walked two or three hundred yards in this -fashion, then she came to a stile which led directly to the dusty and -forsaken highroad. Here Norah stooped down and carefully removed her -thick hobnailed shoes and coarse, gray woolen stockings. She thrust -the stockings into her capacious pocket, and tying the shoes together -with a coarse piece of string, slung them over her arm. After this, she -kilted her petticoats an inch or two higher, and the next moment began -to run swiftly and silently over the dusty road. Her movements were -full of ease, and even grace. Her bare feet quickly covered the ground. - -She ran with a certain swing, which did not abate in speed as she flew -over the road. Mile after mile she went in this fashion, never once -losing her breath, or appearing in the least inconvenienced by her -rapid motion. At last she turned up a narrow mountain path. Here the -ground was very rough, and she was obliged to go slowly, but even here -her bare feet carried her with unerring surety. She neither slipped nor -stumbled, and never once faltered in her swift upward course. - -After going up the mountain for nearly half a mile, she came suddenly -upon the little shanty or mud hut where Pat, the boy whom Norah loved, -lay flat on his back on a rude bed of straw. - -Norah lifted the latch of the door, and came in. - -"Here's poor Norah back, Pat," she said. "And how are you, alanna? Is -it dhry ye feels and lonesome? Well, then, here's Norah to give wather -for your thirst, and news to fill your heart." - -"Why, then, Norah, you look spent and tired," said Pat. "And what's up -now, girl, and why did you come up the cliff as if you had the hounds -at your heels?" - -"Bekaze I had some news," said Norah, "and my heart burned to tell it -to yez. I have gone over a good bit of ground to-day, Pat, and I put -two and two together. I said the young Englisher wasn't afther no good, -and well I knows it now. It's our Miss Bridget has a sore heart; and -why should she have it for the loikes of her?" - -Pat Donovan was a man of very few words, but he raised his big head now -from its pillow, and fixed his glittering black eyes on the old and -anxious face of Norah with keen interest. - -"Spake out what's in yer mind, girl," he said. "Thim what interferes -with our Miss Biddy 'ull have cause to wish themselves out of Ould -Oireland before many days is over." - -"Thrue for yez, Pat," said Norah; "and glad I am that I has come to a -right-hearted boy like yourself, for I knew as you'd see the rights of -it, and maybe rid Miss Bridget of an enemy." - -"Spake," said Pat, "and don't sit there running round and round the -subject; spake, Norah, and tell me what you're after!" - -"Well, then, it's this," said Norah. "Be a token which I can't reveal, -for I promised faithfully I wouldn't, our Miss Biddy is fit to break -her heart bekaze of that young Englisher. Now, I know that to-morrow -night Miss Janet May is going to the Witch's Island, jest for the sake -of brag, and to prove that she don't hould by no witches nor fairies, -nor nothing of that sort; and the young gentlemen'll take her over -to the island at nine o'clock, and they'll go to fetch her again at -twelve, and what I say, Pat, is this----" - -"Whist!" said Pat, raising his big hand, and a look of mystery coming -over his face; "whist, Norah, mavourneen, you come over here and sit -nigh me, and let's talk the matter over." - - - - -CHAPTER XXV. - -HER MAJESTY THE WITCH. - - -Janet enjoyed the feeling that Bridget was now in her power. She had -something of the cat nature, and she liked to torture this very fine -and rare specimen of mouse which she had unexpectedly caught. She was -so clever, however, that no one suspected her of anything but the -heartiest friendship for Bridget. Even the squire, whose eyes were more -or less opened by Evelyn's talk, and who watched Janet now with intense -scrutiny, could see nothing to object to in her. - -"It is a pity that other nice colleen should have those jealous -thoughts," he said to himself; "that little Miss May is as nice and -good-hearted a bit of a thing as I have come across for many a day. -I can see by the very way she walks, and eats, and looks, that she's -just devoted to Biddy; and, for the matter of that, who can wonder, for -everybody likes my colleen." - -The weather was very beautiful just now, and the young people spent -almost all their time in the open air. Bridget, who had avoided -the society of the other young folks yesterday, seemed quite to -have recovered her good spirits to-day, and merry laughter made the -beautiful old place seem more gay and cheerful than ever. Patrick, -however, and Gerald, for some reason or other, as the day advanced, did -not look quite at ease. Supper was at eight at Castle Mahun, and it -was arranged that immediately after that meal the boys should row Janet -over to the island and leave her there. The secret was to be revealed -to no one, but for some reason it did not give them the complete -satisfaction it had done yesterday. - -They were kind-hearted lads, and although they had plenty of mischief -in their composition, would not willingly hurt anyone. They were -as superstitious as Irish lads could be, and as the fateful hour -approached Patrick called his younger brother aside. - -"Have you anchored the boat quite snug under the big willow," he asked, -"where Uncle Dennis won't get a glimpse of it? He'd be sure to be mad -if he thought we were going on Lake Crena to-night." - -"And why to-night," asked Gerald, "more than any other night? The lake -is as safe a place as your bed, except from September to March. Why -shouldn't we have a row on Lake Crena to-night, Pat?" - -"For the best of good reasons," said Pat. "The full moon is just -beginning to wane to-night; that is the only night in the month when -the Witch gets restless. I am sorry, for my part, that I asked Miss May -to go to the island. I made sure, of course, that she'd funk it when it -came to the point; I never guessed that she'd go on with it. Whatever -she is, she's plucky; I'll say that for her." - -"I don't see that she's so plucky," retorted Gerry; "she doesn't -believe in the Witch, you know--she laughs when we speak about her." - -"But suppose--suppose she--she sees her," said Patrick, his big black -eyes growing full of gloom, and even fear. "Gerry, I'd never forgive -myself if I did such a dastardly thing as to give a poor girl like that -a real fright." - -Gerald looked reflective. - -"I don't think the Witch walks about until past eleven," he said, "and -why shouldn't we go back for Janet at eleven? She'll have spent two -hours on the island then, and will be quite satisfied with herself." - -"Yes, that's all very fine, and then she'll boast to the end of her -days that we haven't got a witch." - -"Well, even that is better than to give her such a rousing fright that -she'll be deprived of her senses. There's the supper gong, Pat; we must -go into the house. Uncle Dennis will suspect something if we are not -tucking-in as hard as possible in a minute or two from now." - -"I can't help it, I am too anxious to eat," said Pat. "I wish I hadn't -thought of the thing. Of course, I see we must go through with it now; -she'd brag all her days that we had only pretended about the Witch if -we didn't. But I vow I'll--I'll stay somewhere near and--and watch--I -vow I will. Come along into the house, Gerry, and keep your own -counsel, if you can; you have such a way of getting your face full of -your thoughts that people can almost read them." - -"If there is roley-poley pudding for supper," said Gerry, "I'll get my -thoughts packed full of that, and my face too. The roley-poley pudding -expression is innocent enough, isn't it?" - -Pat gave his brother a playful cuff on the ear, and they went into the -house together. - -Janet was seated near Lady Kathleen. Her face was absolutely tranquil. -So unconcerned and serene was its expression that Gerry, as he passed -her chair, could not forbear bending forward and whispering in her ear: - -"I guess you're funking it." - -Janet's blue-gray eyes looked calmly up at him. - -"I have nothing to funk," she replied, in the same low tone. - -The squire shouted to Gerald to take his seat, and the meal proceeded. - -Very soon after supper Gerald and Patrick disappeared. They ran down a -shady walk, and soon reached the old willow tree under which the boat -was moored. - -"She'll funk it for sure and certain," said Gerry again. - -"No, that's not her," replied Patrick; "and, hark! do you hear her -footstep? Here she comes! For my part, I wish we were well out of this." - -"There's no help for it now," retorted Gerald; "she'd laugh at us all -our born days if we didn't go on with it. Well, Miss May, and so your -ladyship is pleased to accept our escort to the Witch's Island." - -Gerry made a low bow as he spoke, and pulling off his somewhat tattered -straw hat, touched the ground with it ere he replaced it on the back of -his curly head. - -Janet was seen leisurely approaching. She carried a little white shawl -over her arm, and a yellow-backed novel in her other hand. - -"I say," exclaimed Patrick, coming up to her, "you don't mean to tell -me you are going to read?" - -"And why not?" replied Janet; "it would be rather dull work sitting -for three hours in that island doing nothing. See what I have also -brought--a box of matches and a piece of candle. You say there's a -little old summerhouse there--in that summerhouse I'll sit and read -'Pretty Miss Neville.' I assure you, boys, the time will pass very -quickly and agreeably." - -"You have some spunk in you," said Patrick, in a tone of genuine -admiration. His black eyes flashed fire with the admiration he felt for -the slim pale girl who was brave enough to despise the superstitious -terrors which overmastered himself. - -There was no horse in the country round about that Patrick O'Mahony -would not have mounted; the most terrible danger could not have daunted -his spirit. His physical courage had never known the point where fear -could conquer it; but he owned to himself that he would have shrunk -in abject terror from the very simple feat of sitting for three hours -alone in the Witch's Island. - -"If you'd like to get out of it," he said suddenly, "Gerry and I will -never tell--will we, Gerry?" - -"No, truth and honor!" replied Gerald. - -"You see you have proved your pluck," continued Patrick. "It would be -awfully dull for you staying for three hours alone on the island." - -"Not at all, I assure you," replied Janet; "I have my book and my -candle. Help me into the boat, please, gentlemen, or I shall begin to -think you are a fine pair of little humbugs." - -"Oh, if that is your way of putting it," said Patrick, his quick temper -easily roused, "we had better start at once. Come along, Gerry; help me -to unmoor the boat. Now, Miss Janet, jump in, if you please." - -Five minutes later, Janet May found herself alone on the tiny patch of -ground which went by the name of the Witch's Island. - -It consisted of a thickly wooded piece of land rising up in the very -center of Lake Crena, and about three-quarters of an acre in size. -There was a little landing-place where some of the thick trees had been -cleared away. Here, high and dry, and well out of reach of the water, -stood a rude summerhouse. Janet waited alone on the little strip of -quay until the boat, turning a tiny headland, was lost to view; then -she went into the summerhouse, and lighting her candle sat down on a -broken-down bench, placed the candle securely on a small stone slab -by her side, and opening her novel began to read. The courage she had -shown was not in the least assumed. This enterprise simply amused her; -she expected to find the time dull--dullness was the worst enemy that -could possibly visit her. - -"Pretty Miss Neville," however, was quite to her taste, and turning -its leaves quickly, she soon lost herself in a world far away from -the Witch's Island, and much more in harmony with her own ambitious -and eager spirit. She, too, would win her triumphs, and have her -lovers in the not too distant future. Oh, how splendidly she had -managed everything! How nice it was to have a girl like Bridget -O'Hara completely in her power! Janet's thoughts after all proved -more delightful than her book. She closed it, and coming out of the -little stuffy summerhouse stood on the tiny quay and looked around -her. The moon was getting up slowly, and was shedding silver paths of -shimmery light over beautiful Lake Crena. The scene was so lovely, -so exquisitely soothing and peaceful, that a girl with a different -order of mind might have felt her thoughts rise as she looked at that -moonlight path, and some aspirations for the good, the true, the noble, -might have filled her breast. Janet was not without imagination as she -looked at that long silver path which stretched away from her very feet -onward to the distant horizon, but it only brought to her visions of -Paris and Lady Kathleen, and what she would do to aggrandize herself in -the delightful future which was so near. - -Her meditations were suddenly disturbed by a slight noise to her right. - -She looked around her carelessly. "Can the Witch be coming?" she said, -with a slight laugh. - -At that moment the great clock in the stable at Castle Mahun struck -ten; the deep notes swelled and died away on the evening breeze. - -"That noise can't be caused by the Witch," thought Janet, "for the -boys say that she seldom deigns to put in an appearance before eleven -o'clock; oh, dear! oh, dear! have I two more hours to spend on this -detestable spot? When will they have passed away? What shall I do to -kill time? I had better go back and go on with my book." She was about -to re-enter the little summerhouse when the distinct splash of an oar -on the water reached her ears. - -She could not help giving a start, and then exclaimed with a sigh of -relief: - -"Is that you, Pat? But you need not come back yet. I assure you I am -thoroughly comfortable. I am waiting in state for her majesty Mrs. -Witch to visit me." - -There was no reply whatever to Janet's gay sally. She entered the -summerhouse and, rearranging her candle, opened her book, and went on -reading. - -Again there was a sound on the island; this time it was the cracking of -a bough. - -"A bird or a rabbit, or some small inoffensive creature of that sort," -murmured the girl; but, for the first time, her heart beat a little -more quickly. - -"It is absurd," she said to herself. "One would absolutely suppose, to -look at me now, that I gave credence to the boys' ridiculous tales. -Well, this is a very dull escapade at best, and catch me going in for -anything of the kind again. I must make the best of it now, however." - -She turned another page of her book, found that the plot was thickening -and the situation becoming more exciting, and forgot herself in Miss -Neville's sorrows. - -She was soon startled back to consciousness of present things, however. -She not only heard another bough crack, and a low, thick shrub rustle, -but she also distinguished a sure and unmistakable "Whist! whist!" in -a man's deep tones. It was plain, therefore, that she was not alone on -the island. Even now she was not afraid of the witch; but she had a -very substantial fear of human foes, and she already guessed that more -than one of Bridget's lawless friends would be quite capable of doing -her an ill turn. - -With a sudden feeling of satisfaction she remembered that she had a -dog-whistle fastened to her watch-chain. If she blew a shrill blast -with the whistle it would frighten any concealed enemies away, and -bring the boys quickly to her rescue. - -She stepped out of the hut, therefore, and put the whistle to her lips. - -"No, none of that!" said a voice. "You'll come with me, miss, and the -fewer questions you axes the better." - -A rough man of powerful build, with a piece of crape tied across his -eyes, rushed suddenly forward in the moonlight. He drew a thick cloth -over the girl's head and shoulders, a pair of strong arms encircled her -waist; she found herself lifted from the ground, and knew that she was -being carried rapidly away. - - - - -CHAPTER XXVI. - -A TERRIBLE NIGHT. - - -There was great fun and excitement at Castle Mahun that night, and -Janet's absence was not in the least noticed. - -It was a moonlight night, and the squire's will and pleasure was that -every member of the household who cared to come should assemble on the -wide terrace outside the Castle to hear Biddy play some of the Irish -melodies on her harp. - -Biddy's performances were well worth listening to. From far and near -the heterogeneous crowd who were wont to throng to the Castle assembled -to hear her. - -"The Harp that once through Tara's Halls" floated on the night breeze. -The wild, sweet melody sounded quite eerie, and caused two excited boys -to shiver as they listened. They were thinking of Janet on the Witch's -Island, and longing for the moment when they might fly down to the -boat, row across to the island, and release her from captivity. - -"A jig! Let us have a jig!" shouted the squire. "Come, Biddy, colleen, -you and Pat give us all an Irish jig." - -Bridget was nothing loath to obey. Someone scraped the bow of an -old fiddle, and merry, quick music succeeded the more somber notes. -Bridget's and Pat's dance was followed by many others, and the fun -rose fast and furious. - -By and by eleven struck from the clock in the courtyard. The boys crept -down unobserved to the shores of the lake, and the rest of the party -went to bed. - -Bridget had forgotten all her sorrows in a sound sleep. In her healthy -young slumbers she had not even room for dreams. A smile lingered round -her pretty lips, her dark curly lashes lay heavily on her rose-tinted -cheeks. - -"Bang! bang!" There came some pummels at her door, then the handle was -turned, and muffled feet stepped as noiselessly as they could across -the old and creaking boards. - -"You wake her, Gerry," said Pat. - -"I can't--I don't like to!" said Gerry, with a sob in his throat. - -"Well, then, I will. What a little coward you are! Why can't you -control yourself? What is the good of being in such a beastly funk? -It will be all right when Biddy knows. I say, Biddy! Biddy, wake! How -soundly she sleeps! Let's strike a match, and flash it into her eyes, -Gerry." - -"No, no; Uncle Dennis will hear us," said Gerry, his teeth chattering -more than ever. - -"Let's pull her, then," said Pat. "Let's give a tug at her hair. Oh, I -say, Biddy, you might wake and help a fellow." - -These last almost wailing words penetrated the sleeper's dreams. She -opened her eyes with a start, and said aloud: - -"I won't get into your power, Janet," and then exclaimed in -astonishment, when she saw her two cousins standing by her bedside, -the moonlight streaming all over them: - -"What is the matter?" she said. "You up, Pat, and you, Gerry! What does -this mean?" - -The moment her words reached his ears Gerry flung himself on his knees, -buried his head in the bedclothes, and began to sob violently. - -"Oh, do shut up, you little beggar!" said Pat. "What is the good of -waking the house? Biddy, we are in an awful mess, Gerry and I, and we -can't talk to you here. Won't you get up and come down to the hall, and -let us tell you what is the matter? Bruin is the only living creature -there, and he'll not let out a sound if we tell him that you are -coming." - -"Yes, I'll be with you in a minute," said Bridget. - -She rose quickly, dressed almost in a twinkling, and a few minutes -later was standing with her cousins in the great entrance hall of the -Castle. - -They quickly told the first part of their tale--all about Janet, and -the challenge which had passed between them. Biddy was just as fearless -as her cousins, but she, too, was superstitious, and she felt a catch -in her breath, and a sudden sensation of respect for Janet, when the -boys told her how absolutely indifferent to fear she was, and how -willing to spend three hours alone on the haunted island. - -"We went back for her sharp at eleven. Poor little spunky thing! she -hadn't a scrap of fear when we left her. There she stood, smiling and -nodding to us, with that stupid old novel in her hand, and just making -us believe that she was going to have quite a good time; but when we -went back she was nowhere to be seen. As sure as you are there, Biddy, -there wasn't a sight of her anywhere." - -"The Witch came, of course, and took her away," said Gerry. He shook -all over as he spoke. - -"Don't be a goose," said Biddy. "Let me think; it _couldn't_ have been -the Witch." - -"Why, of course it was, Biddy. Who else could it have been? She's gone; -she's not on the island; and you know the stories of the Witch--how she -does appear on certain nights when the moon is in the full." - -"Yes, I know that," said Bridget. "She does appear, and she frightens -folks, and perhaps goes the length of turning them crazy; but she -doesn't spirit them away. How can she? Oh, do let me think. Don't talk -for a minute, boys; I have got to puzzle this thing out." - -The boys did not say a word. Gerry stooped crying, and Pat fixed his -big eyes gloomily on his cousin. Biddy was a girl, an Irish girl, -and such are quick to jump to conclusions. The boys watched her face -now with devouring interest. Bruin rose slowly to his feet, pattered -solemnly across the polished floor, and laid his big head on her lap. - -Biddy's shapely hand touched his forehead, but her thoughts were far -away. After a time she said quickly: - -"There is but one thing to be done: we must find Norah Malone without a -minute's loss of time." - -"Norah!" exclaimed both the boys. - -"You must have taken leave of your senses, Bridget!" exclaimed Pat. -"What has Norah to do with Janet May and the island?" - -"I can't tell you," said Bridget. "I have just a fear in my heart, and -Norah may set it at rest. We must find her. We must go to her at once, -this very night." - -"Where is she?" asked Pat. "I haven't seen her for days past." - -"She may be up on the mountain with Donovan. You know they are to be -married in a couple of days, and Donovan is to be moved down on a -litter to the Castle. Or she may be sleeping at the Hogans' at the -lodge. We will go to the Hogans' first, and if they can tell nothing -about her we must go up to the mountains. There is nothing whatever -else to be done." - -"It seems such a waste of time," grumbled Pat. "It is Janet we want to -find." - -"And I tell you it is through Norah we'll find her," answered Bridget, -stamping her foot at him. "Come along, boys, both of you, and Bruin, -you come, too. We have a night's work before us, and we haven't a -minute to lose." - -"It is the night when the moon is at the full," said Gerry, "and--and -the Witch may come to us, and--I couldn't _bear_ to look at her." - -"Well, go to bed, you little coward!" said Pat, flashing round at him, -and aiming a cuff at his head. - -Gerry darted behind Bridget for protection. - -"Come, boys, don't quarrel," she said. "Gerry, you know you are not a -real coward. Come along this minute and help us." - -She was unbarring the bolts which secured the great front door as she -spoke. The next moment the three young folks were standing on the -terrace. - -"The dogs will raise an alarm," said Bridget; "that's the worst of -them. If so, my father will get up, and everything will be known. Stay, -though, I'll send Bruin round to speak to them. Come here, darling, I -want you." - -The great dog came up to her. - -She knelt on the gravel, with the moon shining all over her, and looked -into his eyes. - -"Go round to the dogs, Bruin," she said, "and tell them to be quiet, -and then come back to me. Go quickly." - -The deerhound licked his mistress's hand, and then trotted in sober, -solemn fashion round by the shrubbery and disappeared. - -The girl and the boys waited anxiously. Not a dog bayed, not a sound of -any sort was audible. Bruin trod on the velvety turf as he returned. He -looked up at Bridget, who bent down and kissed him between the eyes. - -"Good King!" she said, and then she and the boys started off as fast -as they could to the Hogans' cottage, where Norah might possibly be -sleeping. - -No sign of her there; no tidings of her, either. Hogan got up and put -out a white face of amazement from one of the tiny windows of the -cottage when Bridget made her demand. If he knew anything of Norah's -whereabouts, neither face nor manner betrayed him. - -"It's no good, boys," said Bridget, "she is not there; or if she -is, Hogan has got the word not to tell. We might stand and talk to -him forever before he'd let even a wink of an eye betray him. There -is nothing whatever for it but for us to go to the cottage on the -mountains." - -Gerry was quite silent now. He took care to keep Bridget between -himself and Pat, and no one particularly noticed when he started at his -own shadow, and when he looked guiltily behind. - -Even to ride on horseback to Donovan's cabin, in the midst of the -lonely mountains, took a long time; but to walk on foot in the -uncertain moonlight was truly a weary undertaking. - -It was between three and four in the morning when the children, -exhausted and almost spent, stumbled up against the little cabin, to -find the door locked and the house deserted. - -Gerry burst out crying, and even Bridget owned that she had come to the -end of her resources. - -"Don't talk to me, either of you," she said; "I am more persuaded than -ever that Norah and Donovan are at the bottom of this. There is nothing -for it now but to go home." - -"How dare we?" said Pat. "Uncle Dennis will almost kill Gerry and me if -he knows of this." - -"We must go home, boys; we must face the thing. We had better step out -now as fast as we can, or the servants will be up." - -"I can't tell Uncle Dennis of this," said Pat; "I simply can't." - -"Don't say whether you can or cannot now," said Bridget; "let us go -back as quickly as possible." - - - - -CHAPTER XXVII. - -"SPEAK OUT!" - - -Squire O'Hara was the first of the family to put in an appearance the -next morning at the breakfast table. He looked round him somewhat -impatiently. He did not count Miss Macnamara, nor old Captain Shand, -nor one or two more of the visitors, as anybody. When they came in he -simply nodded to them, but his impatient eyes looked eagerly at the -vacant places which his own family ought to occupy. - -What was the matter with the world? - -Where was his sister-in-law Kathleen? She was up too early as a -rule--fidgeting, fussing, talking, and clattering. Where were -those imps, Pat and Gerry? Where were the two nice little English -girls?--and, above all, where was his Colleen, his darling, the apple -of his eye? - -"Shall I pour out your tea for you, squire?" asked Miss Macnamara in a -timid voice. - -"No, I thank you," he replied; "I'll wait for my family. Help yourself; -help yourself, I beg. Captain Shand, pray tackle the beef; Mr. Jones, -try that kippered salmon. Nobody need wait breakfast who doesn't wish -to; but I'm not hungry. I'll just step out on the terrace for a minute -or two until some of my family choose to put in an appearance." - -The squire opened the window as he spoke, and, stepping over the sill, -was just about to call to the dogs to accompany him in his walk when a -little, shabby, gray-haired woman started up almost at his feet, and -raised two blazing black eyes to his face. - -"Is that you, Norah?" said the squire. "And may I ask what you are -doing here crouching down among the rose-bushes?" - -"Nothing, yer honor; sure as I live I'm doing nothing!" said Norah. "I -was only waiting to catch a sight of Miss Biddy, bless her." - -"You surely did not lie in ambush in this absurd fashion to see Miss -Bridget. She does not want people skulking after her like that. There, -my good woman, don't look at me as if I were going to eat you. Go round -to the kitchen and have some breakfast, and you shall see Miss Biddy -afterward." - -The squire heard fresh sounds of arrival in the breakfast room at this -moment. In consequence, his voice grew more cordial. - -He passed in again through the open window, and Norah quickly -disappeared round by the shrubbery. - -"Is that you, Biddy?" he said. "How are you, my love? Oh! and Kathleen, -you have put in an appearance at last; and here the boys, and Miss -Sophy. Come, that's right, that's right. Now let us sit down and enjoy -ourselves. I have been out since six o'clock, and I'm quite disposed to -do justice to my tea and fresh eggs. Here, Biddy, you shall pour me out -a cup with your own fair hands, alanna." - -The squire drew up to the table, making a considerable amount of -bluster and noise. Bruin crouched in his usual place by Bridget's -side; Sophy sat near Lady Kathleen; the boys began hungrily to attack a -huge bowl of porridge each, and the meal proceeded. - -"You are all very silent," said the squire. "Have none of you anything -to say for yourselves? Not a laugh do I hear--not a whisper. Half an -hour late for breakfast, and everyone coming in as mum as if we were -all a house of the dead! Come, Biddy, come, haven't you a joke to crack -with anyone?" - -"Oh, squire," said Lady Kathleen, from the other end of the long board, -"we just want you to drink off your tea first. Oh, oh, oh! Sophy, poor -child, poor child, restrain yourself. There, she can't, the creature, -she can't. Put your arms round my neck, pet, and cry here then; poor -little dear, poor little dear!" - -"What in the name of fortune does this mean?" exclaimed Dennis O'Hara. -"Biddy, can you explain it? Why, your face is like a sheet, child. What -can be wrong?" - -"I will tell you, Dennis," said Lady Kathleen. "Poor little Janet is -lost. If you hadn't been so taken up with all the singing and the -dancing last night you'd have missed her from our family circle, for -she wasn't there then, and she isn't here now; and what's more, she -hasn't been in her bed the whole of the blessed night, and there's -Sophy fit to break her heart, and no wonder, poor thing, no wonder, for -if there was a nice devoted little sister it was Janet. I am fearing -that the poor child has fallen from a precipice, or gone too far into -one of the bogs. I always told you, squire, that you didn't half drain -those bogs. Now, what is it? Oh, mercy me, what awful thing are you -going to say?" - -"I'm going to request you to hold your tongue," said the squire. "We -none of us can hear ourselves speak with you, Kathleen. And a fine, -queer tale you have to tell! Miss Janet May hasn't been in the house -all night! Is that true, Miss Sophy?" - -"She wasn't in her room last night," said Sophy, a fresh sob breaking -her voice. - -"But this must be looked into at once," continued the squire. "One -of my visitors has been absent from my roof all night, and I am only -told of it now--now--and it past eight o'clock in the morning! _This -is a scandalous shame!_ Why, there isn't a man or boy in the place who -shouldn't have been searching round for the bit of a colleen four hours -past. But, of course, _I'm_ always kept in the dark. Although I am -Squire O'Hara of Castle Mahun, I'm just nobody, I suppose? Now, what is -it, Bridget--what are you going to say? I won't take interference from -anyone when I am roused like this." - -The squire was in one of his rare, but terrible passions: his lips -trembled, his eyes blazed, his great hand shook. - -"I have got something to tell you," began Bridget. - -"Oh, you have, have you? You can throw light on this scandal then? -Speak out, speak out this minute." - -"Will you come with me into your study? I'd rather tell you alone." - -"I'll do nothing of the kind. You speak out here. It's a nice state -of things when the master of the house is kept in the dark! That girl -should have been searched for last night when she didn't come in. And -of course she _would_ have been searched for if I had been told of it; -but the rest of you must hugger-mugger together and keep me in the -dark. I call this state of things disgraceful. Now what is it you have -got to say, Bridget? Are you a coward too, afraid to tell your own -father? A nice state of things the world is coming to! Speak! are you -_afraid_ of me?" - -"I am a coward, and I _am_ afraid of you," said Bridget. - -Her words were so absolutely unexpected that every single individual -seated round the breakfast table started back with an astonished -exclamation. - -Bridget's own face was white as death. She stepped a little away from -the table; Bruin got up and stood by her side. She was unconscious of -the fact that her hand rested on his great head. - -"Speak up," thundered the squire, "I'll have no more shuffling. You -look as if you were ashamed of something. I see it in your eye. You are -my only child--the last of the race, and you are _ashamed_! Good God, -that I should live to see this day. But come, no more shuffling--out -with the truth!" - -"I know something about Janet, and so also do Pat and Gerry," continued -Bridget. "I'd rather tell you by yourself, father; I wish you'd let me." - -"No, that I won't; if you have done anything wrong you have got to -confess it. A pretty pass we have come to when Bridget O'Hara has to -confess her sins! But, never mind, though you were twenty times my -child, you'll have to stand here and tell the truth _before everyone_. -Now speak up, speak up this minute--Kathleen! if you don't stop -blubbering you'll have to leave the room." - -Dennis O'Hara's face was terrible. - -He and Bridget were the only ones standing; all the rest remained glued -to their chairs, without speaking or moving. - -"Now go on," he said, "we are all waiting to hear this fine confession; -did you spirit Janet May away?" - -"No, I didn't. You make me cease to fear you, father, when you speak in -that tone," said Bridget. "I have behaved badly, I--I thought it would -break my heart to tell you; but when you look at me like that----" - -"Like what? Go on, Biddy, or you'll drive me mad." - -"Well, I know what has happened to Janet. She went over to the Witch's -Island last night. She said there was no witch. Nothing would make her -believe in a witch, and she would go; it was her own desire." - -"And you took her there, I suppose?" - -"No, I didn't; I had nothing to do with it." - -"It was I who did that part, uncle," said Pat, suddenly springing to -his feet. "I won't let Biddy be the only one scolded; I was in an awful -funk when I found what had happened, but I can't stand here and hear a -girl spoken to like this; and Biddy isn't a bit nor a morsel to blame. -It's just Biddy all out to try and shield other people; but it was my -fault, mine and Gerry's. What is it, uncle? what is it you are saying -to me?" - -"Come over here this minute," said the squire. "Shake hands with me; -you are a fine lad, you are a very fine lad. Oh, thank Heaven! I -thought the colleen had done something wrong. It isn't a bit of matter -about anybody else. Speak out, Pat, speak out; and, oh! alanna, alanna, -forgive me, forgive me. I thought bad of you, my jewel, my sweet! Come -into my arms, my colleen asthore. What matter who is black, when you -are white as a lily?" - -Dennis O'Hara's burst of passion was over as quickly as it had arisen; -he went up to Bridget and folded his great arms round her slight young -figure. - -"But I am not white," she said, bursting into sudden uncontrollable -weeping; "oh, I am not white, and you'll never love me any more, and my -heart will break. I can't tell you now, before everybody. I just can't, -I can't. Pat knows all about Janet. Pat can tell _that_ story, and you -are not going to be too angry with him; but I must go away, for I can't -speak of the other thing. There, father, don't kiss me, I cannot stand -it." - -She wrenched herself out of his arms and flew from the room. - -It was a glorious summer's day; the sun was blazing down from the sky -with a fierce heat. Bridget felt half blinded with misery and confusion -of mind. She put up her hand to her head and glanced up at the sky. - -"I must tell my father everything when I see him next," she said to -herself. "Oh, what shall I do, what shall I do?" - -Footsteps sounded behind her. She felt impatient of anyone seeing her -in her grief and distraction, and, turning to hide herself in the -shrubbery, found that she was face to face with Norah. - -"I seen you, me darling," said Norah; "I seen you when you ran out of -the breakfast room all distraught like." - -"You saw me? then you were listening, Norah," said Bridget, her tears -drying rapidly in her sudden anger. - -"And why not, alanna? and why shouldn't I listen when it was for the -good of my own nursling? The squire says, 'Go and have some breakfast, -Norah'; but what's breakfast to me when the light of my eyes, the child -I helped to rear, is suffering. I listened, Miss Biddy, and when you -run out of the room I followed you. You come with me, alanna. You trust -poor Norah. Norah Malony and Pat Donovan 'ud spill their heart's blood -for you, missie; you trust us both!" - -"I thought as much," said Bridget. "Come back here into the shade of -the shrubbery, Norah; I guessed last night that you were at the bottom -of this. Don't you know that you have behaved disgracefully? Do you -think my father will help you to marry Pat after such conduct as this? -No, don't go down on your knees; I am not inclined to intercede for -you at present. I am not inclined to take your part. You must go this -instant to the place where you have hidden Janet May. There is not a -moment to lose; go and bring her back at once!" - -Norah began to cry feebly. - -"You are hard on me," she sobbed, "and I done it for you--Pat and me, -we done it for you. We meant no harm either. The young Englisher girl -have come to no grief--leastways, nothing but a bit of a fright, and -she'll do what we wants if you don't spoil everything, Miss Bridget." - -"I don't understand you, Norah; I don't feel even inclined to listen to -you. You must go this minute and release poor Janet." - - - - -CHAPTER XXVIII. - -WHAT THE O'HARAS SAID TO ONE ANOTHER. - - -The race of human beings who can neither read nor write are fast -vanishing from the face of the civilized earth. They used, however, to -abound in great numbers in old Ireland, and, strange as it may seem, -these so-called uneducated people have proved themselves to be some of -the shrewdest in the world. - -For, never reading the books of men, they are always perusing the -greater book of nature. Unacquainted with the art of writing, they -trust absolutely to their memories. The observation, therefore, of the -Irish peasant can scarcely be credited by those who have never come -across him. - -Norah had made up her mind that Janet should not be released from the -hiding-place to which she and Pat had spirited her until she made full -confession of her own part in making Bridget unhappy. It is true Norah -had never heard the tale, but she seemed to know as much about it as if -she had been in everybody's confidence, and had even joined the Fancy -Fair Committee, and sat in Mrs. Freeman's schoolroom when Bridget, -under Janet's directions, cribbed her lessons. - -If Bridget herself, however, wished Janet to be set free, there was no -help for it. - -"You wait here, Miss Biddy," she said; "you needn't go for Miss Janet -May. I'll bring her to you in an hour at the farthest." - -"Very well, Norah," said Bridget, "I'll wait for you here." - -She sat down as she spoke, under the shelter of a large birch tree, -and, leaning her head against its silver stem, fell into a heavy sleep. - -She dreamt in her sleep, and these dreams were so disquieting that she -could not help crying out and moaning heavily. She opened her eyes at -last to see her old father standing by her. - -For a moment she could not remember where she was, nor what had -happened. The smile which always filled her eyes when she looked at -her dearly loved father came into them now; a gay word banished the -sorrowful lines from round her lips, and, with a little laugh, she rose -to her feet. - -"How ridiculous of me to have gone to sleep in the wood," she exclaimed. - -Then memory came back. She flushed first, and then turned deadly pale. - -"You are in trouble, alanna," said Squire O'Hara. "I know that by the -look you wore in your sleep; I never saw my colleen wear a face so full -of sorrow before. There's something on your mind, acushla, and you are -afraid to tell your father. Maybe I frightened you a bit in the parlor -just now; if so, my heart's core, you must forgive me. I was taken -aback and put out, and we O'Haras are celebrated for our hasty tempers. -I am not angry now, however: my anger has passed like a morning cloud. -You tell me all that is vexing you, Biddy. Put your arms round me, and -whisper your trouble in my ears, my own colleen." - -"And why should a beautiful young lady like that have any throuble," -exclaimed another voice. - -The squire and Bridget both started and turned round. Janet May and -Norah were coming up the little path, and even now stood by their sides. - -"Here's the young Englisher lady," said Norah. "She's none the worse -for having spent one night with the Irish folk, and there's no -throuble, now that she has come back; is there, Miss Biddy?" - -For one instant Bridget was silent. - -Janet came up to her and spoke in a gentle, cheerful tone. "I am so -glad to be back with you, dear," she said. "I dare say you and the -squire were uneasy about me. Well, I had an adventure, and am none the -worse. I'll tell you all about it presently. Norah has something, also, -to say for herself; but she, too, will speak presently. Now I have one -request to make of the squire." - -"What is that, my dear?" asked Dennis O'Hara. - -"It is that no one shall be punished on my account," said Janet, in -her sweet, low tones. "There was just a little bit of a practical joke -played on me. You Irish are celebrated for practical jokes, are you -not? I came to no harm, and if I don't wish anyone to be punished, I -suppose my wishes are worth considering, as I was the only one who -suffered." - -"You are by no means the only one who suffered, Miss May," said the -squire. "Look at Biddy, there. Why is her face so pale, and why are her -eyes so heavy? And as to practical jokes, I never heard that it was -the way of the Irish gentry to practice them upon their visitors. My -dear young lady, I appreciate your kind and generous spirit. It does my -old heart good to see you here safe and unharmed, but you must allow -me to deal with this matter in my own way. I am not thinking of it at -present, however. I want to have a word with my daughter Biddy. Will -you go into the house, Miss May? Biddy and I will follow you presently." - -"No, Janet, stay here," said Bridget suddenly. - -She threw up her head with something of the free action of a young race -horse, tossed her curly hair back from her broad brow, and looked first -at Janet and then at the squire. - -There was something in the expression of her eyes which caused Janet, -as she afterward expressed it, "to shake in her shoes." - -"Norah," continued Bridget, "you must stay here too. Now, father, I -will tell you something. I will tell you why your Biddy can never, -never again be the old Bridget you used to know and to love." - -"Oh, don't," interrupted Janet. "See how hysterical you are, Bridget. -Don't you think, squire----" - -"Hush!" thundered the squire. "Let the colleen speak." - -"Father," continued Bridget, "I am a very unhappy girl. I have behaved -badly. I have been wicked; I have been dishonorable and--and deceitful." - -"No, no, I don't believe that," said the squire. "Whatever you are, -you are not deceitful." Once again his face turned white, and an angry -light leaped out of his eyes. - -"It is true," continued Bridget, "and--and _she_ tempted me--she, -Janet May. I never met anyone like her before. She tempted me; I don't -know with what motive. It isn't right to tell tales of a visitor; but -I--I _can't_ bear things any longer, and I have got so confused in -my mind that I don't know what is right and what is wrong. I don't -wish to excuse myself, but I do not think I'd have done the dreadful -things but for her. I wouldn't have done them, because they never would -have occurred to me. Perhaps that is because I am not clever enough. -I don't want to excuse myself, but she tempted me to do wrong, and I -did wrong, frightfully wrong, and I have been, oh, so miserable! And -Norah here--poor Norah--she guessed at my trouble, and she thought -she'd punish Janet. That's why Janet was away last night. It was very -wrong of Norah, too, but she did it out of love to me. Oh, father, -how miserable I am! Why did you send me to that English school? I can -never, never, _never_ again be your old Biddy; never again, father, -never as long as I live." - -Here poor Bridget burst into such convulsive weeping that her words -became inaudible. - -Suddenly she felt a pair of arms round her neck, and, looking up, her -lips touched her father's cheek. - -"Let me go on," she said; "let me get it over." - -"Not until you are better, colleen. There is not the least hurry. Come -down and sit with me in the bower near the Holy Well. We shall have it -all to ourselves." - -"But the others," said Bridget--"Janet and Norah?" - -"I sent them away. Why should they hear what one O'Hara has to say to -the other?" - - - - -CHAPTER XXIX. - -THE CHILD OF HIS HEART. - - -Janet ran quickly toward the house. On her way she met one of the -servants, a man of the name of Doolan; she stopped to say a few words -to him eagerly, then, running on, found herself in the great hall, -where Lady Kathleen, Pat, Gerald, and Sophy were all assembled. - -Lady Kathleen uttered a scream when she saw her. - -"Oh, how glad I am----" she began. - -Janet interrupted her hastily. - -"Dear Lady Kathleen," she said, "I will speak to you presently. I will -tell you all my adventures presently; but please, please let me go up -to my room now with Sophy; I want to say a word to Sophy. Please let me -pass." - -There was an expression about Janet's face which caused Lady Kathleen -to fall back, which arrested a torrent of words on the lips of each of -the boys, and which made poor, frightened Sophy follow her sister out -of the room without a word. - -"Come upstairs with me, and be as quick as ever you can," said Janet. - -She took her sister's hand as she spoke, rushed up the stairs with her, -and entered the large room which the girls shared together. - -"Now, Sophy," said Janet, "how much money have you got? Don't attempt -to prevaricate. I know you received a letter yesterday from Aunt Jane, -and she--she sent you a five-pound note; I know it--don't attempt to -deny it. - -"I don't want to deny it," said Sophy. "You--you _frighten_ me, Janet; -we have all been so miserable about you. I could not eat any breakfast; -I was crying as if my heart would break, and now you come back looking -like I don't know what, and you speak in such a dreadful way." - -"Never mind how I speak," said Janet; "pack your things; be quick about -it, for we must be out of this place in ten minutes." - -"What _do_ you mean?" - -"I'll tell you presently. Pack, pack, pack! Fling your things into your -trunk, no matter how--anything to get away. If you are not packed, with -your hat and gloves on, in ten minutes, you shall come away without -your finery, that is all." - -"But how are we to get away?" said Sophy. "We can't walk to the -station; it is twenty miles off." - -"I know that, but I have arranged everything. Mike Doolan will have the -jaunting car at the top of the back avenue in fifteen minutes from now. -I only want to pack and lock our boxes; they must follow us by and by. -Now, don't waste another moment talking." - -Janet's words were so strong, her gestures so imperious, that Sophy -found herself forced to do exactly what she was told. The ribbons, -laces, trinkets, which she and Janet had amassed out of poor Bridget's -stores during their stay at Castle Mahun were tossed anyhow into their -trunks; the trunks were locked and directed, and the two girls had left -the house without saying a word to anyone long before Squire O'Hara and -Bridget returned to it. - -Janet was worthless through and through; Sophy was very little better. -The curtain drops over them here as far as this story is concerned. - -What more is there to tell? - -How can I speak of those events which immediately followed the -departure of Janet May and her sister?--the wonder and consternation -of Lady Kathleen Peterham; the astonishment and curiosity of the -retainers; the secret triumph of Norah Maloney and Pat Donovan; the -intense amazement of the boys! - -Amazement had its day, curiosity its hour, and then the memory of the -English girls faded, and the waters of oblivion, to a great extent, -closed over them. Lady Kathleen sent their trunks to the address which -Janet had put upon them. They were addressed to a Miss Jane Perkins, -and Lady Kathleen concluded that she was the Aunt Jane of whom Janet -stood in such wholesome dread. - -The squire made an important discovery on that unhappy day. It was -this: O'Hara of Castle Mahun could brook no dishonor in the person of -his nephew, or sister, or cousin; but the child of his heart could be -forgiven even dishonor. - -"I will myself write to Mrs. Freeman," he said, after he and Bridget -had concluded their long conference. "O Biddy, child! why did you not -tell me before; could anything, _anything_ turn my heart from thy -heart? But listen, acushla macree, your Aunt Kathleen and Pat and -Gerald must never know of this." - -Of Bridget's future history, of her many subsequent adventures, both at -school and at home--are they not written in the book of the future? - - - - - * * * * * * - - - - -+-------------------------------------------------+ -|Transcriber's note: | -| | -|Obvious typographic errors have been corrected. | -| | -+-------------------------------------------------+ - - - -***END OF THE PROJECT GUTENBERG EBOOK BASHFUL FIFTEEN*** - - -******* This file should be named 61857-8.txt or 61857-8.zip ******* - - -This and all associated files of various formats will be found in: -http://www.gutenberg.org/dirs/6/1/8/5/61857 - - -Updated editions will replace the previous one--the old editions will -be renamed. - -Creating the works from print editions not protected by U.S. copyright -law means that no one owns a United States copyright in these works, -so the Foundation (and you!) can copy and distribute it in the United -States without permission and without paying copyright -royalties. 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T. Meade</h1> -<p>This eBook is for the use of anyone anywhere in the United States -and most other parts of the world at no cost and with almost no -restrictions whatsoever. You may copy it, give it away or re-use it -under the terms of the Project Gutenberg License included with this -eBook or online at <a -href="http://www.gutenberg.org">www.gutenberg.org</a>. If you are not -located in the United States, you'll have to check the laws of the -country where you are located before using this ebook.</p> -<p>Title: Bashful Fifteen</p> -<p>Author: L. T. Meade</p> -<p>Release Date: April 17, 2020 [eBook #61857]</p> -<p>Language: English</p> -<p>Character set encoding: ISO-8859-1</p> -<p>***START OF THE PROJECT GUTENBERG EBOOK BASHFUL FIFTEEN***</p> -<p> </p> -<h4 class="pgx" title="credit">E-text prepared by MWS, Martin Pettit,<br /> - and the Online Distributed Proofreading Team<br /> - (<a href="http://www.pgdp.net">http://www.pgdp.net</a>)<br /> - from page images generously made available by<br /> - Internet Archive<br /> - (<a href="https://archive.org">https://archive.org</a>)</h4> -<p> </p> -<table border="0" style="background-color: #ccccff;margin: 0 auto;" cellpadding="10"> - <tr> - <td valign="top"> - Note: - </td> - <td> - Images of the original pages are available through - Internet Archive. See - <a href="https://archive.org/details/bashfulfifteen00mead"> - https://archive.org/details/bashfulfifteen00mead</a> - </td> - </tr> -</table> -<p> </p> -<hr class="pgx" /> -<p> </p> -<p> </p> -<p> </p> - -<div class="center"><a name="cover.jpg" id="cover.jpg"></a><img src="images/cover.jpg" alt="cover" /></div> - -<hr /> - -<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_i" id="Page_i">[Pg i]</a></span></p> - -<h1>BASHFUL FIFTEEN</h1> - -<p class="bold space-above">BY</p> - -<p class="bold2">L. T. MEADE</p> - -<p class="bold">AUTHOR OF "OUT OF THE FASHION," "A SWEET GIRL GRADUATE,"<br />"THE MEDICINE -LADY," "POLLY, A NEW-FASHIONED<br />GIRL," "A WORLD OF GIRLS," ETC.</p> - -<hr class="tb" /> - -<p class="bold space-above">NEW YORK</p> - -<p class="bold">CASSELL PUBLISHING COMPANY</p> - -<p class="bold">104 & 106 <span class="smcap">Fourth Avenue</span></p> - -<hr /> - -<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_ii" id="Page_ii">[Pg ii]</a></span></p> - -<p class="center"><span class="smcap">Copyright, 1892, by</span></p> - -<p class="center">CASSELL PUBLISHING COMPANY.</p> - -<p class="center space-above"><i>All rights reserved.</i></p> - -<p class="center space-above">THE MERSHON COMPANY PRESS,<br />RAHWAY, N. J.</p> - -<hr /> - -<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_iii" id="Page_iii">[Pg iii]</a></span></p> - -<h2>CONTENTS.</h2> - -<hr class="tb" /> - -<table summary="CONTENTS"> - <tr> - <td colspan="2" class="left"><span class="smaller">CHAPTER</span></td> - <td><span class="smaller">PAGE</span></td> - </tr> - <tr> - <td>I. </td> - <td class="left"><span class="smcap">Curiosity</span>,</td> - <td><a href="#Page_1">1</a></td> - </tr> - <tr> - <td>II. </td> - <td class="left"><span class="smcap">The New Girl</span>,</td> - <td><a href="#Page_10">10</a></td> - </tr> - <tr> - <td>III. </td> - <td class="left"><span class="smcap">Ribbons and Roses</span>,</td> - <td><a href="#Page_24">24</a></td> - </tr> - <tr> - <td>IV. </td> - <td class="left"><span class="smcap">The Queen of the School</span>,</td> - <td><a href="#Page_35">35</a></td> - </tr> - <tr> - <td>V. </td> - <td class="left"><span class="smcap">Breaking in a Wild Colt</span>,</td> - <td><a href="#Page_52">52</a></td> - </tr> - <tr> - <td>VI. </td> - <td class="left"><span class="smcap">Captivity</span>,</td> - <td><a href="#Page_62">62</a></td> - </tr> - <tr> - <td>VII. </td> - <td class="left"><span class="smcap">Who is to Provide the Needful?</span></td> - <td><a href="#Page_73">73</a></td> - </tr> - <tr> - <td>VIII. </td> - <td class="left"><span class="smcap">The "Janet May Stall,"</span></td> - <td><a href="#Page_82">82</a></td> - </tr> - <tr> - <td>IX. </td> - <td class="left"><span class="smcap">Taking Sides</span>,</td> - <td><a href="#Page_98">98</a></td> - </tr> - <tr> - <td>X. </td> - <td class="left"><span class="smcap">Checkmate</span>,</td> - <td><a href="#Page_106">106</a></td> - </tr> - <tr> - <td>XI. </td> - <td class="left"><span class="smcap">A Wild Irish Princess</span>,</td> - <td><a href="#Page_114">114</a></td> - </tr> - <tr> - <td>XII. </td> - <td class="left"><span class="smcap">Lady Kathleen</span>,</td> - <td><a href="#Page_128">128</a></td> - </tr> - <tr> - <td>XIII. </td> - <td class="left"><span class="smcap">Pearson's Book of Essays</span>,</td> - <td><a href="#Page_147">147</a></td> - </tr> - <tr> - <td>XIV. </td> - <td class="left">"<span class="smcap">I'm Big, and I'm Desperate</span>,"</td> - <td><a href="#Page_158">158</a></td> - </tr> - <tr> - <td>XV. </td> - <td class="left"><span class="smcap">Bridget O'Hara's Stall</span>,</td> - <td><a href="#Page_177">177</a></td> - </tr> - <tr> - <td>XVI. </td> - <td class="left"><span class="smcap">Still in the Wood</span>,</td> - <td><a href="#Page_193">193</a></td> - </tr> - <tr> - <td>XVII. </td> - <td class="left"><span class="smcap">Persian Cats</span>,</td> - <td><a href="#Page_200">200</a></td> - </tr> - <tr> - <td><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_iv" id="Page_iv">[Pg iv]</a></span>XVIII. </td> - <td class="left"><span class="smcap">An Irish Welcome</span>,</td> - <td><a href="#Page_215">215</a></td> - </tr> - <tr> - <td>XIX. </td> - <td class="left">"<span class="smcap">Bruin, my Dog</span>,"</td> - <td><a href="#Page_221">221</a></td> - </tr> - <tr> - <td>XX. </td> - <td class="left"><span class="smcap">The Squire and His Guests</span>,</td> - <td><a href="#Page_232">232</a></td> - </tr> - <tr> - <td>XXI. </td> - <td class="left"><span class="smcap">The Holy Well</span>,</td> - <td><a href="#Page_244">244</a></td> - </tr> - <tr> - <td>XXII. </td> - <td class="left"><span class="smcap">Wild Hawk</span>,</td> - <td><a href="#Page_260">260</a></td> - </tr> - <tr> - <td>XXIII. </td> - <td class="left"><span class="smcap">Under a Spell</span>,</td> - <td><a href="#Page_275">275</a></td> - </tr> - <tr> - <td>XXIV. </td> - <td class="left"><span class="smcap">Norah to the Rescue</span>,</td> - <td><a href="#Page_289">289</a></td> - </tr> - <tr> - <td>XXV. </td> - <td class="left"><span class="smcap">Her Majesty the Witch</span>,</td> - <td><a href="#Page_294">294</a></td> - </tr> - <tr> - <td>XXVI. </td> - <td class="left"><span class="smcap">A Terrible Night</span>,</td> - <td><a href="#Page_303">303</a></td> - </tr> - <tr> - <td>XXVII. </td> - <td class="left">"<span class="smcap">Speak Out</span>,"</td> - <td><a href="#Page_310">310</a></td> - </tr> - <tr> - <td>XXVIII. </td> - <td class="left"><span class="smcap">What the O'Haras Said to One Another</span>,</td> - <td><a href="#Page_318">318</a></td> - </tr> - <tr> - <td>XXIX. </td> - <td class="left"><span class="smcap">The Child of His Heart</span>,</td> - <td><a href="#Page_323">323</a></td> - </tr> -</table> - -<hr /> - -<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_1" id="Page_1">[Pg 1]</a></span></p> - -<p class="bold2">BASHFUL FIFTEEN.</p> - -<hr class="tb" /> - -<h2><span>CHAPTER I.</span> <span class="smaller">CURIOSITY.</span></h2> - -<p>The school stood on the side of a hill, which faced downward to the -sea. Its aspect was south, and it was sheltered from the east and west -winds by a thick plantation of young trees, which looked green and -fresh in the spring, and were beginning already to afford a delightful -shade in hot weather.</p> - -<p>A fashionable watering-place called Eastcliff was situated about a -mile from Mulberry Court, the old-fashioned house, with the old-world -gardens, where the schoolgirls lived. There were about fifty of them -in all, and they had to confess that although Mulberry Court was -undoubtedly school, yet those who lived in the house and played in -the gardens, and had merry games and races on the seashore, enjoyed a -specially good time which they would be glad to think of by and by.</p> - -<p>The period at which this story begins was the middle of the summer -term. There were no half-term holidays at the Court, but somehow the -influence of holiday time had already got into the air. The young girls -had tired themselves out with play, and the older ones lay about in -hammocks, or strolled in twos or<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_2" id="Page_2">[Pg 2]</a></span> threes up and down the wide gravel -walk which separated the house from the gardens.</p> - -<p>The ages of these fifty girls ranged from seventeen to five, but from -seventeen down to five on this special hot summer's evening one topic -of conversation might have been heard on every tongue.</p> - -<p>What would the new girl be like? Was she rich or poor, handsome or -ugly, tall or short, dark or fair? Why did she come in the middle of -the term, and why did Mrs. Freeman, and Miss Delicia, and Miss Patience -make such a fuss about her?</p> - -<p>Other new girls had arrived, and only the faintest rumors had got out -about them beforehand.</p> - -<p>A couple of maids had been seen carrying a new trunk upstairs, or old -Piper had been discovered crawling down the avenue with his shaky cab, -and shakier horse, and then the new girl had appeared at tea-time and -been formally introduced, and if she were shy had got over it as best -she could, and had soon discovered her place in class, and there was an -end of the matter.</p> - -<p>But this new girl was not following out any of the old precedents.</p> - -<p>She was coming at mid-term, which in itself was rather exceptional.</p> - -<p>Mrs. Freeman and Miss Patience had driven away in a very smart carriage -with a pair of horses to meet her.</p> - -<p>Miss Delicia was fussing in and out of the house, and picking fresh -strawberries, and nodding to the girls she happened to meet with a kind -of suppressed delight.</p> - -<p>What <i>could</i> it all mean? It really was most exciting.</p> - -<p>The smaller girls chatted volubly about the matter, and little Violet -Temple, aged ten, and of course one of the small girls, so far -forgot herself as to run up to<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_3" id="Page_3">[Pg 3]</a></span> Dorothy Collingwood, clasp her hand -affectionately round the tall girl's arm, and whisper in her impetuous, -eager way:</p> - -<p>"I'm almost certain, Dolly, that she's to sleep in a room by herself, -for I saw the Blue Room being got ready. I peeped in as we were going -down to dinner, and I noticed such jolly new furniture—pale blue, and -all to match. Oh, what is it, Olive? Now you've pinched my arm."</p> - -<p>"Run back to your companions this minute, miss," said Olive Moore. -"You're getting to be a perfect tittle-tattle, Violet. There, I'm not -angry, child, but you must learn not to talk about everything you see."</p> - -<p>Violet frowned all over her fair, small face, but Olive Moore, -a sixth-form girl, was too powerful an individual to be lightly -disregarded. She shrugged her shoulders therefore, and walked sulkily -away.</p> - -<p>"Why did you speak so sharply to her, Olive?" exclaimed Dorothy. "After -all, her curiosity is but natural—I must even own that I share it -myself."</p> - -<p>"So do I, Dorothy, if it comes to that, but Violet must be made to know -her place. She is one of those little encroachers without respect of -persons, who can become absolute nuisances if they are encouraged. But -there, we have said enough about her. Ruth and Janet are going to sit -in 'The Lookout' for a little; they want to discuss the subject of the -Fancy Fair. Shall we come and join them?"</p> - -<p>Dorothy turned with her companion; they walked along the wide gravel -sweep, then entered a narrow path which wound gradually up-hill. -They soon reached a rural tower, which was called by the girls "The -Lookout," mounted some steep steps, and found<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_4" id="Page_4">[Pg 4]</a></span> themselves standing on a -little platform, where two other girls were waiting to receive them.</p> - -<p>Ruth Bury was short and dark, but Janet May, her companion, was -extremely slim and fair. She would have been a pretty girl but for the -somewhat disagreeable expression of her face.</p> - -<p>"Here you are," exclaimed the two pairs of lips eagerly.</p> - -<p>"Sit down, Dorothy," cried Ruth, "we have kept your favorite armchair -vacant for you. Now, then, to discuss the Fancy Fair in all its -bearings. Is it not kind of Mrs. Freeman to consent to our having it? -She says it is quite an unusual thing for girls like us to do, but in -the cause of that poor little baby, and because we wish the Fancy Fair -to be our break-up treat, she consents. The only stipulation she makes -is that we arrange the whole programme without troubling her."</p> - -<p>"Yes," continued Janet, "she met me half an hour ago, and told me to -let you know, Dorothy, and you, Olive, and any other girls who happen -to be specially interested, that we are to form our programme, and -then ask her to give us an audience. She will look herself into all -our plans, and tell us which can and cannot be carried into effect. -The only other thing she stipulates is that we do not neglect our -studies, and that we leave room in the happy day's proceedings for the -distribution of the prizes."</p> - -<p>While Janet was speaking, Dorothy, who had refused to seat herself in -the armchair assigned to her, and whose clear, bright blue eyes were -roving eagerly all over the beautiful summer landscape, exclaimed in an -eager voice:</p> - -<p>"After all, what does the Fancy Fair signify—I<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_5" id="Page_5">[Pg 5]</a></span> mean—oh, don't be -shocked, girls—I mean, what does it signify compared to a real living -<i>present</i> interest? While we are discussing what is to take place in -six weeks' time, Mrs. Freeman and Miss Patience are driving up the -avenue with <i>somebody else</i>. Girls, the new inmate of Mulberry Court -has begun to put in an appearance on the scene."</p> - -<p>"Oh, let me look; do let me look!" cried Ruth, while Olive and Janet -both pressed eagerly forward.</p> - -<p>From where they stood they obtained a very distinct although somewhat -bird's-eye view of the winding avenue and quickly approaching carriage. -Mrs. Freeman's tall and familiar figure was too well known to be -worthy, in that supreme moment, of even a passing comment. Miss -Patience looked as angular and as like herself as ever; but a girl, who -sat facing the two ladies—a girl who wore a large shady hat, and whose -light dress and gay ribbons fluttered in the summer breeze—upon this -girl the eyes of the four watchers in the "Lookout" tower were fixed -with devouring curiosity.</p> - -<p>"Well, I never!" exclaimed Dorothy, after a pause. "I don't suppose -Mrs. Freeman will allow that style of wardrobe long. See, girls, do -see, how her long blue ribbons stream in the breeze; and her hat! it is -absolutely <i>covered</i> with roses—I'm convinced they are roses. Oh, what -would I not give for an opera glass to enable me to take a nearer view. -Whoever that young person is, she intends to take the shine out of us. -Why, she is dressed as if she had just come from a garden party."</p> - -<p>"I don't believe she's a new schoolgirl at all," cried Ruth; "she's -just a visitor come to stay for a day or two with Mrs. Freeman. No -schoolgirl that ever<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_6" id="Page_6">[Pg 6]</a></span> breathed would dare to present such a young lady, -grown-up appearance. There, girls, don't let's waste any more time over -her; let's turn our attention to the much more important matter of the -Fancy Fair."</p> - -<p>Notwithstanding these various criticisms, the carriage with its -occupants calmly pursued its way, and was presently lost to view in the -courtyard at the side of the house.</p> - -<p>"Now, do let us be sensible," said Janet, turning to her companions. -"We have seen all that there is to be seen. However hard we guess we -cannot solve the mystery. Either a new companion is coming among us, -who, I have no doubt, will be as commonplace as commonplace can be, or -Mrs. Freeman is receiving a young lady visitor. Supper will decide the -point, and as that is not half an hour away I suppose we can exist for -the present without worrying our brains any further."</p> - -<p>"Dear Janey, you always were the soul of sense," remarked Dorothy, in -a somewhat languid voice. "For my part I pity those poor little mites, -Violet and the rest of them. I know they are just as curious with -regard to the issue of events as we are, and yet I can see them at this -moment, with my mental vision, being driven like sheep into the fold. -They'll be in bed, poor mites, when we are satisfying our curiosity."</p> - -<p>"You have a perfect mania for those children, Dorothy," exclaimed -Olive. "I call it an impertinence on their parts to worry themselves -about sixth-form girls. What's the matter, Janet? Why that contraction -of your angel brow?"</p> - -<p>"I want us to utilize our opportunities," said Janet. "We have a few -minutes all to ourselves to discuss the<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_7" id="Page_7">[Pg 7]</a></span> Fancy Fair, and we fritter it -away on that tiresome new girl."</p> - -<p>"Well, let's settle to business now," said Ruth; "I'm sure I'm more -than willing. Who has got a pencil and paper?"</p> - -<p>Dorothy pulled an envelope out of her pocket. Olive searched into the -recesses of hers to hunt up a lead pencil, and Janet continued to speak -in her tranquil, round tones.</p> - -<p>"The first thing to do is to appoint a committee," she began.</p> - -<p>"O Janey," exclaimed two of the other girls in a breath, "a committee -does sound so absurdly formal."</p> - -<p>"Never mind, it is the correct thing to do. In a matter of this kind -we are nothing if we are not businesslike. Now, who <i>is</i> coming to -interrupt us?"</p> - -<p>Steps—several steps—were heard clattering up the stone stairs of the -little tower, and two or three girls of the middle school, with roughly -tossed heads and excited faces, burst upon the seclusion of the four -sixth-form girls.</p> - -<p>"O Dolly," they exclaimed, running up to their favorite, "she has -come—we have seen her! She is very tall, and—and——"</p> - -<p>"Do let me speak, Marion," exclaimed little Violet Temple, coloring all -over her round face in her excitement and interest. "You know I got the -first glimpse of her. I did, you know I did. I was hiding under the -laurel arch, and I saw her quite close. It's awfully unfair of anyone -else to tell, isn't it, Dolly?"</p> - -<p>"Of course it is, Violet," replied Miss Collingwood in her good-natured -way. "But what a naughty imp you were to hide under the laurel arch. -The wonder<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_8" id="Page_8">[Pg 8]</a></span> is you did not get right in the way of the horses' hoofs."</p> - -<p>"Much I cared for that when I had a chance of seeing her," remarked -Violet. "I <i>did</i> get a splendid peep. She's awfully tall, and she -was splendidly dressed; and O Dolly! O Ruthie! O Janey! she's just -<i>lovely</i>!"</p> - -<p>"I wish you'd go away, child!" said Janet in a decidedly cross tone. -"What are all you small girls doing out and about at this hour? Surely -it's time for you to be in bed. What can Miss Marshall be about not to -have fetched you before now?"</p> - -<p>"Cross-patch!" murmured Violet, turning her back on Janet. "Come, -Marion; come, Pauline, we won't tell her any more. We'll tell <i>you</i>, -Dolly, of course, but we won't tell Janet. Come, Marion, let's go."</p> - -<p>The children disappeared in as frantic haste to be off as they were a -few minutes ago to arrive.</p> - -<p>"Now, let's go on," said Janet, in her calm tones. "Let us try -and settle something before the supper bell rings. We must have a -committee, that goes without saying. Suppose we four girls form it."</p> - -<p>"What about Evelyn?" inquired Dorothy.</p> - -<p>When she said this a quick change flitted over Janet's face. She bit -her lips, and, after a very brief pause, said in a voice of would-be -indifference:</p> - -<p>"I don't suppose that Evelyn Percival is to rule the school. She is -away at present, and we can't wait on her will and pleasure. Let's form -our committee, and do without her."</p> - -<p>"It's a distinct insult," began Dolly. "I disapprove—I disapprove."</p> - -<p>"And so do I"—"And I"—cried both Ruth and Olive.</p> - -<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_9" id="Page_9">[Pg 9]</a></span></p> - -<p>"Well," said Janet, "if you insist on spoiling everything, girls, you -must. You know what Evelyn is."</p> - -<p>"Only the head girl of the school," remarked Dolly in a soft tone. "But -of course a person of not the <i>smallest</i> consequence. Well, Janet, what -next?"</p> - -<p>"As I was saying," began Janet——</p> - -<p>A loud booming sound filled the air.</p> - -<p>Ruth clapped her hands.</p> - -<p>"Hurrah! Hurrah! Supper!" she cried. "Your committee must keep, Janet. -Now for the satisfaction of rampant, raging curiosity. Dolly, will you -race me to the house?"</p> - -<hr /> - -<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_10" id="Page_10">[Pg 10]</a></span></p> - -<h2><span>CHAPTER II.</span> <span class="smaller">THE NEW GIRL.</span></h2> - -<p>Although the booming sound of the great gong filled the air, the supper -to which the head girls of the school were now going was a very simple -affair. It consisted of milk placed in great jugs at intervals down -the long table, of fruit both cooked and uncooked, and large plates of -bread and butter.</p> - -<p>Such as it was, however, supper was a much-prized institution of -Mulberry Court; only the fifth-form and sixth-form girls were allowed -to partake of it. To sit up to supper, therefore, was a distinction -intensely envied by the lower school. The plain fare sounded to them -like honey and ambrosia. They were never tired of speculating as to -what went on in the dining room on these occasions, and the idea of -sitting up to supper was with some of the girls a more stimulating -reason for being promoted to the fifth form than any other which could -be offered.</p> - -<p>On this special night in the mid-term the girls who were ignominiously -obliged to retire to their bedrooms felt a sorer sense of being left -out than ever.</p> - -<p>As Dorothy and her companions walked through the wide, cool entrance -hall, and turned down the stone passage which led to the supper room, -they were quite conscious of the fact that some of the naughtiest and -most adventurous imps of the lower<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_11" id="Page_11">[Pg 11]</a></span> school were hovering round, hanging -over banisters or hiding behind doors. A suppressed giggle of laughter -proceeded so plainly from the back of one of the doors, that Dorothy -could not resist stretching back her hand as she passed, and giving a -playful tap on the panels with her knuckles. The suppressed laughter -became dangerously audible when she did this, so in mercy she was -forced to take no further notice.</p> - -<p>The girls entered the wide, long dining hall and immediately took their -places at the table.</p> - -<p>Mrs. Freeman always presided at the head of the board, Miss Patience -invariably sat at the foot, Miss Delicia wandered about restlessly, -helping the girls to milk and fruit, patting her favorites on their -backs, bending down to inquire tenderly how this girl's headache was, -and if another had come off conqueror in her tennis match. No girl in -the school minded or feared Miss Delicia in the least. Unlike her two -sisters, who were tall and thin, she was a little body with a round -face, rosy cheeks, hair very much crimped, and eyes a good deal creased -with constant laughter. No one had ever seen Miss Delicia the least bit -cross or the least bit annoyed with anyone. She was invariably known -to weep with the sorrowful, and laugh with the gay—she was a great -coddler and physicker—thought petting far better than punishment, and -play much more necessary for young girls than lessons.</p> - -<p>In consequence she was popular, with that mild sort of popularity which -is bestowed upon the people who are all patience and have no faculty -for inspiring fear.</p> - -<p>Mrs. Freeman could be austere as well as kind, and Mrs. Freeman was ten -times more loved than Miss Delicia.</p> - -<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_12" id="Page_12">[Pg 12]</a></span></p> - -<p>The girls took their places at the table—grace was said, and the meal -began.</p> - -<p>A sense of disappointment was over them all, for the new girl -upon whom their present thoughts were centered had not put in an -appearance—nothing was said about her—Mrs. Freeman looked as -tranquil as usual, Miss Patience as white and anxious, Miss Delicia as -good-natured and downy.</p> - -<p>Dorothy was beginning to whisper to her companion that all their -excitement was safe to end in smoke, when the door at the farther end -of the dining hall was softly pushed open, and a head of luxuriant -nut-brown curling hair was popped in. Two roguish dark blue eyes looked -down the long room—they greeted with an eager sort of delighted -welcome each fresh girl face, and then the entire person of a tall, -showily dressed girl entered.</p> - -<p>"My dear Bridget!" exclaimed Mrs. Freeman, so surprised by the -unexpected apparition that she was actually obliged to rise from her -seat and come forward.</p> - -<p>"Oh, my dear, ought you not to be asleep?" exclaimed Miss Patience in -thin, anxious tones from the other end of the board, while Miss Delicia -ran up to the girl and took one of her dimpled white hands in hers.</p> - -<p>"I did not feel tired, Mrs. Freeman," replied the newcomer in an eager, -irrepressible sort of voice. "You put me into my room and told me to -go to bed, but I didn't want to go to bed. I have had my supper, thank -you, so I don't want any more, but I have been dying with curiosity to -see the girls. Are these they? Are these my schoolfellows? I never saw -a schoolfellow before. They all look pretty much like other<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_13" id="Page_13">[Pg 13]</a></span> people. -How do you do, each and all of you? I'm Bridget O'Hara. May I sit near -you, Mrs. Freeman?"</p> - -<p>"Sit there, Miss O'Hara, please," said Mrs. Freeman. She tried to -suppress a smile, which was difficult. "Girls," she said, addressing -the fifth and sixth forms, "girls, this young lady is your new -schoolfellow—her name is Bridget O'Hara. I meant to introduce her -to you formally to-morrow, but she has taken the matter into her own -hands. I am glad you are not tired, Miss O'Hara, for you have had a -very long journey."</p> - -<p>"Oh, my!" exclaimed Miss O'Hara, "that's nothing. Goodness gracious me! -what would you think of thirty or forty miles on an Irish jaunting car, -all in one day, Mrs. Freeman? That's the sort of thing to make the back -ache. Bump, bump, you go. You catch on to the sides of the car for bare -life, and as likely as not you're pitched out into a bog two or three -times before you get home. Papa and I have often taken our thirty to -forty miles' jaunt a day. I can tell you, I have been stiff after those -rides. Did you ever ride on a jaunting car, Mrs. Freeman?"</p> - -<p>"No, my dear," replied the head mistress, in a rather icy voice, "I -have never had the pleasure of visiting Ireland."</p> - -<p>"Well, it's a very fine sort of place, as free and easy as you please; -lots of fishing in the lakes and in the rivers. I'm very fond of my -gun, too. Can you handle a gun, Mrs. Freeman? It kicks rather, if you -can't manage it."</p> - -<p>An audible titter was heard down the table, and Mrs. Freeman turned -somewhat red.</p> - -<p>"Will you have some fruit?" she said coldly, laying<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_14" id="Page_14">[Pg 14]</a></span> a restraining hand -as she spoke on the girl's beflowered and embroidered dress.</p> - -<p>"No fruit, thank you. Oh, what a lovely ring you have on! It's a -ruby, isn't it? My poor mother—she died when I was only three—had -some splendid rubies—they are to be mine when I am grown up. Papa is -keeping them for me in the County Bank. You always keep your valuables -in the Bank in Ireland, you know—that's on account of the Land -Leaguers."</p> - -<p>"I think, my dear, we won't talk quite so much," said Mrs. Freeman. -"At most of our meals German is the only language spoken. Supper, of -course, is an exception. Why, what is the matter. Miss O'Hara?"</p> - -<p>"Good gracious me!" exclaimed Bridget O'Hara, "am I to be dumb during -breakfast, dinner, and tea? I don't know a word of German. Why, I'll -die if I can't chatter. It's a way we have in Ireland. We <i>must</i> talk."</p> - -<p>"Patience," said Mrs. Freeman, from her end of the supper table, "I -think we have all finished. Will you say grace?"</p> - -<p>There was a movement of chairs, and a general rising.</p> - -<p>Miss Patience asked for a blessing on the meal just partaken of in a -clear, emphatic voice, and the group of girls began to file out of the -room.</p> - -<p>"May I go with the others?" asked Miss O'Hara.</p> - -<p>"Yes, certainly. Let me introduce you to someone in particular. Janet -May, come here, my dear."</p> - -<p>Janet turned at the sound of her name, and came quickly up to her -mistress. She looked slight, pale, and almost insignificant beside -the full, blooming, luxuriously made girl, who, resting one hand in a -<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_15" id="Page_15">[Pg 15]</a></span>nonchalant manner on the back of her chair, was looking full at her -with laughing bright eyes.</p> - -<p>"Janet," said Mrs. Freeman, "will you oblige me by showing Miss O'Hara -the schoolrooms and common rooms, and introducing her to one or two of -her companions? Go, my dear," she continued, "but remember, Bridget, -whether you are tired or not, I shall expect you to go to bed to-night -at nine o'clock. It is half-past eight now, so you have half an hour to -get acquainted with your schoolfellows."</p> - -<p>"My! what a minute!" said Miss Bridget, tossing back her abundant hair, -and slipping one firm, dimpled hand inside Janet's arm. "Well, come -on, darling," she continued, giving that young lady an affectionate -squeeze. "Let's make the most of our precious time. I'm dying to know -you all—I think you look so sweet. Who's that love of a girl in gray, -who sat next you at supper? She had golden hair, and blue eyes—not -like mine, of course, but well enough for English eyes. What's her -name, dear?"</p> - -<p>"I think you must mean Dorothy Collingwood," said Janet in her clear, -cold English voice. "May I ask if you have ever been at school before, -Miss O'Hara?"</p> - -<p>"Oh, good gracious me! don't call me Miss O'Hara. I'm Biddy to my -friends—Biddy O'Hara, at your service—great fun, too, I can tell you. -You ask my father what he thinks of me. Poor old gentleman, I expect -he's crying like anything this minute without his Biddy to coddle him. -He said I wanted polishing, and so he sent me here. I have never been -in England before, and I don't at all know if I will like it. By the -way, what's your name? I didn't quite catch it."</p> - -<p>"Janet May. This is the schoolroom where the<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_16" id="Page_16">[Pg 16]</a></span> sixth form girls do their -lessons. We have a desk each, of course. That room inside there is for -the fifth form. I wonder which you will belong to? How old are you?"</p> - -<p>"Now, how old would you think? Just you give a guess. Let me stand in -front of you, so that you can take a squint at me. Now, then—oh, I -say, stop a minute, I see some more girls coming in. Come along, girls, -and help Miss May to guess my age. Now, then, now then, I wonder who'll -be right? How you do all stare! I feel uncommonly as if I'd like to -dance the Irish jig!"</p> - -<p>Dorothy, Ruth, and Olive had now come into the schoolroom, and had -taken their places by Janet's side. She gave them a quick look, in -which considerable aversion to the newcomer was plainly visible, then -turned her head and gazed languidly out of the window.</p> - -<p>Bridget O'Hara bestowed upon the four girls who stood before her a -lightning glance of quizzical inquiry. She was a tall, fully developed -girl, and no one could doubt her claim to beauty who looked at her even -for a moment.</p> - -<p>Her eyes were of that peculiar, very dark, very deep blue, which seems -to be an Irish girl's special gift. Her eyelashes were thick and black, -her complexion a fresh white and pink, her chestnut hair grew in thick, -curly abundance all over her well-shaped head. Her beautifully cut -lips wore a petulant but charming expression. There was a provocative, -almost teasing, self-confidence about her, which to certain minds only -added to her queer fascination.</p> - -<p>"Now, how old am I?" she asked, stamping her arched foot. "Don't be -shy, any of you. Begin at the<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_17" id="Page_17">[Pg 17]</a></span> eldest, and guess right away. Now then, -Miss Collingwood—you see, I know your name—the age of your humble -servant, if <i>you</i> please."</p> - -<p>Dorothy could not restrain her laughter.</p> - -<p>"How can I possibly tell you, Miss O'Hara?" she replied. "You are a -tall girl. Perhaps you are seventeen, although you look more."</p> - -<p>"Oh! hurrah, hurrah, hurrah! What will my dear dad say when I tell him -that? Biddy O'Hara seventeen! Don't I wish I were! Oh, the lovely balls -I'd be going to if those were my years! Now, another guess. It's your -turn now—you, little brown one there—I haven't caught your name, -darling. Is it Anne or Mary? Most girls are called either Anne or Mary."</p> - -<p>"My name is Ruth," replied the girl so addressed, "and I can't guess -ages. Come, Olive, let us find our French lessons and go."</p> - -<p>"Oh, I declare, the little dear is huffed about something! Well, then, -I'll tell. <i>I'll be fifteen in exactly a month from now!</i> What do you -say to that? I'm well grown, am I not, Janet?"</p> - -<p>"Did you speak?" asked Miss May in her coldest tones.</p> - -<p>"Yes, darling, I did. Shall we go into the common room now? I'm dying -to see it."</p> - -<p>"I'm afraid I have no more time to show you any of the house this -evening," answered Janet. "The common room is very much the shape of -this one, only without the desks. I have some of my studies to look -over, so I must wish you good-evening."</p> - -<p>Bridget O'Hara's clear blue eyes were opened a little, wider apart.</p> - -<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_18" id="Page_18">[Pg 18]</a></span></p> - -<p>For the first time there was a faint hesitation in her manner.</p> - -<p>"But Mrs. Freeman said——" she began.</p> - -<p>"That I was to take you round and introduce you to a few companions," -continued Janet hastily. "Miss Collingwood, Miss O'Hara—Miss Moore, -Miss O'Hara—Miss Bury, Miss O'Hara. Now I have done my duty. If you -like to see the common room for yourself, you can go straight through -this folding door, turn to your left, see a large room directly facing -you; go into it, and you will find yourself in the common room. Now, -good-night."</p> - -<p>Janet turned away, and a moment later reached the door of the -schoolroom, where she was joined by Olive and Ruth. "Come," she said -to them, and the three girls disappeared, only too glad to vent their -feelings in the passage outside the schoolroom. Dorothy Collingwood -lingered behind her companions. "Never mind," she said to Biddy, "it is -rude of Janet to leave you, but she is sometimes a little erratic in -her movements. It is a way our Janey has, and of course no one is silly -enough to mind her."</p> - -<p>"You don't suppose I mind her?" exclaimed Bridget. "Rudeness always -shows ill-breeding, but it is still more ill-bred to notice it—at -least, that's what papa says. She spoke rather as if she did not like -me, which is quite incomprehensible, for everybody loves me at home."</p> - -<p>There was a plaintive note in the girl's voice, a wistful expression in -her eyes, which went straight to Dorothy's kind heart.</p> - -<p>"People will like you here too," she said. "I am certain you are -very good-natured; come and let me<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_19" id="Page_19">[Pg 19]</a></span> show you some of our snug little -arrangements in the common room, and then I think it will be time for -bed."</p> - -<p>"Oh, never mind about bed—I'm not the least sleepy."</p> - -<p>"But Mrs. Freeman wants you to go to bed early to-night."</p> - -<p>"Poor old dear! But wanting Biddy O'Hara to do a thing, and making -her do it, are two very different matters. I'll go to bed when I'm -tired—papa never expected me to go earlier at home. I declare I feel -quite cheerful again now that I have got to know you, Dorothy. Janet is -not at all to my taste, but you are. What a pretty name you have, and -you have an awfully sweet expression—such a dear, loving kind of look -in your eyes. Would you mind very much if I gave you a hug?"</p> - -<p>"I don't mind your kissing me, Bridget, only does not it seem a little -soon—I have not known you many minutes yet?"</p> - -<p>"Oh, you darling, what do minutes signify when one loves? There, Dolly, -I have fallen in love with you, and that's the fact. You shall come and -stay with me at the Castle in the summer, and I'll teach you to fire a -gun and to land a salmon. Oh, my dear, what larks we'll have together! -I'm so glad you're taking me round this house, instead of that stiff -Janet."</p> - -<p>Dorothy suppressed a faint sigh, took her companion's plump hand, and -continued the tour of investigation.</p> - -<p>The common room to which she conducted Miss O'Hara was entirely for the -use of the elder girls; the girls of the middle and the lower school -had other<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_20" id="Page_20">[Pg 20]</a></span> rooms to amuse themselves in. But this large, luxuriously -furnished apartment was entirely given up to the sixth and fifth-form -schoolgirls.</p> - -<p>The room was something like a drawing room, with many easy-chairs and -tables. Plenty of light streamed in from the lofty windows, and fell -upon knickknacks and brackets, on flowers in pots—in short, on the -many little possessions which each individual girl had brought to -decorate her favorite room.</p> - -<p>"We are each of us allowed a certain freedom here," said Dorothy. "You -see these panels? It is a great promotion to possess a panel. All the -girls who are allowed to have the use of this room cannot have one, -but the best of us can. Now behold! Open sesame! Shut your eyes for a -minute—you can open them again when I tell you. Now—you may look now."</p> - -<p>Bridget opened her eyes wide, and started at the transformation -scene which had taken place during the brief moment she had remained -in darkness. The room was painted a pale, cool green. The walls -were divided into several panels. One of these had now absolutely -disappeared, and in its place was a deep recess, which went far enough -back into the wall to contain shelves, and had even space sufficient -for a chair or two, a sewing machine, and one or two other sacred -possessions.</p> - -<p>"This is my panel," said Dorothy, "and these are my own special pet -things. I bring out my favorite chair when I want to use it, or to -offer it to a guest; I put it back when I have done with it. See these -shelves, they hold my afternoon tea set, my books, my paint box, my -workbasket, my photographic album—in short, all my dearest treasures."</p> -<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_21" id="Page_21">[Pg 21]</a></span></p> - -<p>"I must have a cupboard like that," said Biddy. "Why, it's perfectly -delicious!"</p> - -<p>"Yes; you have got to earn it first, however," replied Miss -Collingwood, slipping back the pale green panel with a dexterous -movement.</p> - -<p>"Earn it—how? Do you mean pay extra for it? Oh, that can be easily -managed—I'll write to papa at once. He has heaps of money, even though -he is Irish, and he can deny me nothing. He's paying lots more for -me than most of the girls' fathers pay for them. That's why I have a -room to myself, and why I am to have riding lessons, and a whole heap -of things. But I mean to share all my little comforts with you, you -darling. Oh, if the cupboard is to be bought, I'll soon have one. Now -let us sit in this cosy, deep seat in the window, and put our arms -round one another and talk." The great clock in the stable struck nine.</p> - -<p>"Don't you hear the clock?" exclaimed Dorothy, unconscious relief -coming into her tones.</p> - -<p>"Yes, what a loud, metallic sound! We have such a dear old eight-day -clock at the Castle; it's said to be quite a hundred years old, and I'm -certain it's haunted. My dear Dolly, to hear that clock boom forth the -hour at midnight would make the stoutest heart quail."</p> - -<p>"Well, and our humble school clock ought to make your heart quail -if you don't obey it, Bridget. Seriously speaking, it is my duty to -counsel you, as a new girl, to go to bed at once."</p> - -<p>"The precious love, how nicely she talks, and how I love her gentle, -refined words. But, darling, I'm not going to bed, for I'm not tired."</p> - -<p>"But Mrs. Freeman said——"</p> - -<p>"Dolly, I will clap my hands over your rosebud lips<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_22" id="Page_22">[Pg 22]</a></span> if you utter -another word. Come, and let us sit in this deep window-seat and be -happy. Would you like to know what papa is doing at the Castle now?"</p> - -<p>"I don't think I ought to listen to you, Bridget."</p> - -<p>"Yes, you ought. I'm going to give you a lovely description. Papa has -had his dinner, and he's pacing up and down on the walk which hangs -over the lake. He is smoking a meerschaum pipe, and the dogs are with -him."</p> - -<p>"The dogs?" asked Dorothy, interested in spite of herself.</p> - -<p>"Yes, poor old Dandy, who is so lame and so affectionate, and Mustard -and Pepper, the dear little snappers, and Lemon. Poor darling, he is a -trial; we have called him Lemon because he exactly resembles the juice -of that fruit when it's most acrid and disagreeable. Lemon's temper -is the acknowledged trial of our kennel, but he loves my father, and -always paces up and down with him in the evening on the south walk. -Then of course there's Bruin, he's an Irish deerhound, and the darling -of my heart, and there's Pilate, the blind watchdog—oh! and Minerva. -I think that's about all. We have fox hounds, of course, but they are -not let out every day. I see my dear father now looking down at the -lake, and talking to the dogs, and thinking of me. O Dolly, Dolly, I'm -lonely, awfully lonely! Do pity me—do love me! O Dolly, my heart will -break if no one loves me!"</p> - -<p>Bridget's excitable eager words were broken by sobs; tears poured out -of her lovely eyes, her hands clasped Dorothy's with fervor.</p> - -<p>"Love me," she pleaded; "do love me, for I love you."</p> - -<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_23" id="Page_23">[Pg 23]</a></span></p> - -<p>It would have been impossible for a much colder heart than Dorothy -Collingwood's to resist her.</p> - -<p>"Yes, I will love you," she replied; "but please go to bed now, dear. -You really will get into trouble if you don't, and it seems such a pity -that you should begin your school life in disgrace."</p> - -<p>"Well, if I must go, and if you really wish it. Come with me to my -room, Dorothy. O Dolly, if you would sleep with me to-night!"</p> - -<p>"No, I can't do that; we have to obey rules at school, and one of our -strictest rules is that no girl is to leave her own bedroom without -special permission."</p> - -<p>"Then go and ask, darling. Find Mrs. Freeman, and ask her; it's so -easily done."</p> - -<p>"I cannot go, Bridget. Mrs. Freeman would not give me leave, and she -would be only annoyed at my making such a foolish proposition."</p> - -<p>"Oh, foolish do you call it?" A passing cloud swept over Bridget -O'Hara's face. It quickly vanished, however; she jumped up with a -little sigh.</p> - -<p>"I don't think I shall like school," she said, "but I'll do anything -you wish me to do, dearest Dorothy."</p> - -<hr /> - -<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_24" id="Page_24">[Pg 24]</a></span></p> - -<h2><span>CHAPTER III.</span> <span class="smaller">RIBBONS AND ROSES.</span></h2> - -<p>Dorothy shared the same bedroom as Ruth and Olive. Each girl, however, -had a compartment to herself, railed in by white dimity curtains, which -she could draw or not as she pleased. Dorothy's compartment was the -best in the room; it contained a large window looking out over the -flower garden, and commanding a good view of the sea. She was very -particular about her pretty cubicle, and kept it fresh with flowers, -which stood in brackets against the walls.</p> - -<p>Ruth and Olive slept in the back part of the room. They had a cubicle -each, of course, but they had not Dorothy's taste, and their little -bedrooms had a dowdy effect beside hers.</p> - -<p>They were both undressing when she entered the room this evening, but -the moment she appeared they rushed to her and began an eager torrent -of words.</p> - -<p>"Well, Dolly, have you got rid of that horrible incubus of a girl at -last? What a trial she will be in the school! She's the most ill-bred -creature I ever met in my life. What can Mrs. Freeman mean by taking -her in? Of course, she cannot even pretend to be a lady."</p> - -<p>"And there's such a fuss made about her, too," interrupted Olive. "A -carriage and pair sent to meet her, forsooth, and a separate room -for the darling to sleep in. It was good-natured of you to stay with -her, Dolly;<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_25" id="Page_25">[Pg 25]</a></span> I assure you Ruth, and Janet, and I could not have borne -another moment of her society."</p> - -<p>"She's not so bad at all," began Dorothy.</p> - -<p>"Oh, oh, oh! if you're going to take her part, that is the last straw."</p> - -<p>"I shan't allow her to be persecuted," said Dorothy, with some -firmness. "She's the most innocent creature I ever met in my life. -Fancy a girl of her age, who has simply never had a rebuff, who has -been petted, loved, made much of all her days, who looks at you -with the absolute fearlessness of a baby, and talks out her mind as -contentedly and frankly as a bird sings its song. I grant she's an -anomaly, but I'm not going to be the one to teach her how cruel the -world can be."</p> - -<p>"Oh, <i>if</i> you take it up in that way," said Olive; but her words had a -faint sound about them—she was a girl who was easily impressed either -for good or evil.</p> - -<p>If Dorothy chose to take the new girl's part, she supposed there -was something in her, and would continue to suppose so until she -had a conversation with Janet, or anyone else, who happened to have -diametrically opposite opinions to Dorothy Collingwood.</p> - -<p>Dorothy went into her own little cubicle, drew her white dimity walls -tight, and, standing before the window, looked out at the summer -landscape.</p> - -<p>She had to own to herself that Bridget had proved a very irritating -companion. She would take her part, of course; but she felt quite -certain at the same time that she was going to be a trial to her. As -she stood by her window now, however, a little picture of the scene -which the Irish girl had described so vividly presented itself with -great distinctness before Dorothy's eyes.</p> - -<p>She saw the wild landscape, the steep gravel path<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_26" id="Page_26">[Pg 26]</a></span> which overhung the -lake, the old squire with his white hair, and tall but slightly bent -figure, pacing up and down, smoking his pipe and surrounded by his -dogs. Dorothy fancied how, on most summer evenings, Bridget, impetuous, -eager, and beautiful, walked by his side. She wondered how he had -brought himself to part with her. She gave a little sigh as she shut -the picture away from her mind, and as she laid her head on her pillow, -she resolved to be very kind to the new girl.</p> - -<p>Breakfast was at eight o'clock at Mulberry Court. The girls always -assembled a quarter of an hour before breakfast in the little chapel -for prayers. They were all especially punctual this morning, for they -wanted to get a good peep at Miss O'Hara.</p> - -<p>She was not present, however, and did not, indeed, put in an appearance -in the breakfast room until the meal was half over.</p> - -<p>She entered the room, then, in a long white embroidered dress, looped -up here, there, and everywhere with sky-blue ribbons. It was a charming -toilet, and most becoming to its wearer, but absolutely unsuitable for -schoolroom work.</p> - -<p>"How do you do, Mrs. Freeman?" said Bridget. "I'm afraid I'm a little -late; I overslept myself, and then I could not find the right belt for -this dress—it ought to be pale blue to match the ribbons, ought it -not? But as I could not lay my hand on it, I have put on this silver -girdle instead. Look at it, is it not pretty? It is real solid silver, -I assure you; Uncle Jack brought it me from Syria, and the workmanship -is supposed to be very curious. It's a trifle heavy, of course, but it -keeps my dress nice and tight, don't you think so?"</p> - -<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_27" id="Page_27">[Pg 27]</a></span></p> - -<p>"Yes, Bridget, very nice—go and take your place, my dear. There, -beside Janet May. Another morning I hope you will be in time for -prayers. Of course, we make all allowances the first day. Take your -place directly, breakfast is half over."</p> - -<p>Bridget raised her brows the tenth of an inch. The faintest shadow of -surprise crossed her sweet, happy face. Then she walked down the long -room, nodding and smiling to the girls.</p> - -<p>"How do you do, all of you?" she said. "Well, Janet, good-morning"; she -tapped Janet's indignant back with her firm, cool hand, and dropped -into her place.</p> - -<p>"Now, what shall I eat?" she said. "By the way, I hope there's a nice -breakfast, I'm awfully hungry. Oh, eggs! I like eggs when they're -<i>very</i> fresh. Mrs. Freeman, are these new laid? do you keep your own -fowls? Father and I wouldn't touch eggs at the Castle unless we were -quite sure that they were laid by Sally, Sukey, or dear old Heneypeney."</p> - -<p>A titter ran down the table at these remarks; Mrs. Freeman bent to pick -up her pocket handkerchief, and Miss Delicia, rushing to Bridget's -side, began to whisper vigorously in her ear.</p> - -<p>"It is not the custom at school, my dear child, to make remarks about -what we eat. We just take what is put before us. Here's a nice piece -of bacon, dear, and some toast. Don't say anything more, I beg, or you -will annoy Mrs. Freeman."</p> - -<p>"Shall I really—how unfortunate; but she doesn't look a bad-tempered -woman, and what is there in wishing for fresh eggs? Stale eggs aren't -wholesome."</p> - -<p>"Do try not to make such a fool of yourself," repeated Janet, angrily, -in her ear.</p> - -<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_28" id="Page_28">[Pg 28]</a></span></p> - -<p>Bridget turned and looked at her companion in slow wonder. Janet's -remark had the effect of absolutely silencing her; she ate her bacon, -munched her toast, and drank off a cup of hot coffee in an amazingly -short time, then she jumped up, and shook the crumbs of her meal on to -the floor.</p> - -<p>"I've had enough," she said, nodding to Mrs. Freeman in her bright way. -"I'm going out into the garden now, to pick some roses."</p> - -<p>Bridget's movements were so fleet that the head mistress had no time to -intercept her; there was a flash of a white dress disappearing through -the open window, and that was all.</p> - -<p>The eyes of every girl in the room were fixed eagerly on their -mistress; they were all round with wonder, lips were slightly parted. -The girls felt that a volcano had got into their midst, an explosion -was imminent. This feeling of electricity in the air was very exciting; -it stirred the somewhat languid pulses of the schoolgirls. Surely -such an impulsive, such a daring, such an impertinent, and yet such a -bewitching girl had never been heard of before. How sweet she looked in -her white dress, how radiant was her smile. Those pearly white teeth of -hers, those gleaming, glancing eyes, that soft voice that could utter -such saucy words; oh! no wonder the school felt interested, and raised -out of itself.</p> - -<p>"My dears," said Mrs. Freeman, answering the looks on all faces, "your -young companion's extraordinary conduct can only be explained by the -fact that she has never been at school before. I am going out to the -garden to speak to her. You girls will now go as usual to your separate -schoolrooms and commence study."</p> - -<p>"Come, my dears," said Miss Patience to the girls<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_29" id="Page_29">[Pg 29]</a></span> near her, "let us -lose no more valuable time. Please don't scrape your chair in that -atrocious way, Alice. Rose, <i>what</i> a poke! Susie, hold back your -shoulders. Now, young ladies, come to the schoolroom quietly; quietly, -if you please."</p> - -<p>Miss Patience had a thin voice, and her words fell like tiny drops of -ice on the girl's excited hearts. They followed their teachers with a -certain sense of flatness, and with very little desire to attend to -French verbs and German exercises.</p> - -<p>Dorothy Collingwood ran after Mrs. Freeman.</p> - -<p>"Please remember——" she began.</p> - -<p>"What is it, my dear?" The head mistress drew herself slightly up, and -looked in some surprise at her pupil.</p> - -<p>"I ought not to speak," said Dorothy, turning very red, "but if you are -going to be hard on Bridget——"</p> - -<p>"Am I ever hard to my pupils, my love?"</p> - -<p>"No, no—do forgive me!"</p> - -<p>"I think I understand you, Dorothy," said Mrs. Freeman. "Kiss me!"</p> - -<p>Miss Collingwood was turning away, when her mistress stretched out her -hand and drew her back.</p> - -<p>"I shall look to you to help me with this wild Irish girl," she said -with a smile. "Now, go to your lessons, my dear."</p> - -<p>Dorothy ran away at once, and Mrs. Freeman walked down the garden in -the direction where she had just seen a white dress disappearing.</p> - -<p>She called Bridget's name, but the wind, which was rather high this -morning, carried her voice away from the young girl, who was gayly -flitting from one rosebush <span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_30" id="Page_30">[Pg 30]</a></span>to another, ruthlessly pulling the large, -full-blown flowers with buds attached.</p> - -<p>"I don't think I ever felt my temper more irritated," murmured the good -lady under her breath. "Why did I undertake an Irish girl, and one who -had never been from home before? Well, the deed is done now, and I -must not <i>show</i> impatience, however I may <i>feel</i> it. Bridget, my dear! -Bridget O'Hara! Do you hear me?"</p> - -<p>"Yes, what is it?"</p> - -<p>Biddy turned, arrested in her gay flight from rosebush to rosebush.</p> - -<p>As she cut the blossoms off, she flung them into her white skirt, -which she had raised in front for the purpose. Now, as she ran to meet -Mrs. Freeman, the skirt tumbled down, and the roses—red, white, and -crimson—fell on the ground at her feet.</p> - -<p>"Bridget, do look," said Mrs. Freeman; "you have trodden on that lovely -bud!"</p> - -<p>"Oh, I am sorry!"</p> - -<p>Miss O'Hara stooped carelessly to pick it up. "Poor little bud!" she -said, laying it on her hand. "But there are such a lot of you—such a -lot! Still, it seems a pity to crush your sweetness out."</p> - -<p>"It is more than a pity, Bridget," said her governess in a severe tone. -"I am sorry to have to open your eyes, my dear child; but in picking -any of my roses you have taken an unwarrantable liberty."</p> - -<p>"What?" said Bridget, coloring high. "Do you mean seriously to tell me -that I—I am not to pick flowers? I think I must have heard you wrong! -Please say it again!"</p> - -<p>"You are not to pick flowers, Miss O'Hara; it is against the rules of -the school."</p> - -<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_31" id="Page_31">[Pg 31]</a></span></p> - -<p>"Oh, how very funny—how—how unpleasant. Did you tell papa about that -when he arranged to send me here?"</p> - -<p>"I did not specially mention the flowers, my dear. There are many rules -in full force at Mulberry Court, and the pupils are expected to obey -them all."</p> - -<p>"How disagreeable! I can't live without flowers. I suppose papa will -not expect me to stay if I don't like the place?"</p> - -<p>"He will expect you to stay until the end of the term."</p> - -<p>"Good gracious, why, that's weeks off! I can't live without flowers for -weeks! Look here, Mrs. Freeman; is there not to be an exception made -for me? Papa said, when I was coming here, that my happiness was to be -the first thing considered. Don't you agree with him? Don't you wish me -to be very, very happy?"</p> - -<p>"I do, my love. But your truest happiness is not secured by giving you -your own way in everything."</p> - -<p>"Oh, but I hate self-denial, and that dreadful motto—'No cross, no -crown.' I'm like a butterfly—I can't live without sunshine. Papa -agrees with me that sunshine is necessary for life."</p> - -<p>"So it is, Bridget. But you will permit me, an old woman compared to -you, to point out a fact—the self-denying people are the happy ones, -the selfish are the miserable. Take your own way now in your youth, -sip each pleasure as it comes, turn from the disagreeables, trample on -those who happen to be in your way, as you did on that rosebud just -now, and you will lay up misery for yourself in the future. You will be -a very wretched woman when you reach my age."</p> - -<p>"How solemnly you speak," said Bridget, tears <span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_32" id="Page_32">[Pg 32]</a></span>coming slowly up and -filling her eyes. "Is that a sermon? It makes me feel as if someone -were walking over my grave. Why do you say things of that sort? I'm -superstitious, you know. I'm very easily impressed. You oughtn't to do -it—you oughtn't to frighten a stranger when she has just come over to -your hard, cold sort of country."</p> - -<p>"But, my dear child, our hearts are not cold. I assure you, Bridget, I -am most anxious to win your love, and so also is Dorothy Collingwood."</p> - -<p>"Is she? I love her—she is a sweet darling! And you really want me -to love you, Mrs. Freeman? Well, then, I will. Take a hug now—there, -that's comfortable."</p> - -<p>Bridget's arms were flung impulsively round her governess's neck, and -then one hand was tucked within the good lady's arm.</p> - -<p>Mrs. Freeman could not help uttering a faint, inward sigh.</p> - -<p>"I must break you in gradually, dear," she said. "As this is your first -day at school you need not do any lessons, but you must come with me -presently to the schoolroom in order that I may find out something -about your attainments."</p> - -<p>"My attainments! Good gracious, I haven't any!"</p> - -<p>"Don't say 'good gracious,' Bridget; it's a very ugly way of expressing -yourself. You have learnt something, haven't you?"</p> - -<p>"Learnt something? I should rather think I have. You question me on -dogs, their different breeds, and their complaints! Do you know, Mrs. -Freeman, what's the best thing to do for a dog if he shows signs of -distemper?"</p> - -<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_33" id="Page_33">[Pg 33]</a></span></p> - -<p>"I don't mean that sort of learning, Bridget. I mean what you acquire -from books—grammar, French, music."</p> - -<p>"I adore music; I play by ear all the old Irish jigs and the melodies. -Oh, doesn't father cry when I play 'The Harp that once through Tara's -Halls,' and 'She is far from the Land,' and 'The Minstrel Boy.' And oh, -Mrs. Freeman, even you, though you are a bit old and stiff, could not -help dancing if I strummed 'Garry Owen' for you."</p> - -<p>"Well, my dear, you must play it for me some evening, but we don't -allow <i>strumming</i> at the Court."</p> - -<p>"Oh, good gra——! I mean, mercy Moses!"</p> - -<p>"That's as bad as the other expression, Bridget."</p> - -<p>"I expect I shan't be allowed to talk at all."</p> - -<p>"Yes, you will. You'll soon learn to control your tongue and to speak -in a ladylike way."</p> - -<p>"I loathe ladylike ways."</p> - -<p>"Now, my dear child, will you come into the house with me? I ought to -be in the schoolroom now."</p> - -<p>"Please wait one moment, Mrs. Freeman."</p> - -<p>"Yes, my dear, what is it?"</p> - -<p>"Are you going to be cross when you find I don't know your sort of -things?"</p> - -<p>"I hope not, Bridget."</p> - -<p>"It will be awfully unfair if you are, for I could pose you finely on -my subjects. What's the first thing to do for a dog who shows symptoms -of hydrophobia? How do you land a salmon? What keeps a gun from -kicking? How does a dear old daddy like his pipe filled with tobacco? -What is the best way to keep your seat when you ride bare-backed, and -the horse runs away?<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_34" id="Page_34">[Pg 34]</a></span> Ha, ha, I thought I'd pose you. I could have a -very jolly school of my own, if I tried."</p> - -<p>"Bridget, my dear, before you come into the schoolroom I must request -that you go upstairs and change your dress."</p> - -<p>"Change my dress! Now I really <i>don't</i> understand you. Am I to come -down in my dressing-gown?"</p> - -<p>"No. You are to take off that unsuitable afternoon costume you are now -wearing, and put on a neat print dress for your morning work."</p> - -<p>"This is the very plainest dress I possess, Mrs. Freeman; I pulled a -lot out of my trunk this morning to look at them. There was a sky-blue -delaine with coffee lace, and a pink surah, and——"</p> - -<p>"Spare me, my dear. I really am in too great a hurry to hear a list of -your wardrobe. Is it possible that your father sent you to school with -all that heap of finery, and nothing sensible to wear?"</p> - -<p>"It wasn't father, it was Aunt Kathleen. She chose my outfit in Paris. -Oh, I do think it's lovely. I do feel that it's hard to be crushed on -every point."</p> - -<p>"Well, dear, you are not to blame. I shall take you to Eastcliff this -afternoon, and order some plain dresses to be made up for you."</p> - -<p>"Oh, goodness—no, I mustn't—mercy! nor that either; oh, I—I <i>say</i>, -Mrs. Freeman, don't let the new dresses be frumpy, or I'll break my -heart. I do so adore looking at myself in a lovely dress."</p> - -<p>"Come into the schoolroom with me," said Mrs. Freeman. She was -wondering how it would be possible for her to keep Bridget O'Hara in -her school.</p> - -<hr /> - -<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_35" id="Page_35">[Pg 35]</a></span></p> - -<h2><span>CHAPTER IV.</span> <span class="smaller">THE QUEEN OF THE SCHOOL.</span></h2> - -<p>It is not an easy matter to break in a wild colt, and this was the -process which had now to take place with regard to the new girl, whose -eccentricities and daring, whose curious mixture of ignorance and -knowledge, of affectionate sympathy and careless levity, made her at -once the adored and detested of her companions.</p> - -<p>In every sense of the word Bridget was unexpected. She had an -extraordinary aptitude for arithmetic, and took a high place in the -school on account of her mathematics. The word mathematics, however, -she had never even heard before. She could gabble French as fluently -as a native, but did not know a word of the grammar. She had a perfect -ear for music, could sing like a bird, and play any air she once heard, -but she could scarcely read music at all, and was refractory and -troublesome when asked to learn notes.</p> - -<p>"Just play the piece over to me," she said to her master. "I'll do -it if you play it over. Yes, that's it—tum, tum, tummy, tum, tum. -Oughtn't you to crash the air out a bit there? I think you ought. Yes, -that's it—<i>isn't</i> it lovely? Now let me try."</p> - -<p>Her attempts were extremely good, but when it came to laboriously -struggling through her written score, all was hopeless confusion, -tears, and despair.</p> - -<p>With each fresh study Bridget showed the queer<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_36" id="Page_36">[Pg 36]</a></span> vagaries of a really -clever mind run more or less to seed. She did everything in a dramatic, -excitable style—she was all on wires, scarcely ever still, laughing -one moment, weeping the next; the school had never known such a time as -it underwent during the first week of her residence among them.</p> - -<p>After that period she found her place to a certain extent, made some -violent friends and some active enemies, was adored by the little -girls, on whom she showered lollipops, kisses, and secrets, and was -disliked more or less by every girl in the sixth and fifth form, -Dorothy Collingwood excepted.</p> - -<p>All this time Miss Percival, the head girl of the school, was absent. -She had been ill, and had gone home for a short change. She did not -return until Bridget had been at the Court a fortnight.</p> - -<p>By this time the preparations for the Fancy Fair were in active -progress. Janet May had obtained her own wish with regard to the -Committee, each member of which was allowed to choose a band of workers -under herself, to make articles for the coming sale.</p> - -<p>The Fair was the great event to which the girls looked forward, and in -the first excitement of such an unusual proceeding each of them worked -with a will.</p> - -<p>Janet was the heart and soul of everything. She was a girl with a -great deal of independence of character; she was not destitute of -ambition—she was remarkable for common sense—she was sharp in her -manner, downright in her words, and capable, painstaking, and energetic -in all she did.</p> - -<p>She was a dependable girl—clever up to a certain point, nice to those -with whom she agreed, <span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_37" id="Page_37">[Pg 37]</a></span>affectionate to the people who did not specially -prize her affection.</p> - -<p>Janet was never known to lose her temper, but she had a sarcastic -tongue, and people did not like to lay themselves open to the cutting -remarks which often and unsparingly fell from her lips.</p> - -<p>She used this tongue most frequently on Bridget O'Hara, but for the -first time she was met by a wondering, puzzled, good-humored, and -non-comprehending gaze.</p> - -<p>"What does Janet mean?" Bridget would whisper to her nearest companion. -"<i>Is</i> she saying something awfully clever? I'm sorry that I'm stupid—I -don't quite catch her meaning."</p> - -<p>These remarks usually turned the tables against Janet May, but they -also had another effect. She began to be sparing of her sharp, unkind -words in Bridget's hearing. This, however, did not prevent her hating -the new girl with the most cordial hatred she had ever yet bestowed -upon anyone.</p> - -<p>Bridget was a fortnight at the school, and had more or less shaken down -into her place, when the evening arrived on which Miss Percival was to -return.</p> - -<p>Dorothy, Bridget, and a number of the girls of the lower school were -walking up and down a broad road which led to the shore. They were -talking and laughing. The smaller girls were dancing and running about -in their eagerness. Some very funny proposal had undoubtedly been made, -and much explosive mirth was the result.</p> - -<p>Janet and Olive Moore were returning slowly to the house after a -vigorous game of tennis. They stopped to look down at the group who -surrounded Dorothy.</p> - -<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_38" id="Page_38">[Pg 38]</a></span></p> - -<p>"We have lost her," said Olive, with a sigh.</p> - -<p>"Lost whom?" answered Janet in her tart voice.</p> - -<p>"Why, Dorothy Collingwood; she has gone over to the ranks of the enemy."</p> - -<p>"What do you mean, Olive?" Olive turned and looked at Janet.</p> - -<p>"You know perfectly well what I mean," she answered; "you know who the -enemy is—at least you know who is your enemy."</p> - -<p>"I never knew before that I had an enemy," said Janet, in her guarded -voice.</p> - -<p>Olive looked at her steadily.</p> - -<p>"Come now, Janet," she said, "confession is good for the soul—own—now -do own that you cordially hate the new girl, Bridget O'Hara."</p> - -<p>"I'm sick of the new girl," said Janet; "if you are going to talk -about her I shall go into the house; I want to look over my French -preparation. M. le Comte is coming to-morrow morning, and he is so -frightfully over-particular that I own I'm a little afraid of him."</p> - -<p>"Nonsense, Janet, you know you're one of the best French scholars in -the school. You won't get out of answering my question by that flimsy -excuse. Don't you hate Miss O'Hara?"</p> - -<p>"Hate her?" said Janet; "there must be a certain strength about a girl -to make you hate her. I've a contempt for Bridget, but I don't rouse -myself to the exertion of hating."</p> - -<p>"Oh, well; it's all the same," said Olive. "You won't admit the feeling -that animates your breast, but I know that it is there, <i>chérie</i>. Now -I have got something to confess on my own account—I don't like her -either."</p> - -<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_39" id="Page_39">[Pg 39]</a></span></p> - -<p>"You have too good taste to like her, Olive, but do let us talk about -something more interesting. How are you getting on with that table -cover for the fair?"</p> - -<p>"Oh, I'll come to that by and by; now about Miss O'Hara. Janet, I deny -that she's weak."</p> - -<p>"You deny that she's weak," repeated Janet. "I wonder what your idea of -strength is, Olive."</p> - -<p>"She's not learned, I admit," replied Olive, "but weak! no, she's -not weak; no weak character could be so audacious, so fearless, so -indifferent to her own ignorance."</p> - -<p>"If she had any strength, she'd be ashamed of her ignorance," retorted -Janet.</p> - -<p>"I don't agree with you," answered Olive. "Strength shows itself in -many forms. Miss O'Hara is pretty."</p> - -<p>"Pretty," interrupted Janet, scorn curling her lip.</p> - -<p>"Yes, Janet, she's pretty and she's rich, and she's destitute of fear. -She is quite certain to have her own party in the school. I repeat," -continued Olive, "that there is no weakness in Bridget. I grant that -she is about the most irritating creature I know, but weak she is not."</p> - -<p>"Well, well," interrupted Janet impatiently, "have your own way, Olive. -Make that tiresome, disagreeable girl a female Hercules if you fancy, -only cease to talk about her. That is all I have to beg."</p> - -<p>"I must say one thing," replied Olive, "and then I will turn to a more -congenial theme. I hope Evelyn Percival won't take Miss O'Hara's part. -You know, Janet, what strong prejudices Evelyn has."</p> - -<p>"Oh, don't I!" said Janet, stamping her small foot.</p> - -<p>"And if she happens to fancy Bridget she won't mind<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_40" id="Page_40">[Pg 40]</a></span> a word we say -against her. She never does mind what anyone says. You know that, -Janet."</p> - -<p>"I know," echoed Janet, a queer angry light filling her eyes for a -minute. "Oh, dear! oh, dear! What with our examinations and the Fancy -Fair, and all this worry about the new girl, life scarcely seems worth -living—it really doesn't."</p> - -<p>"Poor darling!" said Olive, in a sympathetic tone. "I thought I'd tell -you, Janet, that whatever happened I'd take your part."</p> - -<p>"Thanks!" said Janet calmly.</p> - -<p>She looked at her friend with a cool, critical eye.</p> - -<p>Olive Moore belonged to the toadying faction in the school. Toadies, -however, can be useful, and Janet was by no means above making use of -Olive in case of need.</p> - -<p>She scrutinized Olive's face now, a slightly satirical expression -hovering round her somewhat thin lips.</p> - -<p>"Thanks!" she repeated again. "If I want your help I'll ask for it, -Olive. I'm going into the house now, for I really must get on with my -preparation."</p> - -<p>Janet turned away, and Olive was obliged to look out for a fresh -companion to attach herself to.</p> - -<p>She looked at the merry group on the lawn, and a desire to join them, -even though of course she knew she was in no sense one of them, came -over her.</p> - -<p>She ran lightly down the grassy slope, and touched Dorothy on her arm.</p> - -<p>"I'm here, Dolly," she said, in her rather wistful manner.</p> - -<p>"Oh, well; it's all right for you to be here, I suppose," said Dorothy. -"What were you saying, Bridget? I didn't catch that last sentence of -yours."</p> - -<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_41" id="Page_41">[Pg 41]</a></span></p> - -<p>"I was going up the staircase," continued Bridget. "I held a lighted -candle in my hand. It was an awful night—you should have heard the -wind howling. We keep some special windbags of our own at the Castle, -and when we open the strings of one, why—well, there is a hurricane, -that's all."</p> - -<p>"Oh, she's telling a story," whispered Olive under her breath. She -settled herself contentedly to listen.</p> - -<p>"Go on; tell us quickly what you did with the candle, Biddy!" cried -little Violet, pulling her new friend by the arm.</p> - -<p>"Don't shake me so, Vi, my honey; I'm coming to the exciting place—now -then. Well, as I was going up the stairs all quite lonely, and by -myself, never a soul within half a mile of me——"</p> - -<p>"But your castle isn't half a mile big," said Katie, another small -girl. "And you did say your father lived there with you, and, of -course, there must have been some servants."</p> - -<p>"Well, dear, well! half a mile is a figure of speech. That's a way -we have in Ireland—we figure of speech everything; it's much more -graphic. Now, to go on. I was running up the stairs with my candle, and -the wind rushing after me like mad, and the Castle rocking as if it -were in an agony, when—— What do you think happened?"</p> - -<p>"What?" said Katie, her eyes growing big with fascination and alarm.</p> - -<p>"The wind dropped as if it were dead. After screeching as if it had the -tongues of hundreds of Furies, it was mummer than the timidest mouse -that ever crept. The Castle ceased to rock; it was the suddenest and -<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_42" id="Page_42">[Pg 42]</a></span>deadest calm you could possibly imagine. It was miles more frightful -than the storm. Just then there came a little puff of a breeze out of -the solid stone wall, and out went my candle."</p> - -<p>"O Bridget!" exclaimed the little girls, starting back in affright.</p> - -<p>"Bridget, you are talking a great deal of nonsense," said Dorothy, "and -I for one am not going to listen to you. We are much too sensible to -believe in ghost stories here, and there is no use in your trying to -frighten us. Good-by, all of you; I am off to the house!"</p> - -<p>Dorothy detached herself from Bridget's clinging arm, and ran quickly -up the sloping lawn.</p> - -<p>Bridget stood and watched her. Olive kept a little apart, and the -smaller girls clustered close together, watching their new friend's -face with interest and admiration.</p> - -<p>The Irish girl looked certainly pretty enough to win any number of -susceptible small hearts at that moment. Her pale blue dress set off -her graceful figure and fair complexion to the best advantage. Her -mirthful, lovely eyes were raised to follow Dorothy as she disappeared -into the house. Her lips were parted in a mischievous smile. She raised -one hand to push back the rebellious locks of chestnut curls from her -forehead.</p> - -<p>"Now, Biddy, go on, Biddy!" exclaimed the children. "We love ghost -stories, so do tell us more about the candle."</p> - -<p>"No!" said Bridget. "<i>She</i> says they aren't good for you, so you shan't -have them. Let's think of some more fun. Who's that new girl, who, you -say, is going to arrive to-night?"</p> - -<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_43" id="Page_43">[Pg 43]</a></span></p> - -<p>"New girl!" exclaimed Katie, "why, she's about the very oldest girl in -the school—the oldest and the nicest. She's the head of the school. -We call her our queen. She's not like you, Biddy, of course; but she's -very nice—awfully nice!"</p> - -<p>"And what's the darling's name?" asked Bridget.</p> - -<p>"Evelyn Percival. Doesn't it sound pretty?"</p> - -<p>"Faix, then, it does, honey. I'm all agog to see this lovely queen. Why -has she been absent so long? Doesn't Mrs. Freeman require any lessons -of the sweet creature? Oh, then, it's I that would like to be in her -shoes, if that's the case."</p> - -<p>"She has been ill, Biddy," said Violet. "Evelyn has been ill, but she -is better now; she's coming back to-night. We are all glad, for we all -love her."</p> - -<p>"Let's run down the road, then, and give her a welcome," said Bridget. -"In Ireland we'd take the horses off the carriage, and draw her home -ourselves. Of course, we can't do that, but we might go to meet her, -waving branches of trees, and we might raise a hearty shout when we saw -her coming. Come along, girls—what a lark! I'll show you how we do -this sort of thing in old Ireland! Come! we'll cut down boughs as we go -along. Come! be quick, be quick!"</p> - -<p>"But we are not allowed to cut the boughs, Bridget," said Katie.</p> - -<p>"And we are not allowed to go out of the grounds by ourselves," cried -several other voices.</p> - -<p>"We are not by ourselves when we are together," replied Bridget. "Come -along, girls, don't be such little despicable cowards! I'll square -it with Mrs.<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_44" id="Page_44">[Pg 44]</a></span> Freeman. You trust <i>me</i>. Mrs. Freeman will forgive us -everything when the queen is coming back. Now, do let's be quick, we -haven't a minute to lose!"</p> - -<p>Small girls are easily influenced, and Bridget and her tribe rushed -down the avenue, shouting and whooping as they went.</p> - -<p>Olive had no inclination to join them. They had taken no notice of her, -and she was not sufficiently fascinated by Bridget to run any risk for -her sake. She knew that her present proceedings were wrong, but she -was not at all brave enough to raise her voice in protest. She walked -slowly back to the house, wondering whether she should go and tell -Janet, or sink down lazily on a cozy seat and go on with a story book -which was sticking out of her pocket.</p> - -<p>As she was approaching the house she was met by Miss Delicia, who -stopped to speak kindly to her.</p> - -<p>"Well, my dear child," she said, "I suppose you, like all the rest of -us, are on tenter hooks for our dear Evelyn's return. From the accounts -we received this morning, she seems to be quite well and strong again, -and it <i>will</i> be such a comfort to have her back. I don't know how it -is, but the school is quite a different place when she is there."</p> - -<p>"We'll all be delighted to have her again, of course," said Olive. "And -is she really quite well, Miss Delicia?"</p> - -<p>"Yes, my love, or she would not be returning."</p> - -<p>Miss Delicia hurried on, intent on some housewifely mission, and Olive -entering the house went down a long stone passage which led to the -sixth form schoolroom.</p> - -<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_45" id="Page_45">[Pg 45]</a></span></p> - -<p>Janet was there, busily preparing her French lesson for M. le Comte. -She was a very ambitious girl, and was determined to carry off as many -prizes as possible at the coming midsummer examinations. She scarcely -raised her eyes when Olive appeared.</p> - -<p>"Janet!"</p> - -<p>"Yes, Olive; I'm very busy. Do you want anything?"</p> - -<p>"Only to tell you that that pet of yours, Bridget O'Hara, is likely to -get herself into a nice scrape. She has run down the road with a number -of the small fry to meet Evelyn. They are taking boughs of trees with -them, and are going to shout, or do something extraordinary, when they -see her arriving. Janet, what's the matter? How queer you look!"</p> - -<p>"I'm very busy, Olive; I wish you'd go away!"</p> - -<p>"But you look queer. Are you frightened about anything?"</p> - -<p>"No, no; what nonsense you talk! What is there to be frightened about? -Do go; I can't learn this difficult French poetry while you keep -staring at me!"</p> - -<p>"I wish you'd say what you think about Bridget. Isn't she past -enduring, getting all the little ones to disobey like this? Why, she -might be expelled! Yes, Janet; yes, I'm going. You needn't look at me -as if you'd like to eat me!"</p> - -<p>Olive left the room with slow, unwilling footsteps, and Janet bent her -head over the copy of Molière she was studying.</p> - -<p>"Nothing in the world could be stupider than French poetry," she -muttered. "How am I to get this into my head? What a nuisance Olive is -with her stories—she<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_46" id="Page_46">[Pg 46]</a></span> has disturbed my train of thoughts. Certainly, -it's no affair of mine what that detestable wild Irish girl does. I -shall always hate her, and whatever happens I can never get myself to -tolerate Evelyn. Now, to get back to my poetry. I have determined to -win this prize. I won't think of Evelyn and Bridget any more."</p> - -<p>Janet bent her fair face again over the open page; a faint flush had -risen in each of her cheeks.</p> - -<p>She was beginning to collect her somewhat scattered thoughts, when the -door was opened suddenly, and, to her surprise, Mrs. Freeman came into -the room.</p> - -<p>"Pardon me for disturbing you," she said; "I did not know anyone was in -the schoolroom at present."</p> - -<p>"I am looking over my French lesson, madam," answered Janet, in her -respectful tones. "It's a little more difficult than usual, and I -thought I'd have a quiet half hour here, trying to master it."</p> - -<p>"Quite right, Janet, I am glad you are so industrious. I won't disturb -you for more than a minute, my love. I just want to look out of this -window. It is the only one that commands a view of the road from -Eastcliff. Evelyn ought to be here by now."</p> - -<p>Janet did not say any more. She bent forward, ostensibly to renew her -studies, in reality to hide a jealous feeling which surged up in her -heart.</p> - -<p>What a fuss everyone <i>was</i> making about that stupid Evelyn Percival. -Here was the head mistress even quite in a fume because she was a -minute or two late in putting in an appearance.</p> - -<p>It really was too absurd. Janet could not help fidgeting almost audibly.</p> - -<p>"Janet," said Mrs. Freeman, "come here for a <span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_47" id="Page_47">[Pg 47]</a></span>moment. I want you to use -your young eyes. Do you see any carriage coming down the hill?"</p> - -<p>Janet sprang from her seat with apparent alacrity.</p> - -<p>"Look, dear," said the governess. "What is that distant speck? I am so -terribly near-sighted that I cannot make out whether it is a carriage -or cart of some sort."</p> - -<p>"It is a covered wagon," said Janet. "I see it quite plainly. There is -no carriage at all in view, Mrs. Freeman."</p> - -<p>"My dear, I must tell you that I am a little anxious. Hickman took that -shying horse, Caspar, to bring Evelyn home. I intended Miss Molly to -have been sent for her. Dear Evelyn is still so nervous after her bad -illness that I would not for the world have her startled in any way. -And really, Caspar gets worse and worse. What is the matter, Janet? -<i>You</i> have started now."</p> - -<p>"Nothing," replied Janet. "I—I—shall I run out to the front, Mrs. -Freeman, and listen if I can hear the carriage? You can hear it a very -long way off from the brow of the hill."</p> - -<p>"Do, my love, and call to me if you do. I would not have that dear girl -frightened for the world. I am more vexed than I can say with Hickman."</p> - -<p>Janet ran out of the room. Her heart was beating hard and fast. Should -she tell Mrs. Freeman what Olive had just confided to her, that Bridget -and a number of the smaller children of the school had rushed down the -road to meet Evelyn, carrying boughs in their hands, and doubtless -shouting loudly in their glee?</p> - -<p>Caspar was a sensitive horse; even Janet, who had<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_48" id="Page_48">[Pg 48]</a></span> no physical fear -about her, disliked the way he started, and shied sometimes at his own -shadow. It was scarcely likely that he would bear the shock which all -those excited children would give him.</p> - -<p>Oh, yes, she ought to tell; and yet—and yet——</p> - -<p>She stood wavering with her own conscience. Caspar was nervous, but he -was not vicious.</p> - -<p>All that could possibly happen would be a little fright for Evelyn, -and a larger measure of disgrace for Bridget. And why should Janet -interfere? Why should she tell tales of her schoolfellows? Her story -would be misinterpreted by that faction of the girls who already had -made Bridget their idol.</p> - -<p>No, there was nothing to be alarmed about. Evelyn was too silly, with -her nerves and her fads. Janet stood by the bend of the hill. Her -thoughts were so busy that she scarcely troubled herself to listen for -the approaching carriage.</p> - -<p>She stood for a minute or two, then walked slowly back to the window, -out of which her schoolmistress leaned.</p> - -<p>"I don't hear any sound whatever, Mrs. Freeman," she said, "but please -don't be alarmed; Evelyn's train may have been late."</p> - -<p>"Hark! Stop talking!" said Mrs. Freeman.</p> - -<p>There was a sound, a commotion. Several steps were heard; eager voices -were raised in expostulation and distress.</p> - -<p>"Let me go," said the head mistress.</p> - -<p>She stepped out of the open window, and walked rapidly across the wide -gravel sweep.</p> - -<p>Alice, Violet, and several more of the little girls were running and -tumbling up the grassy slope.<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_49" id="Page_49">[Pg 49]</a></span> The moment they saw Mrs. Freeman they -ran to her.</p> - -<p>"Oh, come at once!" said Violet, "there has been an accident, and -Evelyn is hurt. Bridget is with her. Come, come at once!"</p> - -<p>The child's words were almost incoherent. Alice, who was not quite so -excitable, began to pour out a queer story.</p> - -<p>"I know we've all been awfully naughty, but we didn't think Caspar -would mind the boughs. He turned sharp round and something happened -to the wheels of the carriage—and—and—oh, Mrs. Freeman, do come. I -think Evelyn must be dead, she's lying so still."</p> - -<p>"Are you there, Janet?" said Mrs. Freeman. "Go into the house, and ask -Miss Patience to follow me down the road. And see that someone goes -for Dr. Hart. Alice, you can come back with me. The rest of the little -girls are to go into the playroom, and to stay there until I come to -them."</p> - -<p>Mrs. Freeman spoke calmly, but there was a look about her face which -gave Janet a very queer sensation. The schoolmistress took Alice's -hand, and walked as quickly as she could to the scene of the accident.</p> - -<p>The carriage lay smashed a couple of hundred yards from the gates of -the avenue.</p> - -<p>Bridget was sitting in the middle of the dusty road with a girl's head -on her lap. The girl's figure was stretched out flat and motionless; -her hat was off, and Bridget was pushing back some waves of fair hair -from her temples.</p> - -<p>"It's all my fault, Mrs. Freeman," said Bridget O'Hara, looking up with -a tear-stained face at her <span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_50" id="Page_50">[Pg 50]</a></span>governess. "<i>I</i> made the children come, and -<i>I</i> made them cut the branches off the trees, and we ran, and shouted -as we ran. I didn't think it would do any harm, it was all a joke, and -to welcome her, for they said she was the queen, but no one is to blame -in all the wide world but me."</p> - -<p>"Oh, what a wicked girl you are," said Mrs. Freeman, roused out of -her customary gentle manner by the sight of Evelyn's motionless form. -"I can't speak to you at this moment, Bridget O'Hara; go away, leave -Evelyn to me. Evelyn, my darling, look at me, speak to me—say you are -not hurt!"</p> - -<p>When Mrs. Freeman told Bridget to go away and leave her, the Irish girl -stopped playing with the tendrils of hair on Evelyn's forehead, and -looked at her governess with a blank expression stealing over her face.</p> - -<p>She did not attempt to rise to her feet, however, and Mrs. Freeman was -far too much absorbed to take any further notice of her.</p> - -<p>"If I had only some smelling salts," she began.</p> - -<p>Bridget slipped her hand into her pocket, and pulled out an exquisitely -embossed vinaigrette.</p> - -<p>The governess took it without a word, and opening it applied it to -Evelyn's nostrils.</p> - -<p>After two or three applications the injured girl stirred faintly, a -shade of color came into her cheeks, and she opened her eyes.</p> - -<p>"There, thank Heaven, I haven't killed her!" exclaimed Bridget.</p> - -<p>She burst into sudden frantic weeping.</p> - -<p>"I believe I am more frightened than hurt," said Miss Percival, -struggling to sit up, and smiling at Mrs. Freeman, "I'm so awfully -sorry that I've lost my<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_51" id="Page_51">[Pg 51]</a></span> nerve. Where am I? what has happened? I only -remember Caspar turning right round and looking at me, and some people -shouting, and then the carriage went over, and I cannot recall anything -more. But I don't think—no—I am sure I am not seriously hurt."</p> - -<p>"Thank God for that, my darling," said Mrs. Freeman. She put her arm -round the young girl, kissed her tenderly, and drew her away from -Bridget.</p> - -<hr /> - -<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_52" id="Page_52">[Pg 52]</a></span></p> - -<h2><span>CHAPTER V.</span> <span class="smaller">BREAKING IN A WILD COLT.</span></h2> - -<p>Miss Percival's accident, and Bridget O'Hara's share in it, were the -subjects of conversation not only that night, but the next morning.</p> - -<p>The doctor had come to see Evelyn, had pronounced her whole in limb, -and not as much shaken by her fall out of her carriage as might have -been expected. After prescribing a day in bed, and all absence of -excitement, he went away, promising to look in again in a few days.</p> - -<p>Mrs. Freeman breathed a sigh of relief.</p> - -<p>"And now," she said, turning to her two sisters, "the question of -questions is this: what is to be done with Bridget O'Hara? Is she to -continue at Mulberry Court after such a daring act of disobedience? -Must the safety of the other scholars be sacrificed to her?"</p> - -<p>"I'd punish her very severely," said Miss Patience. "I am sure -punishment is what she wants. She ought to be broken in."</p> - -<p>"I don't believe you'll ever drive her," said Miss Delicia. "I know -that sort of character. It's only hardened when it's driven."</p> - -<p>"I shall do nothing to-night," said Mrs. Freeman. "But to-morrow, -after morning school, I must speak to Bridget. Her conduct during that -interview will more or less decide what steps I must take."</p> - -<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_53" id="Page_53">[Pg 53]</a></span></p> - -<p>The next morning, after breakfast, Mrs. Freeman went upstairs to sit -with her favorite Evelyn.</p> - -<p>Evelyn Percival, the head girl of the school, was now between -seventeen and eighteen years of age. She was a rather pale, rather -plain girl; her forehead was broad and low, which gave indications of -thoughtfulness more than originality; her wide open gray eyes had a -singularly sweet expression; they were surrounded by dark eyelashes, -and were the best features in a face which otherwise might have -appeared almost insignificant.</p> - -<p>But plain as Evelyn undoubtedly was, no one who knew her long ever -remarked about her appearance, or gave a second thought to the fact -that she could lay small claim to physical beauty.</p> - -<p>There was a spirit that shone out of those gray eyes, and lent -sweetness to that mouth, which was in itself so beautiful that it -radiated all over Evelyn, and gave her that strong fascination which -those who are striving heavenward ever possess.</p> - -<p>She never came into a room without exercising in a silent, unobtrusive, -very gentle way, a marked effect for good.</p> - -<p>Uncharitable talk about others ceased when Evelyn drew near. -Selfishness slunk away ashamed.</p> - -<p>All the other girls in the school tried to be good when Evelyn was by, -not because she would reproach them, but because she had a certain way -about her which made goodness so attractive that they were forced to -follow it.</p> - -<p>She was not a specially clever girl, nevertheless she was now, in -virtue of her seniority, and a certain painstaking determination, which -made her capable of mastering her studies, at the head of the school.</p> - -<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_54" id="Page_54">[Pg 54]</a></span></p> - -<p>There are some jealous people who dislike the beautiful because they -are beautiful, the good because they are good. Girls with this special -character are to be found in every school. Janet May was one of them, -but perhaps in the whole of Mulberry Court she was the only person who -at this juncture cordially disliked Evelyn Percival.</p> - -<p>"It is delightful to have you back again," said Mrs. Freeman, bending -over her pupil and kissing her. "And really, Evelyn, you look almost -well. Oh, my dear child, what a fright I got about you last night."</p> - -<p>"But I'm all right to-day," said Evelyn, in her bright voice. "I don't -feel any bad effects whatever from my accident. I can't think why I was -so stupid as to faint, and give you a fright. I ought really to have -more control over my nerves."</p> - -<p>"My dear, you have been ill, which accounts for your nervousness. But -in any case a person with the stoutest nerves may be pardoned for -fainting if she is flung out of a carriage. I cannot imagine how you -escaped as you have done."</p> - -<p>"I feel quite well," replied Evelyn, "quite well, and disinclined to -stay in bed. I want to get up and see all my friends. You don't know -how I have been looking forward to this."</p> - -<p>"You shall see the girls one at a time in your room, darling, for -whether you feel well or not, the doctor wishes you to remain quiet -to-day."</p> - -<p>Evelyn gave a very faint sigh, and turning her head looked out of the -window.</p> - -<p>Mrs. Freeman went over and drew back the curtains.</p> - -<p>"You can watch the sea from your bed, my dear," she said, "and I will -send Dorothy to sit with you after<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_55" id="Page_55">[Pg 55]</a></span> morning school. Now I want to ask -you if you can give any idea of how the accident occurred?"</p> - -<p>A slight additional color came into Miss Percival's cheeks.</p> - -<p>"Caspar shied at something," she said.</p> - -<p>"Yes, but at what?"</p> - -<p>"Well, Mrs. Freeman, you know how fond the children are of me, and I of -them. They came to meet me, several of the little ones, and one tall, -beautiful girl, whom I do not know. Perhaps they were all over-excited. -They shouted a good deal, and waved branches of trees. Poor Caspar -evidently could not stand it; but they really did nothing that anyone -could blame them about."</p> - -<p>"Nonsense, Evelyn. They disobeyed my most stringent orders. Are they -not to be blamed for that?"</p> - -<p>"Hadn't they got leave to come to meet me?"</p> - -<p>"No, it was that wild Irish girl's doing. I really don't know what to -do with her."</p> - -<p>"Is she the beautiful girl who was the ringleader? I don't think I ever -saw anyone with such presence of mind. She absolutely caught me as I -was flung out of the carriage. I felt her arms round me; that was why I -was not hurt."</p> - -<p>"Yes, I am sure she has a good deal of physical courage, but that -does not alter the fact of her having defied my authority and led the -children into mischief."</p> - -<p>"Poor girl!" said Evelyn, a wistful expression coming into her eyes.</p> - -<p>"Now, my dear, you are not going to plead for her. I must manage her my -own way. I will leave you now, Evelyn. Rest all you can, dear, and if -you are very good you may perhaps be allowed to join us at supper."</p> - -<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_56" id="Page_56">[Pg 56]</a></span></p> - -<p>Mrs. Freeman left her pupil's room, and went downstairs.</p> - -<p>Evelyn Percival was one of the few girls in the school who was -privileged to have a room to herself. Her little room was prettily -draped in white and pink. It was called the Pink Room, and adjoined the -Blue Room, which was occupied by Bridget O'Hara.</p> - -<p>On her way downstairs Mrs. Freeman stepped for a moment into Bridget's -room. Her pupil's large traveling trunks had been removed to the box -room, but many showy dresses and much finery of various sorts lay -scattered about.</p> - -<p>Bridget was evidently not blessed with the bump of order. Valuable -rings and bracelets lay, some on the mantelpiece, some on the dressing -table; ribbons, scarfs, handkerchiefs, littered the chairs, the -chest of drawers, and even the bed. A stray stocking poked its foot -obtrusively out of one of the over-packed drawers of the wardrobe. -Photographs of friends and of scenery lay face downward on the -mantelpiece, and kept company with Bridget's brushes and combs in her -dressing-table drawer.</p> - -<p>Mrs. Freeman was very particular with regard to tidiness, and the -condition of this very pretty room filled her with grave displeasure. -The rules with regard to tidy rooms, neatly kept drawers, a place for -everything and everything in its place, were most stringent at Mulberry -Court, but up to the present rules mattered nothing at all to Bridget -O'Hara.</p> - -<p>"There is nothing whatever for it," murmured Mrs. Freeman; "I must -punish the poor child in a way she will really feel. If this fails, -and I cannot break her in<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_57" id="Page_57">[Pg 57]</a></span> before the end of the term, I must ask her -father to remove her."</p> - -<p>Mrs. Freeman sighed as she said these words.</p> - -<p>She went downstairs and entered her own private sitting room. It was -now half-past eleven o'clock, and morning school was over. The weather -was too hot for regular walks, and the girls were disporting themselves -according to their own will and pleasure on the lawns and in the -beautiful grounds which surrounded the school.</p> - -<p>Mrs. Freeman could see them as she sat in her sitting room.</p> - -<p>Janet, accompanied by Olive and Ruth, was pacing slowly backward and -forward under some shady trees. Her satellites were devoted to her, -and Janet's slender figure was very erect, and her manner somewhat -dictatorial. Dorothy Collingwood was not to be seen, she had evidently -gone to join Evelyn upstairs. The girls of the middle school were -preparing to exert themselves over more than one tennis match. The -smaller children were going down to the shore.</p> - -<p>Bridget, her hat hanging on her arm, defiance very marked on her brow, -came suddenly into view. She was alone, and Mrs. Freeman noticed that -Janet and her two companions stopped to look at her as if they rather -enjoyed the spectacle. They paused for a moment, stared rudely, then -turned their backs on Miss O'Hara.</p> - -<p>Bridget wore a white muslin dress with a long train. Her silver girdle -was clasped round her waist. She went deliberately up to a rose tree in -full flower, and, picking two or three half-opened buds, put them in -her girdle.</p> - -<p>Mrs. Freeman got up, and sounded an electric bell in the wall.</p> - -<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_58" id="Page_58">[Pg 58]</a></span></p> - -<p>When the servant answered her summons, she desired her to ask Miss -O'Hara to come to her immediately.</p> - -<p>In about ten minutes' time Bridget came into the room without knocking. -Her hat was still swinging on her arm; there was a wild-rose color on -her cheeks; her eyes had a certain excited, untamed gleam in them.</p> - -<p>"Did you want me, Mrs. Freeman?" she said, in her lazy, rich, somewhat -impertinent voice.</p> - -<p>"I certainly want you, Bridget. I am not in the habit of sending for my -pupils if I don't wish to speak to them."</p> - -<p>Bridget uttered a faint sigh.</p> - -<p>"Well, I'm here," she said; "what is it?" She still used that -half-mocking, indifferent voice.</p> - -<p>Mrs. Freeman could scarcely restrain her impatience.</p> - -<p>"I'm afraid I have some unpleasant things to talk about, Miss O'Hara," -she said. "But, before I begin, I must distinctly request you to -remember that you are a young girl in the presence of the lady who has -been appointed by your father to guide, direct, and command you."</p> - -<p>"Command me?" said Bridget, her nostrils dilating.</p> - -<p>"Yes; does not a mistress always command her pupils?"</p> - -<p>"When she can," replied Bridget. Her hands dropped to her sides. She -lowered her eyes; her proud lips were firmly shut.</p> - -<p>After a little pause, during which neither mistress nor pupil spoke, -the pupil raised her head.</p> - -<p>"I hate school," she said. "I want to go back to the Castle. Can I go -to-day?"</p> - -<p>"No, Bridget, you cannot. You have been sent here to be under my care, -and you must remain with me at least until the end of the term."</p> - -<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_59" id="Page_59">[Pg 59]</a></span></p> - -<p>"When will that be?"</p> - -<p>"Not for over a month?"</p> - -<p>"Couldn't you write to father, Mrs. Freeman, and tell him that I am not -happy? Say, 'Biddy is not happy, and she wants to go back to you and -the dogs.' If you say that, he'll let me come home fast enough. You -might write by the next post, and father, he'd jump on the jaunting-car -and drive into Ballyshannon, and send you a wire. If papa wires to you, -Mrs. Freeman, the very moment he gets your letter, I may perhaps be -home on Sunday."</p> - -<p>Bridget's changeful face was now all glowing with excitement, -eagerness, and hope. Her defiant attitude had vanished. As she looked -full at Mrs. Freeman, her governess noticed for the first time that her -eyelids were red, as if she had been crying. That, and a certain pathos -in her voice, made the head mistress regard her in a new light.</p> - -<p>"My dear," she said, "I cannot grant your request. You have been sent -to me by your father. He wishes you to stay here as long as you are -well in body. You are quite well, Bridget; you must therefore make up -your mind, whether you like school or whether you hate it, to remain -here until the end of the term."</p> - -<p>"Very well, if it must be so, but I shall be very miserable, and misery -soon makes me ill."</p> - -<p>"You were not miserable yesterday."</p> - -<p>"No, not very. The younger girls were fond of me, and Dorothy -Collingwood was nice."</p> - -<p>"And isn't she nice to-day?"</p> - -<p>"<i>No</i> one is nice to-day. There's the most ridiculous, unfair fuss -being made about nothing. There isn't a single girl in the school who -hasn't turned against me,<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_60" id="Page_60">[Pg 60]</a></span> because of the accident last night to that -stupid, plain Miss Percival. If I'd hurt her, or if she were ill, and -in the least pain, I'd be as sorry as the rest of them; but she's not -in the slightest pain; she's quite well. I can't understand all this -fuss."</p> - -<p>"Can't you, Bridget? I'm afraid I must make you understand that the -fact of Evelyn being uninjured does not alter your conduct."</p> - -<p>"My conduct? What <i>have</i> I done?"</p> - -<p>"You have disobeyed me. One of my strictest rules forbids the girls to -leave the grounds without permission. You not only left the grounds -contrary to my express order, but you took several of the little -children of the school with you. It is against my orders to have the -trees destroyed by breaking off branches. Knowing this, you willfully -disobeyed me again, and you and your companions rushed down the road -shouting wildly. What was the result? Evelyn Percival mercifully -escaped serious injury, but my carriage was broken and my horse -damaged. The mere money loss you have occasioned me, Bridget——"</p> - -<p>"Oh, papa'll pay that! Don't you fret about that, Mrs. Freeman; the -dear old dad will settle it. He quite loves writing checks!"</p> - -<p>"But your father cannot pay for your disobedience—for the bad example -you have set the little children, for the pain and anxiety you have -given me."</p> - -<p>"Pain and anxiety! I like that! You are just angry with me—that's -about all!"</p> - -<p>"I am sorry for you also, my dear. I earnestly desire that you should -be a good girl, for the girl is the mother of the woman, and a good -girl makes that admirable and priceless treasure—a good woman by and -by."</p> - -<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_61" id="Page_61">[Pg 61]</a></span></p> - -<p>Bridget moved restlessly. She looked out of the window. The sun was -shining brilliantly, and the grass under the big shady trees looked -particularly inviting.</p> - -<p>"I suppose I may go," she said, "if that's all you have got to say?"</p> - -<p>"I have some more things to say. I must get you, Bridget, before you -leave this room, to make a promise."</p> - -<p>"What is that?"</p> - -<p>"That you will obey me."</p> - -<p>"I don't know how I can, Mrs. Freeman. I said at once, when I came to -school and saw what kind of place it was, that I wouldn't obey the -rules. They were so tiresome and silly; I didn't see the use of them."</p> - -<p>"Bridget, you are incorrigible. If kindness won't make you see that you -are bound in honor to obey me, I must try punishment. Wretched child, I -don't wish to be hard to you, but do what I say, you <i>must</i>!"</p> - -<p>Bridget's face turned very white. She looked wildly toward the door, -then at the window.</p> - -<p>Mrs. Freeman went up to her, and took her hand. "My dear," she said, "I -must make you feel my authority. I do this with great pain, for I know -you have not had the advantage of the training which many of the girls -who live here have received. I would treat you with kindness, Bridget, -but you won't receive my kindness. Now I must be severe, but for your -good. Until you promise to obey the rules of the school, you must not -join your schoolfellows either at work or play. My sister Patience -will allow you to sit with her in her sitting room, and your meals -will be brought to you there. The length of your punishment rests with -yourself, my dear."</p> - -<hr /> - -<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_62" id="Page_62">[Pg 62]</a></span></p> - -<h2><span>CHAPTER VI.</span> <span class="smaller">CAPTIVITY.</span></h2> - -<p>There are times in life when all one's preconceived ideas are -completely upset and altered. We looked at the world from a certain -point of view. From that special angle of our own it showed in gold -and rose color and blue. A day came when we were forced to change our -vantage ground, and on that day we for the first time perceived the -grays and the blacks of that same old world—it ceased to smile on us, -it ceased to pet us—it ceased to say to us, "I was made to render -your life beautiful, I was made to minister to every selfish desire of -yours; I am your slave, you are my mistress; do with me what you will."</p> - -<p>On this particular day the world ceases to speak in those gentle and -submissive tones. With all its grays and its blacks turned full in -view, it says: "You are only an atom; there are millions of other human -beings to share my good things as well as my evil. After all, I am not -your slave, but your mistress; I have made laws, and you have got to -obey them. Up to the present I have treated you as a baby, but now I am -going to show you what life really means."</p> - -<p>It was in some such fashion that the world spoke to Bridget O'Hara on -this special summer's morning.</p> - -<p>Mrs. Freeman took her unwilling hand, led her into Miss Patience's dull -little sitting room, which only<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_63" id="Page_63">[Pg 63]</a></span> looked out upon the back yard, and, -shutting the door behind her, left her to her own meditations.</p> - -<p>"You remain here, Bridget," she repeated, "until you have promised to -obey the rules of the school. No longer and no shorter will be your -term of punishment. It remains altogether with yourself how soon you -are liberated."</p> - -<p>The door was closed then, and Bridget O'Hara found herself alone.</p> - -<p>The summer sounds came in to her, for the window of her dull room was -open, the birds were twittering in the trees, innumerable doves were -cooing; there was the gentle, soft whisper of the breeze, the cackling -of motherly hens, the lowing of cows, and, far away beyond and over -them, the insistent, ceaseless whisper of the gentle waves on the shore.</p> - -<p>Bridget stood by the window, but she heard none of these soothing -sounds. Her spoilt, childish heart was in the most open state of -rebellion and revolt.</p> - -<p>She was in every sense of the word an untamed creature; she was like a -wild bird who had just been caught and put into a cage.</p> - -<p>By and by doubtless the poor bird would be taught to develop his -notes into something richer and rarer than nature had made them, but -the process would be painful. Bridget was like the bird, and she was -beating her poor little wings now against her cage.</p> - -<p>Her first impulse was to open the door of her prison and go boldly out.</p> - -<p>She had not passed a pleasant morning, however, and this plan scarcely -commended itself to her.</p> - -<p>For some reason her companions, both old and young in the school, had -taken upon themselves to cut her.</p> - -<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_64" id="Page_64">[Pg 64]</a></span></p> - -<p>In all her life Bridget had never been cut before.</p> - -<p>At the dear old wild Castle in Ireland she had been idolized by -everyone, the servants had done her bidding, however extravagant and -fanciful that bidding had been. She led her old father where she wished -with silken reins. The dogs, the horses, even the cows and the calves, -followed Bridget like so many faithful shadows. In short, this wild -little girl was the beloved queen of the Castle. To cut her, or show -her the smallest incivility, would have been nothing short of high -treason.</p> - -<p>This morning Bridget had been practically "sent to Coventry." Even -Dorothy was cold in her manner to her. The small children who had hung -upon her words and followed her with delight the evening before, were -now too frightened at the consequences of their own daring to come -near her. Janet, Ruth, and Olive had shown their disapproval by marked -avoidance and covert sneers. Bridget had done a very naughty act, and -the school thought it well to show its displeasure.</p> - -<p>There was little use, therefore, in rushing out of her prison to join -her companions in their playground or on the shore.</p> - -<p>Should she run away altogether? Should she walk to Eastcliff and take -the next train to London, and then, trusting to chance, and to the -kindness of strangers, endeavor to find her way back to the dear and -loving shores of the old country, and so back again to the beloved home?</p> - -<p>Tears rolled down her cheeks as she thought of this plan; but, in the -first place, she had no idea how to manage it, and, what was a far more -serious obstacle, her little sealskin purse, her father's last present, -was empty.</p> - -<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_65" id="Page_65">[Pg 65]</a></span></p> - -<p>Bridget could certainly not return home without money.</p> - -<p>She sat down presently on the nearest chair and covered her face with -her hands. She could only resolve on one thing—she would certainly not -yield to Mrs. Freeman's request—nothing would induce her to promise to -obey the rules of the school.</p> - -<p>A story book, belonging to the school library, happened to be lying -on a chair close to her own. She took it up, opened it, and began to -read. The tale was sufficiently interesting to cause her to forget her -troubles.</p> - -<p>She had read for nearly an hour when the door of the room opened, and -Miss Patience came in. Miss Patience was an excellent woman, but she -took severe views of life; she emphatically believed in the young -being trained; she thought well of punishments, and pined for the -good old days when children were taught to make way for their elders, -and not—as in the present degenerate times—to expect their elders -to make way for them. Miss Patience just nodded toward Bridget, and, -sitting beside a high desk, took out an account book and opened it. -Miss O'Hara felt more uncomfortable than ever when Miss Patience came -into the room; her book ceased to entertain her, and the walls of her -prison seemed to get narrower. She fidgeted on her chair, and jumped up -several times to look out of the window. There was nothing of the least -interest, however, going on in the yard at that moment. Presently she -beat an impatient tattoo on the glass with her fingers.</p> - -<p>"Don't do that, Bridget," said Miss Patience; "you are disturbing me."</p> - -<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_66" id="Page_66">[Pg 66]</a></span></p> - -<p>Bridget dropped back into her seat with a profound sigh. Presently -the dinner gong sounded, and Miss Patience put away her papers and -accounts, and shutting up her desk, prepared to leave the room. Bridget -got up too. "I am glad that is dinner," she said; "I'm awfully hungry. -May I go up to my room to tidy myself, Miss Patience?"</p> - -<p>"No, Bridget, you are to stay here; your dinner will be brought to -you." Bridget flushed crimson.</p> - -<p>"I won't eat any dinner in this horrid room," she said; "I think I have -been treated shamefully. If my dinner is sent to me I won't eat it."</p> - -<p>"You can please yourself about that," said Miss Patience, in her -calmest voice. She left the room, closing the door behind her.</p> - -<p>Bridget felt a wild desire to rush after Miss Patience, and defying all -punishment and all commands, appear as usual in the dining room.</p> - -<p>Something, however, she could not tell what, restrained her from doing -this. She sank back again in her chair; angry tears rose to her bright -eyes, and burning spots appeared in her round cheeks.</p> - -<p>The door was opened, and a neatly dressed servant of the name of -Marshall entered, bearing a dinner tray.</p> - -<p>She was a tall, slight girl, fairly good-looking, and not too -strong-minded.</p> - -<p>"Here, Miss O'Hara," she said good-naturedly, "here's a lovely slice of -lamb; and I saved some peas for you. Them young ladies always do make -a rush on the peas, but I secured some in time. I'll bring you some -cherry tart presently, miss, and some whipped cream. You eat a good -dinner, miss, and forget your<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_67" id="Page_67">[Pg 67]</a></span> troubles; oh, dear! I don't like to see -young ladies in punishment—and that I don't!"</p> - -<p>While Marshall was speaking she looked down at the pretty and -rebellious young prisoner with marked interest.</p> - -<p>"I'd make it up if I was you, miss," she said.</p> - -<p>Marshall, with all her silliness, was a shrewd observer of character. -Had the girl in disgrace been Janet May or Dorothy Collingwood, she -would have known far better than to presume to address her; but Bridget -was on very familiar terms with her old nurse and with many of the -other servants at home, and it seemed quite reasonable to her that -Marshall should speak sympathetic words.</p> - -<p>"I can't eat, Marshall," she said. "I'm treated shamefully, and the -very nicest dinner wouldn't tempt me. You can take it away, for I can't -possibly touch a morsel. Oh, dear! oh, dear! how I do wish I were at -home again! What a horrid, horrid sort of place school is!"</p> - -<p>"Poor young lady!" said Marshall. "Anyone can see, Miss O'Hara, as -you aint accustomed to mean ways; you has your spirit, and I doubt me -if anyone can break it. You aint the sort for school—ef I may make -bold to say as much, you aint never been brought under. That's the -first thing they does at school; under you must go, whether you likes -it or not. Oh, dear, there's that bell, and it's for me—I must fly, -miss—but I do, humble as I am, sympathize with you most sincere. You -try and eat a bit of dinner, miss, do now—and I'll see if I can't get -some asparagus for you by and by, and, at any rate, you shall have the -tart and the whipped cream."</p> - -<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_68" id="Page_68">[Pg 68]</a></span></p> - -<p>"I can't eat anything, Marshall," said Bridget, shaking her head. "You -are kind; I see by your face that you are very kind. When I'm let -out of this horrid prison I'll give you some blue ribbon that I have -upstairs, and a string of Venetian beads. I dare say you're fond of -finery."</p> - -<p>"Oh, lor, miss, you're too good, but there's that bell again; I must -run this minute."</p> - -<p>Marshall departed, and Bridget lifted the cover from her plate and -looked at the nice hot lamb and green peas.</p> - -<p>Notwithstanding her vehement words, some decided pangs of hunger seized -her as she saw the tempting food, She remembered, however, that in -the old novels heroines in distress had never any appetite, and she -resolved to die rather than touch food while she was treated in so -disgraceful a manner.</p> - -<p>She leant back, therefore, in her chair and reflected with a sad sort -of pleasure on the sorrow which her father would feel when he learnt -that she had almost died of hunger and exhaustion at this cruel school.</p> - -<p>"He'll be sorry he sent me; he'll be sorry he listened to Aunt -Kathleen," she said to herself.</p> - -<p>A flash of self-pity filled her eyes, but there was some consolation in -reflecting on the fact that no one could force her to eat against her -will.</p> - -<p>Marshall reappeared with the asparagus and cherry tart.</p> - -<p>She gave Bridget a great deal of sympathy, adjured her to eat, shook -her head over her, and having gained a promise that a pair of long -suède gloves should be added to the ribbons and Venetian beads, went -away,<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_69" id="Page_69">[Pg 69]</a></span> having quite made up her mind to take Bridget's part through -thick and thin.</p> - -<p>"It's most mournful to see her, poor dear!" she muttered. "She's fat -and strong and hearty, but I know by the shape of her mouth that she's -that obstinate she won't touch any food, and she won't give in to obey -Mrs. Freeman, not if it's ever so. I do pity her, poor dear, and it -aint only for the sake of the things she gives me. Now let me see, -aint there anyone I can speak to about her? Oh, there's Miss Dorothy -Collingwood, she aint quite so 'aughty as the other young ladies; I -think I will try her, and see ef she couldn't bring the poor dear to -see reason."</p> - -<p>The girls were leaving the dining room while these thoughts were -flashing through Marshall's mind. Dorothy and Janet May were walking -side by side.</p> - -<p>"Miss Collingwood," said Marshall, in a timid whisper, "might I say a -word to you, miss?"</p> - -<p>"Yes, Marshall," said Dorothy; she stopped. Janet stopped also, and -gave Marshall a freezing glance.</p> - -<p>"We haven't a moment to lose, Dorothy," she said, "I want to speak to -you alone before the rest of the committee arrive. That point with -regard to Evelyn Percival must be settled. Perhaps your communication -can keep, Marshall."</p> - -<p>"No, miss, that it can't," said Marshall, who felt as she expressed it -afterward, "that royled by Miss May's 'aughty ways." "I won't keep Miss -Collingwood any time, miss, ef you'll be pleased to walk on."</p> - -<p>Janet was forced to comply, and Dorothy exclaimed eagerly:</p> - -<p>"Now, Marshall, what is it? How fussy and important you look!"</p> - -<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_70" id="Page_70">[Pg 70]</a></span></p> - -<p>"Oh, miss, it's that poor dear young lady."</p> - -<p>"What poor dear young lady?"</p> - -<p>"Miss Bridget O'Hara. She aint understood, and she's in punishment, -pore dear; shut up in Miss Patience's dull parlor. Mrs. Freeman don't -understand her. She aint the sort to be broke in, and if Mrs. Freeman -thinks she'll do it, she's fine and mistook. The pore dear is that -spirited she'd die afore she'd own herself wrong. Do you think, Miss -Collingwood, as she'd touch a morsel of her dinner? No, that she -wouldn't! Bite nor sup wouldn't pass her lips, although I tempted her -with a lamb chop and them beautiful marrow peas, and asparagus and -whipped cream and cherry tart. You can judge for yourself, miss, that -a healthy young lady with a good, fine appetite must be bad when she -refuses food of that sort!"</p> - -<p>"I'm very sorry, Marshall," said Dorothy, "but Miss O'Hara has really -been very naughty. You have heard, of course, of the carriage accident, -and how nearly Miss Percival was hurt. It's kind of you to plead for -Miss O'Hara, but she really does deserve rather severe punishment, and -Mrs. Freeman is most kind, as well as just. I don't really see how I -can interfere."</p> - -<p>"Are you coming, Dorothy?" called Janet May from the end of the passage.</p> - -<p>"Yes, in one minute, Janet! I don't know what I'm to do, Marshall," -continued Dorothy. "I should not venture to speak to Mrs. Freeman on -the subject; she would be very, very angry."</p> - -<p>"I don't mean that, miss; I mean that perhaps you'd talk to Miss -Bridget, and persuade her to do whatever Mrs. Freeman says is right. I -don't know what that is, of course, but you has a very kind way, Miss -Dorothy,<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_71" id="Page_71">[Pg 71]</a></span> and ef you would speak to Miss O'Hara, maybe she'd listen to -you."</p> - -<p>"Well, Marshall, I'll see what I can do. I must join Miss May now, for -we have something important to decide, but I won't forget your words."</p> - -<p>Marshall had to be comforted with this rather dubious speech, and -Dorothy ran on to join Janet.</p> - -<p>"Well," said Janet, "what did that impertinent servant want? I hope you -showed her her place, Dorothy? The idea of her presuming to stop us -when we were so busy!"</p> - -<p>"She's not at all impertinent," said Dorothy. "After all, Janet, -servants are flesh and blood, like the rest of us, and this poor -Marshall, although she's not the wisest of the wise, is a good-natured -creature. What do you think she wanted?"</p> - -<p>"How can I possibly guess?"</p> - -<p>"She was interceding for Bridget," said Dorothy.</p> - -<p>"Bridget O'Hara!" exclaimed Janet, "that incorrigible, unpleasant girl? -Why <i>did</i> you waste your time listening to her?"</p> - -<p>"I could not help myself," replied Dorothy. "You know, of course, -Janet, what Bridget did last night?"</p> - -<p>"Yes, yes, I know," replied Janet, with a sneer; "she did something -which shook the nerves of our beloved favorite. Had anyone else given -Miss Percival her little fright, I could have forgiven her!"</p> - -<p>"Janet, I wish you would not speak in that bitter way."</p> - -<p>"I can't help it, my dear; I'm honest, whatever I am."</p> - -<p>"But why will you dislike our dear Evelyn?"</p> - -<p>"We won't discuss the whys nor the wherefores; the fact remains that I -do dislike her."</p> - -<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_72" id="Page_72">[Pg 72]</a></span></p> - -<p>"And you also dislike poor Bridget? I can't imagine why you take such -strong prejudices."</p> - -<p>"As to disliking Miss O'Hara, it's more a case of despising; she's -beneath my dislike."</p> - -<p>"Well, she's in trouble now," said Dorothy, with a sigh. "I think you -are very much mistaken in her, Janet; she's a very original, clever, -amusing girl. I find her tiresome at times, and I admit that she's -dreadfully naughty, but it's the sort of naughtiness which comes from -simply not knowing. The accident last night might have been a dreadful -one, and Bridget certainly deserves the punishment she has got; all the -same;—I'm very sorry for her."</p> - -<p>"I can't share your sorrow," replied Janet. "If her punishment, -whatever it is, deprives us of her charming society for a few days, it -will be a boon to the entire school. I noticed that she was absent from -dinner, and I will own I have not had a pleasanter meal for some time."</p> - -<p>"Well, Marshall is unhappy about her," replied Dorothy. "She said that -Bridget would not touch her dinner. I don't exactly know what Mrs. -Freeman means to do about her, but the poor girl is a prisoner in Miss -Patience's dull little sitting room for the present."</p> - -<p>"Hurrah! Hurrah! Long may she stay there! Now, do let us drop this -tiresome subject. We have only ten minutes to ourselves before the rest -of the committee arrive, and that point with regard to Evelyn Percival -must be arranged. Come, Dorothy, let us race each other to the Lookout!"</p> - -<hr /> - -<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_73" id="Page_73">[Pg 73]</a></span></p> - -<h2><span>CHAPTER VII.</span> <span class="smaller">WHO IS TO PROVIDE THE NEEDFUL?</span></h2> - -<p>Fast as they ran, however, the two girls were not the first at the -place of rendezvous. Olive and Ruth, and another girl of the name of -Frances Murray, were all waiting for them when they arrived.</p> - -<p>These three girls, with Janet and Dorothy, were the members of the -committee who were managing all the affairs of the Fancy Fair.</p> - -<p>The subject now to be brought under discussion was whether Evelyn -Percival, the head girl of the school, should be asked to join the -committee.</p> - -<p>Janet was very much opposed to the idea; the other girls, for more -reasons than one, were in favor of it.</p> - -<p>Evelyn was popular; she had a very clear head, she had a good many -original, as well as sensible ideas; last, but not least, she was rich. -If Evelyn took up the idea of the Fancy Fair with enthusiasm, the -scheme would certainly succeed, for she would spare neither time nor -money on the cause. She would, however, also, in the natural sequence -of things, become immediately the guiding spirit of the scheme.</p> - -<p>Janet was head at present; Janet first thought of the Fancy Fair. A -little boy in the neighborhood had lost his father and mother; the -father had been drowned at sea, the mother had died of the shock—the -baby-boy <span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_74" id="Page_74">[Pg 74]</a></span>of a year old had been left without either friends or -providers.</p> - -<p>When out walking one day, Janet and one of her companions met the -child, who was a beautiful boy, with picturesque hair and one of those -fair, sweet faces which appeal straight to the hearts of all women. A -little barefoot and slip-shod girl was carrying the child. Janet and -her companion stopped to speak to him; his sad story was told by his -eager little nurse. The girls were full of sympathy; even Janet May's -languid interest was aroused. She was poor, but she took half a crown -out of her purse and gave it to the beautiful baby; her companion -immediately followed suit. Janet and her friend talked of the boy all -the way home, and that evening the Fancy Fair was first mooted as a -means of raising a substantial sum of money for little Tim's benefit.</p> - -<p>Mrs. Freeman was only too pleased to see the rather cold-hearted Janet -May roused to take an interest in another. She gave her sanction to -the girls' ideas, and the Fancy Fair was now the principal object of -conversation in the school. The girls liked to think they were working -for little Tim, and Janet secured more affectionate glances and more -pleasant words than she had ever received before in the school. She -enjoyed herself greatly. Ambition was her strongest point, and that -side of her character was being abundantly gratified. She was looked up -to, consulted, praised; she was the head of the committee. Janet liked -to be first; she was first now, with a vengeance. No fear of anyone -else even trying to claim this envied position. Janet was clever; she -had a good head for business; she was first; the glory of the scheme -was hers; the<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_75" id="Page_75">[Pg 75]</a></span> praise, if it succeeded, would be hers. It was all -delightful, and nothing came to dim her ardor until the news reached -her that Evelyn Percival had recovered and was returning to the school.</p> - -<p>This news was most unwelcome to Janet. Everybody loved Evelyn; she was -the head girl. If she joined the committee she would be expected to -take the lead; Janet would be no longer first. If such a catastrophe -occurred, Janet felt that the Fancy Fair would immediately lose all -interest in her eyes. Her object of objects now was, whether by foul -means or fair, to keep Evelyn Percival from being asked to join the -committee.</p> - -<p>She knew that her task would be a delicate one, as it would be -impossible for her to give the real reasons for her strong objection to -Evelyn being on the committee.</p> - -<p>"Well, girls, here you are!" sang out Frances Murray, as the two, -panting and breathless, ran up the winding stairs of the little tower. -"We thought you weren't coming; but three make a quorum, and we were -about to transact the business ourselves; weren't we, Ruth?"</p> - -<p>"Yes," said Ruth, in her prim, somewhat matter-of-fact voice; "but," -she added, glancing at Janet, "we are only too delighted that you have -come, Janey, for what really important step can be taken with regard to -the fair without your advice?"</p> - -<p>"Of course," echoed Olive; "it is dear old Janey's idea from first to -last. Sit here, Janet, love; won't you, next me? It is very hot up -here, but there's nice shade under my big umbrella."</p> - -<p>Janet took very little notice of her satellites Ruth and Olive. They -were useful to her, of course, but in<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_76" id="Page_76">[Pg 76]</a></span> her heart of hearts she rather -despised them. She was by no means sure of their being faithful to her -in case anything occurred to make it more for their own interest to go -over to the other side.</p> - -<p>"Sit down, sit down, and let us begin!" said Frances, who was a very -downright, honest sort of girl. "What I want to do is to get to -business. The fair is only three weeks off. We have committed ourselves -to it, and we have really made very little way. The idea of the fair -is, of course, Janet's, and she's the head for the present; but when -Evelyn joins us, we'll have a lot of fresh force put into everything. -Mrs. Freeman says that Evelyn is better, and that she will be down to -supper this evening, and I vote that we tell her about the fair then, -and ask her at once to come on the committee. What do you say, Dolly?"</p> - -<p>"I agree, of course," said Dorothy. "Evelyn is delightful; and she has -such a lot of tact and sense that having her with us will insure the -success of the fair."</p> - -<p>"Well, that is our principal business to-day," continued Frances. "We -can soon put it to the vote, and then each member of the committee can -join her own working party, and get things as forward as possible. For -my part, I can't get the girls to do much needlework this hot weather. -I have done everything in my power to incite them; little Tim's -destitute condition has been aired before their eyes so often that it -begins to lose its effect. The girls who are well off say they will buy -things, or write to their several homes for them, and the girls who are -badly off simply loll about and do nothing."</p> - -<p>"You have not sufficient influence, Frances," said Janet, some -angry spots coming into her cool, pale<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_77" id="Page_77">[Pg 77]</a></span> cheeks. "Now, my girls work -extraordinarily well. Annie and Violet, and Rosy and Mamie, are -painting some beautiful fans; they will be really artistic, and will -fetch a good price. All that is wanted is to get a girl to take up -the work she is really interested in. She'll do it fast enough then. -You can't expect anyone to care to hem stupid pinafores, and to make -babies' frocks this weather."</p> - -<p>Frances colored; she had no love for Janet, whose ideas on every point -were opposed to her own.</p> - -<p>"It's all very well to sneer at my pinafores and babies' frocks," she -exclaimed; "but when people go to bazaars they like to buy useful -articles. Your ideas are all very well, but you carry your art mania -too far; however, when Evelyn is with us she'll make everything smooth. -How glad I am that she has come back in time! Now then, who'll vote to -have her asked to join the committee?"</p> - -<p>"I will, of course," said Dorothy Collingwood. Janet was silent; she -walked across the little platform at the top of the Lookout, and -leant over the low parapet. Ruth and Olive were also silent; they -cast anxious and undecided glances at their friend's back. They knew -by her attitude that she was waiting for them to speak. In her heart -Ruth adored Evelyn, but she was more or less in Janet's power, who had -helped her many times with her more difficult lessons. Olive also felt -that up to the present it would be her best policy to side with Janet.</p> - -<p>"Well, Ruth, you, of course, wish us to ask Evelyn to join," said -Frances, fixing her bright eyes on the girl.</p> - -<p>"I—I don't know," said Ruth, in a hesitating voice.</p> - -<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_78" id="Page_78">[Pg 78]</a></span></p> - -<p>"It might rather upset arrangements now," faltered Olive.</p> - -<p>"Yes, I agree," said Janet, flashing round; "I agree with Ruth and -Olive."</p> - -<p>"Ruth doesn't know her own mind, so you can't agree with her," -interrupted Frances.</p> - -<p>"Yes, Ruth does know her own mind," said Janet; "she's a little bit -timid, I grant, but she knows it well enough. You don't want Evelyn to -be asked to join us, do you, Ruthy?"</p> - -<p>"No," said Ruth, with sudden boldness, "no, I don't."</p> - -<p>"Well, then, the votes are against you, Frances," said Janet; "so the -matter is settled; three against two. I suppose we needn't waste any -more time now; we can all go away and set to work."</p> - -<p>"No; wait a minute," said Dorothy. "The decision you have come to, -Janet—of course, Olive and Ruth always go with you; you know that, so -they scarcely count—the decision you have come to seems to us most -extraordinary. You offer a direct slight to Evelyn Percival; you leave -her out in the cold. I do not see that there is anything for it, but -for Frances and me to send in our resignations, if Evelyn is not to -join us."</p> - -<p>"I have very good reasons for what I am doing," said Janet. "When I -stayed with my aunt, Mrs. Greville, last summer, she had a Fancy Fair -very much on the lines on which I propose to conduct ours. At the last -moment a lady of influence in the neighborhood was asked to join. She -was very nice and very important, just as Evelyn is very nice and -very important, and the people said just what you say now, that they -could not possibly do without her, and that it would be a great slight -not to have her. Well, she was asked at the<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_79" id="Page_79">[Pg 79]</a></span> eleventh hour to come -on the committee, and from that moment everyone else's arrangements -were turned topsy-turvy, and the fair was an absolute failure. Had -Evelyn been here at the beginning, we could not have helped asking -her to join, but I know that it's a mistake now. I don't think I'm -unreasonable in saying this."</p> - -<p>Janet had great control of her emotions, and her words, now uttered -very calmly and quietly, had a certain effect upon Frances Murray.</p> - -<p>"There's something in what you say," she remarked after a pause. "Of -course, Evelyn might be told that matters are too advanced now for her -to take any active part, but there is another matter, Janet, which -you have overlooked. It is this: There is not a single rich person on -our committee. I am as poor as a church mouse, and am not ashamed to -own it. I don't suppose you are overburdened with pelf, and I know -that Dolly and Ruth and Olive are not oppressed with the weight of -their purses. Now, Evelyn is rich. If Evelyn took an interest in this -bazaar, she would think nothing of spending five or six pounds in -buying all sorts of pretty things; she would send to London and have -some big packets sent down full of those sorts of little fresh tempting -<i>souvenirs</i> which people always take a fancy to at bazaars and always -buy."</p> - -<p>While Frances was speaking, Janet turned rather pale. She had foreseen -this great difficulty, and was much puzzled to know how to get over it.</p> - -<p>"The fact is," said Dolly, "there are only two really rich girls in the -school. Evelyn is one, and that poor wild little Biddy is the other."</p> - -<p>"Is Bridget O'Hara rich?" asked Janet suddenly.</p> - -<p>"Rich? I should think so. Mrs. Freeman told me<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_80" id="Page_80">[Pg 80]</a></span> one day that the poor -child is an heiress, and will have more money than she knows what to do -with."</p> - -<p>"Why do you talk of an heiress as 'a poor child,' Dorothy?" said Janet. -"That kind of speech sounds so affected and out of date."</p> - -<p>"Well, you needn't be cross to me," said Dorothy. "I do pity Bridget -very much; she will have a lot of responsibility by and by, and up to -the present she certainly has no wise ideas with regard to her future."</p> - -<p>"Poor dear," said Janet, with a little sneer, "her position is truly -afflicting."</p> - -<p>"Well, well, do let us return to business," said Frances. "Is Evelyn to -be asked to join or not? We all know that Janet doesn't love her; we -can't make out why, but we are not going to trouble ourselves on that -score. I repeat that it is a slight to Evelyn not to ask her to join, -but that fact may be glossed over by making a great deal of the fact -that she was not here at the beginning. We might support you, Janet, in -this, in order that you might retain your dearly coveted position as -head of the fair."</p> - -<p>"I don't care a bit about that," said Janet, coloring high.</p> - -<p>"Now, my dear; now, my dear, don't let that graceful little tongue lend -itself to a wicked story. However, to return to business. If we exclude -Evelyn from taking an active part in the arrangements of the fair, who -is to provide the needful? Now, Janet May, there's a puzzler for you; -answer it if you can."</p> - -<p>Janet walked over to the little parapet, and, leaning against it, -looked out over the dazzling, dancing summer sea. She was silent for a -full moment, then she turned slowly and looked at her companions.</p> - -<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_81" id="Page_81">[Pg 81]</a></span></p> - -<p>"I own that the money is a sore puzzle," she said. "It goes without -saying that we must have money. Give me twenty-four hours, girls, to -think what is best to be done. If, at the end of that time, I have -thought of no expedient, I will own myself defeated, and will withdraw -my opposition to Evelyn Percival being asked to join."</p> - -<hr /> - -<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_82" id="Page_82">[Pg 82]</a></span></p> - -<h2><span>CHAPTER VIII.</span> <span class="smaller">THE "JANET MAY STALL."</span></h2> - -<p>The several girls of the committee separated, and went to join the -different parties who were working for the Fancy Fair.</p> - -<p>Almost every girl in the school had volunteered to do something, and -on this long, lovely half-holiday they had decided to take their work -out to different parts of the grounds, where they sat, some under the -shelter of the wide-spreading beech trees, others in the summerhouses, -or tents, which were scattered here and there in the grounds.</p> - -<p>Ruth, who had a certain gift for management, was helping three or four -of the smaller girls to make some patchwork quilts, but Olive had -decided to keep with Janet and help her as much as possible.</p> - -<p>Janet's party had assembled in a large, roomy summerhouse. There was a -rustic table in the middle, and rustic chairs and benches surrounded -it. Here six girls, all of whom belonged to the lower school, were -sitting round a table laughing and chatting merrily. Some bits of -colored silk, some gay chintzes, a heap of wools for crewel work, -several boxes of water-color paints, some pieces of cardboard, some -fans, screens, and pretty baskets were scattered about.</p> - -<p>The girls were waiting for Janet and Ruth. They were not disposed to -work. They lolled about and<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_83" id="Page_83">[Pg 83]</a></span> laughed, and looked somewhat wistfully at -the lovely outer world, with the flickering shadows on the grass, and -the dancing, happy sunshine making itself felt through everything.</p> - -<p>"Even a Fancy Fair is a bore," said pretty little Violet to her crony -Nora.</p> - -<p>"But then we are doing it for Tim," said Alice, raising her charming, -sweet face, and blushing as she spoke.</p> - -<p>"Yes," retorted Violet again; "I think of Tim all the time, and how -nice it will be to collect money for the little darling, and how happy -we'll be in the long vacation, when we remember how we saved the pet -from going to the workhouse, but still I do want to bathe awfully -to-day, and however hard I think of the good this Fancy Fair is going -to do, I cannot help being lazy this hot weather."</p> - -<p>"Did you know, girls," exclaimed Nora, "that Bridget can swim and dive? -She made a bet yesterday in the school that if we dropped sixpence into -the sea she'd bring it up again in her mouth. She did really; she was -most positive about it. Mary Hill and Cissy Jones bet against her that -she wouldn't, but she was so fierce, and said she had done it fifty -times before in the lake at home. I do love Bridget, don't you, Violet?"</p> - -<p>"Yes, I adore her," said Violet, "she's quite the jolliest girl I ever -came across. I'm awfully sorry she has got into trouble, and I hope -Mrs. Freeman will soon forgive her. Poor dear, she doesn't mean to do -wrong, and she is such fun."</p> - -<p>"She's like a big baby," said Alice; "but all the same, it is wrong of -her to bet, isn't it?"</p> - -<p>"I don't know," replied Violet; "the way Biddy does<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_84" id="Page_84">[Pg 84]</a></span> things makes them -appear not a bit wrong. I should like awfully to see her bring up -that sixpence in her mouth. But hush, let us pretend to be talking of -something else, for here comes Janet and that nasty Olive."</p> - -<p>"Janet is really very nice about this fair," said Alice; "but she hates -Biddy, and she has always hated darling Evelyn; it is so funny!"</p> - -<p>"O Alice, do shut up," exclaimed Violet. "Here's Janet coming in. Let's -pretend to be talking of something else."</p> - -<p>The little girls bent their heads together, pulled forward their -different working materials, and looked busy and important when Janet -and Olive came in.</p> - -<p>"Well, girls," said Janet, "I hope you are making lots of progress. -How about that fan, Alice? Oh, you naughty puss, you have not touched -it yet to-day. Now set to work; do set to work. Violet, how is your -mat getting on? Let me look at it, dear; very pretty indeed; don't you -think you could finish it to-day? Molly," turning to the smallest girl -in the summerhouse, "you said you would paint some ribbon markers. -Have you begun them yet? No, I see you haven't. Sit down now, you lazy -darling, and try to make good progress."</p> - -<p>Janet's tone was bright and confident. It had immediate effect upon, -the children, stimulating their listlessness, and exciting them to work -with energy.</p> - -<p>Janet herself sat near the entrance of the summerhouse. She had an -easel in front of her, and was painting an exquisite little water-color -from nature. Janet had great talent for a certain kind of painting. -There<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_85" id="Page_85">[Pg 85]</a></span> was nothing bold nor masterful in her work, but her touch was -true and delicate, and in a small way she could produce a very pretty -effect.</p> - -<p>The younger girls thought Janet's painting perfection, and they stole -up now, one by one, to look at her work and to give enthusiastic -opinions with regard to it.</p> - -<p>Their little comments were delightful to her. She had a great thirst -for praise, and could swallow it in any guise.</p> - -<p>While she worked, however, her thoughts were very busy; she had to -solve a difficult problem, and had only a few hours to do it in.</p> - -<p>After a long period of silence a remark dropped from her lips.</p> - -<p>"I have made up my mind," she said, turning round and addressing all -the children.</p> - -<p>"O Janey, what have you thought of now?" asked Alice, raising her -pretty flushed face, and pushing aside her painting.</p> - -<p>"Take care of messing that fan, dear; you are painting in that red -poppy very nicely," answered Janet. "Well, girls, I have made up my -mind."</p> - -<p>"Yes, Janey, yes; what about?" they all answered.</p> - -<p>"Our stall is to be far and away the most beautiful at the Fancy Fair."</p> - -<p>"Three cheers!" exclaimed the children, but then Alice said in a -wistful tone:</p> - -<p>"I don't see how it can be, Janet, for we are none of us rich. I heard -Dolly say this morning that Evelyn's stall would certainly be far and -away the best, for she was the only one of us who had money."</p> - -<p>"Evelyn may not have a stall at all," said Janet, "but, in any case, -if you six little girls will back me,<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_86" id="Page_86">[Pg 86]</a></span> and if Olive—I can answer for -Olive that she will do her best—if Olive will help also, our stall -will be the richest and the most lovely at the fair. Will you trust me -to manage this, children?"</p> - -<p>"Of course, Janet!" replied Nora, her eyes sparkling.</p> - -<p>"Now I tell you what," said Janet, "I know pretty well what the other -girls are doing. Frances Murray's girls are going in for the sober and -useful; Dorothy Collingwood's are working with a will on the same dull -lines. Poor old Ruth—oh, I'm not disparaging her—can't rise above her -patchwork quilts, whereas we, we alone, have embraced <span class="smcap">ART</span>. -Girls, the combination of <i>art</i> and <i>money</i> will produce the most -lovely stall at the fair. Now I have spoken! You stick to me, girls, -and keep your secret to yourselves. Say nothing, but determine, every -one of you, to do her utmost, not only for little Tim, but for the -glory of the 'Janet May Stall.'"</p> - -<p>"We will, we will!" said the children.</p> - -<p>They were quite impressed by Janet's enthusiasm, and looked upon their -own humble little efforts in the great field of art with some awe.</p> - -<p>"It shall be done!" said Janet. "You have my word for it; I can, I will -manage it. I shall take immediate steps. Olive, will you look after the -girls during the remainder of this afternoon? I must do something at -once to secure our ends."</p> - -<p>Janet walked quickly back to the house. She was so lost in thought that -she never saw a girl who was running full tilt against her.</p> - -<p>"A penny for your thoughts, Janey!" exclaimed Dorothy Collingwood. -"I never saw your brow so knit with care, my love. What <i>can</i> be the -matter? Is<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_87" id="Page_87">[Pg 87]</a></span> the problem you have got to solve within twenty-four hours -so intensely difficult?"</p> - -<p>"It is difficult, Dorothy," replied Janet. "But, puzzling as it is, I -am not going to allow it to conquer me. By the way, that reminds me; -have you just come from the prisoner?"</p> - -<p>"What prisoner?"</p> - -<p>"That sweet Irish maid, Bridget O'Hara."</p> - -<p>"No, I haven't, Janet; I have not forgotten her by any means. But I -suppose I ought to ask Mrs. Freeman's leave before I visit her."</p> - -<p>"Well, can't you ask it?"</p> - -<p>"I have been looking all over the place for her, but can't find her -anywhere. I am ever so sorry, for I should like to see Biddy, and I am -sure I could exercise a little influence over her. However, there is -nothing to be done until I get Mrs. Freeman's permission, and, as I'm -going up to Evelyn now, poor Biddy must ponder over her shortcomings -for at least another hour."</p> - -<p>"What a happy girl you are, Dorothy!" said Janet. "Just fancy spending -all one's time between the good and the naughty favorite of the school. -Oh, what will not money effect!"</p> - -<p>"I did not know before that poor Biddy was the favorite of the school," -said Dorothy. "I wish you would not speak in such a satirical way, -Janet. What is the good of trying to throw scorn on Evelyn? People -only dislike you when you speak like that, and I earnestly wish you -wouldn't."</p> - -<p>"You are a good little soul, Dolly," said Janet, "but I must speak -as the spirit moves me. Now don't let me keep you from your darling. -There! I'll try and tolerate her for your sake."</p> - -<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_88" id="Page_88">[Pg 88]</a></span></p> - -<p>Dorothy ran off, and Janet walked slowly past the front of the house, -her brow knit in anxious thought.</p> - -<p>She had reached a little wicket gate, which led round to the back -premises, when she was suddenly startled by finding herself face to -face with Mrs. Freeman.</p> - -<p>For a moment a flood of color rushed to her cheeks. She felt inclined -to pass her mistress with a brief salutation; then another impulse -arrested her steps.</p> - -<p>"Mrs. Freeman," she said, "may I speak to you for a moment?"</p> - -<p>"Certainly, my dear! Can I do anything for you?"</p> - -<p>"I should like to ask a favor of you."</p> - -<p>"Well, Janet, you don't very often petition for my small mercies. You -are a good girl, studious and attentive. Your masters and mistresses -always give me pleasant reports of your progress. Now, what can I do -for you?"</p> - -<p>"I've been told that Bridget O'Hara is under punishment. I should very -much like to see her."</p> - -<p>This request of Janet's evidently astonished Mrs. Freeman. She looked -attentively at her pupil, then said in a voice of surprise:</p> - -<p>"I did not even know that you were friends."</p> - -<p>"Nor are we. I think without any doubt we are at the antipodes in -everything. But—I am sorry for a girl who is under punishment. I -thought perhaps I might say something to her about—submitting. -She might take it better from one of her schoolfellows than from a -mistress. This occurred to me, but perhaps I am only taking a liberty."</p> - -<p>"By no means, Janet. I frankly say I am pleased and surprised at your -thoughtfulness. I confess to<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_89" id="Page_89">[Pg 89]</a></span> you, my dear, that Bridget is a very -difficult girl to manage."</p> - -<p>"I am sure of that!"</p> - -<p>"Very, very difficult. The care of her weighs heavily on me. I -sympathize with her in some things. She is full of good impulses, but -her character—well, it has not been trained at all. Are you likely to -be able to influence her, Janet?"</p> - -<p>"I could but do my best!"</p> - -<p>Mrs. Freeman paused to consider.</p> - -<p>"Had Dorothy made this petition," she said then, "I should have granted -it, as a matter of course. Dorothy has always tried to be nice to -Bridget, and it would have been like her to do a kindness now. Dorothy, -however, has come to me with no such request, and you have, Janet. I am -pleased with your thoughtfulness. I shall certainly not refuse you. Go -to her, dear, and say what is in your heart. You have my best wishes!"</p> - -<p>"Thank you, Mrs. Freeman," said Janet, in her low, pretty voice. She -tripped away, and a moment later was knocking at Miss Patience's -sitting-room door.</p> - -<p>"Come in, whoever you are!" said a sulky voice from the interior of the -room.</p> - -<p>Janet opened the door, shut it carefully behind her, and advanced to -the table, on the edge of which Bridget had perched herself as if she -were on horseback.</p> - -<p>"Well, what do you want now that you have come?" asked Miss O'Hara, in -her proudest voice. "You never liked me, so I suppose you are awfully -pleased to see me like this?"</p> - -<p>"Now do hush," said Janet. "I have not come in an<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_90" id="Page_90">[Pg 90]</a></span> unkind spirit. You -must really listen, Bridget, to what I have come to say. I am the very -first of your schoolfellows to visit you, and <i>would</i> I trouble to come -if I did not mean it kindly?"</p> - -<p>Janet's voice was the essence of gentle calm. It affected poor -tempest-tossed Biddy, who jumped down from her imaginary horse, and -leant up against the window-sill, a strikingly handsome, but defiant -looking young sinner.</p> - -<p>"I suppose you do mean it kindly," she said, "and you are the first of -the girls to look me up. But you are sure Mrs. Freeman did not send -you?"</p> - -<p>"She knows that I have come, but she certainly did not send me."</p> - -<p>"Well, I suppose it's good-natured of you. I thought Dolly Collingwood -would have come to me before now, but it's 'out of sight, out of mind' -with her as with the rest of them."</p> - -<p>"Dorothy, at the present moment, is with Evelyn Percival."</p> - -<p>"The girl who was thrown out of the carriage last night—the queen of -the school? I may be thankful she was not badly hurt, poor dear."</p> - -<p>Janet did not say anything. Bridget turned to the window, and began to -beat a tattoo on the pane with her knuckles.</p> - -<p>"Look here," she said again, after a pause, "now that you are here, -what do you want? It's good-natured of you to come, of course, but I -can't make out what good you are likely to do."</p> - -<p>"Yes. I shall do plenty of good," said Janet, in her assured tones. "I -am going to give you some advice which you will be very glad to take."</p> - -<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_91" id="Page_91">[Pg 91]</a></span></p> - -<p>"Indeed, then, you are finely mistaken. I'll be nothing of the kind."</p> - -<p>"You've not heard what I'm going to say, yet. Won't you sit down and -let us be comfortable?"</p> - -<p>"You can sit if you fancy it. I prefer standing."</p> - -<p>"Very well; we shall both be pleased. This is a very comfortable chair."</p> - -<p>Janet sank back in it, and raised her placid face to Bridget's. The -two girls were in all particulars contrasts. Biddy's curls were now a -mop; a wild, aggressive, almost disreputable looking mop. Her white -dress was draggled and crumpled, her cheeks were deeply flushed, her -eyes flashed ominous fire, her proud lips took many haughty and defiant -curves. Janet, in contradistinction to all this, was the soul of neat -commonplace. Her pale blue cambric frock fitted her neat figure like a -glove. She had white linen cuffs at her wrists; her little hands were -exquisitely clean; her fair face looked the essence of peace. Her neat, -smooth head of light hair shone like satin.</p> - -<p>"I am anxious about you," said Janet. "I can see quite plainly that you -are going all wrong."</p> - -<p>Bridget gave a sort of snort.</p> - -<p>Janet held up her small hand imploringly.</p> - -<p>"Do listen," she said. "How can I explain myself if you interrupt me -each moment?"</p> - -<p>"But you never liked me, Janey. You have shown that all too plainly. I -cannot imagine what you are prying into my affairs for. Now if Dolly -came——"</p> - -<p>"Dolly has not come, and I have. Now, will you listen. I will frankly -say that I did not care about you when you first came to the school. -When I saw you so—so defiant, Bridget, so proud, so free, so -absolutely<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_92" id="Page_92">[Pg 92]</a></span> fearless; when I saw you with all these characteristics, -taking people by storm, for you know you did take the little girls of -the school quite by storm, I felt a sense of strong irritation against -you. I never met a girl like you before; you puzzled me; you did not -please me. Now, I am going to be quite frank; I do not really like you -much better now, but as I see that you fully intend to be on my side, -it is impossible for me any longer not to take your part."</p> - -<p>"I fully intend to be on your side?" repeated Bridget. "Indeed, then, I -don't, and I may as well say so frankly at once."</p> - -<p>"Yes, Bridget, you do; you can't help yourself, for you and I will in -future have good cause to hate the same girl."</p> - -<p>"What girl?'</p> - -<p>"Evelyn Percival; the one you have just spoken of as the queen of the -school."</p> - -<p>"The darling!" exclaimed Bridget, "and why in the name of goodness am I -to hate her?"</p> - -<p>"Well, you must be a poor-spirited thing if you don't. May I ask if -you would have got into your present scrape but for her? Have you not -before this disobeyed Mrs. Freeman? Up to last night she took pity on -you; she said to herself: 'Bridget knows nothing of the rules of the -school; Bridget has never been accustomed to obey any rules, I will be -merciful to her, I will be lenient, I will never forget that Biddy has -been queen in her Irish home.'"</p> - -<p>"Oh, don't talk to me about my home," said Bridget, her lips quivering, -her eyes filling with tears.</p> - -<p>"Yes; but is it not true, Bridget? Has not Mrs. Freeman been very -lenient to you in the past?"</p> - -<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_93" id="Page_93">[Pg 93]</a></span></p> - -<p>"I suppose she has. I never thought much about it. I scraped along -somehow; I was happy enough."</p> - -<p>"Well, was she lenient to you to-day?"</p> - -<p>"Need you ask, Janet? I'm a prisoner; a close prisoner in this -abominable room. Such treatment will soon kill me. I can't eat; I shall -soon die of misery."</p> - -<p>"It is hard on you, Bridget; you are exactly like a wild bird of the -woods put into a cage."</p> - -<p>"Yes, that's it; and the captive bird will break its heart."</p> - -<p>"Poor Bridget! I didn't like you in your free days, but I'm willing to -own that I pity you now."</p> - -<p>"Thank you, thank you; but I hate pity. Whoever would think of offering -pity to Bridget O'Hara at home?"</p> - -<p>"But Bridget O'Hara is no longer at home; she is a captive in a strange -land. Don't cry, Biddy. Let us leave sentimentalities now, and come to -facts. Whom do you think you owe this severe treatment to?"</p> - -<p>"I am sure I can't tell you."</p> - -<p>"I can tell you, however. You owe it entirely—to Evelyn Percival."</p> - -<p>"Now what do you mean? that nice girl whom I nearly killed?"</p> - -<p>"You didn't nearly kill her; that's all stuff! Bridget, you don't know -Evelyn Percival, but I do. Had any other girl been in the carriage when -you and the children startled the horses, you would have been forgiven. -Mrs. Freeman would still have remembered that you were unaccustomed -to rules, and she would have tried to break you in gently and -considerately; but as Evelyn happened to be the person whose delicate -nerves sustained a shock, Mrs. Freeman was incapable of<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_94" id="Page_94">[Pg 94]</a></span> showing any -mercy. Evelyn Percival poses in the school as a sort of saint. Nearly -everyone bows down to her; Mrs. Freeman, head mistress though she is, -is so influenced by her that you are sure to have a bad time in future."</p> - -<p>"I shan't stand it; it isn't likely."</p> - -<p>"You will be forced to stand it. If Evelyn gives the smallest -suggestion about you, it will be certain to be followed out. I pity -you, Bridget, but you are certainly likely to have a lively time."</p> - -<p>"You don't mean to tell me," answered Bridget, "that I have to thank -Miss Percival for this punishment; that it is at her instigation I am -here?"</p> - -<p>"You are certainly here at no one else's instigation."</p> - -<p>"Did she tell Mrs. Freeman to make a close prisoner of me, and to -starve me?"</p> - -<p>"It is your own fault if you are starved, Bridget; don't exaggerate, -my dear; you do no good by that. As to your being made a prisoner, you -certainly owe it to Evelyn. She can say things, even though she does -not put them into words."</p> - -<p>"Oh, I understand," said Bridget. She turned again to look out of the -window, and her impatient fingers once more played a tattoo on the -glass.</p> - -<p>"Evelyn is most popular," continued Janet, "for the simple reason that -people don't read her through and through. I can see beneath that -sweet, saintly calm, and I honestly say that I cannot bear her. Now, -Bridget, if you will come on my side, if you will join me in opposing -the pernicious influence that girl exercises, I can help you out of -this scrape without allowing you to humiliate yourself, and I can at -the same<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_95" id="Page_95">[Pg 95]</a></span> time put you up to having the nicest little revenge in the -world on this delightful Miss Percival."</p> - -<p>"But Dorothy believes in her, and Dorothy is so sweet and kind," -exclaimed Bridget, in perplexity.</p> - -<p>"Poor, dear Dolly," exclaimed Janet, "anyone can take her in; but you, -my dear, although you are not very learned, are clever. However, this -is your own concern. If you like to stay in this hot room until Mrs. -Freeman breaks in your proud spirit, and if you like to submit to the -many indignities which I can plainly see are before you, that, of -course, is your affair. I thought it only kind to warn you, but perhaps -I have interfered unwarrantably. If so, forgive me."</p> - -<p>Janet rose as she spoke, and took a step or two toward the door.</p> - -<p>"No, don't go," exclaimed Biddy. "You puzzle me very much; there's no -one in the world who hates mean ways more than I do, and if Evelyn is -that sort——"</p> - -<p>"She is that sort, Bridget."</p> - -<p>"Well, well!" Bridget turned again to the window.</p> - -<p>"What am I to do, Janet?" she said, after a pause. Her tone was quite -humble; there was a crushed expression in her face.</p> - -<p>"Poor old thing!" said Janet, in her light, silvery voice. She went up -to Bridget, and gave her a careless kiss on her cheek. She could afford -to do this, for she knew the victory was hers.</p> - -<p>"In the future I will be your friend," she said; "you may rely upon me. -We are going to choose fresh chums in a week's time. Suppose we choose -one another. I know we are not a bit alike, but that's just the very -thing; opposites should keep together. However, there's time enough to -settle that presently."</p> - -<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_96" id="Page_96">[Pg 96]</a></span></p> - -<p>"Yes, quite time enough," said Bridget. "I thought that I'd take Dolly -for my chum."</p> - -<p>"You can't get her, my dear; she's bespoken to Evelyn long ago."</p> - -<p>"That horrid Evelyn!" Bridget stamped her foot impatiently.</p> - -<p>"Ah, I see, Biddy, that you and I will get on capitally. I could kiss -you again, but kissing isn't my way. Now then to business. The first -thing is to get you out of this room."</p> - -<p>"How is that to be effected? Mrs. Freeman says that I am to stay here -until I promise to obey the rules of the school. I can't obey them, so -I suppose I'm to stay here until I die."</p> - -<p>"And why can't you obey them, Bridget?"</p> - -<p>"Why can't I obey the rules of the school? We are not likely to be -chums if you talk to me in that fashion, Janet."</p> - -<p>"Now, my dear, I must just reason with you a little. You say you can't -obey the rules of the school; you say so because you fail to understand -them. If you put yourself under my guidance, and I am quite willing to -take charge of you, I will show you that you can obey them sufficiently -to keep yourself out of all serious scrapes, and yet at the same time -you will enjoy as much liberty as any girl need desire. Do you think I -am unhappy on account of the rules of the school?"</p> - -<p>"No; but you haven't got a wild heart like me."</p> - -<p>"Poor Biddy, I'll take care of your wild heart. It was ill-natured of -me not to see after you before, but in the future, my dear, you are -quite safe. I am going to fetch Mrs. Freeman now."</p> - -<p>"What in the world for?"</p> - -<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_97" id="Page_97">[Pg 97]</a></span></p> - -<p>"To tell her that you will obey the rules, that you will cease to be an -unruly member of the community, that you are going to be my chum."</p> - -<p>"O Janet, but it's dreadful to promise and not to perform. I have been -awfully naughty, I know, over and over and over again, but I have never -stooped to breaking a promise."</p> - -<p>"You shall not break this promise, for I won't let you, but I can show -you a way to keep the fetters from galling. Now I am going to fetch -Mrs. Freeman. It's worth your while to submit at once, Biddy, for I -intend to take you for a row."</p> - -<p>"A row on the water!" Bridget's eyes sparkled; she threw back her -shoulders with a gesture of relief.</p> - -<p>"Yes," repeated Janet, "a row on the water. The school boat is at our -disposal this evening. Mademoiselle is coming to take charge of us, -but, as she is really nobody, we shall practically be as free as air. -Stay where you are, Biddy, until I fetch Mrs. Freeman."</p> - -<hr /> - -<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_98" id="Page_98">[Pg 98]</a></span></p> - -<h2><span>CHAPTER IX.</span> <span class="smaller">TAKING SIDES.</span></h2> - -<p>When Dorothy entered Evelyn's bedroom she found her friend up and -dressed.</p> - -<p>"I'm quite well, really, Dolly," said Evelyn, with a smile. "I stayed -in bed until I could endure it no longer. I can't tell you how vexed I -am that I fainted last night, and gave Mrs. Freeman a fright. There was -nothing really to make anyone else faint, for that brave girl saved me -from being hurt in the most wonderful manner. By the way, how is she? I -should like to see her and to thank her."</p> - -<p>"Poor Eva," said Dorothy, coming up and kissing her friend, "you are -just the most forgiving creature in existence. Anyone else would be -awfully angry with Bridget. Her conduct very nearly cost you your life!"</p> - -<p>"There is a wide difference between 'very nearly' and 'quite,'" said -Evelyn, with a smile. "I escaped with a 'very nearly,' and feel as well -as ever now, and rather ashamed of myself. There never was a girl who -meant less harm than this Bridget. I can see her now running down the -road, her face all smiles, her eyes dancing, her white teeth showing; -I can see the little ones surrounding her. They waved boughs of trees, -and they shouted and sang as they came. For one moment I said to -myself, 'O Jubilate! here is a welcome worth having!' but then Caspar -took fright, the carriage<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_99" id="Page_99">[Pg 99]</a></span> swayed horribly, the cushions jumped up as -if they were going to strike me, and I remembered nothing more until I -awoke with my head on this girl's lap, and Mrs. Freeman bending over -me. I should like to see the girl, to thank her. Where is she, Dolly? I -am attracted by her face; it is a very lovely one!"</p> - -<p>"Well, sit down, now, by the window, and let us talk," answered -Dorothy. "I shall be jealous if you give all your thoughts to Bridget -O'Hara. I know she's a pretty girl, and I like her very much for some -things. But, oh dear, she is a care! I don't believe that any school -had ever before such a madcap in it. But don't let us waste all our -time talking about her. You can't help hearing her name spoken morning, -noon, and night, when you come into the school."</p> - -<p>Evelyn sank down in a low easy-chair by the open window. She wore a -white cambric dress, and a pale blue belt round her slender waist. Her -gentle eyes, also faint blue in their coloring, looked out over the -summer scene. She was not beautiful, but there was a charm about her, a -sense of repose, which made it delightful to be with her. The singular -unselfishness of her nature was apparent in everything she did, said, -and thought.</p> - -<p>"I'm delighted to be back, Dolly," she said. "This illness of mine has -been such a bother, and it's delicious to be well and able to go in for -things again. Now, if I may not speak of Bridget, tell me about the -other girls in the school. Tell me, also, what is the great object of -interest at present?"</p> - -<p>"Oh, the Fancy Fair!" Dorothy colored as she spoke. "You need not -bother your head about it, Evelyn," she continued quickly. "Janet is -at the head<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_100" id="Page_100">[Pg 100]</a></span> of it; it was she who thought of the fair, and she's the -moving spring. You know what that means, don't you, darling?"</p> - -<p>"I'm afraid I do," replied Evelyn. "Does Janet May dislike me as much -as ever?"</p> - -<p>"She certainly does; but don't fret about her; she's not worth it. Eva, -you will most likely be asked to come on the committee, and to take a -stall at the Fancy Fair. If you get the invitation, will you accept it?"</p> - -<p>"Of course I shall. Need you ask? Alack and alas! I have no chance of -winning any prizes, so the fair will be a great diversion. I suppose -it's a charity concern; who is it for?"</p> - -<p>"A little orphan boy in the neighborhood. Oh, you'll learn all about -him presently. We are working as hard as possible for the fair. If -you come on the committee, Evelyn, you must let me help you with your -stall."</p> - -<p>"<i>If</i> I come on the committee," repeated Evelyn. "I suppose I am quite -certain to be asked to join? Dolly, you look at me in rather a queer -way!"</p> - -<p>"<i>Do</i> I? Don't notice my looks. There is something worrying me, but -nothing bad may come of it. It is so nice to talk to you again. Now I -have something to say about that poor Biddy. At the present moment she -is in disgrace."</p> - -<p>"In disgrace? What about?"</p> - -<p>"I'm afraid it's about you."</p> - -<p>"Oh, but I must speak to Mrs. Freeman. She really meant nothing wrong, -dear child."</p> - -<p>"She broke the rules in leaving the grounds without leave. I think it -is for her disobedience that Mrs. Freeman is punishing her. She has -shut her up in<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_101" id="Page_101">[Pg 101]</a></span> Miss Patience's room, and poor Biddy won't eat, and -is in a dreadful state of mind. Marshall spoke to me about her after -dinner, and asked me to go to her; but we had a committee meeting just -then, and afterward I could not find Mrs. Freeman."</p> - -<p>"Have you left the poor girl by herself all this time, Dolly?"</p> - -<p>"I must own that I have. I will go and have a talk with her as soon as -ever I leave you; not that I can do much good, she's such a queer kind -of mixture of obstinacy and passion."</p> - -<p>"But it does seem dreadful to leave her by herself all this time; just -as if no one had a scrap of sympathy for her. Let us both go to her at -once, Dolly. I want to thank her for being so brave."</p> - -<p>"But Mrs. Freeman; we ought to ask her leave."</p> - -<p>"Mrs. Freeman will be in her own sitting room at this time. Come along, -Dolly, we have just a few minutes to spare before the gong sounds for -tea."</p> - -<p>Dorothy made no further objections, and she and Eva went downstairs -side by side.</p> - -<p>They knocked at Mrs. Freeman's sitting-room door. She was not in, but -Miss Delicia was tidying books and papers on her davenport.</p> - -<p>"Is that you, Eva!" she exclaimed in delight. "Why, you look as well -and jolly as possible. How nice to have you back again!"</p> - -<p>The little lady ran up to Evelyn, and kissed her affectionately. "Now, -my darling, you are not going to tire yourself," she said. "Come and -sit here by the open window."</p> - -<p>"I have been sitting still and lying down all day," replied Evelyn, -with a faint little grimace; "I am not<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_102" id="Page_102">[Pg 102]</a></span> really tired at all. Dolly and -I came, Miss Delicia, to ask Mrs. Freeman to give us leave to go and -see that poor girl, Bridget O'Hara. It seems she has got into a scrape -on my account."</p> - -<p>"And rightly, my dear; and very rightly. For my part, I don't approve -of punishments; I am all the other way; but such conduct as Bridget's -does deserve a sharp reprimand. Suppose you had been seriously hurt, -Evelyn?"</p> - -<p>"But I was not hurt at all. I wish I could go and see Miss O'Hara now; -I want to thank her for having saved my life. If she did give me a -fright, Miss Delicia, she also kept me from the consequences of her own -act. I wish I could thank her."</p> - -<p>"Well, dear, do go to her; I'll give you permission, and set things -right with Mrs. Freeman. If you and Dolly can bring that wild child to -hear reason we shall all be only too delighted. Run away, my dears, -both of you, and do your best."</p> - -<p>The girls left the room, and ran down the stone passage which led to -Miss Patience's little sitting room at the other side of the big house.</p> - -<p>They were surprised, however, on reaching it, to find the door flung -wide open and the room empty.</p> - -<p>Dorothy gave an exclamation of astonishment.</p> - -<p>"Bridget must have given in," she said; "Mrs. Freeman must have come to -her, and she must have yielded. Oh, what a relief! How glad I am! Come, -Evelyn, let us go on the terrace, and walk up and down until tea is -ready."</p> - -<p>The broad terrace which ran in front of the house was completely -sheltered from the sun at this hour. There was a pleasant breeze, and -the girls, as they<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_103" id="Page_103">[Pg 103]</a></span> paced arm in arm up and down the broad path, looked -happy and picturesque.</p> - -<p>Two girls who were coming up the grassy slope at this moment stopped at -sight of them; one uttered a slight exclamation of dismay, the other -made an eager bound forward.</p> - -<p>"There's Dolly!" exclaimed Bridget; "do let me run to her, Janet."</p> - -<p>"Miss Percival is with her," exclaimed Janet. "Do you really want to -speak to Miss Percival, Bridget, after all you have suffered on her -account?"</p> - -<p>"But she looks very nice."</p> - -<p>"What a poor, weak kind of creature you are to be influenced by looks; -besides, she is in reality very plain. Even her warmest admirers have -never yet bestowed on her the palm of beauty."</p> - -<p>"Oh, I like her face; it looks so good."</p> - -<p>Janet paused in her walk to give her young companion a glance of steady -contempt.</p> - -<p>"Can I possibly go on with this scheme of mine?" she muttered to -herself. "Bridget O'Hara is altogether too dreadful." Had Janet yielded -to her impulses at that moment she would have told Bridget to join her -beloved Dorothy and Evelyn Percival, and have declared her intention of -washing her hands of her on the spot. Had Janet acted so, this story -need never have been written. But that strong ambition, that thirst -for praise, which was her most marked characteristic came to her aid. -Bridget was the only means within her power to achieve a most desirable -end, and as such she must be tolerated.</p> - -<p>"Come down this walk with me," she said, in a low tone; "come quickly, -before those girls see us. I want<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_104" id="Page_104">[Pg 104]</a></span> to say a word to you." She took -Biddy's hand as she spoke and hurried her into a little sheltered path -which led round to the back of the house.</p> - -<p>"Now, Bridget," she said, "I must clearly understand how matters are -going to be. Dorothy Collingwood cares nothing at all for you; she is -a most fickle girl. She took you up to a certain extent when first you -came, but her conduct during your punishment proves how little she -really cares for you. She and Evelyn will be all in all to each other, -and if you go back to them, you will soon see for yourself that three -is trumpery; now, on the other hand, if you will be guided by me, I -will keep my promise to you. I am willing to become your chum, and if I -am your chum, I will see you safely past all the rocks ahead. You know -nothing whatever about school. There are two sorts of girls at every -school; there is the girl who is always in trouble, who doesn't learn -her lessons, who doesn't obey the rules. Such a girl is a misery both -to herself and her companions. There is also the girl who obeys the -rules, and who learns her lessons. I represent the one sort of girl, -you represent the other. I can teach you to become like me, without -making things at all unpleasant to you, but you must choose at once; -you must be on my side, or on Evelyn Percival's side. Now which is it -to be?"</p> - -<p>"Yours, of course," said Bridget; "you are the only girl in the school -who was kind to me to-day, so of course I'll be on your side."</p> - -<p>"Very well, that's all right. You must copy me when you talk to Evelyn -Percival. You must show Dorothy also that you resent her coldness. -There's the tea gong. Let us go in. Immediately after tea<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_105" id="Page_105">[Pg 105]</a></span> you will -find time to write that letter to your father, won't you, dear?"</p> - -<p>"Yes, of course. I know he'll give me as much money as I want."</p> - -<p>"Ask him for plenty; there's nothing like money when all is said and -done. Now come along to tea. I won't be able to sit near you, Bridget, -but I'll have my eye on you, so don't forget how I'll expect you to -behave."</p> - -<hr /> - -<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_106" id="Page_106">[Pg 106]</a></span></p> - -<h2><span>CHAPTER X.</span> <span class="smaller">CHECKMATE.</span></h2> - -<p>There was great astonishment among the girls who met at the Lookout the -next day when Janet pronounced in calm, decided tones that a new member -was willing to join the committee, that the new member was the Irish -girl, Bridget O'Hara, who would help her at her stall, and would give -as much money to the cause as was necessary to insure its success.</p> - -<p>"Bridget O'Hara is not here," said Janet, "but she has asked me to -speak for her. She has written to her father to ask him to send her -plenty of funds. She will be more or less of a cipher, of course, but -having the wherewithal she will be a useful one. I propose, therefore," -continued Janet May, "that our committee remains as it is with this one -welcome addition, and that Evelyn Percival is not asked to join."</p> - -<p>While Janet was speaking Dorothy's rosy face turned very pale. "Now I -understand," she murmured; "now I can account for poor Biddy's change -of manner. O Janet, why didn't you leave her alone?"</p> - -<p>"What do you mean?" said Janet, flashing round angrily. "Bridget's -help is most desirable. She has money, and she won't interfere with -projects already formed. Had Miss Percival been asked to join, she -would, of course, have given us plenty of money, but she would also -have interfered. I may as well plainly<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_107" id="Page_107">[Pg 107]</a></span> say that I don't choose to -be interfered with at this juncture. That is plain English, I hope; -you can make the worst of it, girls, all of you! I prefer that poor -nonentity of a Bridget to Miss Percival, and I have managed to have my -way."</p> - -<p>"I suppose we must vote for Biddy," said Ruth and Olive.</p> - -<p>"Of course, you must vote for her," retorted Janet.</p> - -<p>"I do not object to her joining the committee," said Frances; "but I -think you have managed the whole thing in a very underhand way, Janet. -You are fond of saying that you like frank opinions, so there is mine -for you."</p> - -<p>"All right!" said Janet; "I accept it for what it is worth. Now then, -girls, this weighty matter is settled. Dorothy, you must say something -nice to Evelyn. Of course, you have a reasonable excuse to give her. It -would be ridiculous to ask her to join us at the eleventh hour. She is -a sensible girl, and will——"</p> - -<p>At this moment, Olive, who was bending over the parapet, turned round, -and said to her companions in a low, almost awestruck voice:</p> - -<p>"Mrs. Freeman is coming up the steps of the Lookout!"</p> - -<p>The next instant the smiling face of the head mistress appeared.</p> - -<p>"Well, my dears," she said, "I won't waste your valuable time a single -moment longer than is necessary. I am very much pleased with all your -zeal in getting up this little bazaar. I, on my part, will take every -possible pains to see that your Fancy Fair is well attended. I have a -suggestion, however, to make; it is this: Evelyn Percival ought to be -asked to take a<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_108" id="Page_108">[Pg 108]</a></span> prominent part in the management of the fair. She has -come back in sufficient time for this; her health is quite restored, -and it is due to her position in the school to pay her this respect. I -dare say, my loves," continued Mrs. Freeman, "that you have all thought -of this already, and are even now preparing to ask her to join you. If -so, you will find her in the summerhouse at the end of the East Walk -with Kitty Thompson. Good-by, my dears! Forgive me if I have interfered -unnecessarily."</p> - -<p>Mrs. Freeman went away. The girls had no time to ask her a question. -The head mistress was always quick and decisive in her movements. She -was kind, even indulgent, but she was also firm. From Mrs. Freeman's -decision each girl in the school felt there was no appeal.</p> - -<p>As her retreating footsteps sounded on the winding stairs of the little -tower, the girls who formed the committee for the Fancy Fair looked -at one another. In Janet's gaze there were open-eyed consternation -and dismay. Olive and Ruth appeared what they were: the very essence -of uncertainty and nervousness. Frances Murray could not restrain an -expression of triumph appearing in her bright eyes, while Dolly looked -both glad and sorry.</p> - -<p>"O Janet!" she said, "I wish I could take your side and my own. I wish -I could obey dear Mrs. Freeman, and have our darling Evelyn to help us, -and be one of us, and I also wish to do the thing that makes you happy."</p> - -<p>"Oh, don't worry about me," said Janet. "Of course, the thing is -inevitable. Under existing circumstances, I give in. I have only -one request to make, girls, and<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_109" id="Page_109">[Pg 109]</a></span> that is, that you will not betray -to Evelyn Percival, who, of course, will take the lead now in the -management of the Fancy Fair, the very frank objections I have made to -having her with us. We must welcome her, of course, with a good grace, -and I trust to you all to keep my little remarks to yourselves."</p> - -<p>"Of course, of course, Janey," they each eagerly replied.</p> - -<p>"As if we could be so mean as to tell," remarked Ruth, going up to her -friend and giving her hand a squeeze.</p> - -<p>Janet did not return the pressure of Ruth's hand. She turned abruptly -to Dorothy.</p> - -<p>"Evelyn is to be found in the summerhouse. Will you go and fetch her at -once, Dolly?"</p> - -<p>Dorothy ran off without another word. While she was absent Janet kept -her back to her friends. She generally carried a little sketchbook in -her pocket; she took it out now, and under the shelter of her parasol -pretended to sketch the lovely summer landscape which surrounded her.</p> - -<p>The other girls who were watching saw, however, that her small, dainty -fingers scarcely moved.</p> - -<p>When voices and steps were heard in the distance, Janet was the first -to turn round, and when Evelyn appeared on the scene Janet went up and -bade her welcome.</p> - -<p>"We have elected you to join our committee," she said, in a low and -careless voice. "As the head girl of the school, you will naturally -take the lead in the matter; but, as you have been obliged to be absent -when our scheme was first started, you would perhaps like me to tell -you how far we have gone."</p> - -<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_110" id="Page_110">[Pg 110]</a></span></p> - -<p>"I am delighted to join the committee," replied Evelyn, "and -particularly glad that you have asked me, Janet. You may be sure, -girls, I'll do all I can to help, but as the idea of the Fancy Fair was -yours, Janet, I don't think I ought to take the lead."</p> - -<p>For a second a pleased expression flitted across Janet May's cold, -self-possessed face. It vanished, however, as quickly as it came.</p> - -<p>"No," she said, "I cannot possibly take the lead. The head girl of -the school has certain rights which no one must deprive her of. It is -generous of you to offer me your place, Evelyn, but, even if I allowed -myself to accept the position, Mrs. Freeman would instantly require -me to vacate it in your favor. The thing is settled, then; you are -formally invited by us all to join our committee; is that not so, -girls?"</p> - -<p>"Yes, yes," they all exclaimed, delight and relief plainly apparent on -every face.</p> - -<p>"You are formally elected, therefore," proceeded Janet. "Won't you sit -down, Evelyn? That is a comfortable seat in the shade over there. Won't -you take it? I can then tell you as briefly as possible what we have -done."</p> - -<p>Evelyn sat down in the comfortable seat without a word. Frances Murray -sprang to her side, slipped her hand through her arm, and looked into -her face with adoration; Ruth and Olive were only restrained by Janet's -presence from groveling at her feet. Dolly alone leant in a careless -attitude against the low parapet of the tower. Her affectionate glance -traveled many times to her friend's face, but she had too much tact and -too good taste to show her preference too openly while Janet May was -present.</p> - -<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_111" id="Page_111">[Pg 111]</a></span></p> - -<p>"Up to the present," said Janet, also leaning against the parapet, and -exactly facing Evelyn, "up to the present I have managed the proposed -bazaar. If it is generally wished, I can still remain treasurer. At the -present moment, I am sorry to say, there is very little money to guard. -If the thing is to be a success, more money must be spent, but that, -of course, is for Evelyn to decide. We are having the bazaar, Evelyn, -hoping to raise money to send little Tim Donovan to a good school. Mrs. -Freeman said something about this bazaar being repeated, if necessary, -in the future; but that, of course, we need not discuss at present. The -bazaar is to be called a Fancy Fair. It will be held in a large tent in -the four-acre field. This part of the entertainment Mrs. Freeman has -herself promised to provide. Our present idea is to have four stalls. -You will, of course, conduct the principal one; I, if permitted, will -take the second; Dorothy or Frances Murray will manage the third; -and there will also be a refreshment stall, for which we have not at -present provided. Each girl of the committee has undertaken to secure -a certain number of fancy materials for sale at the fair. Ruth, Olive, -and I at the present time are doing well; about six little girls of the -lower school are helping us. We meet twice a week in the summerhouse -at the end of the South Walk to work for the bazaar, and the results -will, I believe, be fairly creditable. I cannot say what arrangements -Frances is making, but she will doubtless tell you herself. Dorothy -is also the soul of industry. You'll probably reconstruct everything, -and I shall be ready to come to you for advice whenever you ask me. -There is, I think, only one thing more to say, and that is, that I -have<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_112" id="Page_112">[Pg 112]</a></span> persuaded the new girl, Bridget O'Hara, to join us. She does not -strictly belong either to the upper or the lower school at present. -Her position in the house is, I think, somewhat unique. She is a very -tall, grown-up-looking girl, but she is not yet quite fifteen years of -age. Her mind very much resembles her body, being extremely grown-up -in some ways, and absolutely childish in others. Her acquirements -are also those of a child. I have thought it right, however, in your -absence, of course, Evelyn, to ask her to join us. She has a good -deal of originality; she has also some money, which she is willing to -devote to the cause. I think that is all. I am now going to join my -workers in the summerhouse at the end of the South Walk. You, Ruth, and -you, Olive, can come with me if you like, but if you prefer it, you -are quite at liberty to join Evelyn's stall, for now that I have got -Bridget's help I can do admirably without you."</p> - -<p>Ruth and Olive looked more undecided than ever, but Evelyn said in -a firm voice: "Of course, girls, you could not for a moment wish to -desert Janet. I should like to say one thing before you go, Janet; it -is this, that I am very much surprised at your pluck and bravery in -getting up a bazaar of this sort. I am pleased to join it, and to do -all I can to promote it. Under the circumstances, I should much prefer -working as your aide-de-camp to taking the lead; but you are quite -right in saying that the head girl of the school has certain privileges -which, whether she likes it or not, she cannot forego. I must, of -course, take the principal part at the bazaar, but I shall, in every -way in my power, do what is most agreeable to you, and<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_113" id="Page_113">[Pg 113]</a></span> will lose no -opportunity to let my friends know that the idea is yours, not mine."</p> - -<p>"You are very good-natured," said Janet, "but I, too, have something -to say. Under the circumstances, I prefer sinking into the background. -After all, the only person to be seriously considered is little Tim -Donovan. If he is substantially helped I don't suppose it matters much -what anyone thinks of us."</p> - -<hr /> - -<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_114" id="Page_114">[Pg 114]</a></span></p> - -<h2><span>CHAPTER XI.</span> <span class="smaller">A WILD IRISH PRINCESS.</span></h2> - -<p>The girls of the lower school were all busy with their preparation. -Violet and Rose sat side by side. They had been chums for nearly a -year now, and the fact was so fully recognized in the school that -even their desks were placed close together. Violet was puzzling her -little brains over a very difficult piece of French translation, Rose -endeavoring to learn four or five long stanzas from Scott's "Lady of -the Lake." They were both clever little girls, and, as a rule, their -preparation was quickly over, and their tasks speedily conquered; but -to-night there was a holiday feeling in the air; a sense of idleness -pervaded everyone. Lessons seemed cruel, and the children rebelled -against their tasks. They looked at one another, laughed, yawned, -struggled with the listlessness which seized them, shot envious glances -at their more studious companions, and absolutely refused to overcome -the difficulties of the French translation and the English poetry.</p> - -<p>The door between the lower schoolroom and the room occupied by the -girls of the middle school had been thrown open, and from where the -children sat they could see the pretty flounce of a pale blue muslin -dress, and the provoking and exasperating peep of a little, pointed, -blue Morocco shoe. The shoe evidently belonged to a restless foot, for -it often appeared beneath<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_115" id="Page_115">[Pg 115]</a></span> the flounce, to vanish as quickly, and then -to poke itself into notice again.</p> - -<p>"It's Biddy," whispered Violet in a low tone to Rose. "I don't believe -she's learning her lessons a bit better than we are."</p> - -<p>"She never learns them at all," answered Rose. "Janet does them for her -now; don't you know that, Violet?"</p> - -<p>"Hush!" said Violet, "we are disturbing Katie and Susy Martin, and they -are such spiteful little cats, they are sure to tell on us. Hush! do -hush, Rose! you ought not to say such things."</p> - -<p>"I won't say them if you don't like," whispered Rose back again; "but -they are true all the same."</p> - -<p>Violet bent over her French translation. Rose made another frantic -struggle to conquer "The Lady of the Lake."</p> - -<p>The other children in the room were working with considerable industry; -the little idlers in the corner had to suppress their emotions as best -they could.</p> - -<p>Rose had a very emphatic way; she was a stronger character than Violet, -and in consequence had her little friend more or less under her thumb.</p> - -<p>Violet had a great admiration for Biddy, and, as she was really an -honorable and conscientious child, Rose's words shocked her very much.</p> - -<p>The moments went by. The summer evening outside looked more beautiful -and inviting each moment. After preparation was over, there was a treat -in store for the children. This was Bridget O'Hara's birthday, and she -was herself the giver of the treat. The children were to have a sort of -supper-tea in the tent on the lawn, and afterward Biddy was going to -give<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_116" id="Page_116">[Pg 116]</a></span> each of them a little present in memory of the day.</p> - -<p>The thought of Biddy's present and Biddy's treat had filled every -little heart with a pleasant sense of excitement during the entire day; -but Violet felt now that if Rose's words were really true she would not -care to accept a keepsake from Bridget.</p> - -<p>As she sat before her desk, too lazy, too languid, and at the same time -too excited, to pay the smallest heed to her lessons, she could not -help wishing that she could see something more of the blue frock than -just that part which covered the pretty foot.</p> - -<p>She slipped down lower and lower by her desk, and presently contrived -to get a view of Bridget's desk. She could not see her face, but she -could catch a glance of a plump young hand; it was quite still, it did -not move, it did not turn a page. Violet could stand it no longer. In -a moment of desperation she kicked off her slipper, and springing from -her seat, bent low on the floor to pick it up.</p> - -<p>From there she could see the whole of Biddy's figure. Oh, horror! her -little heart went down to zero; Bridget O'Hara's head rested against -her plump hand; she was fast asleep.</p> - -<p>The shrill voice of mademoiselle was heard from her corner of the room:</p> - -<p>"Reste tranquille, mon enfant; tu es bien ennuyeuse; est ce que tu ne -sais pas que c'est l'heure de silence?"</p> - -<p>Violet scrambled to, her feet, and sat down before her French -translation with a crimson face.</p> - -<p>In the meanwhile a pale, quiet-looking girl had entered the room where -the middle school were busy over their tasks, and, bending down by -Bridget<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_117" id="Page_117">[Pg 117]</a></span> O'Hara's side, took up an exercise she had just finished, and -looked over it swiftly and eagerly.</p> - -<p>"That is right," she said; "you will get good marks for this. Now, what -about your arithmetic?"</p> - -<p>"I have managed my sums fairly well, Janet; see," pulling an -exercise-book forward. "I suppose they are all right, but they look -very funny."</p> - -<p>"They must be all right, dear. Let me see! Yes, yes; oh, what an -incorrigibly stupid girl you are! This sum in compound subtraction has -got the answer which should be attached to the compound addition sum. -Quick, Bridget, give me your pen; I will score through these two lines, -and then you must add the figures underneath yourself. That is right. -What have you done with my——"</p> - -<p>"Your copy, Janet? I was going to tear it up, as I had done with it."</p> - -<p>"Don't do that, give it to me; it will be safest. Now, try and look -over your poetry, Bridget. I will wait for you outside."</p> - -<p>"Oh, that is easy enough; I shan't be any time. It's the first page or -two of that delightful 'Ancient Mariner'; I can get it done in no time."</p> - -<p>"Lucky for you. I will wait for you outside; I have something I want to -say to you. Be quick, for all those small tots will be out immediately, -and they'll want to take up every moment of your time. Give me those -notes, however, before I go."</p> - -<p>Bridget pulled some crumpled bits of paper out of her pocket, and -thrust them into Janet's eager hand.</p> - -<p>Miss May left the room, and Biddy, wide awake now, devoted herself to -her poetry.</p> - -<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_118" id="Page_118">[Pg 118]</a></span></p> - -<p>There was an eager, pleased, almost satisfied, expression on her face.</p> - -<p>It was over a week now since Janet had taken her up. During that time -she had, without in the least guessing the fact herself, been brought -into a considerable state of discipline.</p> - -<p>If she obeyed no one else in the school, Janet's slightest nod was -sufficient for her.</p> - -<p>It was Janet's present aim, whether by foul means or fair, to make -Biddy appear both good and fascinating.</p> - -<p>She did not want her captive to feel the end of her chain; she was -clever enough to make Biddy her complete slave without allowing the -slave to be conscious of her slavery.</p> - -<p>The result of this week of very judicious slavery was, as far as -externals went, highly beneficial.</p> - -<p>Biddy had a gorgeous taste in the matter of dress. She wore her -splendid garments with truly barbarian recklessness, overdressing -herself on one occasion, being untidy and almost slovenly on another. -A few suggestions, however, from Janet, altered all this, and the most -fastidious person could now see nothing to object to in the clothes -which adorned her beautifully proportioned figure, and the hats under -which that charming and lovely face looked out.</p> - -<p>To-night, Biddy's pale blue muslin, made simply, but with a lavish -disregard to expense in the matter of lace and ribbons, was all that -was appropriate; her crisp chestnut curls surrounded her fair face like -a halo. There was a queer mixture of the woman and the child about her; -she was by many degrees the most striking-looking girl in the school.</p> - -<p>It took Biddy but a very few minutes to conquer the<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_119" id="Page_119">[Pg 119]</a></span> difficulties of -"The Ancient Mariner." She had a great aptitude for committing poetry -to memory, and after repeating the stanzas two or three times under her -breath, she slipped the book inside her desk and ran out.</p> - -<p>To do this she had to go through the schoolroom where the little girls, -Violet and Alice, were sitting mournfully in front of their unlearned -lessons.</p> - -<p>"Oh, you poor tots!" she said, struck by the expression on their -wistful faces, "haven't you done yet? The feast is almost ready. I've -ordered clothes baskets of strawberries, my dears, and quarts and -quarts of cream."</p> - -<p>"Silence, mademoiselle!" screamed the French teacher.</p> - -<p>Bridget put her rosy fingers to her lips in mock solemnity, blew a kiss -to all the children, and banged the door somewhat noisily behind her.</p> - -<p>Violet's blue eyes sought Alice's; there was a world of entreaty in -their meaning. Alice began, with feverish, forced energy, to mutter to -herself:</p> - -<blockquote><p>"A chieftain's daughter seemed the maid."</p></blockquote> - -<p>Violet continued to gaze at her; then, taking up a scrap of paper, she -scribbled on it:</p> - -<blockquote><p>"I don't believe that Janet helps Biddy with her lessons."</p></blockquote> - -<p>This scrap of paper was thrust into Alice's hand, who, in a moment, -tossed a reply into Violet's lap:</p> - -<blockquote><p>"Yes, she does. You ask Honora Stedman or Jessie Sparkes."</p></blockquote> - -<p>Violet tore the paper into a thousand bits. Tears, she could scarcely -tell why, dimmed her pretty eyes. She sank back in her seat, and -resumed her lessons.</p> - -<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_120" id="Page_120">[Pg 120]</a></span></p> - -<p>"Maintenant, mes enfants, l'heure de préparation est passée," said the -French governess, rising, and speaking with her usual, quick little -scream. "Mettez vos livres de côté; allons-nous à la fête donnée par la -gracieuse Mlle. Bridget O'Hara."</p> - -<p>The children jumped up with alacrity. Chairs scraped against the -floor; desks were opened and books deposited therein more quickly than -quietly, and then the whole eager group went out.</p> - -<p>There was a large tent erected on the front lawn; gay flags were posted -here and there round it, and a rustic porch had been hastily contrived -at the entrance. This was crowned with many smaller flags, and was -further rendered gay with bunches of wild flowers and ferns which had -been fastened to it, under Bridget's supervision, early in the day.</p> - -<p>The brilliant effect of the many colored flags and banners, the peep -within the tent of tempting tables and many charming presents, excited -the wild spirits of the little ones to an almost alarming degree.</p> - -<p>Alice looked at Violet with a face full of ecstasy.</p> - -<p>"<i>How</i> I love Biddy O'Hara!" she exclaimed. "Think of her getting up -such a lovely, exquisite treat for us! Would any other girl think only -of others on her birthday? Oh, I love her; I do love her!"</p> - -<p>"But if she does really crib her lessons!" answered Violet, in a low -tone of great sorrow. "O Alice, it can't be true."</p> - -<p>"It is true," replied Alice; "but, for goodness' sake, Violet, don't -fret yourself; it isn't our affair if Biddy chooses to do wrong. -Whether she does right or wrong, I shall still maintain that she's -a dear, generous darling. Do come on now, Violet, and let us enjoy<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_121" id="Page_121">[Pg 121]</a></span> -ourselves." Alice caught her little companion's hand as she spoke, and -the two children ran down the rather steep grassy incline to the tent.</p> - -<p>Most of their companions had arrived before them, and when they entered -under the flower-crowned porch, they found themselves in the midst -of a very gay and attractive scene. Bridget, with two or three older -girls of the school, was entertaining the children with strong sweet -tea, piles of bread and butter, cakes of various sizes and shapes, and -quantities of strawberries, which were further supplemented with jugs -of rich cream.</p> - -<p>Violet and Alice seated themselves at once at one end of the long -table, and the merry feast went on.</p> - -<p>What laughter there was at it, what childish jokes, what little -harmless, affectionate, mirthful repartees! Bridget O'Hara's face wore -its sweetest expression. The Irish girl had never looked more in her -element. Frances Murray and Dorothy, who were both helping her, had -never seen Bridget look like this. She showed herself capable of two -things: of giving others the most intense pleasure and enjoyment, and -absolutely forgetting herself.</p> - -<p>Dorothy had not felt kindly disposed to Bridget during the past week. -Bridget's conduct, Bridget's extraordinary reserve, the marked way in -which she resented small overtures of friendship from Evelyn Percival, -hurt her feelings a great deal; but to-night Dorothy Collingwood felt -her heart going out to Biddy in a new, unexpected way.</p> - -<p>"I agree with Evelyn," she said suddenly, turning round and speaking to -Frances Murray.</p> - -<p>"About what, my dear?" retorted that young lady. "You generally do -agree with Evelyn, you know."</p> - -<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_122" id="Page_122">[Pg 122]</a></span></p> - -<p>"Don't tease me, Frances; of course we're chums, but I hold, and always -will hold, my own opinions. I agree with her now, however. I agree with -her with regard to Bridget O'Hara."</p> - -<p>"Biddy looks very sweet to-night," replied Frances, "but surely Evelyn -cannot care about her."</p> - -<p>"Biddy has been very nasty to Evelyn," answered Dolly. "Of course, I -know who is really to blame for it. Still I thought Biddy would have -more spirit than to be led in a matter of this sort. But do you think -Evelyn resents this sort of thing? Not a bit of her. She is just as -sweet and good about it all as she can be, and she said to me, what I -am really inclined to believe, that if Biddy is only done justice to, -there won't be a nobler woman in the world than she."</p> - -<p>"Oh, fudge!" said Frances; "I grant that she does look very sweet now, -but it's just like Evelyn to go to the fair with things, and it's just -like you, Dolly, to believe her. Come, come, the little ones cannot eat -another strawberry, however hard they try, and Bridget is going up to -the end of the tent to distribute the presents."</p> - -<p>"Let us see," replied Dolly.</p> - -<p>The two girls went up to the far end of the tent, where a little table -covered with a crimson cloth stood; on this Bridget had placed her -small gifts.</p> - -<p>They were all minute, but all dainty. They had arrived from Paris, a -few nights ago, in a small box. Thimbles in charming little cases, -dainty workboxes, writing cases, penholders, dolls, photograph frames, -boxes of colors, etc., etc., lay in profusion on the pretty table.</p> - -<p>Biddy stood by her presents, a bright light in her<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_123" id="Page_123">[Pg 123]</a></span> eyes, a bright -color on her cheeks. The two elder girls, who stood in the background, -could not help a sudden pang as they watched her. There was something -about her mien and bearing which made them, for the first time, clearly -understand that this girl was a wild Irish princess at home. For the -first time they got an insight into Biddy's somewhat complex character.</p> - -<p>"Come here, darlings," she said to the children in her sweet, rather -low-pitched voice. "I am glad to give you a little bit of pleasure. It -is the best sort of thing that can happen to me, now that I'm away from -father. Had you enough to eat, pets?"</p> - -<p>"Oh, yes, Biddy, oh, yes!" they all cried.</p> - -<p>"That's right. I thought you would. We have lots of feasts of this sort -at the Castle. The children aren't like you, of course; they live, -half of them, down in the cabins near the water's edge, and they come -up with their little bare feet, and their curly heads that have never -known hat nor bonnet, and their eyes as blue as a bit of the sky, or -as black as the sloes in the hedges. Oh, they are pets every one of -them, with their soft voices, and their little prim courtesies, and -their 'Thank you, kind lady,' and their 'Indeed, then, it's thrue for -ye, that I'm moighty honored by ateing in the sight of yer honor.' -Ah, I can hear them now, the pets! and don't they like the presents -afterward, and don't they send up three cheers for father and me before -they go away! They are all having a feast to-night at the Castle in -honor of my birthday, and father is there, and all the dogs, but I'm -away; I expect they're a bit lonesome, poor dears, without Biddy, but -never mind! You have all been very good to let me give you a little -feast, my dear darling pets."</p> - -<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_124" id="Page_124">[Pg 124]</a></span></p> - -<p>There was a great pathos in Biddy's words; the children felt more -inclined to cry than to laugh; Dolly felt a lump in her throat, and -even Frances looked down on the ground for a second, but when there -was a brief pause Frances raised her hand, and waved it slightly as a -signal.</p> - -<p>This was enough, all the hands were raised, all the handkerchiefs -waved, and from every throat there rose a "Hip! hip! hurrah!" and -"Three cheers for the Irish princess!"</p> - -<p>"Many happy returns of the day," said Frances, and then all the -children repeated her words.</p> - -<p>"You must not add any more," exclaimed Biddy. "I don't wish to cry; I -want to be happy, as I ought to be when you are all so nice and good -to me. I may as well say frankly that I did not at all like school at -first, but I do now. If you are all affectionate and loving, and if -Janet goes on being kind to me, I shall like school, and I shan't mind -so much being broken in."</p> - -<p>"Poor Biddy," exclaimed Dorothy, turning to her companion; "she reminds -me of the lovely silver-winged horse Pegasus. She does not like the -taming process."</p> - -<p>"No, my dear, that's true," replied Frances; "but Pegasus grew very -fond of Bellerophon in the end."</p> - -<p>"Only I deny," said Dolly, "that Janet is in the least like -Bellerophon."</p> - -<p>"Listen!" exclaimed Frances.</p> - -<p>"I am going to give you your presents now," said Bridget. "Come here, -each of you in turn."</p> - -<p>The children pressed eagerly to the front, and Biddy put a small gift -into each of their hands.</p> - -<p>"Now come for a walk with me," she said. "I shall<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_125" id="Page_125">[Pg 125]</a></span> tell you a fairy -story—a very short one; it pleased the barefooted children at home, -and I dare say it will please you. After that you must go to bed."</p> - -<p>It was really late now. The sun had set, but there was an after-glow -all over the sky, and the moon was showing her calm, full, round face -above the horizon.</p> - -<p>Alice linked her hand inside Biddy's arm, the other children surrounded -her, and Violet felt herself pressed up to her other side.</p> - -<p>On another occasion Violet would have taken Biddy's arm, and held it -tight. She did not do so to-night; she walked quietly by her side, -holding a lovely jointed doll in her arms.</p> - -<p>Bridget told a wonderful fairy tale, but Violet's eyes were fixed on -her doll, and her thoughts were far away.</p> - -<p>The other children cheered and applauded, and questioned and -criticised, but Violet was absolutely silent.</p> - -<p>At last the gong in the great house sounded. This was the signal for -all the little ones to go to bed. They each of them pressed up to kiss -Bridget, and thank her for the lovely treat she had given them. Each -one after she had kissed her friend ran into the house.</p> - -<p>At last Violet was the only child left. Even Alice ran off, but Violet -stood in the middle of the gravel walk, clasping her doll in her arms.</p> - -<p>"What is the matter, Vi?" asked Bridget. "Don't you like the doll? -Would you rather I exchanged it for something else?"</p> - -<p>Alice had climbed the steep grassy slope. She stood on the summit, and -shouted down into the gathering darkness:</p> - -<p>"Come, Violet, come at once, or you'll be late!"</p> - -<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_126" id="Page_126">[Pg 126]</a></span></p> - -<p>"Kiss me, Violet, and run to bed," said Bridget. "If you don't like the -doll, I'll exchange it to-morrow."</p> - -<p>"But I do like the doll," said Violet. "I love it! It isn't that, -Biddy. May I ask you something?"</p> - -<p>"Of course you may, you little darling. How pale you look. What's the -matter, Vi?"</p> - -<p>"Is it true, Biddy, that you crib your lessons? Alice says it's true; -but I don't believe her."</p> - -<p>Bridget had knelt down by Violet in her earnest desire to comfort her. -She rose now to her feet, and stood erect and tall in the moonlight. -After a very brief pause, she spoke in a haughty tone:</p> - -<p>"Alice says that I crib?" she repeated. "What do you English girls mean -by 'cribbing'?"</p> - -<p>"Alice says—oh, please don't be angry, Biddy—she says that Janet -helps you; that Janet does—does <i>some</i> of your lessons for you, -herself. I don't believe it! I said it wasn't true."</p> - -<p>"You are a good little soul," said Biddy.</p> - -<p>She took the child's hand within her own.</p> - -<p>"What a plucky little thing you are, Vi. So you think it wrong to crib?"</p> - -<p>"I think it wrong to crib?" repeated Violet. "I think it wrong to crib? -Why, of course; it is <i>most un</i>honorable."</p> - -<p>Bridget colored.</p> - -<p>"That's what you English think," she said, in a would-be careless tone; -"but when a girl doesn't know, and when she's quite certain to get into -all sorts of scrapes—eh, Vi—you tell me what a girl of that sort has -got to do?"</p> - -<p>"She must not crib," said Violet, in a shaky and intensely earnest -little voice; "it's most awfully <span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_127" id="Page_127">[Pg 127]</a></span>unhonorable of her; a girl who -cribs must feel so—so mean. If it was me, I'd rather have all the -punishments in the school than feel as mean as <i>that</i>. But you don't -crib, Biddy, darling; you are so lovely, and you are so sweet; I -know—I <i>know you don't crib</i>."</p> - -<p>Bridget O'Hara had been tempted by Janet into a very dishonorable -course of action, but no spoken lie had ever yet passed her lips.</p> - -<p>When Violet looked up at her with the moonlight reflected on her little -pale, childish, eager face, Biddy felt the hour for that first lie had -arrived. She thought that she would do anything in the world rather -than crush the love and the eager trust which shone out of Violet's -eyes.</p> - -<p>"Of course I don't crib," she was about to say; but suddenly, like a -flash, she turned away.</p> - -<p>"I'm sorry to destroy your faith in me, Vi," she said, in a would-be -careless tone; "but though I have done a very 'unhonorable' thing, as -you call it, I really can't tell a lie about it. I do crib, if cribbing -means taking Janet's help when I learn my lessons."</p> - -<p>The faint roses which Violet wore in her cheeks faded out of them.</p> - -<p>"I'm awfully sorry for you," she said. "I didn't believe it a bit when -Alice said it; I wouldn't believe it now from anyone but yourself. -There's the doll back again, Biddy; I—I can't keep it, Biddy."</p> - -<p>She pushed the waxen beauty into Bridget's arms, and rushed back to the -house.</p> - -<hr /> - -<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_128" id="Page_128">[Pg 128]</a></span></p> - -<h2><span>CHAPTER XII.</span> <span class="smaller">LADY KATHLEEN.</span></h2> - -<p>For the past week, Janet May had managed, through her tact and -cleverness, to make Bridget's life quite comfortable to her. She had -shown her a way in which she could obey the rules and yet not feel the -fetters. She imparted to Bridget some of that strange and fatal secret -which leads to death in the long run, but which at first shows many -attractions to its victims. Bridget might live at the school, and have -a very jolly, and even independent time; all she had to do was to obey -the letter and break the spirit.</p> - -<p>In point of acquirements, Biddy could scarcely hold a place even in -the middle school. She had many talents, but her education had never -been properly attended to. During the last week, however, she had made -rapid progress in her studies; she had been moved up a whole class, and -was steadily getting to the top of her present one. Her masters and -mistresses praised her, and these words of approval proved themselves -extremely sweet, and spurred her on to make genuine efforts in those -studies for which she had really a talent. Biddy's English was perhaps -her weakest point. Her spelling was atrocious; her writing resembled -a series of hieroglyphics; her sums were faulty; her history was -certainly fable, not fact.</p> - -<p>She could speak French perfectly; her marks, <span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_129" id="Page_129">[Pg 129]</a></span>therefore, in this -tongue were always good. Now her English, too, began to assume quite a -respectable appearance; her sums were invariably correct; her spelling -irreproachable; her various themes were well expressed, and her facts -were incontestable. She was making her way rapidly through the middle -school, and Mrs. Freeman said that she had every reason to hope that so -clever a girl might take her place in the upper school by the beginning -of the next term.</p> - -<p>As it was, Bridget was accorded a few of the privileges of the upper -school. One of these privileges was very much prized; she might spend -her evenings, once preparation was over, exactly as she pleased.</p> - -<p>After Violet's unexpected reproof she came slowly into the house. She -had that uncertain temperament which is so essentially Irish; her -spirits could rise like a bird on the wing, or they could fall into the -lowest depths of despondency.</p> - -<p>She had felt gay and joyful while her birthday treat was going on; now -as she entered the house she could scarcely drag one leaden step after -the other.</p> - -<p>Janet was standing in the stone passage which led to the common room, -when Biddy passed by.</p> - -<p>"I have been waiting for you," she said, in a rather cross voice. "What -an age you've been! Surely the treat need not have been followed by a -whole wasted hour afterward?"</p> - -<p>"I was telling the children a story," said Biddy; "the story was part -of the treat."</p> - -<p>Janet's thin lips curled somewhat sarcastically.</p> - -<p>"Well, come now," she said; "the committee have all assembled in the -common room, and we're only waiting for you to begin."</p> - -<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_130" id="Page_130">[Pg 130]</a></span></p> - -<p>"You must do without me to-night," said Bridget; "I have got a -headache, and I'm going to bed." She turned abruptly away, utterly -disregarding Janet's raised brows of astonishment, and the faint little -disagreeable laugh which followed her as she went upstairs.</p> - -<p>Bridget's room adjoined the one occupied by Evelyn Percival. As Bridget -was entering her bedroom, Evelyn was coming out of hers.</p> - -<p>"Had you a nice treat?" she said, stopping for a moment to speak to -Bridget. "You never asked me to come and look on, and I should have -enjoyed it so much."</p> - -<p>"But you're the head girl of the school; my treat was only for the -little ones," said Bridget, in a cold tone.</p> - -<p>"I love treats for little ones," said Evelyn, "and I think it was so -nice of you to think of it. Aren't you coming down to the committee, -Miss O'Hara? This is the evening when we arrange our different -contributions. You know, of course, that the bazaar is only a week off."</p> - -<p>"I don't care when it is held," said Biddy; "there never was such -a stupid fuss made about anything as that bazaar; I'm sick of the -subject. No, Miss Percival, I'm not going to join the committee -to-night."</p> - -<p>"Well, good-night, then," said Evelyn.</p> - -<p>She ran downstairs, and Biddy shut herself into her own room and locked -the door.</p> - -<p>About an hour later the other girls went to bed. Biddy unlocked her -door, and getting between the sheets just as she was, in her pretty -blue muslin frock, waited until all the house was still. Miss Delicia -usually visited the girls the last thing before going to bed. She came -into Bridget's room as usual, but<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_131" id="Page_131">[Pg 131]</a></span> noticed nothing wrong. The top of a -curly head was seen above the sheet. Miss Delicia stepped lightly on -tiptoe out of the room, and a few moments later the large house, with -its many inmates, was wrapped in profound silence.</p> - -<p>When this silence had lasted about a quarter of an hour, Biddy raised -herself on her elbow, and listened intently; then she threw aside the -bedclothes, and stepped lightly on to the floor. Her slippers were -discarded, and her little stockinged feet made no sound as she walked -across the boards. She managed to open her door without its making a -single creak, and a few moments later, guided by the moon, she was -standing in the deserted schoolroom, and was unlocking her school desk. -From out of it she took three very neat looking exercise-books. From -each of these books she tore a page. These three pages she deliberately -reduced to the minutest fragments; returned the books to her desk, -locked it, and went back to bed.</p> - -<p>No one had heard her go or come. When she laid her head once more on -her pillow a little sob escaped her lips.</p> - -<p>"You shan't ever say I'm unhonorable again, Violet," she muttered; some -tears stole from under her thick, curly lashes. Two or three minutes -afterward she had dropped into profound and peaceful slumber.</p> - -<p>The next day at lesson time Bridget O'Hara was in extreme disgrace. She -had no exercises, either good or bad, to show; not the most careless or -untidy notes had she with regard to her history lesson; her geography -had simply not been prepared at all.</p> - -<p>Biddy went to the bottom of her class, where she stayed for the -remainder of the morning.</p> - -<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_132" id="Page_132">[Pg 132]</a></span></p> - -<p>She was to learn her lessons during the hours of recreation, and was -told by her indignant teachers that she might consider herself in great -disgrace.</p> - -<p>She received this announcement with complacency, and sat with a -contented, almost provoking, smile hovering round her lips.</p> - -<p>Morning school being over, the girls went out to play as usual; -but Biddy sat in the schoolroom with her sums, history lesson, and -geography all waiting to get accomplished.</p> - -<p>"You have been a good girl lately, Bridget; you have prepared your -lessons carefully and cleverly," said Miss Dent, the English teacher. -"I am quite sure, therefore, that you will speedily retrieve the great -carelessness of this morning. I am willing to make all allowances -for you, my dear, for we none of us forget that yesterday was your -birthday. Now, just give your attention to these lessons, and you will -have them nicely prepared by dinner time."</p> - -<p>"I don't believe I shall," said Bridget, with a comical expression. She -bent over her books as she spoke, and Miss Dent, feeling puzzled, she -did not know why, left the room.</p> - -<p>A moment later Janet came in.</p> - -<p>"What is the matter?" asked Janet. "I have just met Miss Dent, who -tells me that you failed in your three English lessons this morning. -How can that be? Your grammar and English history and geography were -perfect last night. They had not a single mistake!"</p> - -<p>"You mean," said Bridget, raising her eyes and looking full at, Janet, -"that <i>your</i> grammar and geography and English history were perfect -last night."</p> - -<p>Janet shrugged her shoulders.</p> - -<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_133" id="Page_133">[Pg 133]</a></span></p> - -<p>"It's all the same," she said. "I told you that I'd help you with your -lessons, and I shall keep my word. How is it that you have managed to -get into disgrace, after all the trouble I have taken for you?"</p> - -<p>"You are never to take it again, Janet; that is all!"</p> - -<p>"Never to take it again! Dear me, what a very superior voice we can -use when we like! And has our 'first' sweet little 'gem of the ocean' -discovered that her own mighty genius can tide her over all school -troubles?"</p> - -<p>"I'm not going to be afraid of you, Janet," said Biddy. "Of course, -you've been awfully kind to me, and I'm not ungrateful. But -something—something <i>happened</i> last night which made me see that I've -been a mean, horrid, deceitful girl to let you help me at all, and you -are not to do it again; that's all."</p> - -<p>"What happened last night to open your virtuous eyes?"</p> - -<p>"I'm not going to say."</p> - -<p>"Have any of the girls found out?"</p> - -<p>Janet turned decidedly pale as she asked this question.</p> - -<p>"I'm not going to say."</p> - -<p>"You don't mean to hint to me, Bridget, that you have told the teachers -about what I have done?"</p> - -<p>"Of course I haven't, Janet. But I'll tell you what I did do. I went -down last night when all the other girls—you among them—were sleeping -the sleep of the just, and I tore a sheet out of each of these books; -the sheet which you had so carefully prepared for me last night. That's -why I had no English lessons, good, bad, or indifferent, to show this -morning."</p> - -<p>Janet stood quite silent for a moment or two; her<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_134" id="Page_134">[Pg 134]</a></span> delicately formed -fingers beat an impatient tattoo on the top of Biddy's desk.</p> - -<p>"You can please yourself, of course," she said, after a pause. "You -can wade through your lessons as best you can, and sink to your proper -position, you great big baby, in the lower school. You have shown a -partiality for the little children. You are likely to see enough of -them in future, for you will belong to them."</p> - -<p>"They are dear little creatures, much nicer than any of the big girls, -except Dolly. I'd rather be with them and do right than stay in the -middle school, or even the upper, and feel as I did last night."</p> - -<p>"It is delightful to see what a tender conscience you have got! -I confess I did not know of its existence until to-day, but I -congratulate you most heartily on such a priceless possession. It will -be a great relief to me, not to have to worry any more about your -lessons. For the future I wash my hands of you."</p> - -<p>"Am I not to be your chum any more, then, Janet?"</p> - -<p>Bridget looked up, with decided relief on her face.</p> - -<p>Janet saw the look. Her brow darkened; she had to make a great effort -to suppress the strong dislike which filled her breast. Bridget, -however, was rich; she might be useful.</p> - -<p>"Of course, we are chums still," she said in a hasty voice. "It is your -own fault if I don't do as much for you as I promised. You are a great -little goose to reject the help which I am giving you. Your father sent -you to school in order that you might learn; you can't learn if you -are not helped. However, it's your own affair; but if you ever let out -to mortal that I gave you<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_135" id="Page_135">[Pg 135]</a></span> this assistance your life won't be worth -living, that's all."</p> - -<p>"I'm not a bit afraid of your threats, Janet; but I won't tell, of -course."</p> - -<p>"I say," exclaimed Janet, suddenly rushing to the window, "what a nice -carriage, and what fine horses! Who in the world can be coming to -Mulberry Court now?"</p> - -<p>Bridget had again bent over her lessons. They were hopelessly -difficult. It was on the tip of her tongue to say:</p> - -<p>"Janet, how am I to parse this sentence?" But she restrained herself.</p> - -<p>Janet had forgotten all about her. She was gazing at the beautiful -carriage and spirited horses with eyes full of curiosity.</p> - -<p>The carriage, a smart little victoria, contained only one occupant. The -horses were pawing the ground impatiently now; the lady had disappeared -into the house.</p> - -<p>"I say," exclaimed Janet, turning to Bridget; but whatever further -words she meant to utter were arrested on her lips. There was the -swishing sound of voluminous draperies in the passage, a gay, quick -voice could be distinguished pouring out eager utterances, and the next -moment the room door was opened hastily, and a lady rushed in.</p> - -<p>She was immediately followed by Miss Patience, who seemed somewhat -amazed.</p> - -<p>"Really, Lady Kathleen——" she began.</p> - -<p>"Now, my dear Miss Patience, don't interrupt me. I know what a good -soul you are; but if you think I'm going to sit in your drawing room -waiting until that<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_136" id="Page_136">[Pg 136]</a></span> precious child is brought to me, you are finely -mistaken. Ah, and here you are, my treasure! Come into Aunt Kitty's -arms!"</p> - -<p>"Aunt Kathleen!" exclaimed Bridget.</p> - -<p>She rushed from her seat, upsetting a bottle of ink as she did so, and -found herself clasped in a voluminous embrace.</p> - -<p>"Now that's good," said Lady Kathleen. "I'll write full particulars -about you to Dennis to-night. And how are you, my pet? And how do you -like school? Are they very cross? Oh, <i>I</i> know them! I was here long -ago myself. Patience, do you remember how you used to insist upon -punishing the girls, and dear old Delicia used to beg them off? I -expect you are just the same as ever you were. Does Miss Patience give -you many punishments, my ducky, and does Miss Delicia beg you off?"</p> - -<p>"I'll leave you now, Lady Kathleen," said Miss Patience, still in -her stiff voice. "If you really prefer staying in this room to the -comfortable drawing room, I cannot help it. Of course, you will remain -to dinner? Mrs. Freeman will be delighted to see you again."</p> - -<p>"Dear Mrs. Freeman! If there's a woman in the world I respect, she's -the one. But stay a moment, Miss Patience; I'll come and see Mrs. -Freeman another time. I want to take this dear child off with me now -to Eastcliff for the day, and I'd be delighted if her young companion -would come too. What's your name, my love?"</p> - -<p>"May," replied Janet.</p> - -<p>"May? What a nice little flowery sort of title. Well, I want you to -come and spend the day with me, May."</p> - -<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_137" id="Page_137">[Pg 137]</a></span></p> - -<p>"My name is Janet May."</p> - -<p>"It's all the same, I expect. Now, Miss Patience, may I take these two -sweet children to Eastcliff? I'll promise to have them back under your -sheltering wings by nine o'clock this evening."</p> - -<p>Miss Patience hesitated for a moment, but Lady Kathleen Peterham was -not a person to be lightly offended.</p> - -<p>"It is very kind of you," she said, "and also most natural that you -should wish to have your niece with you. But Janet——"</p> - -<p>"Oh, come, come," said Lady Kathleen, with a hearty laugh, "I want to -have them both, dear children. Run upstairs, now, both of you, and make -yourselves as smart as smart can be. While the girls are getting ready, -you and I can have a little talk, Patience. Run, my loves, run, make -yourselves scarce."</p> - -<p>Bridget and Janet both left the room. All the crossness had now -disappeared from Janet's face. She was in high good humor, and even -condescended to link her hand inside Bridget's arm as they mounted the -stairs to their bedrooms.</p> - -<p>Janet had very quiet and very good taste in dress.</p> - -<p>She came downstairs presently in a dove-colored cashmere, a black lace -hat on her head, and dove-colored gloves on her hands. A pretty black -lace parasol completed her ladylike attire. There was nothing expensive -about her simple toilet, but it was youthful, refined, and suitable.</p> - -<p>Biddy did not return so quickly to the schoolroom. Alas! alas! she was -given <i>carte blanche</i> with regard to her dress. Miss O'Hara loved gay -clothing. She came out of her room at last bedizened with fluttering<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_138" id="Page_138">[Pg 138]</a></span> -ribbons, wherever ribbons could be put. Her dress was of shimmering -sea green; she wore a large white hat, trimmed with enormous ostrich -feathers; white kid gloves were drawn up her arms. Her parasol was of -white lace, interspersed with bows of sea-green velvet. This gorgeous -costume had not before seen the light. It suited Biddy, whose radiant -sort of beauty could bear any amount of dress. Beside this splendid -young person, quiet Janet May seemed to sink into utter insignificance. -Miss Patience gave a gasp when Bridget appeared, but Lady Kathleen -Peterham smiled with broad satisfaction.</p> - -<p>"Ah!" she said, rising from her chair, "I call that costume really -tasty. The moment I saw it at Worth's I knew it would suit you, -Biddy, down to the ground. No, you naughty child, I'd be afraid even -to whisper to you what it cost; but come along now, both of you, or -we'll be late for all our fun. Miss Patience, I see you are lost in -admiration of Bridget's turn-out."</p> - -<p>"I must be frank with you, Lady Kathleen," said Miss Patience. "I -consider your niece's dress most unsuitable—the child is only fifteen. -A white muslin, with a blue ribbon belt, is the fitting costume for -her, and not all that tomfoolery. You'll excuse me, Lady Kathleen; I -think you and Mr. O'Hara make a great mistake in overdressing Miss -Biddy as you do."</p> - -<p>"Oh, come, come," said Lady Kathleen, "Bridget is my poor dear sister's -only child, and my brother-in-law and I can't make too much of her. In -school hours, of course, she can be as plain as you please, but out -of school——" The lady raised her eyebrows, and her expression spoke -volumes.</p> - -<p>"Come, my dear," she said.</p> - -<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_139" id="Page_139">[Pg 139]</a></span></p> - -<p>A moment later the gay little victoria was bowling back to Eastcliff, -and Lady Kathleen was pouring out a volley of eager remarks to Janet -May. The change from the dull routine of school life bewildered and -delighted sober Janet; she forgot her habitual reserve, and became -almost communicative. Biddy, notwithstanding all her fine feathers, -seemed for some reason or other slightly depressed, but Janet had never -known herself in better spirits.</p> - -<p>"What a sweet companion you are for my niece!" said Lady Kathleen. "You -may be quite sure, my love, that I'll tell my brother-in-law all about -you. I shouldn't be a bit surprised if he invited you to the Castle -for the holidays. I shall be there, and we are going to have all kinds -of gay doings. Eh, Biddy, love, what do you say to having your pretty -school friend with you? Why, how pensive you look, my deary!"</p> - -<p>"When I see you, Aunt Kathleen, I cannot help thinking of father and -the dogs," said Bridget abruptly. She turned her head away as she spoke.</p> - -<p>"Oh, my darling, the dogs; that recalls something to my mind. Minerva -has had four pups, elegant little creatures, thoroughbred, every one of -them. Dennis telegraphed their arrival to me last night."</p> - -<p>Janet thought this information highly uninteresting, but Biddy's -cheeks quite flamed with excitement. She asked innumerable and eager -questions, and absorbed all Lady Kathleen's attention until they -reached the gay hotel where the lady was staying at Eastcliff.</p> - -<p>Lady Kathleen Peterham had a suite of rooms to herself, and no pains -were spared to make these as luxurious and beautiful as possible. The -wide balconies of her drawing room, which looked directly over the<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_140" id="Page_140">[Pg 140]</a></span> -sea, were gay with many brilliant and lovely flowers. They were also -protected from the rays of the sun by cool green-and-white striped -awnings.</p> - -<p>Lunch was ready when the girls arrived, but immediately afterward Lady -Kathleen took them out to sit on the balcony with her.</p> - -<p>"We will have our ices and coffee here, Johnson," she said to the -servant who waited on them.</p> - -<p>As she spoke, she sank into a comfortable chair, and taking up a large -crimson fan, began to move it slowly backward and forward before her -somewhat heated face.</p> - -<p>Lady Kathleen was still a very handsome woman. Her blue eyes resembled -Bridget's in their brightness and vivacity; but her skin, brows, -and hair were much darker, and her expression, although vivacious -and winning, had not that charming innocence about it which marked -Bridget's young face.</p> - -<p>Lady Kathleen was a woman of about five-and-thirty. She was made on a -large scale, and the first slenderness of youth was already lost. She -had seen a great deal of what she called "life," for she had married -early, and had lived almost ever since in Paris with her husband.</p> - -<p>Hers was a somewhat frivolous nature. She was imprudent, injudicious, -incapable of really guiding the young; but, at the same time, she was -the soul of good nature, and would not willingly have hurt the smallest -living creature.</p> - -<p>Janet could not help being greatly impressed by Lady Kathleen. If there -was one point more strongly developed than another in Janet's character -it was her worldliness. She was a lady by birth, but she was poor. Some -day Janet knew that she would have to<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_141" id="Page_141">[Pg 141]</a></span> earn her own living. She had -the most intense respect, therefore, for those people who were blessed -with an abundance of this world's goods. Hers was naturally a cold, -cynical, and calculating nature. Bridget was, in reality, not in the -least to her taste, but the rumors of Bridget's wealth had always been -pleasant to listen to. On account of these rumors, Janet had done what -she considered good service to the willful and headstrong schoolgirl.</p> - -<p>She felt highly pleased now with her own worldly wisdom, as she sat -under the shelter of the green-and-white awning, and ate strawberry -ices, and sipped her coffee.</p> - -<p>Lady Kathleen was, in all respects, a woman to Janet's taste. She had -the <i>savoir faire</i> which impresses young girls. Janet's respect for -Bridget increased tenfold when she saw that she was related to such -a woman, and she wondered to herself how the aunt could have so much -style and the niece be so <i>gauche</i>.</p> - -<p>Lady Kathleen, who was determined to make the day delightful to her -young companions, questioned Janet eagerly with regard to her school -and school pursuits.</p> - -<p>"Now, my darling," she said, "you must tell me about your little world. -I know what school is. I was at school myself for many a weary year. At -school there always is a big excitement going on. What's the present -one?"</p> - -<p>Biddy had seated herself close to the edge of the balcony, and -was looking out over the sea. She was thinking of the Castle, and -of Minerva, and of the cherished litter of pups; of her father's -excitement, and Pat Donovan's raptures, and Norah Mahoney's comments.</p> - -<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_142" id="Page_142">[Pg 142]</a></span></p> - -<p>She saw the Irish serving man and woman gesticulating and exclaiming; -she saw her father's white hair and weatherbeaten, eagle face, and -could almost hear his deep tones of satisfaction as he bent over -Minerva, and patted her wise head.</p> - -<p>"Biddy!" shrieked Lady Kathleen; "Biddy, child, wake up! What in the -world have you gone off into one of those brown studies for? Here's -this dear little Janet telling me that you're going to have a Fancy -Fair at Mulberry Court."</p> - -<p>"Oh, yes, Aunt Kathie," said Bridget; "I believe we are."</p> - -<p>"Well, child, and isn't that a bright, lively sort of amusement for -you? And the bazaar is to be for a charitable object, too? Splendid! -splendid! Why, Dennis will be quite delighted when I tell him. I always -said the Court was the right school for you, Biddy. It gives a sort -of all-round training. It isn't only accomplishments—tinkle, tinkle -on the piano, and that sort of thing—hearts are also thought of, and -trained properly to think of others. Well, darlings, I'm very much -pleased about the bazaar, and this good little Janet tells me that it -is her idea; most creditable to her. You are the head of the whole -thing, are you not, Janet?"</p> - -<p>"No," said Janet, trying to speak in a calm, indifferent voice; "of -course <i>I</i> don't mind; I <i>can't</i> mind, but one of Mrs. Freeman's -strictest rules is that seniority goes before all else. I am not the -head girl of the school, Lady Kathleen; the head girl's name is Evelyn -Percival, and, although I was the one to think of the Fancy Fair, and -although Evelyn was away from the school during the first two or three -weeks while the<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_143" id="Page_143">[Pg 143]</a></span> matter was being planned out and we were getting -materials ready for our stalls, still, the moment she came home, Mrs. -Freeman insisted on our asking her to join the committee, and since -then she has taken the lead, and hers will be the principal stall on -the day of the fair."</p> - -<p>"And you'll be nowhere, so to speak?" said Lady Kathleen.</p> - -<p>"Well, I don't know that; I hope to have a pretty stall too; Bridget is -helping me with my stall; aren't you, Biddy?"</p> - -<p>"I don't know that I am," replied Bridget. "Father sent me a little -money to buy a few pretty things, and that was about all that I could -do. I love pretty things, but I am no worker."</p> - -<p>She turned away as she spoke, and once more looked out over the sea -with longing in her eyes.</p> - -<p>Lady Kathleen had a keen perception of character. Janet had spoken -in a very quiet, subdued voice, but the fact was by no means lost on -the good lady that she was terribly chagrined at the position she was -obliged to occupy at the fair.</p> - -<p>"Confess, my little one; you don't like being second," she said, -bending over her and tapping her fair head with the large crimson fan.</p> - -<p>Janet colored faintly. "'What can't be cured,'" she said, shrugging her -shoulders.</p> - -<p>Lady Kathleen took up the proverb and finished it. "'Must be endured,'" -she said. "But I don't believe that this position of affairs can't be -cured. It strikes me as extremely unfair that you should have had the -trouble of getting up this fair, and then that you should be pushed -into a second position. I don't care<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_144" id="Page_144">[Pg 144]</a></span> if fifty Mrs. Freemans say you -are not to be first. I don't choose that my niece, Bridget O'Hara, -should have anything to do with a second-rate stall; or a second-rate -position. Wake up, Biddy, child, and listen to me; I insist upon one -thing—you and Janet are to be first on the day of the fair."</p> - -<p>Janet's eyes began to sparkle, and the faint glow in her cheeks grew -bright and fixed. Her eager expression spoke volumes, but she did not -utter a word. Bridget, however, exclaimed wearily:</p> - -<p>"Oh, what does it matter who is first! Besides, whether you like it or -not, Aunt Kathie, you can't alter matters. Mrs. Freeman is mistress in -her own school; and if she decides that Evelyn is to take the lead, -Evelyn will take the lead, no matter whether you wish it or not, fifty -times over."</p> - -<p>"My good little Biddy, you are a bit of an innocent for all you are -growing such a fine big girl—the pride of your father's heart, and -the light of your old auntie's eyes! Little Janet has more wisdom than -twenty great handsome creatures like you. Now, my pets, you listen to -me; we'll manage this matter by <i>guile</i>. Miss Percival may have the -first stall at the bazaar, if she likes. Who cares twopence about that? -You, Janet, and you, Biddy, will have the stall that all the visitors -will flock to. You leave me to manage the matter; I'll make your stall -so lovely that all the others will sink into insignificance."</p> - -<p>"Oh, will you?" exclaimed Janet; "how—<i>how</i> good you are!"</p> - -<p>"I will do it, my dear, I certainly will; the honor of the O'Haras is -involved in this matter. Now, girls, you just put on your hats, and -we'll go round <span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_145" id="Page_145">[Pg 145]</a></span>Eastcliff, and see if we can't pick up a basketful of -pretty trifles for you to take home with you this evening. Of course, -they will be nothing to what will presently follow, but they'll just do -for a beginning. You leave it to me, my loves; leave it all to me. This -great, grand, wise Evelyn Percival can't compete with Paris and the Rue -Rivoli; you leave it all to me."</p> - -<p>"How kind you are," said Janet again.</p> - -<p>"Don't thank me," said Lady Kathleen, rising; "it's for the honor of -the O'Haras. Whoever yet heard of an O'Hara eating humble pie, or -taking a second position anywhere? Now, girls, run into my room, and -make yourselves smart as smart can be, for we have plenty to do with -our time, I can assure you."</p> - -<p>The rest of the day passed for Janet in a sort of delicious dream. -Money seemed as plentiful to Lady Kathleen Peterham as the pebbles -on the seashore. Janet almost gasped as she saw the good lady take -one gold piece after another out of her purse to expend on the merest -nothings. Lady Kathleen had exquisite taste, however, and many useless -but beautiful ornaments were carefully tucked away in the large basket -which was to be taken to Mulberry Court that evening.</p> - -<p>"I shall go to Paris on Monday," said Lady Kathleen; "I will telegraph -to my husband to expect me. When is your bazaar? next Thursday? I shall -be back at Eastcliff on Wednesday at the latest. One day in Paris will -effect my purpose. I mean to attend this bazaar myself, and I mean to -bring several friends. Do your best, loves, in the meantime to make as -creditable a show as possible, but leave the final <span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_146" id="Page_146">[Pg 146]</a></span>arrangements, the -crowning dash of light, color, and beauty to me."</p> - -<p>When the two girls were starting for Mulberry Court in the evening, -Lady Kathleen opened her purse and put five golden sovereigns into -Biddy's hand. "I don't know how you are off for pocket money, my pet," -she said, "but here's something to keep you going. Now, good-night, -dears; good-night to you both."</p> - -<hr /> - -<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_147" id="Page_147">[Pg 147]</a></span></p> - -<h2><span>CHAPTER XIII.</span> <span class="smaller">PEARSON'S BOOK OF ESSAYS.</span></h2> - -<p>Now that the break-up day was so near, nothing was talked of in the -school but the coming examinations, the prizes, and the delightful fair -which was to bring such honor and renown to Mulberry Court. The school -resembled a little busy hive of eager, animated workers. Even play -during these last days was forgotten, and everyone, from the eldest to -the youngest, was pressed into the service of the fair.</p> - -<p>When the matter was first proposed, Mrs. Freeman had said to the girls: -"You are abundantly welcome to try the experiment. My share will -consist in giving you a large marquee or tent; everything else you must -do yourselves. I shall invite people to see your efforts and to buy -your wares. Each girl who contributes to the bazaar will be allowed to -ask two or three guests to be present; the only stipulation I have to -make is that you don't produce a failure; you are bound, for the honor -of the school, to make the fair a success."</p> - -<p>The programme for the great day was something as follows: The -examinations were to be held in the morning. Immediately afterward the -prize-winners would receive their awards; there would be an interval -for dinner; and at three o'clock the great fair would be opened, and -sales would continue until dusk.</p> - -<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_148" id="Page_148">[Pg 148]</a></span></p> - -<p>The girls who were to sell at the stalls were all to be dressed in -white with green ribbons. Mrs. Freeman had herself selected this quiet -and suitable dress; she had done this with a special motive, for she -was particularly anxious that Biddy should have no opportunity of -displaying her finery.</p> - -<p>The evening before the great and important day arrived. Evelyn had -purchased a great many useful and beautiful articles for her stall. -She and Dolly were to be the saleswomen; and Mrs. Freeman had arranged -that the principal stall should be at the top end of the large marquee. -Janet felt a sarcastic smile curling her lips when this arrangement was -made.</p> - -<p>"It does not really matter," she said to herself; "Bridget's and my -stall will be exactly in the center. The light from the entrance to -the tent will fall full upon it. After all, we shall have a better -position, even than that occupied by the head stall." She kept her -thoughts to herself. Her spirits had never been better, her manners -never more amiable, than since the day of her visit to Lady Kathleen. -The girls who were working under her were very busy, and much delighted -with the basket of beautiful things which had been brought from -Eastcliff, but about any further contributions Janet was absolutely -silent.</p> - -<p>On the afternoon of the day before the bazaar, Bridget came into the -bedroom which was shared by Janet and one other girl. "Mrs. Freeman -tells me that you are going into Eastcliff," she said.</p> - -<p>"Yes," replied Janet, "I'm to drive in with Marshall. There has been -a mistake about some of the confectionery, and Mrs. Freeman wants me -to go to Dovedale's, in the High Street, without delay, to order<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_149" id="Page_149">[Pg 149]</a></span> some -more cheese cakes, creams, and jellies. Frances Murray ought really -to attend to this, for she is to manage the refreshment stall, but -she happens to be in bed with a stupid headache. What's the matter, -Bridget? How excited you look! and, good gracious, my dear! you have -been crying; your eyes have red rims round them."</p> - -<p>"I have had a letter from home," said Bridget, "and Pat Donovan is ill: -he fell off the ladder and hurt his back. Norah Mahoney wrote about -him—she's awfully troubled. Poor Norah, she is engaged to Pat, you -know; she's says he's very bad, poor boy!"</p> - -<p>"Who in the world is Pat Donovan? and who is Norah Mahoney?" asked -Janet, as she hastily drew on her gauntlet gloves. "Friends of yours, -of course. But I never heard of them before."</p> - -<p>"They are very dear friends of mine," replied Bridget; "they are two -of the servants; I love them very much. Poor, poor Pat! Norah has been -engaged to him for years and years, and now only to think of his being -hurt so dreadfully! Norah wrote me such a sad letter. I'll read it to -you, if you like."</p> - -<p>"No thanks, my dear; I really have no time to listen to the sorrows -of your servants. It is too absurd, Bridget, to go on like that! Why, -you're crying again, you great baby! I thought, when you spoke of them, -that you meant people in your own rank."</p> - -<p>"I won't tell you any more!" said Biddy, coloring crimson. "You have no -heart, or you wouldn't speak in that horrid tone! Dear, dear Pat! I'm -ten thousand times fonder of him than I am of anyone else in the world, -except father and the dogs, and, perhaps,<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_150" id="Page_150">[Pg 150]</a></span> Aunt Kathleen. I used to -ride on his shoulder all over the farm when I was quite a little tot!"</p> - -<p>"Well, my dear, I must run now. I am sorry that I can't sympathize with -you."</p> - -<p>"Yes; but, Janet, one moment. I want to send a little present to Pat; -I can, for Aunt Kathleen gave me five pounds. I want to send him a -post-office order for two pounds, and I want to know if you will -get it for me. Here's the letter, all written, and here are the two -sovereigns. Will you get a postal order and put it into the letter for -me, Janet, and then post it at Eastcliff?"</p> - -<p>"But you are going home yourself in a couple of days."</p> - -<p>"Oh! that doesn't matter; I wouldn't leave Pat a hour longer than I -could help without his letter. You may fancy how fond I am of him, when -I tell you that he has the care of Minerva and the pups."</p> - -<p>"I think you're a great goose," said Janet. "But there's no time to -argue. Give me the money, child, and let me go."</p> - -<p>"Be sure you post the letter in good time," said Bridget. "Here it is; -I haven't closed it."</p> - -<p>She laid the directed envelope on Janet's dressing table, put the two -sovereigns on the top of it, and ran off.</p> - -<p>The whole place was in bustle and confusion. Many of the girls were -packing their trunks preparatory to the great exodus which would take -place the day after to-morrow. Evelyn and her favorite friends were -sitting in the large summerhouse which faced the front of the house. -They were chatting and<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_151" id="Page_151">[Pg 151]</a></span> laughing merrily, and seeing Biddy they called -to her to come and join them. Her impulse was to rush to them, and pour -out some of her troubles in Dolly's kind ears; but then she remembered -certain sarcastic sayings of Janet's. Janet's many insinuations were -taking effect on her.</p> - -<p>"They all look good enough up in that summerhouse," she said to -herself; "but according to Janet they are each of them shams. Oh, dear, -dear, what a horrid place the world is! I don't think there's anyone -at all nice in it, except father and the dogs, and Pat and Norah. Aunt -Kathie is pretty well, but even she is taken in by Janet. I don't -think school is doing me any good; I hate it more and more every day. -I shan't join the girls in the summerhouse; I'll go away and sit by -myself."</p> - -<p>She turned down a shady walk, and presently seating herself under a -large tree, and, clasping her hands round her knees, she began to think -with pleasure of the fast approaching holidays.</p> - -<p>While Bridget was so occupied, two ladies passed at a little distance -arm in arm. They were Miss Delicia and the English mistress, Miss Dent. -These two were always good friends; they were both kind-hearted, and -inclined to indulge the girls. They were great favorites, and were -supposed to be very easily influenced.</p> - -<p>When she saw them approach, Bridget glanced lazily round. They did not -notice her, but made straight for the little rustic bower close to the -tree under which she was sitting.</p> - -<p>"I can't account for it," said Miss Dent. "Of course, I have always -found plenty of faults in Bridget<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_152" id="Page_152">[Pg 152]</a></span> O'Hara, but I never did think that -she would stoop to dishonor."</p> - -<p>Bridget locked her hands tightly together; a great wave of angry color -mounted to her temples. Her first impulse was to spring to her feet, to -disclose herself to the two ladies, and angrily demand the meaning of -their words. Then a memory of something Violet had said came over her; -she sat very still; she was determined to listen.</p> - -<p>"I think you must be mistaken, Sarah," said Miss Delicia to her friend. -"I know my sister, Mrs. Freeman, thinks that Bridget, with all her -faults, has a fine character. I heard her saying so to Patience one -day. Patience, poor dear, just lacks the very thing she was called -after, and Henrietta said to her: 'The material is raw, but it is -capable of being fashioned into something noble.' I must say I agreed -with Henrietta."</p> - -<p>"My dear Delicia," responded the other lady, "am I unjust, suspicious, -or wanting in charity?"</p> - -<p>"No, Sarah; Patience—poor Patience—does fail in those respects -occasionally; but no one can lay these sins to your door."</p> - -<p>"I am glad to hear you say so. Now you must listen to the following -facts. You know what a queer medley that poor girl's mind is in; -she has a good deal of knowledge of a certain kind: she has poetic -fancy, and brilliant imagination, she has a lovely singing voice, and -the expression she throws into her music almost amounts to genius; -nevertheless, where ordinary school work is concerned, the girl is an -absolute ignoramus. Her knowledge of geography is a blank. Kamschatka -may be within a mile of London, for all she knows to the contrary, -Africa may be found at the opposite side<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_153" id="Page_153">[Pg 153]</a></span> of the Straits of Dover; her -spelling is too atrocious for words. As to arithmetic, she is a perfect -goose whenever she tries to conquer the smallest and simplest sum."</p> - -<p>"Well, my dear," interrupted Miss Delicia, "granted all this, the poor -child has been sent to school to be taught, I suppose. I can't see why -she should be accused of dishonor because she is ignorant."</p> - -<p>"My dear friend, you must allow me to continue. I am coming to my point -immediately. When Bridget first came to school, she was placed in the -lowest class in the middle school. She was with girls a couple of years -her juniors. Mrs. Freeman was much distressed at this arrangement, for -Bridget is not only fifteen—she arrived at that age since she came -to school—but she is a remarkably developed, grown-up-looking girl -for her years; to have to do lessons, therefore, with little girls of -twelve and thirteen was in every way bad for her.</p> - -<p>"There was no help for it, however, and we had really to strain a point -to keep her out of the lower school.</p> - -<p>"For two or three weeks Biddy did as badly as any girl with a -reasonable amount of brains could. Each day we felt that we must take -her out of the middle school. Then occurred that unfortunate accident, -when Evelyn Percival was so nearly hurt. That seemed to bring things to -a crisis. Bridget was punished, you remember?"</p> - -<p>"Yes," said Miss Delicia, nodding her wise head, "I remember perfectly."</p> - -<p>"Bridget was punished," continued Miss Dent, "but on that day also she -submitted to authority. The<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_154" id="Page_154">[Pg 154]</a></span> next morning she took her usual place in -class, but—lo and behold! there was a marked and sudden improvement. -Her spelling was correct, the different places in the world began to -assume their relative positions. Her sums were more than good. In two -or three days she had risen to the head of her class; she was moved -into a higher one, and took a high place in that also. This state of -things continued for a fortnight; we were all in delight, for the girl -had plenty about her to win our interest. All she wanted to make her -one of the most popular girls in the school was attention to the rules, -and a certain power of getting on at her lessons.</p> - -<p>"This golden fortnight in Biddy's life, however, came to an end. Her -aunt, Lady Kathleen Peterham, called a week ago, and took her and -Janet May to Eastcliff. On that very morning Bridget had absolutely no -lessons to say; she had not written out her theme, she had not learned -her geography; her sum book was a blank. From that day she has returned -to her normal state of ignorance; her lessons are as hopelessly badly -learnt as ever."</p> - -<p>"Well, well," said Miss Delicia, "I am sorry for the poor child. That -rather silly aunt of hers probably turned her brain, but I cannot even -now see how you make her conduct dishonorable. She's a naughty child, -of course, and we must spur her on to greater efforts next time; but as -to her being wanting in <i>honor</i>, that's a strong word, Sarah."</p> - -<p>"Wait a minute," said Miss Dent. "You know the girls have to give up -all their exercise books a couple of days before the examinations? -Bridget handed me hers a couple of days ago. Her books<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_155" id="Page_155">[Pg 155]</a></span> were -disgraceful—blotty, untidy, almost illegible. I examined them in -hopeless despair. Suddenly my eyes were arrested; I was looking through -the English themes.</p> - -<p>"'Ah!' I said, 'here is the little oasis in the desert; these are the -exercises Biddy wrote during the fortnight she was so good.'</p> - -<p>"I suppose it was the force of the contrast, but I looked at these -neatly written, absolutely correct, well spelled pages in astonishment. -Busy as I was, I felt obliged to read one of the little essays over -again; the subject was 'Julius Cæsar.' Bridget went up to the top of -her class for the masterly way in which she had worked out her little -essay. I read it over again, in perplexity and admiration. The English -was correct, the style vigorous; there were both conciseness and -thought in the well turned sentences. One phrase, however, struck on my -ear with a curious sense of familiarity. At first I said to myself, 'I -remarked this sentence when Bridget read her theme aloud, that is the -reason why it is so familiar,' but my mind was not satisfied with this -explanation. Like a flash I remembered where I had seen it before. I -said to myself the child has got this out of Pearson's book of English -extracts. Her essay is admirable, even without this concluding thought. -I must tell her to put marks of quotation another time when she uses -phrases not her own. I rose and went to the bookcase, and taking down -Pearson, looked out his remarks on Julius Cæsar. My dear Delicia, -judge of my feelings; the little essay was copied word for word from -Pearson's book! It was a daring act, and, putting the wickedness out -of sight, almost a silly one, for to quote from such a well-known -<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_156" id="Page_156">[Pg 156]</a></span>author as Pearson was naturally almost to invite discovery. All the -good, carefully written essays were copied from the same volume. I can -at last understand why Bridget has fallen back into her old state of -hopeless ignorance. I can also, alas! understand that golden fortnight -of promise."</p> - -<p>"But this is dreadful!" said Miss Delicia. "What have you done; have -you told my sister yet?"</p> - -<p>"No, I wanted to consult you before I spoke to anyone else on the -matter."</p> - -<p>Bridget got up slowly and softly, and moved away down the shady path; -the two ladies did not see her as she went. She soon found herself -standing on the open lawn in front of the house. The great marquee was -being put up there; several workmen were busy, and little girls were -fluttering about like gay, happy butterflies. Alice, Violet, and two or -three more ran up to her when they saw her. "We are making wreaths of -evergreens; won't you help us, Bridget?" they exclaimed.</p> - -<p>"No," she said; "I have a headache—don't worry me." She turned -abruptly away and walked down the avenue.</p> - -<p>She had no longer any wish to break the rules, but she thought she -would wait about near the entrance gates, in order to catch Janet on -her way back from Eastcliff.</p> - -<p>The girls were all busy round the marquee, and Bridget had this part -of the avenue to herself; she went and stood near an ivy-covered -wall; leaned her elbows against the trunk of a tree, and waited; a -motionless, but pretty figure, her gay ribbons streaming about her, her -hat pushed back from her<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_157" id="Page_157">[Pg 157]</a></span> forehead, her puzzled, troubled eyes looking -on the ground.</p> - -<p>Bridget knew that Janet would be back within an hour. It mattered very -little to her how long she had to wait; she felt too stunned and sore -to be troubled by any keen sense of impatience.</p> - -<hr /> - -<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_158" id="Page_158">[Pg 158]</a></span></p> - -<h2><span>CHAPTER XIV.</span> <span class="smaller">"I'M BIG—AND I'M DESPERATE."</span></h2> - -<p>As soon as Janet found herself alone in the pony trap, she took a -letter out of her pocket, opened it, and read its contents with -eagerness. These were the words on which her eyes fell:</p> - -<blockquote><p><span class="smcap">My Dear, Good Little Janey</span>:</p> - -<p>I am afraid I cannot take your advice; I cannot exercise the virtue -of patience another day. Mine has run its course, my dear, and the -whole stock is exhausted. I have resolved to leave my situation on -Saturday. I have given Miss Simpkins notice—she does not believe -me, of course, but she'll know who's right when Saturday comes, -and she has no one to hector and bully and make life a misery to. -I wonder where you are going to spend your holidays. Don't go to -Aunt Jane's, I beg of you; I know she has sent you an invitation, -but don't accept it. Now, couldn't you and I go off for a little -jaunt together to Margate, and have some fun? And look here, dear, -<i>will</i> you send me two pounds by return of post? I absolutely must -have the money, for Miss Simpkins paid me in full a week ago, and -I shan't have a penny when I leave, as of course, the little I get -from her—she is the stingiest old wretch in existence!—naturally -goes to keep your humble servant in dress, stamps, paper, etc., -etc. Lend me two pounds, like a darling. I'll pay it back when I -can. I do not want to go to Aunt Jane's, and I will have to do it -if you cannot oblige me, Janey; but if you can I will go to Margate -and take a bedroom there, which you can share, my love, and we'll -have some fun, if it's only for a couple of days.</p> - -<p class="center">Your loving sister,</p> - -<p class="right"><span class="smcap">Sophia</span>.</p></blockquote> - -<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_159" id="Page_159">[Pg 159]</a></span></p> -<p>"Poor Sophy," exclaimed Janet. She folded up the letter and placed it -in her pocket. "I wonder where she thinks I'm going to get two pounds -from?" she muttered. "I am as hard up as a girl can be. Sophy might -have stayed with Miss Simpkins, but she's a sort of bad penny; always -returning on one's hands when one least expects her. Well, I don't see -how I'm going to help her. It would be very nice to go to Margate with -her, but what would Mrs. Freeman say? No, I think I know a better plan -than that. I am not going to Aunt Jane's for the holidays; I am going -to have a good time, but it won't be at Margate. Suppose Sophy came, -too? she's very pretty, and very clever, and I think Lady Kathleen -would like her awfully. I must think over this. Oh, here we are at -Eastcliff. Now, my dear little Biddy, the first thing to be done is -post your letter, but if you think I am going to get that postal order, -and place it in it, you are vastly mistaken. I do not at all know that -I shall send the two sovereigns to Sophy, but it is convenient to have -them at hand in case of need."</p> - -<p>Janet was always very cool and methodical in her movements. She never, -as the phrase goes, "lost her head." She could also make up her mind -clearly and decidedly. Having done so, she now proceeded to act. She -slipped her sister's most troublesome letter into her pocket, and -driving to the pastry cook's, ordered the creams, jellies, and other -refreshments necessary for the next day's entertainment. She then went -to the post office and wrote a few lines.</p> - -<blockquote><p><span class="smcap">My Dear Sophy</span> [she wrote]: How am I to get two pounds? You -must be mad to think that I can send you so large a sum of money. -If Aunt Jane pays for my schooling, she takes very good<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_160" id="Page_160">[Pg 160]</a></span> care to -stint my pocket money. You had better be wise and go straight to -her when you leave Miss Simpkins. I <i>may</i> have a nice plan to -propose in a day or two, but am not sure. You may be certain I'll -do my best for you, only do be patient.</p> - -<p class="right">Your affectionate sister,<span class="s3"> </span><br /> -<span class="smcap">Janet May</span>.</p></blockquote> - -<p>This letter was sealed and directed, and in company with Bridget's -found its way into one of Her Majesty's mail bags; then Janet stepped -once again into the pony carriage, and desired the coachman to drive -her back to Mulberry Court.</p> - -<p>The two sovereigns were snugly placed in her purse. She had not yet -quite made up her mind to steal them, but she liked even the temporary -sense of wealth and possession that they gave her.</p> - -<p>The wickedness of her own act did not trouble her hardened conscience; -she sat lazily back in the snug little carriage, and enjoyed the -pleasant feel of the summer breeze against her forehead. A passing -sense of annoyance swept over her as she thought of Sophy. Sophy was -nineteen; a very pretty, empty-headed girl. She had not half Janet's -abilities. She was really affectionate, but weak, and most easily -led. Janet was three years younger than her sister, but in force of -character she was several years her senior. The two girls were orphans. -They had lived a scrambling sort of life; tossed about when they were -little children, from one uncomfortable home to another. Finally, -at the ages of fourteen and eleven, they found themselves with a -very strict and puritanical old aunt. Her influence was bad for both -of them, particularly for Janet. Old Aunt Jane was a very good and -excellent woman, but she did not understand the two badly trained and -badly <span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_161" id="Page_161">[Pg 161]</a></span>disciplined girls. She was by no means rich, but she struggled -to educate them. Sophy was not clever enough to undertake the somewhat -arduous duties required from governesses in the present day, but Miss -Laughton took great pains to get her a post as companion. Janet had -plenty of abilities, and she was sent to Mulberry Court to be trained -as a teacher.</p> - -<p>The girls were fond of each other. Perhaps the only person in the -wide world whom Janet really loved was this frivolous and thoughtless -sister. She ruled Sophy, and, when with her, made her do exactly -what she wished; but still, after a fashion, she felt a very genuine -affection for her.</p> - -<p>"Sophy might have stayed at Miss Simpkins's," muttered Janet, as she -drove back to the Court; "but as she has given notice, there's no help -for it. I must get Lady Kathleen to invite her to Ireland when I go. -I'm determined to manage that little affair for myself, and Sophy may -as well join in the fun."</p> - -<p>The carriage turned in at the white gates of Mulberry Court, and -Bridget sprang forward to meet it.</p> - -<p>"Get out, Janet!" she said, in an imperious, excited voice; "get out at -once; I have something to say to you."</p> - -<p>"Stop, Jones," called Janet to the driver. "If you want to speak to me, -Bridget, you had better jump into the carriage, for I mean to go back -to the house; I want to speak to Mrs. Freeman."</p> - -<p>"You won't do anything of the kind," said Bridget; "you have got to -speak to me first; if you don't, I'll go straight to Miss Delicia -and Miss Dent and tell them everything. I know now about Pearson's -extracts, and<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_162" id="Page_162">[Pg 162]</a></span> I'll tell about them; yes, I will; I won't live under -this disgrace! You had better jump out at once, and let me speak to -you, or I'll tell."</p> - -<p>Bridget's eyes were flashing with anger, and her cheeks blazing with -excitement.</p> - -<p>In this mood she was not to be trifled with.</p> - -<p>Janet could not comprehend all her wild words, but she guessed enough -to feel an instant sense of alarm. There was danger ahead, and danger -always rendered Janet May cool and collected.</p> - -<p>"My dear child," she exclaimed, "why do you speak in such a loud, -excited voice? Of course, I'll go and talk to you if you really want -me. Jones, please take this basket carefully to the house, and if you -see Mrs. Freeman tell her that I shall be with her in a few minutes, -and that everything is arranged quite satisfactorily for to-morrow. -Don't forget my message, Jones."</p> - -<p>"No, miss; I'll be careful to remember." The man touched his hat. Janet -alighted from the pony trap, and, taking Bridget's hand, walked up the -avenue with her.</p> - -<p>"Now, you dear little Quicksilver," she exclaimed, "what is the matter? -I posted your letter, my love, so that weight is off your mind."</p> - -<p>"Thank you, Janet," exclaimed poor Bridget; "you did not forget to -put the postal order in, did you?" Janet raised her delicate brows in -well-acted astonishment.</p> - -<p>"Is that likely?" she exclaimed. "But now, why this excitement? Have -you heard fresh news of that valuable Pat, and that delightful Norah?"</p> - -<p>"Janet, you are not to talk of the people I love in<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_163" id="Page_163">[Pg 163]</a></span> that tone; I won't -have it! I quite hate you when you go on like this. I'm not mean, but -I know what you are wanting, and I shall speak to Aunt Kathleen and -ask her not to invite you to Ireland if you go on in this way. Aunt -Kathleen likes you because she does not know you, but I can soon open -her eyes."</p> - -<p>Janet put on a mock tone of alarm.</p> - -<p>"You must not crush me, my dear," she exclaimed; "it <i>would</i> be a trial -not to go to the Castle. There, there, I don't want really to tease -you, my love. Now, what is the matter? Why have you been making those -extraordinary remarks about Pearson? Who <i>is</i> Pearson?"</p> - -<p>"You know better than I do, Janet. I'll tell you what has happened. You -copied a lot of themes, and gave them to me as if they were your own -to put into my exercise book. It was very, very wrong of me to let you -help me at all, but, of course, I thought that you had done so without -referring to books."</p> - -<p>"My dear little saint! I don't see what difference that makes!"</p> - -<p>"I don't suppose it makes any difference in the wickedness," retorted -Bridget; "but it certainly does in the chance of being found out. -I overheard Miss Dent and Miss Delicia talking in one of the -summerhouses; Miss Dent has discovered that my essays were copied -from Pearson's extracts, and she's awfully angry, and Miss Delicia is -horrified. I won't live under it! no, I won't! I was awfully wicked -ever to allow it, but I'd much, much rather confess everything now. I -am an idle, scapegrace sort of a girl; but I can't think how I ever -submitted to your making me dishonorable. I'm<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_164" id="Page_164">[Pg 164]</a></span> horribly dishonorable, -and I could die of the shame of it! I'll go straight this very minute -to Mrs. Freeman, and tell her to punish me as much as ever she likes. -The only thing I shall beg of her is not to tell father, for this is a -sort of thing that would break my father's heart. You must come with -me, of course, Janet; you must come at once and explain your share in -the matter. That's what I waited for you here for. It is most important -that everything should be told without a minute's delay."</p> - -<p>Bridget's words were poured out with such intense passion and anguish -that Janet was impressed in spite of herself. She was not only -impressed; she was frightened. It took a great deal to arouse the sense -of alarm in her calm breast, but she did realize now that she had got -herself and the young Irish girl into a considerable scrape, and that, -if she did not wish to have all her own projects destroyed, it behooved -her to be extremely wary.</p> - -<p>"Let us go down and walk by the sea, Biddy," she said. "Oh, yes, -there's plenty of time; meals will be quite irregular to-day. Why, how -you tremble, you poor little creature!"</p> - -<p>"I'm not little," said Bridget; "I'm big, and I'm desperate. The time -has gone by for you to come round me with soft words, Janet. Why am I -to go and walk with you by the sea? The thing to be done is for us both -to find Mrs. Freeman, and tell her, without mincing words, how wicked -we are."</p> - -<p>"Have you really made up your mind to do this?" said Janet.</p> - -<p>She turned and faced her companion. The color had left her cheeks, her -lips trembled, her eyes were dilated.</p> - -<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_165" id="Page_165">[Pg 165]</a></span></p> - -<p>"Do you positively mean to do this cruel thing?" she repeated.</p> - -<p>"Cruel?" said Bridget, stamping her foot; "it's the only bit of justice -left; it's the one last chance of our ever retrieving our position. Oh, -do come with me at once; there's just time for us to see Mrs. Freeman -before tea."</p> - -<p>"You can go, Bridget," said Janet. "If you are determined to go I -cannot prevent you. You can make all this terrible mischief if you -like; but you must do it alone, for I shall not be with you. The -effect of your confession will be this: you will suffer some sort of -punishment, and by and by you will be forgiven; and by and by, too, you -will forget what you now consider such an awful tragedy; but what you -are now doing will ruin me for all my life. I am only sixteen—but no -matter. However long I live I shall never be able to get over this step -that you are taking. If you go—as you say you will—to Mrs. Freeman, -there is only one thing for me to do, and that is to run away from -school. I won't remain here to be expelled; for expelled I shall be if -you tell what you say you will of me. They'll make out that I am worse -than you, and they'll expel me. You don't know the effect that such -a disgrace will have on my future. I am not rich like you; I have no -father to break his heart about me. The only relations I have left in -the world are an old aunt, who is very stingy and very hard-hearted, -and who would never forgive me if I did the smallest thing to incur her -displeasure; and one sister, who is three years older than myself, and -who is very pretty and very silly, and who has written to me to say she -has lost her situation as companion. If you do what you are going to -do,<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_166" id="Page_166">[Pg 166]</a></span> Bridget, I shall walk back to Eastcliff, and take the next train -to Bristol, where Aunt Jane lives. You will ruin me, of course; but -I don't suppose that fact will influence your decision. I did what I -did for you out of a spirit of pure kindliness; but that, too, will be -forgotten, now that your conscience has awakened. I am just waiting for -you to choose what you will really do, Bridget, before I run away."</p> - -<p>When Janet finished speaking she moved a few steps from her companion. -She saw that her words had taken effect, for Biddy's determined -expression had changed to one of indecision and fresh misery; her -troubled eyes sought the ground, her red lips trembled.</p> - -<p>"I see you have made up your mind," said Janet. (She saw quite the -reverse, but she thought these words a politic stroke.) "I see you have -quite made up your mind," she continued; "so there is nothing for me to -do but to go. Good-by! I only wish I had never been so unlucky as to -know you."</p> - -<p>Janet turned on her heel, and began to walk down the avenue.</p> - -<p>"You know you can't go like this," Bridget called after her. "Stop! -Listen to me! You know perfectly well that, bad as you are, I don't -want to ruin you. I'll go by myself, then, and say nothing about you. -Will that content you?"</p> - -<p>"I see you are going to be reasonable," said Janet, returning, and -taking her companion's arm. "Now we can talk the matter out. Come down -this shady walk, where no one will see us. Of course, the whole thing -is most disagreeable and unpleasant, but surely two wise heads like -ours can see a way even out of this difficulty."</p> - -<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_167" id="Page_167">[Pg 167]</a></span></p> - -<p>"But there is no way, Janet, except by just confessing that we have -behaved very badly. Come along, and let us do it at once. I don't -believe you'll get into the awful scrape you make out. I won't let you! -I'll take your part, and be your friend. You shall come to Ireland -with Aunt Kathleen and me, and father will be ever so kind to you, and -perhaps—I'm not sure—but <i>perhaps</i> I'll be able to give you one of -the dogs."</p> - -<p>"Thanks!" said Janet, slightly turning her head away; "but even the -hope of ultimately possessing one of those valuable quadrupeds cannot -lighten the gloom of my present position. There is no help for it, -Biddy, we must stick to one another, and resolve, whatever happens, -<i>not</i> to tell."</p> - -<p>"But they know already," said Bridget. "Miss Delicia and Miss Dent know -already! Did I not tell you that I overheard them talking about it?"</p> - -<p>"Yes, my dear, you did. It is really most perplexing. You must let me -think for a moment what is best to be done."</p> - -<p>Janet stood still in the center of the path; Bridget looked at her -anxiously.</p> - -<p>"What a fool I was," she murmured under her breath, "to use that -extract book. It was just my laziness; and how could I suppose that -that stupid Miss Dent would go and pry into it? It will be a mercy if -she does not discover where some of my own happy ideas have come from. -If I trusted to my own brains I could have concocted something quite -good enough to raise poor little Biddy in her class. Discovery would -then have been impossible. Oh, what a sin laziness is!"</p> - -<p>"What are we to do?" said Bridget, looking <span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_168" id="Page_168">[Pg 168]</a></span>anxiously at her companion. -"We have very little time to make up our minds in, for probably before -now Miss Dent and Miss Delicia have told Mrs. Freeman. I do want, at -least, to have the small merit of having told my own sin before it has -been announced by another. There's no way out of it, Janet. Come and -let us tell at once!"</p> - -<p>"How aggravating you are!" replied Janet. "There is a way out of it. -You must give me until after tea to think what is best to be done. -Ah! there's the gong! We <i>can't</i> tell now until after tea, even if we -wished to. Come along, Bridget, let us return to the house. I'll meet -you in the South Walk at seven o'clock, and then I shall have something -tangible to propose."</p> - -<p>Bridget was obliged very unwillingly to consent to this delay. Hers was -a nature always prone to extremes. She thought badly of her conduct -in allowing Janet to help her with her lessons ever since the moment -little Violet had given back the waxen doll, but even then she did not -know the half of the sin which she and another had committed. It only -needed Miss Dent and Miss Delicia to open her eyes. A sick sense of -abasement was over her. Her proud spirit felt humbled to the very dust. -She was so low about herself that she looked forward to confession with -almost relief.</p> - -<p>Janet's nature, however, was a great deal firmer and more resolute -than Bridget's. There was no help for it: the Irish girl was bound to -comply with her decision. The two walked slowly up to the house, where -they parted, Janet running up to her room to take off her hat, wash her -hands, and smooth her hair, and Biddy, tossing her shady hat off in the -hall, and entering<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_169" id="Page_169">[Pg 169]</a></span> the tea room looking messed and untidy. On another -day she would have been reprimanded for this, but the excitement which -preceded the grand break-up prevented anyone noticing her. She sank -down in the first vacant seat, and listlessly stirred the tea which she -felt unable to drink.</p> - -<p>Janet's conduct in this emergency differed in all respects from -Bridget's. No girl could look fresher, sweeter, or more composed than -she when, a moment or two later, she entered the long room. Mrs. -Freeman was pouring out tea at the head of the table. Janet went -straight up to her, and entered into a lucid explanation of what she -had done at Eastcliff, and the purchases she had made.</p> - -<p>"Very nice, my dear! Yes, quite satisfactory. Ah! very thoughtful of -you, Janet. Sit down now, dear, and take your tea."</p> - -<p>Janet found a place near Dolly. She ate heartily, and was sufficiently -roused out of herself to be almost merry.</p> - -<p>When the girls were leaving the tea room, Janet lingered a little -behind the others. Her eyes anxiously followed Miss Delicia, who, with -a flushed face and dubious, uncertain manner, was watching her elder -sister, Mrs. Freeman. Miss Dent had not appeared at all at tea, which -Janet regarded as a very bad sign, but she also felt sure, by the head -mistress's calm expression, that the news of Bridget's delinquencies -had not been revealed to her. Janet saw, however, by Miss Delicia's -manner that this would not long be the case. Janet had thought the -matter over carefully, and had made up her mind to a determined and -bold stroke.</p> - -<p>Miss Delicia, who had, as usual, been hopping about<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_170" id="Page_170">[Pg 170]</a></span> during the meal, -attending to everyone's comforts, and quite forgetting her own, was now -seen by Janet to walk up by the side of the long table, evidently with -the intention of waylaying Mrs. Freeman as she left the room.</p> - -<p>With a sudden movement Janet frustrated her intentions. Mrs. Freeman -passed out through the upper door of the tea room, and Miss Delicia -found herself coming plump up against Janet May.</p> - -<p>"Oh, I want to speak to you!" said Janet.</p> - -<p>"Pardon me," said Miss Delicia, "I will attend to you in a moment; but, -first of all, I wish to say a word to my sister; she will shut herself -up in her own room, for she is going to be very busy over accounts, -if I don't immediately secure her. I'll be back with you in a moment, -Janet, after I have spoken to Mrs. Freeman."</p> - -<p>"Please forgive me," said Janet, "but what I have to say is of very -great importance. Perhaps you won't want to speak to Mrs. Freeman after -you have talked to me."</p> - -<p>"Now, my dear, what do you mean?"</p> - -<p>Miss Delicia raised her kind, but somewhat nervous eyes. She was a -little round body, nearly a head shorter than tall Janet May.</p> - -<p>"I want to speak to you by yourself," said Janet; "it is of great -importance—the very greatest. Please talk to me before you say -anything to Mrs. Freeman."</p> - -<p>"Come to my private room," said Miss Delicia, taking Janet's hand -in her own. "Come quickly before Patience sees us. Miss Patience is -very curious; she will wonder what is up. Ah, here we are with the -door shut; that is a comfort. Now, my dear, begin. Your manner quite -frightens me."</p> - -<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_171" id="Page_171">[Pg 171]</a></span></p> - -<p>"I have something most important to say. I am very glad—very, very -glad—that it is to you, Miss Delicia, that I have got to say this -thing. Your kindness is—is well known. Each girl in the school is well -aware of the fact that you would not willingly hurt anyone."</p> - -<p>"My dear, none of us would do that, I hope." Miss Delicia drew her -little figure up. "We are Pickerings; my sister, Mrs. Freeman, is a -Pickering by birth; and the Pickerings have been in the scholastic line -from time immemorial. Those who guide the young ought always to be -tolerant, always kind, always forbearing."</p> - -<p>"Yes, yes," interrupted Janet, "I know that, of course, but some people -are more forbearing than others. Mrs. Freeman, Miss Patience, and you -are loved and respected by us all; but you are loved the most, for you -are the kindest."</p> - -<p>Miss Delicia's little face flushed all over.</p> - -<p>"I am gratified, of course," she said, "but <i>if</i> this is the general -feeling, I shall be most careful to keep the knowledge from my sisters -Henrietta and Patience. Now, Janet, what is it you want to say to me?"</p> - -<p>"I want to speak to you about Bridget O'Hara."</p> - -<p>Miss Delicia felt the color receding from her cheeks.</p> - -<p>"Oh!" she exclaimed; "what about her? I may as well say at once that I -am not happy with regard to that young girl."</p> - -<p>"I know," said Janet, "I—I know more than you think; that is what -I want to speak about. Biddy has told me; poor Biddy, poor, poor -misguided Biddy."</p> - -<p>"Bridget O'Hara has told you? Told you what, Janet? It is your duty to -speak; what has she told you?</p> - -<p>"The truth, poor girl," said Janet, shaking her head<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_172" id="Page_172">[Pg 172]</a></span> mournfully. -"I'll tell you everything, Miss Delicia. Biddy, through an accident, -overheard you and Miss Dent speak about her this afternoon."</p> - -<p>"Then she's an eavesdropper as well as everything else," said Miss -Delicia. "Oh, this is too bad. I did not suppose that such an -absolutely unprincipled, wicked girl ever existed; with her beautiful -face too, and her kind, charming, open manners. Oh, she's a wolf in -sheep's clothing, she will be the undoing of the entire school. It -is very difficult, Janet, to rouse my anger, but when it is aroused -I—I—well, I feel things <i>extremely</i>, my dear. I must go to Mrs. -Freeman at once; don't keep me, I beg."</p> - -<p>Janet placed herself between Miss Delicia and the door.</p> - -<p>"I must keep you," she said. "You are not often angry, Miss Delicia; I -want you on this occasion to be very forbearing, and to restrain your -indignation until you have at least listened to me. Biddy did not mean -to eavesdrop."</p> - -<p>"Oh, don't talk to me, my dear!"</p> - -<p>"I must, I will talk to you. Please, please let me say my say. Biddy -behaved badly, disgracefully, but she did not mean to listen. She was -in trouble, poor girl, about a friend of hers, a servant who was ill in -Ireland. She was sitting in the shrubbery thinking about it all when -you and Miss Dent came and sat in the summerhouse near by. You spoke -her name, and said some very plain truths about her. She forgot all -about going away and everything else in the intense interest with which -she followed your words. She rushed away at last, and waited near the -gates in the avenue to unburden herself to me. Whatever you may have -said to<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_173" id="Page_173">[Pg 173]</a></span> Miss Dent, Miss Delicia, the effect on Bridget was really -heartrending; she told me that you had opened her eyes, that she saw -at last the disgrace of her own conduct. I never could have believed -that the poor girl could get into such a state of mind; I really felt -quite anxious about her. I don't think my sympathies were ever more -thoroughly aroused, and you know that I am not easily carried away by -my feelings."</p> - -<p>"That is certainly the character you have received in the school, Janet -May."</p> - -<p>"It is true," repeated Janet, in her steady voice; "I am not -demonstrative. Therefore, when I am roused to pity, the case which -arouses me must be supposed to be extreme. Poor Biddy is in the most -terrible anguish."</p> - -<p>"Did she tell you, did she dare to tell you, that she copied her -extracts from Pearson?"</p> - -<p>"She did, she told me everything. She says she is quite sure that Mrs. -Freeman will expel her, and that, if so, her father will die of grief."</p> - -<p>"Oh, she has deputed you, then, to plead for her?"</p> - -<p>"She has not; it has never occurred to her that anyone should plead for -her. She does not feel even a vestige of hope in the matter; but I do -plead for her, Miss Delicia. I ask you to have mercy upon her."</p> - -<p>"Mercy," said Miss Delicia, "mercy! Is this sort of thing to go on in a -respectable high-class school? We are not going to be heartlessly cruel -to any girl, of course, but my sisters Henrietta and Patience must -decide what is really to be done."</p> - -<p>"I have come to you with a bold request," said Janet. "I will state it -at once frankly. I want you<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_174" id="Page_174">[Pg 174]</a></span> not to consult your sisters about Bridget -until—until after the festival to-morrow."</p> - -<p>"I can't grant your request, my dear."</p> - -<p>"But please consider. I am taking great and personal interest in -Bridget; you know that I am very steady."</p> - -<p>"You are, Janet; you are one of the best girls in the school."</p> - -<p>"Thank you," said Janet, "I try to do my duty; I take a great interest -in Bridget, and I have an influence over her. You know how badly she -has been brought up; you know how reckless she is, how untaught, how -affectionate and generous she can be, and yet also how desperate and -defiant. There are only two people in the world whom she greatly loves; -her old father is one; oh, she has told me lovely, pathetic stories -about her gray-headed old father; and her aunt, Lady Kathleen Peterham, -is the other. To-morrow is to be a great day in the school, and if -Bridget is to be in disgrace and publicly held up to opprobrium, you -can imagine what Lady Kathleen's feelings will be—what Bridget's own -feelings will be. What will be the effect? Bridget will be taken away -from school and in all probability never educated at all."</p> - -<p>"But, my dear—you are a remarkably wise girl, Janet—my dear, the -fact of my sisters knowing the truth about Bridget O'Hara need not be -followed by public and open disgrace. We three must consult over the -matter and decide what are the best steps to take."</p> - -<p>"Forgive me," said Janet, "you know—you must know what Mrs. Freeman's -and Miss Patience's sentiments will be. If you, who are so gentle and -charitable, feel intense anger, what will their anger be? Reflect, Miss -Delicia, you must reflect on the plain fact<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_175" id="Page_175">[Pg 175]</a></span> that they will feel it -their duty publicly to disgrace Bridget."</p> - -<p>"For the sake of example," murmured Miss Delicia.</p> - -<p>"Precisely," said Janet, "for the sake of example; and Biddy's -character will be ruined forever. Lady Kathleen will take her from -school, and all chance of making her what she may become, a brave and -noble woman, will be at an end."</p> - -<p>"If I thought that——" said Miss Delicia.</p> - -<p>"It is true. I assure you, it is true!"</p> - -<p>"What do you want me to do then, Janet?"</p> - -<p>"Simply to keep your knowledge to yourself for twenty-four hours."</p> - -<p>"I am much puzzled," murmured Miss Delicia. "You're a queer girl, Janet -May, but I will own there is wisdom in your words."</p> - -<p>"How sweet you are, Miss Delicia! You will never, never repent of this -forbearance."</p> - -<p>"But there is Miss Dent to be thought of, my love. She is most unhappy -about the whole thing."</p> - -<p>"You will talk to her," said Janet; "you will talk to her as if from -yourself; you will, of course, not mention me, for who am I? nothing -but a schoolgirl. You will tell Miss Dent that you have thought it -wisest to defer saying anything to Mrs. Freeman until the anxieties -of to-morrow are over. Oh, it does seem only right and natural; I am -so deeply obliged to you. May I kiss you? This lesson in Christian -forbearance will, I assure you, not be thrown away on me, and will, -doubtless, be the saving of poor, poor Biddy."</p> - -<p>Janet ran out of the room; Miss Delicia pressed her hand in a confused -way to her forehead.</p> - -<p>"Have I really promised not to tell?" she murmured;<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_176" id="Page_176">[Pg 176]</a></span> "I suppose so, -although I don't remember saying the words. What a queer, clever girl -that is, and yet, at the same time, how really kind. It is noble of -her to plead like that for Bridget! Well, after all, twenty-four hours -can't greatly signify, and the delay will certainly insure Henrietta -and Patience a peaceful time. Now, I must go and talk to poor, dear -Sarah Dent."</p> - -<hr /> - -<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_177" id="Page_177">[Pg 177]</a></span></p> - -<h2><span>CHAPTER XV.</span> <span class="smaller">BRIDGET O'HARA'S STALL.</span></h2> - -<p>"And now, my dears," said Mrs. Freeman, addressing her assembled -school, "we have come to the end of our school term; the prizes -have been distributed; the examinations are over. To those girls -who have succeeded in winning prizes, and who have, in consequence, -been raised to higher classes in the school, I offer my most hearty -congratulations; they have worked well and steadily, and they now reap -their due rewards. You, my dears"—the head mistress waved her hand in -the direction of the successful girls who were each of them pinning -a white satin badge into their dresses, and were standing together -in a little group—"you, my dears, will wear the badge of honor all -through the remainder of this day; may honor dwell in your hearts, -and may success attend you through life; that success, my dear girls, -which comes from earnest living, from constant endeavor to pursue the -right, from constant determination to forsake the wrong. You have been -successful in this day's examinations; you have every reason to be -pleased with your success; but, at the same time, it must not render -you self-confident. In short, my dear girls, you must ask for strength -other than your own to carry you safely though the waves of this -troublesome world. I now want to say a word or two to those girls who -have<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_178" id="Page_178">[Pg 178]</a></span> not to-day earned prizes. I want you, my dear children, not to go -away with any undue sense of discouragement. If, through carelessness -or inattention, you have not got the prize you coveted, you must -try very hard to be careful and attentive next term; you must also, -however, remember that every girl cannot win a prize, but that patience -and constant endeavor will secure to each of you the best rewards in -due time. On the whole, the term's work has been satisfactory, and the -progress made in every branch of study gratifying. I now declare the -school closed as far as lessons are concerned. Some of you will go away -to your own homes to-night; some to-morrow morning. We shall all meet -again, I hope, in September; and now there is a very happy time before -us. To the courage and the thoughtfulness of a young girl in this -school whom you all know—I allude to Janet May—we are going to have -a Fancy Fair for the benefit of a child who has none of the advantages -which you one and all possess. Evelyn Percival, as the head girl of the -school, and as my special friend and right hand, will hold the first -stall at the Fancy Fair; this, of course, is her due—but, that every -justice should be done, I wish you all, girls, now to acknowledge that -the first thought of the fair was due to Janet. Shall we cheer her?"</p> - -<p>A chorus of applause followed the head mistress's speech. Janet, in -her white dress with green ribbons, the glistening satin badge of a -prize-winner pinned on her breast, stood pale and slender, a little in -advance of the other girls who had also won prizes. A brief gleam of -triumph filled her dark, steel-blue eyes; she glanced at Evelyn, who, -next to her, occupied the most conspicuous position; her breath came -fast; her lips<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_179" id="Page_179">[Pg 179]</a></span> trembled. The burst of applause was delicious to her.</p> - -<p>The girls were all clapping and stamping vigorously. Their "hip, hip, -hurrrah!" echoed through the large hall where the examinations had just -been held.</p> - -<p>Raising her eyes suddenly, Janet perceived that Bridget O'Hara stood -motionless. She was in front of a group of smaller girls; her lips were -shut; neither hands nor feet responded to the volume of applause which -was echoing on all sides for Janet May.</p> - -<p>"Now we'll cheer our head girl," said Mrs. Freeman. "We are thankful -for her restoration to health, and we wish her long to remain an inmate -of Mulberry Court. Now, girls, with all your might, three cheers for -Evelyn Percival, the school favorite!"</p> - -<p>The burst of applause was deafening; the old roof rang with the -exultant young voices. Evelyn, in her turn, proposed some cheers for -the head mistress and the other teachers, after which the school broke -up.</p> - -<p>"Why didn't you cheer Janet May, Biddy?" asked Violet, when the girls -were streaming out of the hall. "I noticed that you didn't say a word, -and that you neither clapped your hands nor stamped your feet. I was -surprised, for I thought you were so fond of her."</p> - -<p>"I'm not fond of her at all," said Bridget. "Don't bother me, Vi; I -must run down now to the marquee to see about my stall."</p> - -<p>Violet's little face looked mystified. She turned to say something to -her chum Alice, and Bridget ran down the lawn to the marquee.</p> - -<p>The school was broken up by twelve o'clock, but the Fancy Fair was not -to be opened until three.</p> - -<p>Evelyn Percival's stall had been fully dressed the<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_180" id="Page_180">[Pg 180]</a></span> night before. It -looked very lovely and inviting, and although Janet's and Bridget's -stall also looked pretty, the stall of the head girl took the shine out -of all the others.</p> - -<p>When Bridget found herself standing by the marquee she looked around, -to find no one present but Janet.</p> - -<p>"I suppose you are satisfied now?" she said, giving Miss May a slightly -contemptuous glance. "You had your desire; you were publicly honored -and clapped by the whole school."</p> - -<p>"Well, my dear love," retorted Janet, who was most anxious to be -friendly with Bridget, "don't be vicious about it. I noticed that you -didn't clap me, nor cheer me. Why was that, <i>chérie</i>? Your conduct -didn't look at all amiable."</p> - -<p>"I was to clap you for being good and honorable. As I happen to know -you are not at all good, and most frightfully dishonorable, it was -impossible for me to join in the applause."</p> - -<p>"Oh, now, my dear Bridget, if you are going to preach!"</p> - -<p>"I to preach? Certainly not! I need someone to preach <i>me</i> sermons. -When are we to see Mrs. Freeman?"</p> - -<p>"I told you not before this evening. Why will you worry me with that -unpleasant subject? We have enough on our hands now in getting the fair -well through."</p> - -<p>"I wish it were over; I hate the Fancy Fair! I saw Miss Delicia looking -at me, and Miss Dent's eyes were so red, while Mrs. Freeman was talking -of the goodness of her girls. I never felt smaller nor meaner in my -life. If Mrs. Freeman had known everything, you would not have been -standing where you were, Janet,<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_181" id="Page_181">[Pg 181]</a></span> with all that false glory shining -about you. I couldn't have taken it, if it were me; but you didn't seem -to mind."</p> - -<p>"Mind, dear? I like it, I assure you! I mean to have some more of that -sort of glory before the day is out. Ah, and here they come! I knew -they would not fail us."</p> - -<p>Janet's eyes glistened with delight; she forgot all Biddy's unpleasant -words in the ecstasy of this moment. Two men were seen walking across -the lawn, each of them bearing a large hamper. They laid them down on -the grass beside Janet and Bridget.</p> - -<p>"These are from Lady Kathleen Peterham," the foremost of the men said. -"She desired that they should be delivered without delay to Miss -Bridget O'Hara and Miss Janet May."</p> - -<p>"This is Bridget O'Hara, and I am Janet May," exclaimed Janet.</p> - -<p>The man touched his hat.</p> - -<p>"That's all right, then, miss. There are four more hampers to be -brought along; we has 'em in a cart at the gate. My mate and me'll go -back and fetch 'em, miss; and Lady Kathleen said that one of us was to -stay and help you to open them."</p> - -<p>"Yes, yes," said Janet eagerly. "Bring the hampers round, please, -to the back part of the marquee. We shall have the place quite to -ourselves, for the girls do not think there is anything more to be -done, and they are busy finishing their packing. Now, Biddy, Biddy, -help me! let us set to work. Oh, Glory and Honor, we shall have -something more to do with <i>you</i> this day!"</p> - -<p>Janet's delicate complexion began to flame with excitement; her hand -shook with eagerness. She fastened<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_182" id="Page_182">[Pg 182]</a></span> a large brown holland apron over -her pretty white dress, and with the aid of one of the men, who was -very handy and efficient, began to take out the contents of the hampers.</p> - -<p>Bridget stood aside without offering to help. Janet gave her one or two -indignant glances, and then resolved to waste no further time on her.</p> - -<p>The lovely things which Lady Kathleen had purchased in Paris were so -varied and so dazzling that the home-painted fans, and the various home -articles of beauty and art were pushed hastily out of sight, and the -stall practically redecked.</p> - -<p>Lady Kathleen had evidently spared neither time nor money. Her -magnificent contribution to the Fancy Fair consisted of necklets, -bangles, scarfs, handkerchiefs, aprons, ties, every conceivable house -ornament, gay butterflies for the hair, bewitching little Parisian -bonnets; in short, a medley of fashion and beauty which intoxicated -Janet out of all reason. She clapped her hands, and laughed aloud, and -even Bridget so far forgot her sorrows and the gloom and disgrace which -each moment was bringing nearer, to exclaim at the treasures which were -taken out of the wonderful hampers.</p> - -<p>Evelyn's really beautiful stall sank into complete insignificance -beside the stall which was decked with the rare articles of beauty -from the choicest Parisian shops. Evelyn might be head of the fair, -but Lady Kathleen would certainly have her wish, for no one with eyes -to see, and money in her pocket, would linger for a moment beside -the home-decked stall when the sort of fairyland which Bridget's and -Janet's stall now presented was waiting within a stone's throw for -their benefit.</p> - -<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_183" id="Page_183">[Pg 183]</a></span></p> - -<p>Lady Katherine, remembering the wants of the children, had supplied -endless toys and bonbon boxes. In short, no one was forgotten. From -the youngest to the oldest a fairy contribution could be found on this -wonderful stall.</p> - -<p>Lady Kathleen's final act of beneficence was shown in her having marked -an exceedingly low price on each of the beautiful articles. In short, -a whim had seized her ladyship. Money was of no moment to her; she -had spent lavishly, and gone to enormous expense. If every article on -the stall were sold, about half the money she had expended would be -realized, but that fact mattered nothing at all; her object being not -to benefit little Tim Donovan, but to bring honor and renown to her -beautiful niece Bridget.</p> - -<p>Janet had great taste. She knew in a moment where to place each article -to the best advantage; she grouped her colors with an eye to artistic -effect; every touch from her deft fingers told. She was so excited and -intoxicated with the cheers she had received in the school, and now -with this fulfillment of her dearest dream, that her natural talent -arose almost to genius. Even Biddy could not help exclaiming with -wonder at the results she produced.</p> - -<p>"Whatever you are, Janet, you're clever!" she said. "I never saw -anything more lovely than this stall; never, never, in all my life!"</p> - -<p>"Well," said Janet, "if you admire it, Bridget, be good-natured about -it. Whatever is going to happen in the next few hours, let us be happy -while the bazaar is going on. Nothing can take place to disturb or -frighten us during that time. Let us, therefore, be happy."</p> - -<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_184" id="Page_184">[Pg 184]</a></span></p> - -<p>"Lady Kathleen Peterham said, miss," remarked one of the men, now -approaching Janet, and touching his hat respectfully, "that this box -was to be given most especial to you and the other young lady when the -stall was decked. Lady Kathleen said you would know what was in it when -you opened it, and she'd be sure to be here herself in good time for -the fair. Is there anything more that me and my mate can do for you -both, young ladies?"</p> - -<p>"No, nothing further," said Janet, "we are much obliged. Please -clear away the hampers and the pieces of paper and wool in which the -different things were wrapped, and if you return to Lady Kathleen say -that everything is most satisfactory."</p> - -<p>Janet had assumed a slightly commanding air, which suited her well. The -men were under the impression that she must be Lady Kathleen's niece. -They respectfully attended to her bidding, and, holding the box in her -hand, she and Bridget walked round to the other side of the marquee.</p> - -<p>It was a large box, and at another time Janet would have been -disinclined to burden herself with anything so heavy; but she was in -too good a humor now to think of small inconveniences. Attached to the -box was pinned a little note. It was directed to Bridget.</p> - -<p>"Here!" said Janet, handing it to her. "This is from your aunt; you had -better read it at once."</p> - -<p>"I don't suppose it matters," said Biddy.</p> - -<p>"Of course it matters. I never saw anyone so dull and stupid! Shall I -read it to you?"</p> - -<p>"If you like."</p> - -<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_185" id="Page_185">[Pg 185]</a></span></p> - -<p>Janet tore the note open. Her eyes rested on the following words; she -read them aloud:</p> - -<blockquote><p><span class="smcap">Darling Biddy</span>:</p> - -<p>I am told that Mrs. Freeman wishes all the stall-holders to wear -simple white with green ribbons, but there are different degrees -and qualities of this charming combination. I have selected -something very simple for you and your friend Miss May to wear -on this auspicious occasion. You will find your dresses in the -accompanying box. I can promise that they will fit you perfectly.</p></blockquote> - -<p>"O Biddy, Biddy!" said Janet, in excitement, "was there ever anyone so -kind as your Aunt Kathleen? Let us bring this box into the house at -once, and look at our finery."</p> - -<p>Even Bridget was not proof against the charms of a new dress. She -had a great love for gay clothing, and one of the small things that -fretted her on the occasion of the Fancy Fair was having to wear a book -muslin dress, made after a prescribed pattern, with a simple sash of -apple-green round her waist.</p> - -<p>She, therefore, willingly helped Janet to convey the big box to the -house.</p> - -<p>In the general excitement and disturbance the girls had no difficulty -in conveying it unobserved to Bridget's bedroom, where they eagerly -opened it, and pulled out its contents.</p> - -<p>Lady Kathleen Peterham had been careful to obey Mrs. Freeman's commands -to the letter. The Parisian frocks were also of book muslin, and the -sashes to be worn with them were of apple-green. But very wide was the -difference between the dresses made by a home dressmaker at Mulberry -Court and those which two pairs of eager eyes now feasted on.</p> - -<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_186" id="Page_186">[Pg 186]</a></span></p> - -<p>Lady Kathleen was quite right when she said that there are many kinds -of simple costumes. The quality of this book muslin was of the finest; -the embroidery and lace of the most exquisite; the puffings and -frillings, the general cut and arrangements, were made in the newest, -the most stylish and the most becoming fashion. There was something -piquant about these dresses, which removed them many degrees from those -which Evelyn Percival, Dorothy Collingwood, and the other girls would -wear. There were white silk stockings for the girls' dainty feet, and -little apple-green satin shoes with pearl buckles and high heels for -them to wear with the stockings; there were rows of shining green beads -to clasp round their slender throats; and last, but not least, there -were the cunningest and most bewitching little headdresses in the world -to perch on their heads of sunny hair.</p> - -<p>"Let us dress quickly," said Janet. "Let us slip the dresses on and run -down to the marquee and stay there. Oh, what <i>does</i> dinner matter? no -one will mind whether we dine or not to-day. Let us stay in the marquee -until the fair opens; then, even if Mrs. Freeman should disapprove, -there won't be time for us to change. O Biddy, can it really be true -that I am not only to wear this exquisite costume, but to keep it? Oh, -what a woman your Aunt Kathleen is; she is really better than any fairy -godmother."</p> - -<p>Bridget laughed, and cheered up a good deal while she was putting on -her beautiful dress. The two girls dressed with great expedition, and -ran down to the marquee, where they amused themselves flitting about -from one stall to another until half-past two.</p> - -<p>The fair was to open at three, and at half-past two<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_187" id="Page_187">[Pg 187]</a></span> Mrs. Freeman, -the numerous teachers belonging to the school, and the rest of the -stall-holders streamed down in a body from the house. The white canvas -which concealed the front of the tent was removed, and the different -girls bustled to their stalls to give the finishing touches to -everything.</p> - -<p>Bridget was feeling hungry for want of her dinner, but Janet was too -excited and too triumphant to feel the pangs of healthy appetite.</p> - -<p>She stood a little in the shadow, a slight tremor of nervousness -running through her, notwithstanding her delight.</p> - -<p>Mrs. Freeman was the first to enter the marquee; she was accompanied by -Evelyn and Dorothy; they all walked straight up to Evelyn's stall. It -was in the best position, and commanded the first view as one entered -the tent.</p> - -<p>Mrs. Freeman had not hitherto seen the stalls; her hand was drawn -affectionately through Evelyn's arm, she had a careless and relieved -expression on her face which made her look years younger. As she had -just remarked to one of the teachers:</p> - -<p>"I am like a schoolgirl myself to-day. I mean to slip away from dull -care for the next seven weeks."</p> - -<p>Mrs. Freeman was a very handsome woman, and in her gray silk dress, and -a prettily arranged black lace scarf over her shoulders, she presented -a striking and impressive appearance.</p> - -<p>"So this is our <i>first</i> stall," she exclaimed; "very nice; very nice -indeed, Evelyn. I knew you had great taste, dear. I must now see what -Janet and Bridget have contrived between them."</p> - -<p>Janet took this opportunity to step forward.</p> - -<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_188" id="Page_188">[Pg 188]</a></span></p> - -<p>The shadow caused by the interior of the tent prevented Mrs. Freeman -from at once noticing the marked difference in her dress; she only -observed a very graceful girl, whose eyes were shining with happiness, -and cheeks flushed with natural excitement.</p> - -<p>"Will it not be a good plan," said Janet, "to have the side canvas -removed also from the marquee. Visitors can then come in from both -sides, and there will be no sun round at this angle. Bridget's and my -stall is a good deal in shadow; we should like to have the side canvas -removed."</p> - -<p>"Certainly," said Mrs. Freeman, "give your own directions, Janet."</p> - -<p>Janet ran away, called to one of the gardeners, spoke to him quickly -and eagerly, ran up a step ladder herself to show him exactly what was -to be done, then, springing to the ground, she caught hold of Bridget's -hand and waited with a beating heart for the result.</p> - -<p>What might have happened can never be known, but at the very moment -when the side canvas dropped, and the full glories of the Parisian -stall and the exquisitely dressed girls were exposed to view, a gay, -high voice was heard in the distance, and a lady was seen tripping with -little runs across the lawn, and advancing rapidly in the direction of -the marquee.</p> - -<p>Mrs. Freeman at once went to meet this lady. Dorothy, Evelyn, Frances -Murray, and the many school teachers stood motionless, transfixed with -astonishment.</p> - -<p>"Well, after that!" said Dolly at last, "are there fairies alive? -Janet, I think you are bewitched; what a stall!"</p> - -<p>"I never saw anything so beautiful in my life,"<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_189" id="Page_189">[Pg 189]</a></span> said Evelyn; "only I -think I ought to have been told."</p> - -<p>"It's a nasty, mean trick!" said Frances Murray, "and I for one am not -going to be dazzled. It's enchantment, but it's not going to overcome -me." She turned away as she spoke; she realized the meaning of the -whole thing more quickly than the other two girls.</p> - -<p>"Janet, come here," said Evelyn, running up to her, and pulling her -forward. "You are dressed in white muslin and green ribbons, but—O -Dolly! look at these girls' dresses. There is nothing whatever for us -to do but to hide our diminished heads."</p> - -<p>"Not a bit of it!" said Dorothy in a stout voice. She turned away; her -cheeks were flushed with anger; she had never felt in a greater passion -in her life.</p> - -<p>"It's a trick to humiliate you, Eva," she said in a whisper. "I might -have guessed that Janet would have been up to something; she never -wanted you to have anything to do with the fair. You would not have -been asked to join at all but for Mrs. Freeman's command, and now she -has invented this way to spite us both. I am not going to be cowed, of -course; but I never felt so plain and dowdy in my life. I see now why -she has taken up with that wretched little Bridget. Oh, why did we clap -Janet in the hall just now?"</p> - -<p>"Never mind, dear," said Evelyn. "It does not really matter, of course, -whose stall is first. In my heart I never in the least cared to take a -prominent place in the bazaar. It was just Mrs. Freeman's wish."</p> - -<p>"Just Mrs. Freeman's wish!" echoed Dorothy. "It was your right, Evelyn; -you know that perfectly well."</p> - -<p>"Well, darling, my rights have been taken from me; not that it matters -in the very least. Please don't<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_190" id="Page_190">[Pg 190]</a></span> think that I am angry. Don't let us -seem sorry, Dolly; let us resign ourselves to the second position with -a good grace."</p> - -<p>"Never!" said Dorothy, stamping her foot. "This is the first stall and -you are at the head of the fair, whether people buy from us or not. -What—is that you are saying, Janet? I don't want to listen to you."</p> - -<p>"Only," said Janet, "you must not suppose this is my fault. I heard you -two muttering together, and I suppose you feel vexed that Bridget's and -my stall should be more beautiful than yours. If anyone is to blame in -the matter, it's Lady Kathleen Peterham. She said the other day she -would give us a contribution from Paris. It arrived this morning. How -could we possibly tell that it would be so large and magnificent?"</p> - -<p>"And I suppose she sent you those dresses, too?"</p> - -<p>"She did, quite unsolicited. Don't you admire them?'</p> - -<p>"Go away! I don't want to speak to you!"</p> - -<p>"You are making poor Bridget quite unhappy, Dorothy. Biddy, never mind, -dear; we will both do our utmost to keep in the shade, and, of course, -our stall is the second one, not the first. Whoever thought of its -being anything else?"</p> - -<p>Janet turned away as she spoke. The rest of the children were now -pouring down from the house, and more and more guests were arriving -each moment. Lady Kathleen, after keeping Mrs. Freeman talking outside, -until the very last instant, now rushed in to survey the premises.</p> - -<p>"Ah, my love!" she exclaimed, running up to her niece; "you do look -charming! I knew that cut about the shoulders, and that arrangement -of sleeve would<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_191" id="Page_191">[Pg 191]</a></span> suit you, Bridget. Come here, my treasure, and let -me look at you, and little May, too; sweet, dear little Mayflower. My -darling, let me whisper to you, you look most <i>recherchée—recherchée</i>, -yes, that is quite the word. Dear loves, your stall does us three -immense credit, does it not? Who talks of anyone else being first -now—eh, little Mayflower, eh?"</p> - -<p>Janet laughed, flushed, and tripped about. Bridget threw her arms round -Lady Kathleen, and gave her a hug. Her presence slightly cheered her. -The bazaar now really began, and Janet's tact during the long hours of -hard work which followed never deserted her.</p> - -<p>If Mrs. Freeman were angry she had no opportunity of showing her -feelings; neither Bridget nor Janet saw anything of Dolly and Evelyn; -they were surrounded by a stream of eager, worshiping, excited, -enthusiastic buyers. The dense mob which surrounded this one stall -seemed never for a moment to lighten. The girls worked with a will, and -money dropped into their boxes unceasingly.</p> - -<p>Once Janet could not resist raising herself on tiptoe, and then -springing on an empty box, to see how Dolly's and Evelyn's stall was -faring.</p> - -<p>Two or three sensible old ladies were calmly scrutinizing some -well-made children's frocks and pinafores; no one else seemed to be -buying; Dorothy and Evelyn did not look at all overworked. Turning her -head in another direction Janet saw that even the refreshment stall was -in nothing like the favor that her own stall was in. It was not only -the very beautiful things to be purchased, but the young stall-holders -were so piquant. One of them was so strikingly beautiful, and both -presented such an altogether uncommon appearance, that<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_192" id="Page_192">[Pg 192]</a></span> people pressed -forward to obtain a sight of them, and to wonder who they could be.</p> - -<p>Finding that the work was too much even for the two indefatigable young -sellers, Lady Kathleen herself at last donned a green ribbon badge, -and tying on an apron, stepped behind the counter to help the sale. -Her good nature, her fun, her quick repartees, made her even a greater -favorite than the two girls. The excitement rose now fast and furious. -Never, in short, had there been a greater success than Bridget O'Hara's -stall.</p> - -<hr /> - -<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_193" id="Page_193">[Pg 193]</a></span></p> - -<h2><span>CHAPTER XVI.</span> <span class="smaller">STILL IN THE WOOD.</span></h2> - -<p>But in the midst of all the fun Janet's heart was not easy.</p> - -<p>Last night she had managed very cleverly to induce Miss Delicia to keep -silence. She felt as she worked hard at the Fancy Fair, as she made -bargains with customers, and laughed and joked and looked the very -personification of light-heartedness and gayety, that she must set her -wits to work again to-night. Miss Delicia had only promised to keep -silence until the fair was over; but Janet was determined that, come -what would, Bridget should leave school before Mrs. Freeman knew of her -delinquencies.</p> - -<p>People were already beginning to depart, when Janet stole up to Lady -Kathleen, who was standing in the shade fanning herself with a huge fan.</p> - -<p>"Oh, my darling, what a success the whole thing has been," said that -good lady. "Aren't you proud, my little Mayflower, of having won -the day? I fear the head girl of the school was simply nowhere on -this occasion. I am really sorry for her, poor girl. I saw a dowdy, -pale-faced, uncouth-looking creature standing by an equally dowdy stall -at the other end of the marquee. Is <i>she</i> the school favorite—the -school <i>queen</i>, my love?"</p> - -<p>"Yes," said Janet, in a low voice; "but please don't<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_194" id="Page_194">[Pg 194]</a></span> speak against -her, she is a very dear, very sweet girl. I really felt sorry for her -and her friend Dolly Collingwood to-day."</p> - -<p>"Dolly Collingwood was, I presume, that stout, bouncing looking young -person with the red cheeks. I thought she looked very cross. It's sweet -of you, Mayflower, to stand up for them both; but if you think that -I could allow Bridget O'Hara, my niece, to be overshadowed by girls -of that sort, you are pretty well mistaken. Thank goodness, the whole -affair has gone off splendidly. You look a little tired, Mayblossom, -but very, very sweet. Your dress is most becoming. I am so delighted -to find that the new way of puffing the drapery over the shoulders -suits a little <i>mignonne</i> thing like you. As to Bridget, she is a -radiant creature—something like the sun in his strength. You, my dear, -resemble the pale moon; but don't be vexed, <i>chérie</i>, the moon, too, is -very lovely."</p> - -<p>"I want to speak to you," said Janet, laying her small hand on the -great lady's sleeve. "No, of course, I am not the least bit vexed. How -could I be vexed with anything you do? You are quite the kindest friend -I have ever come across; but I want to talk to you about Bridget."</p> - -<p>"Mercy, child, how solemn you look! What about my lovely girl?"</p> - -<p>"It is just this: I don't think she is well. She has a great color in -her cheeks, it is true, and her eyes shine; but she has eaten nothing -all day, and just now when I touched her hand it burned. I am sure she -is feverish, and over-excited. I wish, Lady Kathleen—I do wish, most -earnestly—that you would take her from the school to-night."</p> - -<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_195" id="Page_195">[Pg 195]</a></span></p> - -<p>"To-night!" said Lady Kathleen; "you quite alarm me, Janet May. If -Biddy is going to be ill there'll be a frightful to do. Why, she's -the only descendant we have any of us got; positively the last of the -family; the apple of her old father's eye, the core of my heart. Oh, my -colleen, let me get to her at once!"</p> - -<p>"Please, please," said Janet, "will you let me speak to you?"</p> - -<p>"Yes, you dear little anxious creature, I will. Why, there are -positively tears in your eyes! I never saw anyone so tender-hearted. -Oh, bother that Fancy Fair, I am sick to death of it! Let us walk here -in the shade. Now, my dear love, what is it?"</p> - -<p>"I happen to know," said Janet, "that Bridget is perplexed and unhappy; -she has taken some morbid views with regard to certain matters, and her -illness of body is really caused by the unrestful state of her mind. It -would be very bad for her if anyone noticed that she were not well, but -if anyone with tact—like yourself, for instance, Lady Kathleen—were -to take her right away from the school to-night, she would probably get -quite well at once. I cannot reveal to you what is worrying her, and I -must beg of you not to allude to the subject to her. In many ways she -is a most uncommon girl, and she is new to the sort of things that go -on here. She is quite morbid, poor dear, because she has not got up -higher in her classes, and has not won a prize; but it would <i>never</i> do -to mention this to her. Only, Lady Kathleen, please, please, take her -away to-night."</p> - -<p>"I will," said Lady Kathleen; "I most undoubtedly will. Mum's the -word with regard to the reason, of course; but out of this Biddy goes -to-day, whatever<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_196" id="Page_196">[Pg 196]</a></span> happens. I don't stir until she goes with me. But -there's just one thing more, my sweet little Janet. When are you going -away? where are you going to spend your holidays?"</p> - -<p>Janet's eyes drooped.</p> - -<p>"I—I don't quite know," she said.</p> - -<p>"But I do, my darling. I would not part Biddy from such a -tender-hearted, affectionate little friend as you are for the world. If -Biddy and I leave Mulberry Court to-night, you leave it to-morrow; and -I know where you are going to spend your holidays; at Castle Mahun, in -dear old Ireland, with Biddy and her father and me. You'll like that, -won't you, sweet Mayflower?"</p> - -<p>"But I—I am a poor girl," said Janet, coloring.</p> - -<p>Lady Kathleen placed her hand across Janet's lips.</p> - -<p>"Not another word," she said; "you are my guest, and I pay for -everything. Now, run along, dear, and help Biddy with her packing, you -had better not mind the bazaar any more. I'll go and tell her that I am -going to take her away with me this evening."</p> - -<p>Janet ran off with a beating heart.</p> - -<p>She saw daylight in the distance, but she also knew that she was by -no means yet out of the wood. Miss Delicia was the most good-natured -of women, but she was also not without a strong sense of justice; and -even if Miss Delicia could have been induced to keep silence, there -was Miss Dent, the English teacher, to be considered. Miss Dent looked -fierce and uncomfortable all day. An angry glitter had shone in her -eyes whenever she turned them in Bridget's direction; this Janet had -not failed to observe. Yes, it was all very well to get Bridget away -that evening, and to go with her herself; but she might as well spare -all her pains if before<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_197" id="Page_197">[Pg 197]</a></span> they left Mulberry Court Miss Delicia had an -opportunity of telling her story to Mrs. Freeman.</p> - -<p>As Janet was running to the house she met the post boy; he handed -her the bag, which happened to be unlocked. In the confusion of the -morning the key had got mislaid. Janet took it from him, and, opening -it, looked eagerly at its contents. There were only two letters; one -for herself, the other, in deep mourning, addressed to Mrs. Freeman. -The moment Janet saw this letter she knew what it contained; she also -knew that here was an open way out of her difficulty. Mrs. Freeman -had a first cousin in Liverpool, who was very, very ill. She was -intensely attached to this cousin, whose husband wrote to her almost -daily with regard to her health. Janet had often seen the letters, and -knew the handwriting. Now, when she saw the black-edged letter with -the Liverpool postmark on it, she guessed at once that Mrs. Freeman's -favorite cousin was dead.</p> - -<p>"I know what I'll do," said Janet to herself; "I'll take this letter to -Miss Delicia; I'll tell her how I came by it, and beg of her not to let -Mrs. Freeman see it until the worries of the day are over. Miss Delicia -will be so pleased with me for this thoughtfulness that, perhaps, she -will agree that it is best not to worry Mrs. Freeman about Bridget's -naughtiness; at any rate, to-night. This is a bit of luck for me! I'll -go and find Miss Delicia at once."</p> - -<p>It was not easy to discover that most good-natured, bustling, and -obliging little woman. Her movements were so quick, her anxiety to make -everyone happy so intense, that she had almost the faculty of being in -several places at the same time.</p> - -<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_198" id="Page_198">[Pg 198]</a></span></p> - -<p>After several minutes' active search, Janet found her in one of the -attics, cording a schoolgirl's trunk herself.</p> - -<p>"Oh, my dear, what is it?" she said, when the girl entered. "How pretty -you look in that stylish frock, Janet! I know Henrietta will scold you -for wearing it, but I must own that it is becoming. I am to see my -sister on that other unpleasant matter about seven o'clock. Now, what -is wrong, my dear?"</p> - -<p>"I—I have brought you this," said Janet, her face turning pale, and -her voice trembling. "I—I am very sorry, but I thought perhaps you -would rather Mrs. Freeman did not have this letter just at present; it -came in the post bag, which was unlocked. The post boy gave me the bag, -and I looked in. There were only two letters, one for me, and this; -I—forgive me, Miss Delicia; it has the Liverpool postmark."</p> - -<p>"Good gracious!" said Miss Delicia, "a black-edged letter, and from -Liverpool; then it is all over; poor Susan is gone. The will of the -Lord be done, of course, but this will be a sore blow to Henrietta."</p> - -<p>"I—I thought you'd keep it, and give it to her by and by," said Janet.</p> - -<p>"Thank you, my dear; very thoughtful of you; very thoughtful, but I -think she must receive it at once, for she will probably wish to go to -Liverpool to-night. Poor Susan's husband will—will want her. Oh, this -is very, very sad; my dear, loving sister, what a blow I shall have to -deal to you!"</p> - -<p>"You," said Janet; she came up and laid her hand on Miss Delicia's arm; -her face turned ashy white, so much depended on this moment; "you—you -won't tell about—about Bridget, at the same time," she gasped.</p> - -<p>Miss Delicia stared back at Janet in amazement.</p> - -<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_199" id="Page_199">[Pg 199]</a></span></p> - -<p>"Of course not!" she said. "Who could be so heartless as to worry -Henrietta about school matters at a moment like this?"</p> - -<p>"You won't tell Miss Patience, either?"</p> - -<p>"I shall, probably, say nothing until Henrietta returns to the Court. -How queer you look, Janet; are you ill?"</p> - -<p>"No, no, I am very well indeed," said Janet. She bent forward and -kissed Miss Delicia on her forehead, and then ran out of the room.</p> - -<hr /> - -<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_200" id="Page_200">[Pg 200]</a></span></p> - -<h2><span>CHAPTER XVII.</span> <span class="smaller">PERSIAN CATS.</span></h2> - -<p>Lady Kathleen Peterham had not much difficulty in inducing Bridget to -return with her to Eastcliff. The young girl was in a state of intense -nervous excitement. She was making up her mind to face disgrace. -All through the triumph and supposed pleasure of the Fancy Fair she -kept seeing the indignant face of Mrs. Freeman when she heard of the -wicked trick which she and Janet had played upon her. She saw her Aunt -Kathleen with her shocked, incredulous, unbelieving expression; and -last, but not least, she saw her gray-headed old father when the news -reached him that the last of the O'Haras—the very last of all the -race—had stooped to dishonor.</p> - -<p>These thoughts took away Biddy's enjoyment. She became so wretched at -last that she almost wished for the crucial hour to be over.</p> - -<p>Janet came up to her as the last of the guests were departing.</p> - -<p>"It's all right," she whispered. "I have not time to explain matters -now, but you have nothing whatever to fear. Leave things in my hands, -and don't be nervous, for I assure you everything will be as right as -possible."</p> - -<p>Bridget had no time to ask Janet to explain her strange words, for the -next moment she had turned<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_201" id="Page_201">[Pg 201]</a></span> away to say something with eagerness to -Lady Kathleen.</p> - -<p>Lady Kathleen nodded, and looked intensely wise and affectionate.</p> - -<p>An hour later Bridget found herself driving away from Mulberry Court, -her last frantic endeavors to see Mrs. Freeman by herself having proved -utterly fruitless.</p> - -<p>"I can't make out what's the matter with you, Biddy!" said her aunt. -"Why are you flushing one moment and growing pale the next? I hope to -goodness you haven't caught anything. You look quite feverish."</p> - -<p>"Oh, I'm all right, Aunt Kathie!" said Bridget. "Please don't worry -about my looks; they don't signify in the least."</p> - -<p>"Your looks don't signify, Bridget? That's a strange thing to say -to me, who was born a Desborough. You are a Desborough yourself, -Bridget, on your poor mother's side, and have we not been celebrated -for our beauty through a long line of distinguished ancestors? Never -let me hear that kind of nonsense fall again from your lips, Biddy. -Heaven-born beauty is a gift which ought not to be lightly regarded."</p> - -<p>"I have a headache, then," said Bridget. "I suppose I needn't talk if I -don't want to?"</p> - -<p>"Of course you needn't, pet; and when we go back to the hotel you shall -go straight to bed. Oh, how pleased your father will be when we get -back to the Castle!"</p> - -<p>In reply to this speech Bridget burst into a sudden flood of tears.</p> - -<p>"I can't bear it!" she sobbed. "Oh, Aunt Kathie, I have been so -naughty! I wanted to see Mrs. Freeman<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_202" id="Page_202">[Pg 202]</a></span> to tell her everything; but she -had just had some bad news, and no one would let me go near her. Oh, -I am so miserable! I do hate school most dreadfully. Aunt Kathie, you -wouldn't love me if you knew what a bad girl I have been."</p> - -<p>"Now, my pet, that is nonsense. I'd just love you through everything. -I suppose you have got into a little school scrape? Bless you, Biddy, -all the girls do that. Now dry your eyes, and let us think no more -about trifles of that sort. Here we are at the hotel, and your holidays -have begun. I promise you, you'll never have gayer ones. I have a nice -little surprise in store for you, but you are not going to get it out -of me to-night."</p> - -<p>Bridget did not betray any inordinate curiosity with regard to her -aunt's surprise. She cheered up a little, and after a slight supper -retired to bed.</p> - -<p>In the meantime, Janet May was in her own room at the Court, busily -concluding her packing.</p> - -<p>The girl who shared her room with her had left that evening. Janet, -therefore, had the apartment to herself.</p> - -<p>Two letters had come by that evening's post; one which brought to her -at least some days of respite, for she was now quite sure that nothing -further would be done with regard to Miss Dent's discovery for a week -or ten days. It was even possible that the thing might remain in -abeyance until the school reassembled.</p> - -<p>In any case Janet had now time to breathe.</p> - -<p>Two letters had, however, come by the post, and while one gave her -relief, the other added to her perplexities.</p> - -<p>The other letter was from her sister Sophy.</p> - -<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_203" id="Page_203">[Pg 203]</a></span></p> - -<blockquote><p><span class="smcap">Dear Janet</span> [this sister had written] I am waiting -anxiously for the moment when the post will bring me your letter -with a couple of pounds in it. I simply cannot do without it, -as Miss Simpkins has turned me out of doors. I am writing from -a little stationer's shop quite close, and I have bribed Annie, -the housemaid, to bring me your letter the instant it comes. I -have exactly one shilling in my pocket, so you may suppose that I -am brought to a low ebb. Miss Simpkins is the very crossest old -cat that ever breathed, and I could not help giving her cheek -this morning, so she turned me out, and refused to pay me my -week's salary. It isn't worth fighting with her, and, of course, -I am willing to admit that there were faults on both sides. The -stationer's wife will give me a bed to-night, but what <i>am</i> I to -do afterward? Of course, the money will come from you, you dear, -and then I shall immediately start for Margate, and look for you -to meet me there. Mrs. Dove, the stationer's wife, knows of a nice -little room, which we could share together, for ten shillings a -week—that is dirt cheap, as you must know. The address is Mrs. -Dove's, 9 Water Street, South Parade. It's a top room—I suppose -that means an attic; but, never mind; as Mrs. Dove says, "the -higher up you are, the better the air."</p> - -<p class="right">Your devoted sister,<span class="s3"> </span><br /> -<span class="smcap">Sophy</span>.</p> - -<p>P. S.—Oh, you cruel, cruel Janet! You heartless monster! The post -has come and your letter, and <i>no inclosure</i>. Mrs. Dove will let me -sleep here to-night—she is a kind soul; but, remember, I have only -got one shilling in the world, and I vow I will never ask Aunt Jane -to help me.</p></blockquote> - -<p>Very early the next morning Janet rose, and going downstairs met one of -the servants in the hall.</p> - -<p>"I'm going to walk to Eastcliff," she said. "I have got all my boxes -packed and directed. They are to be sent by the carrier to-day to the -railway station, where they are to be left for me until I send further -orders. They will be put into the booking office of course."</p> - -<p>"Very well, miss," said the servant, "but you'll want some breakfast of -course."</p> - -<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_204" id="Page_204">[Pg 204]</a></span></p> - -<p>"No, no, I am in a great hurry; I can't possibly wait."</p> - -<p>"Have you seen Miss Delicia, Miss May?"</p> - -<p>"It's all right," repeated Janet, not heeding this remark. She walked -through the hall as she spoke, opened the door herself, and let herself -out.</p> - -<p>She was neatly dressed in pale gray alpaca; her little sailor hat, with -a plain band of white ribbon round it, looked neat and girlish; she -carried a thin dust cloak on her arm.</p> - -<p>No one could look nicer or sweeter than Janet. She had a sort of good -heroine air about her, and this fact struck Lady Kathleen Peterham -most forcibly when about eight o'clock that morning the young lady was -admitted into her bedroom.</p> - -<p>Lady Kathleen was not an early riser.</p> - -<p>She was, indeed, sound asleep when her maid brought her a little note -on a silver salver. The note contained a few piteous lines from Janet.</p> - -<blockquote><p>I am in great trouble and perplexity [she wrote]; will you see me -for one minute?</p></blockquote> - -<p>"The little dear, of course I'll see her," said Lady Kathleen. She had -herself arrayed in a rose-colored silk dressing gown, and was sitting -up in the shaded light when Janet tripped into the room.</p> - -<p>"Oh, how kind of you to let me come," said the girl.</p> - -<p>"My love," said Lady Kathleen, "I was expecting you between ten and -eleven. I have not broken the news of our charming arrangement yet to -Biddy; I know well how delighted she'll be when I do tell her. Why -have you come so early, little Mayflower, and what is all this trouble -about? You look very nice, my love, notwithstanding your perplexities."</p> -<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_205" id="Page_205">[Pg 205]</a></span></p> - -<p>"I am very anxious," said Janet; and then she proceeded to tell a -long and pathetic story about Sophy; Sophy was so pretty, but also so -willful; she was older than Janet, but she also leaned upon her. She -had just been turned out of her situation owing to the cruelty of her -employer, and—and—of course Janet could not go to Ireland and leave -her dear older sister in such a plight; she had saved a few shillings, -and she was going to take the very next train to Bristol to see her.</p> - -<p>The words that Janet hoped Lady Kathleen would utter fell at once from -the good lady's lips. "My darling," she said, "you and this naughty, -pretty little sister of yours shall both come to Castle Mahun. My -brother-in-law, dear fellow, will give you the best of Irish welcomes; -of course he will, you sweet little brave soul; why it's a heroine you -are, and no mistake."</p> - -<p>Janet replied in a very humble and pretty manner to these gratifying -words of praise, and soon a plan which she had already sketched out in -her own mind was proposed to her by Lady Kathleen.</p> - -<p>"You and your sister can cross over from Bristol to Cork," she said. -"From there it is only a short distance to Castle Mahun. Biddy and I -will start for home to-day, and we'll expect you in a day or two after. -Oh, my dear, you want a little money; I know you're poor, darling, and -I am rich, so where are the odds? It's no worry to me, but a pleasure -to help you. Give me your address in Bristol, and I'll send you a -postal order before Biddy and I leave Eastcliff to-day."</p> - -<p>Janet's eyes fell, and her heart sank a trifle.</p> - -<p>It would have been so much nicer to have got the money now; she did not -want to spend Biddy's two pounds if she could help it. Her intention, -indeed, had<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_206" id="Page_206">[Pg 206]</a></span> been to get a postal order to send off to Pat Donovan -before she left Eastcliff, but Lady Kathleen, who had risen to all -Janet's other suggestions, failed her in this.</p> - -<p>There was no help for it, therefore, she must spend part of the two -pounds in taking her railway ticket to Bristol, and could only trust -that Biddy would never hear of the non-reception of her gift.</p> - -<p>Janet bade Lady Kathleen an affectionate good-by and tripped off on her -errand of sisterly mercy.</p> - -<p>She sent a telegram to Sophy, and found her standing on the platform at -Bristol waiting to receive her.</p> - -<p>Sophy was smaller than Janet, a plump, softly rounded little person, -with wide-open eyes of heavenly blue, rosebud lips, and masses of -shining golden hair. At the first glance people as a rule fell in love -with Sophy; how long they continued in this state of devotion was quite -another matter, but the impression she made with those large-eyed -innocent glances was always favorable, and served her in good stead as -she fought her way through the world.</p> - -<p>She was not nearly as clever as Janet, but that very fact added to -her charms, for she had a way of confiding her troubles, of looking -pathetic and asking such touchingly simple questions with regard to -her future that, unless the person she addressed was very suspicious -indeed, the little good-humored pretty creature was taken at once to -the heart of her sympathizer.</p> - -<p>"Oh, here you are, Janey," she exclaimed, rushing up to her sister now -and clasping a plump little hand affectionately through her arm.</p> - -<p>She was really fond of Janet, and Janet really cared for her, but as -the two were perfectly open with each<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_207" id="Page_207">[Pg 207]</a></span> other it was unnecessary in -Janet's opinion to waste time in sentiment.</p> - -<p>"Yes, I have come," she said, "and very troublesome it is to me to have -to come. Why couldn't you keep your situation, Sophy?"</p> - -<p>"Oh, my darling," exclaimed Sophy, "if you had been me! you don't -know—you can't possibly know what Miss Simpkins is like. She is -full of the most awful fads, and she fusses so about the cats. There -were four cats when I first went to her, and now there are six, all -Persians, and every one of them affected with the most terrible -bronchitis. They have to be doctored and medicined and their hair -combed out, and watched like any number of babies. I do think, Janey, -I really do think that I might have a higher vocation in life than -looking after Persian cats."</p> - -<p>"That's stuff," said Janet. "Don't you prefer looking after Persian -cats to living with Aunt Jane?"</p> - -<p>"I am not quite sure, Janet."</p> - -<p>"But I am!" said Janet, favoring her sister with a quick, angry glance. -"I wouldn't eat the bread of dependence for anybody; but now let's come -back to Mrs. Dove's and have a talk."</p> - -<p>"Is there any money, Janey?" whispered Sophy, in an appealing tone. -"I told you that I had only a shilling, and it is absolutely true. I -ought to pay something for my bed, and she gave me some tea and a nice -new laid egg, lightly boiled, for breakfast. If I pay her the whole -shilling it will be cheap; very cheap, for what she has done for me. I -do trust and hope you have brought a little money with you, Janet!"</p> - -<p>"I have brought a little. It was very hardly come<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_208" id="Page_208">[Pg 208]</a></span> by, I can tell you, -and will have to go a tremendous long way. I may get into an awful -scrape about that money, and I really don't see why I should run such -risks for your sake."</p> - -<p>"O Janey, Janey, and you know I'd do anything in the world for you."</p> - -<p>Sophy's lovely eyes slowly filled with tears. Janet gave her a quick -half-contemptuous, half-affectionate glance.</p> - -<p>"There," she said, "you needn't fret; I daresay everything will be all -right, and I have something very jolly to tell you in a minute or two. -Only let us get to your lodgings first, for we can't talk comfortably -in this noisy street."</p> - -<p>The girls presently reached the poky little house where Sophy had spent -her night. They went up at once to a tiny room with a sloping roof, and -there Janet proceeded to administer a very sound lecture to her sister.</p> - -<p>"I have something unpleasant to talk about before I say anything nice," -she began. "You must first hear me out, whether you like it or not, for -if you cry until your eyes are sunk into your head it won't make the -least bit of difference to me. Speak I will, for it is for your good -and mine."</p> - -<p>No one could cry more copiously than Sophy on occasions, but she also -had a certain power of self-control. If her tears could effect no -object there was not the least use in her spoiling her pretty eyes, so -she sat very still now on the edge of the small hard bed, and gazed at -Janet, who sat opposite to her on a cane-bottomed chair.</p> - -<p>"The first thing to be done is this," said Janet; "I<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_209" id="Page_209">[Pg 209]</a></span> must see Miss -Simpkins, and ask her if she will take you back after the holidays are -over."</p> - -<p>"I won't go!" said Sophy, clenching her fist.</p> - -<p>"That is nonsense, Sophy; you will either have to go to Miss Simpkins -or to Aunt Jane. Aunt Jane will half starve you, and give you no money -at all; Miss Simpkins will feed you well—I know she does that, or -you'd be sure to tell me the contrary—then Miss Simpkins gives you -fifteen pounds a year. That being the case, there is no choice at all -between the two posts. Miss Simpkins's, notwithstanding the Persian -cats, is much the best place for you to live at."</p> - -<p>"Oh, you don't know," said Sophy; "it's the most horrid life. Besides, -she wouldn't have me again; I know she wouldn't. We were both -frightfully impertinent to each other. We were like two cats ourselves. -Miss Simpkins was the old tabby, and I was the angry, snarling kitten. -I have claws, you know, Janet, although I do look so velvety."</p> - -<p>"I know perfectly well that you have claws, my dear, but you must keep -them sheathed. As to going back to Miss Simpkins, I shall see her -myself, and I am sure I can manage that part. You have got to come with -me there after we have finished our present conversation, and you have -got to beg her pardon in the most humble and proper fashion."</p> - -<p>"I really don't know how I am to do it, Janey."</p> - -<p>"But I do, love; you must just lean on me, and do exactly what I -advise; it won't be for the first time."</p> - -<p>"I know that," said poor Sophy, "and you are three years younger than -me, and all. I didn't think you'd be such an awful tyrant; it seems -rather hard to bear from one's younger sister."</p> - -<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_210" id="Page_210">[Pg 210]</a></span></p> - -<p>"But I am older in mind, darling."</p> - -<p>"Yes, yes, and much cleverer; but after all a worm <i>will</i> turn. Suppose -I refuse to go back to Miss Simpkins?"</p> - -<p>"Then, my love, I will try and screw together sufficient money to send -you back third class to Aunt Jane's."</p> - -<p>"Oh, I can't; I won't do that; it would be too horrible!"</p> - -<p>"Listen to me, Sophy. I always said I would help you. You are very -pretty, but you are not clever. You have not been educated up to the -required standard; you have no chance whatever of getting a situation -as governess. In these days it is the most difficult thing in the world -for lady-girls who are not educated, and have not got special talents, -to find anything at all to do. You are in great luck in getting this -situation as companion, and I am absolutely determined that you shall -not lose it. In two years' time I shall have left school. My object -then is to get a good situation as English and musical teacher in one -of the high schools. When I have got such a post, I may want you to -live with me, Sophy, as housekeeper; there is no saying. You would like -that, wouldn't you?"</p> - -<p>"Oh, shouldn't I! What larks we'd have."</p> - -<p>"Yes, we'd have a jolly time together; but there's not the least use in -thinking about it if you don't do what I tell you now. Put your hat on -straight, Sophy, and don't let your hair look quite so wild and fluffy, -and we will go across to Miss Simpkins's without delay. I have a very -jolly plan to propose to you after you have made your peace with the -old lady and the Persian cats, but not even a hint with regard to it<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_211" id="Page_211">[Pg 211]</a></span> -shall drop from my lips until you have been a good girl."</p> - -<p>"Oh, dear, oh, dear," said Sophy, "I don't know how I am ever to face -the old tabby cat again."</p> - -<p>"That's a very improper way to speak of your employer, and I'm not -going to laugh. Come; are you ready?"</p> - -<p>"I wish you weren't such a Solon, Janet."</p> - -<p>"It is well I have got some brains; I don't know where you and I would -be if I hadn't. Now, come along."</p> - -<p>"But I am not to go back and live with her to-day?"</p> - -<p>"No, no, I'll manage that; you shall have your bit of fun first, poor -Sophy. Now come at once, we have not a moment of time to lose."</p> - -<p>Sophy straightened her hat very unwillingly, brushed back her -disordered locks with considerable rebellion in each movement, but -finally followed Janet down into the street and across the narrow road -into the fashionable locality where Miss Simpkins and the Persian cats -resided.</p> - -<p>Miss Simpkins lived in a small house, which was kept scrupulously clean -and bright. There were flower boxes in all the windows, and the shining -brass knocker and handles of the door reflected the faces of the two -girls like mirrors.</p> - -<p>A neat but severe-looking servant answered Janet's rather determined -ring. She scowled at Sophy, but replied civilly to Janet's inquiry if -Miss Simpkins was at home.</p> - -<p>"Yes, miss," she replied; "my missus is in her morning room, very -particularly occupied."</p> - -<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_212" id="Page_212">[Pg 212]</a></span></p> - -<p>"I should like to see her for a few minutes," said Janet.</p> - -<p>"I am afraid, miss, that if you have come on behalf of that young lady, -the late companion, that you may spare yourself the trouble, for the -missus won't have nothing to say to her nor her belongings."</p> - -<p>"I have come on that business," said Janet. "I am much shocked at what -has occurred, and have come to offer apologies. My sister, Miss May, -has behaved with great indiscretion."</p> - -<p>Poor Sophy gasped.</p> - -<p>Janet did not pay the smallest heed to Sophy's indignant expression. -Her smooth young face looked full of shocked virtue. It impressed the -servant, who nodded back a sympathetic reply, and telling the girls to -wait a minute, walked sedately across the hall and into the morning -room.</p> - -<p>She returned in a few moments with the information that Miss Simpkins -would see the younger of the young ladies.</p> - -<p>"I can put you, Miss May," she said, turning to Sophy, "into the hall -room while the other young lady talks to my missus."</p> - -<p>"Yes, Sophy, go there and wait," said Janet; and Sophy went.</p> - -<p>Janet tripped lightly across the tiled hall.</p> - -<p>The servant opened the door of the morning room and then turned to -inquire the young lady's name.</p> - -<p>"Miss Janet May," was the response.</p> - -<p>"Miss Janet May!" shouted the servant, and Janet found the door closed -behind her.</p> - -<p>A severe looking woman, primly dressed, was seated by a round mahogany -table. In the center of the table<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_213" id="Page_213">[Pg 213]</a></span> sat a snow-white and very beautiful -Persian cat; a dark tabby of the same species was lapping a saucer of -milk also on the table; some Persian kittens gamboled about the room. -Miss Simpkins was bending over the tabby. She raised her eyes now and -murmured, half to herself, half to Janet, "She has taken exactly a -tenth of a pint of milk! That is a great improvement on yesterday."</p> - -<p>"I am sure of it," said Janet, entering into the spirit of the thing -without a moment's delay; "and what an exquisite cat! and oh! what a -beauty that white one is! I do admire Persian cats!"</p> - -<p>"Do you, my dear?" said the old lady. "This cat—Cherry Ripe I call -her—has won several prizes at the Crystal Palace. This tabby—his name -is Pompey—will also, I expect, be a prize-winner. These two kittens -that you see on the floor, Marcus Aurelius and Mark Antony, have been -sent to me direct from Persia. They are most valuable animals. The -Persian cat is a curious and remarkable creature. Don't you think so? -so sadly delicate! so fragilely beautiful! so sensitive and refined in -every movement! Breed is shown in each of its actions. These cats are -lovely—almost too lovely—and yet, my dear, whatever care you take of -them, they all suffer more or less from bronchitis! they all swallow -their long hairs when they wash themselves! and they all die young. -Beautiful darlings! it is too touching to think of your inevitable -fate!"</p> - -<p>Miss Simpkins, as she spoke, stroked the snow-white Persian with her -long, slender fingers.</p> - -<p>Janet murmured some words of rapture, and the old lady asked her to -seat herself.</p> - -<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_214" id="Page_214">[Pg 214]</a></span></p> - -<p>The subject of Sophy was introduced in a few moments, and here Janet -showed that talent for diplomacy which always marked her actions. Miss -Simpkins found, as she listened to the admirable words which dropped -from the lips of this young girl, her anger fading. After all, Sophy -had some good points. The white Persian cat liked to nestle on her -shoulder, and rub its soft head against her soft cheek. Miss Simpkins -fancied that the cat looked melancholy since Sophy's departure. In -short, knowing well in her heart that she would find it extremely -difficult to get anyone else to take the much-enduring Sophy's place, -she consented to have her back again on trial.</p> - -<p>"But not at once," said Miss Simpkins, "for I have just let this house, -furnished, to a friend. I don't really know what your sister will do, -Miss May, but Barker and I and the cats are quite as many as can travel -comfortably together. I shall be back here by the end of September, and -will receive your sister, if she faithfully promises to behave herself."</p> - -<p>These terms being quite to Janet's satisfaction, she closed with Miss -Simpkins's offer, and left the house in Sophy's company in high good -humor.</p> - -<p>"Now you have behaved well, and you shall hear of the treat I have in -store for you," she said to her sister. "But, first of all, let us -go to one of the shipping offices to find out at what hour the next -steamer sails for Cork."</p> - -<hr /> - -<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_215" id="Page_215">[Pg 215]</a></span></p> - -<h2><span>CHAPTER XVIII.</span> <span class="smaller">AN IRISH WELCOME.</span></h2> - -<p>Castle Mahun was the sort of old place which can be met in many parts -of Ireland. It consisted of almost innumerable acres of land, some -cultivated, some wild and barren, and of a large, rambling, and, in -parts, tumble-down house. Castle Mahun stood on rising ground which -faced due west. The ground was beautifully shaped, with many gentle -undulations and many steep and bold descents. It was thickly wooded, -and some of these forests of almost primeval trees sloped down to the -edge of a deep, wide lake of nearly two miles in length and half a mile -in width. This lake was the pride of Castle Mahun. In sunshiny weather -it looked blue as the sea itself; in winter its waters became dark -and turbid, the high waves tossed them and made themselves at times -as angry as if they were really influenced by the many currents and -the tides of ocean. The lake had two names. The owners of the property -called it Lake Crena, but the poor people—and they abounded all over -the lands of Castle Mahun—spoke of it as the Witch's Cauldron, and -said that although it was fair enough, and pleasant enough to live by -in summer, in winter it was haunted by a black witch, and woe betide -anyone who attempted to boat on its surface or fish in its waters at -that time of year.</p> - -<p>The Castle, or rather old house—for it bore little<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_216" id="Page_216">[Pg 216]</a></span> pretensions to -its name—hung partly over the lake. There were sloping lawns, badly -tended, but very picturesque in appearance, running down to the waters, -and a steep path, about three feet in width, with a sheer precipice at -one side, and a thick, heavy belt of forest trees at the other, running -right round the lake from one side of the old house.</p> - -<p>This was called the terrace walk, and it was here Dennis O'Hara took -his evening promenade, accompanied by the dogs.</p> - -<p>He was a handsome, picturesque looking man, with silvery white hair, -very piercing dark eyes, and aquiline features. He had a stentorian -voice, which he used to good effect on all those who came within -his reach; but he had also a kindly twinkle in those dark eyes, and -a kindly expression round his handsome, well-cut lips, which kept -the poor folks at Castle Mahun from fearing the master's indignant -bursts of strong language, and which made him one of the most popular -landlords all over the country.</p> - -<p>To-night there was great excitement at Castle Mahun, for the banished -princess, as the people chose to consider Bridget O'Hara, was coming -home from foreign parts. Bonfires were lit all along the hills in her -welcome. O'Hara had not gone himself to the nearest railway station, -twenty miles off, to meet his daughter, but he knew by the thin smoke -on a distant peak that the jaunting car, drawn by faithful Paddy, his -favorite chestnut horse, and driven by Larry O'Connor, was bearing his -darling back to him as quickly as the ill-kept roads would permit.</p> - -<p>"She's coming, masther," shouted a ragged little urchin, dashing up to -the squire, and then rushing <span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_217" id="Page_217">[Pg 217]</a></span>frantically away again; "the first fire's -built, and me and Molly can see the smoke. Oh, come along, Molly! -and let's run down the road to ketch a sight of her. Oh, glory! the -darlint! and won't we be glad to have her back again."</p> - -<p>The child disappeared. There were some more wild shouts in the -distance; a troop of children, all ragged and bronzed and barefooted, -were seen rushing down the avenue, and then disappearing along the -dusty road. They carried branches of trees and old kettledrums, and -made a frantic noise as they ran in the direction which the jaunting -car would take.</p> - -<p>"Ah! here they are!" exclaimed Lady Kathleen from her seat on the car. -"Here are your villagers, Bridget, rushing to welcome you. And do you -see those fires lit in your honor? Watch the hills, child. There's a -fire on every hilltop. Now you'll be yourself again."</p> - -<p>Bridget's eyes were shining like stars. She turned and gripped Lady -Kathleen's hand with a fierce embrace.</p> - -<p>"I feel nearly mad with delight!" she exclaimed. "Oh, I say, Larry, do -drive faster. Gee-up, Paddy! Gee-up, old dear! Don't you think I might -take the reins, Larry? You can get down from your seat on the box, and -sit here to balance Aunt Kathleen, and let me jump up and take the -reins."</p> - -<p>"To be sure, miss," said Larry. He sprang lightly from his seat, and -Biddy, notwithstanding Lady Kathleen's bursts of laughter and futile -objections, took the seat of honor, and with a light, smart touch of -the whip sent Paddy spinning at a fine rate over the roads.</p> - -<p>"Hurrah!" she shouted when she came in sight of<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_218" id="Page_218">[Pg 218]</a></span> the motley crowd. -"Here I am back again, and driving Paddy as if I'd never set foot off -Irish soil. Welcome to you all! Good-evening, Dan; how's your lame -foot? Good-evening Molly, acushla macree. Good-evening, good-evening, -Jane and Susan and Norah. Now, then, let me drive quickly. I must get -to my daddy before I touch the hands of one of you."</p> - -<p>Bridget stood up on the driving seat, tightened the reins with energy, -gave Paddy another well-aimed delicate stroke just where it would -quicken his movements without irritating either his skin or his temper, -and the laughing, shouting, joking cavalcade—for the children and -the men and women were rushing after the car, and some of them even -clinging on to it—turned in at the gates, and up the steep avenue -which led to the Castle.</p> - -<p>"Now, then; three cheers for the old home! Let every one of us shout -with a will!" exclaimed Bridget. "Oh, it is nice to be back again."</p> - -<p>"You'll frighten the horse, Biddy!" exclaimed Lady Kathleen. "I do -think you have taken leave of your senses, child. Oh, don't set them -off shouting; Paddy really won't stand it; and at this steep part, too!"</p> - -<p>"Paddy is Irish," said Bridget, with some contempt. "He knows what an -Irish shout is worth. Now, then! Three cheers—Hip, hip, hurrah! Hip, -hip, hurrah!"</p> - -<p>Bridget held the reins with one hand, the other was waved high in the -air. She looked like a radiant, victorious young figure standing so, -with the crowd of welcoming, delighted faces surrounding her. Her -traveling hat had long ago disappeared, and her chestnut curls were -tumbling about her face and shoulders.</p> - -<p>"Hip, hip, hurrah!" she shouted again. "Three cheers for the Castle! -Three cheers for the master!<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_219" id="Page_219">[Pg 219]</a></span> Three cheers for the dogs! Three cheers -for old Ireland! and three cheers for the boys and girls who live at -Castle Mahun!"</p> - -<p>Frantic yells responded to Bridget's eager words. These were -intermingled by the yelping and barking of about a dozen dogs, who -rushed on the scene, and jumped all over Bridget in their ecstasy, -nearly dragging her from her eminence on the car.</p> - -<p>"Take the reins, Larry!" she exclaimed, tossing them to her satellite. -"Now then, do get out of the way, Bruin! Clear out, Mustard, my pet, or -I'll tread on you. Now then for a spring!"</p> - -<p>She vaulted lightly to the ground, and the next instant was in the arms -of her white-headed old father.</p> - -<p>"Eh, my colleen, my colleen," he murmured. He pressed her to his heart; -a dimness came over his eyes for a minute; his big, wrinkled hand -touched her sunny forehead tenderly. "You have come back," he said. "I -have had a fine share of the heart-hunger without you, my girleen."</p> - -<p>Bridget laid her head on his shoulder.</p> - -<p>"Oh, daddy," she exclaimed, in a sort of choked voice, "it is too good -to feel your arms about me again; I am too happy."</p> - -<p>"Don't you want to see Minerva's pups, miss?" asked the small and -rather officious little ragged girl called Molly.</p> - -<p>"Yes, to be sure. And she has had four, the darling; the dear, noble -pet. Do take me to the litter at once, won't you, father?"</p> - -<p>The mention of Minerva and her progeny was so intensely exciting that -even sentiment was put aside, and the Squire, Biddy, Lady Kathleen, and -all the <span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_220" id="Page_220">[Pg 220]</a></span>retainers went in a motley procession to the stables, where -the little red-tipped pups were huddled together, and the proud Minerva -was waiting to show off their many beauties.</p> - -<p>Biddy made several appropriate observations; not a point about the four -little dogs was lost upon her. She and her father grew almost solemn in -the earnestness with which they discussed the virtues and charms of the -baby pups.</p> - -<p>Minerva was petted and praised; hunger and fatigue were alike forgotten -in the exciting and delicious task of examining the valuable puppies. -Bridget knelt on the ground, regardless of her pretty and expensive -traveling dress. A pup's short, expressive nose rubbed her cool cheek, -Minerva's head lay on her knee; the animal's beautiful, expressive eyes -were raised to hers, full of maternal pride and melting love. Another -little pup lay on the Squire's big palm, a third nestled on Biddy's -shoulder; a fourth tried to yelp feebly as it was huddled up in Molly's -ragged apron.</p> - -<p>Lady Kathleen stood over the group of adorers laughing and ejaculating. -Somebody screamed in the distance that supper was ready, and that a -feast was waiting in the kitchen for all the retainers in honor of Miss -Bridget's return.</p> - -<p>There was a scamper at this; even Molly put the cherished pup back into -its basket, and Bridget, her father, and aunt entered the house arm in -arm.</p> - -<hr /> - -<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_221" id="Page_221">[Pg 221]</a></span></p> - -<h2><span>CHAPTER XIX.</span> <span class="smaller">"BRUIN, MY DOG."</span></h2> - -<p>Two days afterward Lady Kathleen called Bridget aside, and, linking her -hand through her arm, said in an affectionate tone:</p> - -<p>"If you can spare me five minutes, Biddy, I have a pleasant little bit -of news to give you."</p> - -<p>Bridget O'Hara had resumed all the finery which had been more or less -tabooed at school. The time was seven o'clock, on a summer's evening. -She had on a richly embroidered tea gown of pale green silk, a silver -girdle clasped her slim waist, the long train of her dress floated out -behind her; it was partly open in front, and revealed a petticoat of -cream satin, heavily embroidered with silver.</p> - -<p>Strictly speaking, the dress was a great deal too old for so young a -girl; but it suited Biddy, whose rich and brilliant coloring, and whose -finely formed and almost statuesque young figure could carry off any -amount of fine clothing. She and Lady Kathleen were standing on the -terrace walk, which looked down on the lake. Its waters were tranquil -as glass to-night; a few fleecy clouds in the sky were reflected on its -bosom. A little boat with a white sail, which flapped aimlessly for -want of wind to fill it, was to be seen in the distance. The Squire was -directing the boat's wayward course, but it was making its way after a -somewhat shambling fashion<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_222" id="Page_222">[Pg 222]</a></span> to the nearest landing-place. Bridget waved -a handkerchief in the air.</p> - -<p>"Turn the boat a bit, daddy, and the sail will fill," she shouted. -"Now, then, Aunt Kathleen, what is it you want to say to me?"</p> - -<p>"If you will only attend, Biddy," said Lady Kathleen. "Your thoughts -are with your father, child; he's as safe as safe can be. Hasn't he -sailed on the waters of Lake Crena since he was a little dot no higher -than my knee?"</p> - -<p>"But it is called the Witch's Cauldron, too," said Bridget, her eyes -darkening. "They say that misfortune attends on those who are too fond -of sailing on its waters."</p> - -<p>Lady Kathleen laughed.</p> - -<p>"You superstitious colleen," she said; "as if any sensible person -minded what 'they say.'"</p> - -<p>"All right, Aunt Kathleen, what's your news? what are you exciting -yourself about?"</p> - -<p>"I'm thinking of you, my pet, and how dull it must be for you after all -the young companions you had at school."</p> - -<p>"Dull for me at the Castle?" exclaimed Bridget, opening her big eyes -wide. "Dull in the same house with daddy, and the servants, and the -dogs? I don't understand you!"</p> - -<p>"Well, my darling, that's just your affectionate way. You are very fond -of your father and the dogs, of course. The dogs are the dogs, but you -needn't try to blind me, my dearie dear. To the end of all time the -young will seek the young, and boys and girls will herd together."</p> - -<p>"Well, there are my cousins, Patrick and Gerald, coming next week."</p> - -<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_223" id="Page_223">[Pg 223]</a></span></p> - -<p>"Just so. Fine bits of lads, both of them; but, when all is said and -done, only lads. Now, girls want to be together as well as boys; they -have their bits of secrets to confide to one another, and their bits of -fun to talk over, and their sly little jokes to crack the one with the -other; they have to dream dreams together, and plan what their future -will be like. What a gay time they'll have in the gay world, and what -conquests they'll make, and whose eyes will shine the brightest, and -whose dress will be the prettiest, and which girl will marry the prince -by and by, and which will find her true vocation in a cottage. Oh, -don't you talk to me, Bridget; I know the ways of the creatures, and -the longings of them, and the fads of them. Haven't I gone through it -all myself?"</p> - -<p>"You do seem excited, Aunt Kathleen, but you must admit too that there -are girls and girls, and that this girl——"</p> - -<p>"Now, I admit nothing, my jewel. Look here, my cushla macree, you're -the soul of unselfishness, but you shall have your reward. You shall -have girls to talk to and to play with, and by the same token they are -coming this very moment on the jaunting car to meet you."</p> - -<p>"Who are coming on the jaunting car?" asked Bridget, in a voice of -alarm.</p> - -<p>"Well now, I knew you'd be excited; I knew you better than you knew -yourself. Your face tells me how delighted you are. That dear little -Janet May, that sweet little friend of yours, the girl you are as thick -as peas with, is going to spend the holidays at Castle Mahun. I sent -Larry off with the jaunting car after the early dinner to the station -to meet her. She'll be here in a minute or two with a sister of hers -whom she's<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_224" id="Page_224">[Pg 224]</a></span> nearly as fond of as she is of yourself. Now, isn't that a -surprise for you, my pet?"</p> - -<p>"It is," said Bridget, in a low voice.</p> - -<p>It was against all the preconceived ideas of the O'Haras to show -even by the faintest shadow of discontent that they were wanting in -hospitality. Bridget felt that the high spirits which had been hers -during the last two days, which had lifted the weight of care, and the -dreadful sensation of having done wrong, from her young heart, had -now taken to themselves wings, and that the awful depressed sensation -which used to try her so much at Mulberry Court must be once again her -portion.</p> - -<p>"You're pleased, aren't you, Biddy?" said Aunt Kathleen.</p> - -<p>"Of course," said Bridget, in an evasive tone, "but there's daddy just -landing, let me run to him."</p> - -<p>She flew away, skimming down the steep ascent with the agility of a -bird. She was standing by her father's side, flushed and breathless, -when he stepped out of the little boat.</p> - -<p>"Eh, colleen," he exclaimed, "what do you say to coming for a sail with -me?"</p> - -<p>"Give me a hug, daddy."</p> - -<p>"That I will, my girl; eh, my jewel, it's good to feel your soft cheek. -Now, then, what are you rubbing yourself against me for, like an -affectionate pussy cat?"</p> - -<p>"Nothing. I can't go for a sail, though; it's a bother, but it can't be -helped."</p> - -<p>"And why can't it be helped, if we two wish it, I want to know?"</p> - -<p>"There are visitors coming to the Castle; we'll have to entertain them, -daddy."</p> - -<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_225" id="Page_225">[Pg 225]</a></span></p> - -<p>"Visitors! of course, right welcome they'll be; but I didn't know of -any. Who are they? Do you think it's the O'Conors now, or may be the -Mahoneys from Court Macherry. What are you staring at me like that for, -child? If there are visitors coming, you and I must go and give them a -right good hearty welcome; but who in the world can they be?"</p> - -<p>"One of them is a schoolfellow of mine, her name is Janet May."</p> - -<p>"Janet May," repeated the squire; "we don't have those sort of names -in Ireland. A schoolfellow of yours? Then, of course, she'll be right -welcome. A great friend, I suppose, my pet? She'll be welcome; very -welcome."</p> - -<p>"Look at me, daddy, for a minute," said Bridget, speaking quickly and -in great excitement. "Let us welcome her, as of course all true Irish -people ought to welcome their guests, but don't let's talk about her -when you and I are alone. She has a sister coming too, and there's Aunt -Kathleen waving her hands to us, and gesticulating. They must have -arrived. If I had known it, I'd have ordered the bonfires to be lit on -the hilltops, but I did not hear a thing about it until aunty told me a -few minutes ago."</p> - -<p>"It was remiss of Kathleen, very remiss," said the squire. "It is -positively wanting in courtesy not to have the bonfires lit. Let's go -up at once, Biddy, and meet your guests in the porch."</p> - -<p>Squire O'Hara took his daughter's hand. They climbed the ascent swiftly -together, and were standing in the porch, Lady Kathleen keeping them -company, when the jaunting car drew up.</p> - -<p>To an Irish person bred and born there is no more<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_226" id="Page_226">[Pg 226]</a></span> delightful mode of -locomotion than this same jaunting car, but people fresh to the Emerald -Isle sometimes fail to appreciate its merits.</p> - -<p>The jaunting car requires an easy and yet an assured seat. No clutching -at the rails, no faint suspicion on the countenance of its occupant -that there is the least chance of being knocked off at the next abrupt -turn of the road, or the next violent jolt of the equipage. You must -sit on the jaunting car as you would on your horse's back, as if you -belonged to it, as the saying goes.</p> - -<p>Now, strangers to Ireland have not this assured seat, and although -Janet was too clever and too well bred to show a great deal of the -nervousness she really felt, she could not help clinging frantically to -the rail at the end of her side, and her small face was somewhat pale, -and her lips tightly set. She had maneuvered hard for this invitation, -she had won her cause, all had gone well with her; but this awful, -bumping, skittish rollicking car might after all prove her destruction. -What a wild horse drew this terrible car! What a reckless looking -coachman aided and abetted all his efforts at rushing and flying over -the ground! Oh, why did they dash down that steep hill? why did they -whisk round this sudden corner? She must grasp the rail of her seat -still tighter. She would not fall off, if nerve and courage could -possibly keep her on; but would they do so?</p> - -<p>Janet had plenty of real pluck, but poor Sophy was naturally a coward. -They had not gone a mile on the road before she began to scream most -piteously.</p> - -<p>"I won't stay on this awful, barbarous thing another minute," she -shrieked. "I shall be dashed to pieces, my brains will be knocked out. -Janet, Janet, I say,<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_227" id="Page_227">[Pg 227]</a></span> Janet, if you don't get the driver to stop at -once I'll jump off."</p> - -<p>"Oh, there aint the least soight of fear," said Larry, whisking his -head back in Sophy's direction with a contemptuous and yet good-humored -twinkle in his eyes.</p> - -<p>"I can't stay on; you <i>must</i> pull the horse up," shrieked the -frightened girl. "I can't keep my seat; I am slipping off, I tell you I -am slipping off. I'll be on the road in another minute."</p> - -<p>"Here then, Pat, you stay quiet, you baste," said Larry.</p> - -<p>He pulled the spirited little horse up, until he nearly stood on his -haunches, then, jumping down himself, came up to Sophy's side.</p> - -<p>"What's the matter, miss?" he said; "why, this is the very safest -little kyar in the county. You just sit aisy, miss, and don't hould on, -and you will soon take foine to the motion."</p> - -<p>"No, I won't," said Sophy. "I'll never take to it; I am terrified -nearly out of my senses. I'll walk to that Castle of yours, whatever -the name of it is."</p> - -<p>"You can't do that, miss, for it's a matther of close on twenty mile -from here."</p> - -<p>"Oh, dear! oh, dear!" Sophy began to cry. "I wish I'd never come to -this outlandish, awful place!" she exclaimed, forgetting all her -manners in her extremity. "Janet, how heartless of you to sit like -that, as if you didn't think of anyone but yourself! I'd much rather be -back with Aunt Jane, or even taking care of those horrid Persian cats. -Oh, anything would be better than this!"</p> - -<p>"Don't you cry, miss," said Larry, who was a very good-natured person. -"The little kyar is safe as safe<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_228" id="Page_228">[Pg 228]</a></span> can be; but maybe, seeing as you're -frightened, miss, you'd like to sit in the well. We has a pretty big -well to this jaunting car, and I'll open it out and you can get in."</p> - -<p>The well which divided the two seats (running between them, as anyone -who knows an Irish jaunting car will immediately understand) was a very -small and shallow receptacle for even the most diminutive adult, but -"any port in a storm," thought poor Sophy. She scrambled gratefully -into the well, and sat there curled up, looking very foolish, and very -abject.</p> - -<p>The two travelers were therefore in a somewhat sorry plight when they -arrived at the Castle, and Sophy's appearance was truly ridiculous.</p> - -<p>Not a trace of mirth, however, was discernible on the faces of the kind -host, his sister-in-law, and daughter as they came out to meet their -guests.</p> - -<p>Dennis O'Hara lifted Sophy in a twinkling to the ground. Janet devoutly -hoped that she would not be killed as she made the supreme effort of -springing from the car. Then began a series of very hearty offers of -friendship and hospitality.</p> - -<p>"Welcome, welcome," said the squire. "I'm right glad to see you both. -Welcome to Castle Mahun! And is this your first visit to Ireland, -Miss—Miss May?"</p> - -<p>"Yes," said Janet, immediately taking the initiative, "and what a -lovely country it is!"</p> - -<p>"I agree with you," said the squire, giving her a quick, penetrating, -half-pleased, half-puzzled glance. "I must apologize for not having -bonfires lit in your and your sister's honor; but Lady Kathleen didn't -tell me I was to have the pleasure of your company until a few minutes -ago."</p> - -<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_229" id="Page_229">[Pg 229]</a></span></p> - -<p>"I kept it as a joyful surprise," said Lady Kathleen; "but now, Dennis, -let the two poor dear girls come in. They look fit to drop with -fatigue. And so this is your little sister Sophy, Mayflower! I am right -glad to see you, my dear. Welcome to Old Ireland, the pair of you; I -will take you up myself to your room. Biddy, darling! Biddy!"</p> - -<p>But, strange to say, Biddy was nowhere to be seen.</p> - -<p>There was a little old deserted summerhouse far away in a distant part -of the grounds, and there, a few minutes afterward, might have been -heard some angry, choking, half-smothered sobs. They came from a girl -in a pale green silk dress, who had thrown herself disconsolately by -the side of a rustic table, and whose hot tears forced themselves -through the fingers with which she covered her face.</p> - -<p>"I can't bear it," she said to herself. "I can't be hospitable, and -nice, and friendly, and yet I suppose I must. What would father say if -one of the O'Haras were wanting in courtesy to a visitor? Oh, dear! -how I <i>hate</i> that girl! I didn't think it was in me to hate anyone -as I hate her! I hate her, and I—I <i>fear her</i>! There's a confession -for Bridget O'Hara to make. She's afraid of someone! She's afraid of -a wretched poor small specimen of humanity like that! But it is quite -true; that girl has got a power over me. She has got me into her net. -Oh, what induced Aunt Kathleen to ask her here? Why should the darling -beloved Castle be haunted by her nasty little sneaking presence? Why -should my holidays be spoiled by her? This is twenty times worse than -having her with me at school, for we were at least on equal terms -there, and we are not here. She's my visitor here, and I must be -polite<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_230" id="Page_230">[Pg 230]</a></span> to her. I don't mind that abject looking sister of hers, who -sat huddled up in the well of the car, one way or the other; but Janet -is past enduring. Oh, Aunt Kathleen, what have you done to me?"</p> - -<p>Bridget sobbed on stormily. The old sensation of having lowered -herself, of being in disgrace with herself, was strongly over her. -She hated herself for being angry at having Janet in the house, for -so strong were her instincts of hospitality that even to think an -uncourteous thought toward a visitor seemed to her to be like breaking -the first rules of life.</p> - -<p>She had rushed to the summerhouse to give herself the comfort of a -safety valve. She must shed the tears which weighed against her eyes. -She must speak aloud to the empty air some of the misery which filled -her heart. She was quite alone. It was safe for her to storm here; she -knew that if she spent her tears in this safe retreat she would be all -the better able to bear her sorrows by and by.</p> - -<p>As she sobbed, thinking herself quite alone, the little rustic door of -the old summerhouse was slowly and cautiously pushed open, and a dog's -affectionate, melting eyes looked in.</p> - -<p>The whole of a big shaggy head protruded itself next into view, four -big soft feet pattered across the floor, and a magnificent thoroughbred -Irish greyhound laid his head on the girl's knee.</p> - -<p>"O Bruin, Bruin; oh, you darling!" exclaimed Bridget. "I can tell <i>you</i> -how sorry I am! I can tell <i>you</i> how mean and horrid and contemptible I -feel! Kiss me, Bruin; let me love you, you darling! you darling! You'll -never tell that you found me like this, will you, Bruin?"</p> - -<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_231" id="Page_231">[Pg 231]</a></span></p> - -<p>"Never!" said Bruin's eyes. "Of course not; what can you be thinking -about? And now cheer up, won't you?</p> - -<p>"Yes, I will," said Bridget, answering their language. "Oh, what a -great comfort you are to me, Bruin, my dog!"</p> - -<hr /> - -<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_232" id="Page_232">[Pg 232]</a></span></p> - -<h2><span>CHAPTER XX.</span> <span class="smaller">THE SQUIRE AND HIS GUESTS.</span></h2> - -<p>The great bell clanged out its hospitable boom for supper. Supper -was a great institution at the Castle. It was the meal of the day. -A heterogeneous sort of repast, at which every conceivable eatable, -every available luxury, graced the board. From tea, coffee, and bread -and butter to all sorts of rich and spiced dishes, nothing that the -good-humored Irish cook could produce was absent from the squire's -supper table.</p> - -<p>It was the one meal in the day at which he himself ate heartily. The -squire ate enough then to satisfy himself for the greater part of the -twenty-four hours; for, with the exception of a frugal breakfast at -eight in the morning, which consisted of tea, bread and butter, and -two new-laid eggs, he never touched food again until the great evening -meal, which was tea, supper, and dinner in one.</p> - -<p>People had easy times at Castle Mahun. There was no stiffness -anywhere. The rule of the house was to go where you pleased, and do -what you liked. Once a visitor there, you might, as far as Squire -O'Hara was concerned, be a visitor for all the rest of your natural -life. Certainly no one would think of hinting at the possibility -of your going. When you did take it into your head to depart, you -would be warmly invited to renew your visit at the first available -opportunity, and<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_233" id="Page_233">[Pg 233]</a></span> the extreme shortness of your stay, even though -that stay had extended to months, would be openly commented upon and -loudly regretted. But, as in each fortress there is one weak spot, and -as in every rule there is the invariable exception, the Squire did -demand one thing from his own family and his visitors alike, and that -was a punctual attendance in the lofty dining hall of the Castle at -suppertime.</p> - -<p>Bridget heard the bell twanging and sounding, and knew that the summons -to appear at supper had gone forth. She mopped away her tears with a -richly embroidered cambric handkerchief, stuffed it into her pocket, -looked with a slight passing regret at some muddy marks which Bruin had -made on her silk dress, and prepared to return to the house.</p> - -<p>"I wonder, Bruin," she said, "if my eyes show that I have been crying? -What a nuisance if they do. I'd better run down to the Holy Well before -I go into the house, and see if a good bathe will take the redness -away. Come along, Bruin, my dog, come quickly."</p> - -<p>Bruin trotted on in front of Bridget. He knew her moods well. He had -comforted her before now in the summerhouse. No one but Bruin knew -what bitter tears she had shed when she was first told she must go to -England to school. Bruin had found her in the summerhouse then, and she -had put her arms round his neck and kissed him, and then she had mopped -her wet eyes and asked him as she did to-night if they showed signs of -weeping, and also as to-night the dog and the girl had repaired to the -Holy Well to wash the traces of tears away.</p> - -<p>Bruin went on in front, now trotting quickly, and<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_234" id="Page_234">[Pg 234]</a></span> never once troubling -himself to look back. They soon reached the little well, which was -covered with a small stone archway, under which the water lay dark -and cool. Rare ferns dipped their leaves into the well, and some wild -flowers twined themselves over the arch, which always, summer and -winter, kept the sun from touching the water. It was a lonely spot not -often frequented, for the well had the character of being haunted, and -its waters were only supposed to act as a charm or cure on the O'Hara -family. Bridget, therefore, stepped back with a momentary expression of -surprise when she saw a woman bending down by the well in the act of -filling a small glass bottle with some of its water.</p> - -<p>She was a short, stout woman of between fifty and sixty. Her hair was -nearly snow-white; her face was red and much weather-beaten; her small -gray, twinkling eyes were somewhat sunk in her head; her nose was broad -and <i>retroussé</i>, her mouth wide, showing splendid white teeth without a -trace of decay about them.</p> - -<p>The woman looked up when she heard a footstep approaching. Then, seeing -Bridget, she dashed her glass bottle to the ground, and rushing up to -the young girl, knelt at her feet, and clasped her hands ecstatically -round her knees.</p> - -<p>"Oh, Miss Biddy, Miss Biddy!" she exclaimed. "It's the heart-hunger I -have been having for the sake of your purty face. Oh, Miss Biddy, my -colleen, and didn't you miss poor Norah?"</p> - -<p>"Of course I did, Norah," said Bridget. "I could not make out where you -were. I asked about you over and over again, and they said you were -away on<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_235" id="Page_235">[Pg 235]</a></span> the hills, sheep-shearing. I did think it was odd, for you -never used to shear the sheep, Norah."</p> - -<p>"No," said Norah, "but I was that distraught with grief I thought maybe -it 'ud cool me brain a bit. It's about Pat I'm in throuble, darlin'. -It's all up with the boy and me! We has waited for years and years, and -now there don't seem no chance of our being wedded. He's no better, -Miss Biddy. The boy lies flat out on his back, and there aint no -strength in him. Oh! me boy, me boy, that I thought to wed!"</p> - -<p>"And where <i>is</i> Pat, Norah?" said Bridget. "I asked about him, too, and -they said he had been moved up to a house on one of the hills, to get a -little stronger air. I was quite pleased, for I know change of air is -good for people after they get hurt. And why can't you be wed, Norah, -even if Pat is hurt? I should think he'd want a wife to nurse him -very badly now. Why can't you have a wedding while I'm at home, Norah -macree?"</p> - -<p>"Oh, me darlin'—light of me eyes that you are—but where's the good -when the boy don't wish it himself? He said to me only yesterday, 'Me -girl,' said he, 'it aint the will of the Vargen that you and me should -wed this year, nor maybe next. We must put it off for a bit longer.' -I'm close on sixty, Miss Bridget, and Pat is sixty-two, and it seems as -if we might settle it now, but he don't see it. He says it was the will -of the Vargen to lay him on his back and that there must be no coorting -nor marrying until he's round on his feet again. I am about tired of -waiting, Miss Bridget; for, though I aint to say old, I aint none so -young nayther."</p> - -<p>"But you have a lot of life left in you still, Norah,"<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_236" id="Page_236">[Pg 236]</a></span> said Bridget. -"I'll go and talk to Pat to-morrow, and we'll soon put things right. I -was so dreadfully sorry to hear that he was hurt. And did you get my -letter that I wrote to you from school?"</p> - -<p>"To be sure, darlin'! and why wouldn't I? and it's framed up in Pat's -cottage now, and we both looks at it after we has said our beads each -night. It was a moighty foine letter, Miss Biddy! Pat and me said that -you was getting a sight of larning at that foreign school."</p> - -<p>"And did you get the money I sent you, Norah? I sent you and Pat two -whole pounds in a postal order. I was so glad I had it to give you. Two -pounds means a lot of money to an Irish boy and girl. Weren't you glad -when you saw it, Norah? Didn't it make you and Pat almost forget about -the accident and the pain?"</p> - -<p>"Oh, Miss Bridget, alanna!" Norah's deep-set, good-natured, and yet -cunning eyes were raised in almost fear to the young girl's face. "Miss -Bridget, alanna, there worn't never a stiver in the letter. No, as sure -as I'm standing here; not so much as a brass bawbee, let alone gold. -Oh, alanna, someone must have shtole the beautiful money. Oh, to think -of your sending it, and we never to get it; oh, worra, worra me!"</p> - -<p>Bridget turned rather pale while Norah was speaking.</p> - -<p>"I certainly sent you the money," she said. "Didn't I tell you so in -the letter?"</p> - -<p>Norah fumbled with her apron.</p> - -<p>"Maybe you did, darlin'," she said evasively.</p> - -<p>"But don't you <i>know</i>? It was principally to tell you about the money -that I wrote."</p> - -<p>"Well, you see, darlin'—truth is best. Nayther Pat<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_237" id="Page_237">[Pg 237]</a></span> nor me can read, -and so we framed the letter, but we don't know what's in it; only we -knew from the foreign mark as it was from that baste of a school, and -that it must be from you."</p> - -<p>"I think I must run in to supper now, Norah; there are some visitors -come to the Castle, and I'm awfully late as it is, and father may -be vexed. I'll ride up on Wild Hawk to-morrow to see Pat, and you -had better be there, and we'll find out where that money has got to. -Good-night, Norah; but first tell me what you were doing at the Holy -Well?"</p> - -<p>"Don't you be angry with me, Miss Biddy. I thought maybe if I brought -a bottle of the water to Pat, and he didn't know what it was, and he -drank some as if it was ordiner water, that it would act as a love -philter on him, and maybe he'd consint to our being married before many -months is up. For I'm wearying to have the courtship over, and that's -the truth I'm telling ye, Miss Bridget. I am awfully afraid as Pat has -seen me gray hairs, and that they are turning the boy agen me, and that -he'll be looking out for another girl."</p> - -<p>"If he does I'll never speak to him again," said Bridget slowly. "You -so faithful and so good! but now I must go in to supper, Norah."</p> - -<p>Bridget ran scrambling and panting up to the house. Bruin kept her -company step by step. He entered the large dining hall by her side, -and walked with her to the head of the board, where she sat down in a -vacant chair near her father's side.</p> - -<p>"You're late, alanna," he said, turning his fine face slowly toward her -with a courteous and yet reproachful glance.</p> - -<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_238" id="Page_238">[Pg 238]</a></span></p> - -<p>She did not reply in words, but placed her hand on his knee for a -moment.</p> - -<p>The touch brought a smile to his face. He turned to talk to Janet, who, -neatly dressed, and all traces of fatigue removed, was sitting at his -other side.</p> - -<p>Lady Kathleen was attending to Sophy's wants at the farther end of the -table; but between them and the squire were several other visitors. -These visitors were now so accustomed to paying long calls at Castle -Mahun that they had come to look upon it as a second home. They were -all Irish, and most of them rather old, and they one and all claimed -relationship with Squire O'Hara. Nobody said much to them, but they ate -heartily of the good viands with which the table was laden, and nodded -and smiled with pleasure when the squire pressed them to eat more.</p> - -<p>"Miss Macnamara, I <i>insist</i> on your having another glass of sherry!" -the squire would thunder out; or, "Mr. Jonas O'Hagan, how is your lame -foot this evening? and are you making free with the beef? It is meant -to be eaten, remember; it is meant to be eaten."</p> - -<p>Jonas O'Hagan, a very lean old man of close on seventy, would nod back -to the squire, and help himself to junks of the good highly spiced beef -in question. Miss Macnamara would simper and say:</p> - -<p>"Well, squire, to <i>oblige</i> you then, I'll have just a <i>leetle</i> drop -more sherry."</p> - -<p>The business of eating, however, was too important for the squire to do -much in the way of conversation.</p> - -<p>Janet's small-talk—she thought herself an adept at small-talk—was -kindly listened to, but not largely responded to.</p> - -<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_239" id="Page_239">[Pg 239]</a></span></p> - -<p>Bridget whispered to herself, "I must really tell Janet another day -that father must be left in peace to eat the one meal he really does -eat in the twenty-four hours."</p> - -<p>Bridget herself did not speak at all. She scarcely ate anything, but -leaned back against her chair, one hand lying affectionately on Bruin's -head. Anxious and troubled thoughts were filling her young mind. What -had become of the two pounds she had given Janet to put into Norah's -letter?</p> - -<p>She felt startled and perplexed. It was an awful thing to harbor bad -feelings toward a visitor. All Bridget's instincts rose up in revolt at -the bare idea. She thought herself a dreadful girl for being obliged to -rush away to the old summerhouse to cry; but bad as that was, what was -it in comparison to the thoughts which now filled her mind? Could it be -possible that Janet, sitting there exactly opposite to her, looking so -neat, so pretty, so tranquil, could have stolen those two sovereigns? -Could the girl who called herself Bridget's friend be a thief?</p> - -<p>Oh, no, it was simply impossible.</p> - -<p>Bridget had already discovered much meanness in Janet May. Janet, with -her own small hand, had led Bridget O'Hara into crooked paths.</p> - -<p>But all that, bad as it was, was nothing—nothing at all in Bridget's -eyes, to the fact that she had stooped to be just a common thief.</p> - -<p>"I thought that only very poor and starving people stole," thought the -girl to herself, as she broke off a piece of griddle cake and put it -to her lips. "Oh, I can't—I won't believe it of her. The postal order -must have been put into the letter, and someone must have<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_240" id="Page_240">[Pg 240]</a></span> taken it -out before it reached Pat's hands. Perhaps the postal order is in the -envelope all this time. When I ride over on Wild Hawk to-morrow to see -Pat I'll ask him to show me the envelope. It would be a good plan if I -took Janet with me. I can soon judge by her face whether she stole the -money or not. Of course, if she did steal it, I must speak to her, but -I can't do it on any part of the O'Hara estate. It would be quite too -awful for the hostess to accuse her visitor of theft."</p> - -<p>"Biddy, alanna—a penny for your thoughts," said the squire, tapping -his daughter on her cheek.</p> - -<p>"They are not worth even a farthing," she replied, coloring, however, -and starting away from his keen glance.</p> - -<p>"Then, if our young friends have done their supper, you'll maybe take -them round the place a bit, colleen; they'll like to smell the sweet -evening air, and to—— By the way, are you partial to dogs, Miss May; -we have a few of them to show you if you are?"</p> - -<p>"Oh, I like them immensely," said Janet. ("Horrid bores!" she murmured -under her breath.) "I don't know much about them, of course," she -added, raising her seemingly truthful eyes and fixing them on the old -squire. "I had an uncle once; he's dead. I was very fond of him; he had -a deerhound something like that one."</p> - -<p>She nodded at Bruin as she spoke.</p> - -<p>"Ah," said Mr. O'Hara, interested at once, "then you can appreciate -the noblest sort of dog in the world. Come here, Bruin, my king, and -let me introduce you to this young lady. This is a thoroughbred<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_241" id="Page_241">[Pg 241]</a></span> Irish -deerhound, Miss May; I wouldn't part with him for a hundred pounds in -gold of the realm."</p> - -<p>The stately dog, who had been crouching by Bridget's feet, rose slowly -at his master's summons and approached Janet. He sniffed at the small -hand which lay on her knee, evidently did not think much of either it -or its owner, and returned to Biddy's side.</p> - -<p>"You won't win Bruin in a hurry," said the squire. "I doubt if he could -take to anyone who hasn't Irish blood; but for all that, although he -won't love you, since I have formally introduced you to each other he'd -rather die than see a hair of your head hurt. You are Bruin's guest -now, and supposing you were in trouble of any sort during your visit -to Castle Mahun, you'd find out the value of being under the dog's -protection."</p> - -<p>"Yes," said Janet, suppressing a little yawn. She rose from her seat as -she spoke. "Shall we go out, Biddy?" she said. "Will you take Sophy and -me round the place as your father has so kindly suggested?"</p> - -<p>"Certainly," said Bridget; "we'll walk round the lake, and I'll show -you the view from the top of the tower. There'll be a moon to-night, -and that will make a fine silver path on the water. Are you coming too, -Aunt Kathleen?"</p> - -<p>"Presently, my love, after I have been round to look at Minerva and the -pups."</p> - -<p>The three girls left the hall in each other's company.</p> - -<p>Sophy began to give expression to her feelings in little, weak, -half-hysterical bursts of rapture. "Oh, what a delightful place!" she -began, skipping by Bridget's side as she spoke. "This air does revive -one so;<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_242" id="Page_242">[Pg 242]</a></span> and <i>what</i> a view!" clasping her two hands together. "Miss -O'Hara, how you are to be envied—you who live in the midst of this -beauty. Oh, good Heavens, I can't stand all those dogs! I'm awfully -afraid; I really am. Down, down! you <i>horrid</i> thing, you! Oh, please, -save me; please, save me!" Sophy caught violent hold of Bridget's -wrist, shrieked, danced, and dragged her dress away.</p> - -<p>About a dozen dogs had suddenly rushed in a fury of ecstasy round the -corner. Some of them had been chained all day, some shut up in their -kennels. All were wild for their evening scamper, and indifferent in -the first intoxication of liberty to the fact of whether they were -caressing friends or strangers. They slobbered with their great mouths -and leaped upon the girls, licking them all over in their joy.</p> - -<p>The charge they made was really a severe one, and Sophy may easily have -been forgiven for her want of courage.</p> - -<p>Janet, who disliked the invasion of the dogs quite as much as her -sister, favored that young person now with a withering glance; but -Bridget spoke in a kind and reassuring tone.</p> - -<p>"I'm so sorry they should have annoyed you," she said; "I might have -known that you weren't accustomed to them. Daddy and I like them -to jump about in this wild fashion, but I might have known that it -wouldn't be pleasant to you. Down, this minute, dogs; I'm ashamed of -you! Down, Mustard; down, Pepper; down, Oscar; down, Wild-Fire. Do you -hear me? I'll use the whip to you if you don't obey."</p> - -<p>Bridget's fine voice swelled on the evening breeze.<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_243" id="Page_243">[Pg 243]</a></span> Each dog looked at -her with a cowed and submissive eye; they ceased their raptures, and -hung their drooping heads.</p> - -<p>"To heel, every one of you!" she said.</p> - -<p>They obeyed, and the girls entered the shady but steep walk which hung -over the lake.</p> - -<hr /> - -<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_244" id="Page_244">[Pg 244]</a></span></p> - -<h2><span>CHAPTER XXI.</span> <span class="smaller">THE HOLY WELL.</span></h2> - -<p>"You won't forget, girls," said Lady Kathleen the next morning when -breakfast was over, "that Patrick and Gerald are coming to stay here -to-day?"</p> - -<p>"Hurrah!" said Bridget; "we'll have some shooting and fishing then."</p> - -<p>"You can't shoot at this time of year," said the squire.</p> - -<p>"I don't mean to shoot game, father," she replied. "I want to learn -proper rifle shooting. What do you say, Janet; wouldn't you like to -handle firearms?"</p> - -<p>Janet hesitated for a moment; she saw disapproval on Lady Kathleen's -face, and took her cue from her.</p> - -<p>"I don't think I'm strong enough," she said. "Shooting with firearms -seems just the one accomplishment which a girl <i>can't</i> manage; at -least, I mean an ordinary girl."</p> - -<p>Lady Kathleen clapped her hands.</p> - -<p>"Hear to you, Mayflower," she said. "Right you are; I go with you, my -dear. Firearms are downright dangerous things; and if I had my will, -Biddy should never touch them. Do you hear me, squire?"</p> - -<p>"Pooh!" said the squire; "what harm do they do? A girl ought to know -how to defend herself. As to the danger, if she uses her common sense -there is not any. I grant you that a foolish girl oughtn't to touch<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_245" id="Page_245">[Pg 245]</a></span> -firearms; but give me a sensible, strong-hearted colleen, and I'll -provide that she handles a gun with the precision and care of the best -sportsman in the land. Biddy here can bring down a bird on the wing -with any fellow who comes to shoot in the autumn, and I don't suppose -there is Biddy's match in the county for womanly graces either."</p> - -<p>"You spoil her, Dennis," said Lady Kathleen. "It's well she's been sent -to school to learn some of her failings, for she'd never find them out -here. Not but that I'm as proud as Punch of her myself. For all that, -however, I'd leave out the shooting; and I'm very much obliged to -little Mayflower for upholding me."</p> - -<p>"You haven't a wrist for a gun," said the squire, glancing at Janet's -small hands. "Your vocations lie in another direction. You must favor -me with a song some evening. I guess somehow by the look of your face -that you are musical."</p> - -<p>"I adore music," said Janet with enthusiasm.</p> - -<p>"That's right. Can you do the 'Melodies'?"</p> - -<p>"The 'Melodies'?"</p> - -<p>"Yes; 'She is far from the Land,' and 'The Minstrel Boy,' and 'The Harp -that once through Tara's Halls'; but it isn't likely you can touch -<i>that</i>. It requires an Irish girl born and bred, with her fingers -touching the strings of an Irish harp, and her soul in her eyes, and -her heart breaking through the beautiful birdlike voice of her, to give -that 'Melody' properly. We'll have it to-night, Biddy, you and I. We'll -get the harp brought out on the terrace, and when the moon is up we'll -have the dogs lying about, and we'll sing it; you and I."</p> - -<p>"Dear, dear, squire," said Lady Kathleen, "if you and Biddy sing 'The -Harp that once through Tara's<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_246" id="Page_246">[Pg 246]</a></span> Halls' as you <i>can</i> sing it, you'll give -us all the creeps! Why, it seems to be a sort of wail when you two -do it. I see the forsaken hall, and the knights, and the chieftains, -and the fair ladies! Oh, it's melting, <i>melting</i>! You must provide -yourselves with plenty of handkerchiefs, Mayflower and Sophy, if we are -going to have that sort of entertainment. But here comes the postbag; I -wonder if there's anything for me."</p> - -<p>The door of the hall was swung open at the farther end, and a man of -about thirty, with bare feet, and dressed in a rough fustian suit, -walked up the room, and deposited the thick leather bag by the squire's -side.</p> - -<p>"Now what did you come in for, Jonas?" he asked. "Weren't any of the -other servants about?"</p> - -<p>"I couldn't help meself, your honor," said Jonas, pulling his front -lock of hair, and looking sheepishly and yet affectionately down the -long table. "I was hungering for a sight of Miss Biddy. I hadn't -clapped eyes on her sence she came back, and I jest ran foul of them -varmints, and made free of the hall. Begging your honor's parding, I -hope there's no harm done."</p> - -<p>"No, Jonas, not any. Make your bob to Miss Biddy now, and go."</p> - -<p>The man bowed low, flashed up two eyes of devotion to the girl's face, -and scampered in a shambling kind of way out of the room.</p> - -<p>"Good soul, capital soul, that," said the squire, nodding to Janet.</p> - -<p>"He seems very devoted," she replied, lowering her eyes to conceal her -true feelings.</p> - -<p>The squire proceeded to unlock the letter-bag and dispense its -contents. Most of the letters were for<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_247" id="Page_247">[Pg 247]</a></span> himself, but there was one -thick inclosure for Lady Kathleen.</p> - -<p>Janet sprang up to take it to her. As she did so she recognized the -handwriting and the postmark. The letter came from Eastcliff, and was -from Mrs. Freeman.</p> - -<p>Janet felt her heart beat heavily. She felt no doubt whatever that this -letter, so thick in substance and so important in appearance, contained -an account of poor Biddy's delinquencies.</p> - -<p>Lady Kathleen received it, and laid it by her plate.</p> - -<p>"Who's your correspondent, Kathleen?" asked the squire, from the other -end of the table. It was one of his small weaknesses to be intensely -curious about letters.</p> - -<p>Lady Kathleen raised the letter and examined the writing.</p> - -<p>"It's from Eastcliff," she said, "from Mrs. Freeman; I know by the way -she flourishes her t's. The letter is from Mrs. Freeman," she repeated, -raising her voice. "A thick letter, with an account, no doubt, of our -Biddy's progress."</p> - -<p>Bridget, who was standing by her father's side, turned suddenly pale. -Her hand, which rested on his shoulder, slightly trembled; a sick fear, -which she had thought dead, came over her with renewed force. She had -forgotten the possibility of Mrs. Freeman writing an account of her -wrong doings to Lady Kathleen. Now she felt a sudden wild terror, -something like a bird caught for the first time in the fowler's net.</p> - -<p>Squire O'Hara felt her hand tremble. This father and daughter were -so truly one that her lightest moods, her most passing emotions were -instantly perceived by him.</p> - -<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_248" id="Page_248">[Pg 248]</a></span></p> - -<p>"You are all in a fuss, colleen," he said, looking back at her; "but if -there is a bit of praise in the letter, why shouldn't we hear it? You -open it, and read it aloud to us, Kathleen. You'll be glad to hear what -my daughter has done at school, Miss Macnamara?"</p> - -<p>"Proud, squire, proud," retorted the old lady, cracking the top off -another egg as she spoke.</p> - -<p>"Please, father, I'd rather the letter wasn't read aloud. I don't think -it is all praise," whispered Biddy in his ear.</p> - -<p>The Squire's hawk-like face took a troubled glance for a quarter of a -minute. He looked into Biddy's eyes and took his cue.</p> - -<p>No one else had heard her low, passionate whisper.</p> - -<p>"After all," he said, "the colleen has a fair share of womanly modesty, -and I for one respect her for it. She can handle a gun with any man -among us, but she can't hear herself praised to her face. All right, -colleen, you shan't be. We'll keep over the letter for the present, if -you please, Kathleen."</p> - -<p>"That's as you please, Dennis. For my part, I expect it's just the -school bills, and there is no hurry about them. I want to go and speak -to Molly Fitzgerald about preserving the late raspberries, so I shan't -read the letter at all at present."</p> - -<p>She slipped it into her pocket, and, rising from the table, set the -example to the others to follow her.</p> - -<p>The three girls went out on the terrace. Janet walked by Bridget's -side, and Sophy ran on in front.</p> - -<p>"I can't believe," said Bridget, looking at Sophy, "that your sister -is older than you. She has quite the ways and manners of a very young -girl, whereas you——"</p> - -<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_249" id="Page_249">[Pg 249]</a></span></p> - -<p>"Thank you," said Janet. "I know quite well what you mean, Biddy. I -know I'm not young for my age. I needn't pretend when I am with you, -Biddy," she continued, speaking with a sudden emphasis; "you wouldn't -be young, either, if you had always had to lead my life. I have had -to do for myself, and for Sophy, too, since I was ever so little. I -have had to plot, and to plan, and contrive. I never had an easy life. -Perhaps, if I had had the same chances as other girls, I might have -been different."</p> - -<p>"I wish you would always talk like that," said Bridget, an expression -of real friendliness coming into her face. "If you would always talk -as you are doing now—I mean in that true tone—I—I could <i>bear</i> you, -Janet."</p> - -<p>"Oh, I know what your feelings are well enough," said Janet. "I am not -so blind as you imagine. I know you hate having me here, and that if -it wasn't for—for <i>something</i> that happened at school you wouldn't -tolerate my presence for an hour. But you see something did happen at -school; something that you don't want to be known; and you have got to -tolerate me; do you hear?"</p> - -<p>"You're mistaken in supposing that I would be rude to you now you -have come," said Bridget. "I don't think I should have invited you; I -didn't invite you. My aunt didn't even tell me that she had done so. -She thought we were friends, and that she was giving me a nice surprise -when she told me that you were coming."</p> - -<p>"I took care that you didn't know," said Janet in a low tone, and with -a short little laugh. "You don't suppose Lady Kathleen would have -thought of the<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_250" id="Page_250">[Pg 250]</a></span> nice little surprise by herself? It was I who managed -everything; the surprise, and the gay jolly time we are to spend at the -Castle, and all."</p> - -<p>"You are clever," said Bridget, "but I don't think I envy you your kind -of cleverness. All the same, now that you are here you are my visitor, -and I shall do what I can to give you a good time."</p> - -<p>"Thanks," said Janet, "I dare say I can manage that for myself. By the -way, did you notice that a letter has come from Eastcliff?"</p> - -<p>"From Mrs. Freeman; yes, what of that?"</p> - -<p>"There is no good in your saying 'What of that?' so calmly with your -lips, Bridget, when your heart is full of the most abject terror. -Didn't I see how your face changed color this morning when you saw the -letter, and didn't I notice you when you whispered something to your -father? You are very, very sorry that letter has come. It would be very -terrible to you—very terrible for you, if its contents were known."</p> - -<p>Sophy was still flitting on in front. The sunshine was bathing the -sloping lawns, and the dark forest trees, and the smooth bosom of -Lake Crena. It seemed to Bridget for the first time in her young life -that sunshine, even when it fell upon Irish land, was a mockery and a -delusion.</p> - -<p>"I do not want my father to know," she said, with a break in her voice. -"It would kill me if he knew. You see what he is, Janet, the soul of -all that is noble and honorable. Oh, it would kill me if he knew what I -have done; and I think it would kill him also. O Janet, why did you get -me into such an awful scrape?"</p> - -<p>"You didn't think it so very awful when you were knowing all your -lessons, and getting praise from <span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_251" id="Page_251">[Pg 251]</a></span>everyone, and mounting to the head of -your class. It seemed all right to you then, and you never blamed me at -all; but now that the dark side of the picture comes, and you are in -danger of discovery, you see your conduct in a different light. I have -no patience with you. You have the appearance of being a very brave -girl; in reality you are a coward."</p> - -<p>"No one ever said that to me before," said Bridget, clenching her hand, -her eyes flashing.</p> - -<p>"Well, I say it now; it's very good for the petted, and the courted, -and the adored, to listen to unvarnished truths now and then. Oh, so -you have come back, Sophy. Yes, those are pretty flowers, but perhaps -Miss O'Hara doesn't wish you to pick her flowers."</p> - -<p>"Not wish her to pick the flowers," said Bridget, "and she a visitor! -What nonsense! Oh, you English don't at all know our Irish ways."</p> - -<p>"I think you have quite lovely ways," said Sophy. "I never felt so -happy in my life. I never, never was in such a beautiful place, and I -never came across such truly kind people."</p> - -<p>"Well, run on then," said Janet, "and pick some more of the flowers."</p> - -<p>"There's one of those awful jaunting cars coming up the avenue," said -Sophy.</p> - -<p>"Then the boys have come," exclaimed Bridget. "I must fly to them."</p> - -<p>She rushed away, putting wings to her feet, and the two May girls were -left standing together. Janet was absorbed in a brown study. Sophy's -eager eyes followed the car as it ascended the steep and winding avenue.</p> - -<p>"I wonder if we'll have any fun with the boys," she<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_252" id="Page_252">[Pg 252]</a></span> said, "and who are -the boys? I hope they are grown up."</p> - -<p>"You can make yourself easy on that score," said Janet, "they are only -lads—schoolboys. They live on the O'Mahoney estate, about eighteen -miles away. Their names are Patrick and Gerald, and I expect they are -about as raw and uninteresting as those sort of wild Irish can be. Now, -Sophy, do continue your pretty kittenish employment; skip about and -pick some more flowers."</p> - -<p>"I think I will be kittenish enough to run down the avenue and see what -the boys are really like," said Sophy. "I'll soon know whether there is -any fun to be got out of them."</p> - -<p>She ran off as she spoke, and Janet found herself alone.</p> - -<p>She stood still for a minute, irresolute and nervous. The arrival of -the letter by that morning's post had given her great uneasiness. She -was a young person of very calm judgment and ready resource, but as -matters now stood she could not see her own way. The next step was -invisible to her, and such a state of things was torture to a nature -like hers. Oh, if only she could secure that letter, then how splendid -would be her position. Bridget would be absolutely in her power. She -could do with this erratic and strange girl just what she pleased.</p> - -<p>Four gay young voices were heard approaching, some dogs were yelping -and gamboling about, boyish tones rose high on the breeze, followed by -the light sound of girlish laughter.</p> - -<p>"Talk of Bridget really feeling anything!" murmured Janet; "why, that -girl is all froth."</p> - -<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_253" id="Page_253">[Pg 253]</a></span></p> - -<p>She felt that she could not meet the gay young folks just now, and -ran round a shady path which led to the back of the house; here she -found herself in full view of a great yard, into which the kitchen -premises opened. The yard was well peopled with barefooted men, and -barefooted girls and women. Some pigs were scratching, rolling about, -and disporting themselves, after their amiable fashion, in a distant -corner. Some barn-door fowls and a young brood of turkeys were making -a commotion and rushing after a thickly set girl, who was feeding them -with barley; quantities of yellow goslings and downy ducklings were to -be seen making for a muddy looking pond. Some gentle looking cows were -lowing in their sheds. The cart horses were being taken out for the -day's work.</p> - -<p>It was a gay and picturesque scene, and Janet, anxious as she felt, -could not help standing still for a moment to view it.</p> - -<p>"And now, where are you going, Mayflower? and why aren't you with the -others?" exclaimed a gay voice.</p> - -<p>Janet hastily turned her head, and saw Lady Kathleen, with her rich, -trailing silk dress turned well up over her petticoat, a gayly colored -cotton handkerchief tied over her head, and a big basket in her hand.</p> - -<p>"Why aren't you with the others, Mayflower?" she repeated. "Are they -bad-hearted enough, and have they bad taste enough, not to want you, my -little mavourneen?"</p> - -<p>"I don't know, Lady Kathleen," said Janet, raising eyes which anxiety -had rendered pathetic. "I don't know that I am really much missed; some -people<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_254" id="Page_254">[Pg 254]</a></span> whom Bridget speaks of as 'the boys' have just arrived, and -she——"</p> - -<p>"Oh, mercy!" interrupted Lady Kathleen, "and so the lads have come. I -must go and talk to them as soon as ever I have helped cook a bit with -the raspberries. We are going in for a grand preserving to-day, and -cook and I have our hands full. Would you like to come along and give -us a bit of assistance, Mayflower!"</p> - -<p>"You may be sure I would," said Janet.</p> - -<p>"Well, come then," said Lady Kathleen. "You can eat while you pick. -I can tell you that the Castle Mahun raspberries are worth eating; -why, they are as large as a cook's thimble, each of them; I don't mean -a lady's thimble, but a cook's; and that's no offense to you, Molly -Malone."</p> - -<p>Molly Malone, who resembled a thick, short sack in figure, spread out -her broad hands and grinned from ear to ear.</p> - -<p>"Why, then, you must be always cracking your jokes, me lady," she said, -"and fine I likes to hear you; and it's the beautiful, hondsome lady -you is."</p> - -<p>"Get out with you, Molly," said Lady Kathleen; "don't you come over me -with your blarney. Now, then, here we are. Isn't it a splendid, great, -big patch of berries, Mayflower?"</p> - -<p>"I never saw raspberries growing before," said Janet; "how pretty they -look!"</p> - -<p>"They look even prettier when they are turned into rich red jam. Now, -then, we must all set to work. Put your basket here, Molly, and run -and fetch us some cabbage leaves; we'll each have a cabbage leaf to -fill with berries, and when our leaves are full we'll pop<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_255" id="Page_255">[Pg 255]</a></span> the berries -into the big basket. Oh, bother those brambles, they are tearing and -spoiling my dress; I wish I hadn't it on. It is quite a good silk, and -I know it will get both stained and torn, but when the notion came to -me to help Molly Malone with the preserving, I really could not be -worried changing it."</p> - -<p>Janet made no remark, and Lady Kathleen quickly busied herself with the -raspberry briars. She was a very expert picker, and filled two or three -leaves with the luscious, ripe fruit while Janet was filling one.</p> - -<p>"Why, my dear," she said, "what are you about? Those small fingers of -yours are all thumbs. Who'd have believed it? Oh! and you must only -pick the ripe fruit; the fruit that almost comes away when you look -at it. Let me show you; there, that's better. Now you have gone and -scratched your hand, poor mite; it's plain to be seen you have no Irish -blood in you."</p> - -<p>Janet looked at her small wounded hand with a dismal face.</p> - -<p>"As I said a minute ago, I never saw raspberries growing before," she -said.</p> - -<p>"You needn't remark that to us, my love; your way of picking them -proves your ignorance. Now, I tell you what you shall do for me. This -silk skirt that I have on is no end of a bother. I'll just slip it off; -there'll be no one to see me in my petticoat, and you can run with it -to the house and bring back a brown holland skirt which you'll find in -my wardrobe. Run straight to the house with the skirt, Janet, and I'll -be everlastingly obliged to you. Anyone will show you my bedroom; it -is at the end of the Ghost's Corridor. Run, child, run; put wings to -your feet. Well, you<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_256" id="Page_256">[Pg 256]</a></span> are a good-natured little thing; your eyes quite -sparkle with delight."</p> - -<p>"I am very glad to oblige you, Lady Kathleen," said Janet. Her -eyelashes drooped over her bright eyes as she spoke. Lady Kathleen -flung the rich silk skirt carelessly over her arm, and she ran off.</p> - -<p>"Be sure you bring me the brown holland, my dear, with the large fruit -stain in front; there are two of them in the wardrobe, and I want the -one with the fruit stain," shouted the good lady after her.</p> - -<p>Janet called back that she would remember, and, running faster, was -soon lost to view.</p> - -<p>When she could no longer get even a peep at Lady Kathleen she stood -still, and, slipping her hand into the pocket of the rich silk skirt, -took out the thick letter with the Eastcliff postmark on it. This was -transferred to her own pocket; then, going on to the house, she found -Lady Kathleen's bedroom, took down the holland skirt with the stain on -it, and was back again with the good lady after an absence of not more -than ten minutes.</p> - -<p>"That's right, my love, that's right," said Lady Kathleen; "you are -like that dear, little, old Greek god, Mercury, for swiftness and -expedition; and now, as you don't seem to care to pick raspberries, you -can go and join your young friends. They are safe to go on the lake -this morning, and I have no doubt you'll enjoy a row."</p> - -<p>"Oh, thank you," said Janet, "I love the water."</p> - -<p>She turned away, and soon found herself outside the great kitchen -garden and walking down the steep path which led directly to the lake. -She heard gay voices in the distance, and was willing enough to join -the young party now. Her heart felt as light as a feather.<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_257" id="Page_257">[Pg 257]</a></span> It was -delicious to know that she had, by one dexterous stroke, saved Bridget, -and, at the same time, put her into her power.</p> - -<p>"I am made for life," whispered Janet, as she stepped along. "Who -would have thought half an hour ago that such a lucky chance was to be -mine? I know perfectly well that Biddy hates me, but she would rather -conceal her hatred all her life than let her father know the contents -of the letter which I have in my pocket. I am not the least afraid of -Lady Kathleen suspecting me of having taken it. She is so erratic and -careless herself that she has probably quite forgotten that she ever -put Mrs. Freeman's letter into her pocket. Oh! I am as safe as safe can -be, and as happy also. I cannot stay long in this wild, outlandish sort -of place, but it is very well for a short time; and as I mean to make -plenty of use of Lady Kathleen in the future, I may as well cultivate -her all I can now. It would be rather a nice arrangement if poor little -Sophy were made Bridget's companion by and by; of course I can make any -terms with Bridget that I like, as I shall always keep the letter as a -rod in pickle to hold over her devoted head. Bridget will be so much -afraid of me that she will do exactly what I please, and it would be -nice for Sophy to live with her.</p> - -<p>"As to myself, I mean to go to Paris with Lady Kathleen. I shall go to -Paris and have a really gay and fine time; I mean to go, and I mean -also to wear some of the lovely Parisian dresses which are showered -in such profusion on that tiresome, stupid Biddy, which she can't -appreciate, and won't appreciate, but which I should make a fine -harvest out of. Oh, yes! oh, yes! my future is secure. Who would have -thought that in<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_258" id="Page_258">[Pg 258]</a></span> one little short half hour Dame Fortune would have so -completely turned her wheel?"</p> - -<p>Janet skipped and ran down the winding path. She presently came to the -neighborhood of the Holy Well. She knew nothing about the well. It -had no history whatever to her; but as she felt hot and thirsty, and -a little wooden cup was hanging by a chain to the arched stone roof, -and the water looked dark and clear and cool beneath, she stooped, -intending to take a long draught of the cold water. Going close to -the well, she held up her dress, and walked on the tips of her dainty -shoes. Bending forward, and stretching out her hand, she was about to -take the little wooden cup from its hook, and to dip it into the well, -in order to get a good draught of the delicious water, when a voice -suddenly said to her:</p> - -<p>"Why then, missy, if you drink that wather, you that don't belong to -the quality what lives at the big house, you'll have no luck all the -rest of your born days."</p> - -<p>The sound of this voice was so unexpected that Janet stepped back, -startled.</p> - -<p>A thickly set woman, with white hair, was standing near the well.</p> - -<p>"That wather is only for the O'Haras," she said. "They and their -kinsfolk can drink it, and it brings them a power of luck, but if -so be as strangers so much as wets their lips with it, why, a curse -enters into their bones with every dhrop they takes. That's thrue as I -am standing here, miss, and you had better be warned. Wance the curse -enters into you, you dwindles and dwindles till you dhrops out of sight -entirely."</p> - -<p>Janet gave a mocking laugh.</p> - -<p>"Oh, you <i>are</i> a silly old woman," she exclaimed.<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_259" id="Page_259">[Pg 259]</a></span> "And do you really -think that I am going to be taken in by nonsense of that sort? I'll -show you now how much I believe you."</p> - -<p>She filled the wooden cup to the brim, then, raising it to her lips, -took a long, deep draught.</p> - -<p>"Am I beginning to dwindle already?" she asked, dropping a courtesy to -the angry looking Irishwoman. Without waiting for a reply she turned on -her heel, and ran down the slope.</p> - -<p>The woman followed her retreating form with flashing eyes.</p> - -<p>"I can't abide her!" she muttered. "She's an Englisher, and I can't -abide them Englishers. I hope she will dwindle and dwindle. Oh! me boy, -me boy! you as was a follower of the family—you and your forbears -before you—you ought to get good from this holy wather, and, oh! if it -would turn your heart to the breaking heart of your Norah, how happy -I'd be."</p> - -<hr /> - -<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_260" id="Page_260">[Pg 260]</a></span></p> - -<h2><span>CHAPTER XXII.</span> <span class="smaller">WILD HAWK.</span></h2> - -<p>The boys Patrick and Gerald were jolly, good-humored, handsome lads, -with not a scrap of affectation, but with rather more than the average -amount of boy mischief in their compositions. They were quite inclined -to be friendly with the two English girls whom they found established -at Castle Mahun, but that fact would by no means prevent their taking a -rise out of them at the first opportunity which offered.</p> - -<p>Sophy was full of little nervous terrors. She shrank back when they -offered to help her into the boat; she uttered a succession of little -shrieks as she was conveyed to her seat in the stern. Patrick winked -at Gerald when she did this, and they both made a mental resolution to -cajole the unfortunate Sophy into the boat some day when they could -have her all to themselves. They would not endanger her life on that -occasion, but unquestionably they would give her an exciting time.</p> - -<p>They meant to play some pranks on Sophy; but at the same time they -regarded the pretty, helpless, nervous little English girl with a -certain chivalrous good nature, which by no means animated the feelings -with which they looked at Janet.</p> - -<p>Janet was not at all to their taste. She had a supercilious manner -toward them, which was most<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_261" id="Page_261">[Pg 261]</a></span> riling. They were shrewd enough to guess, -too, that Bridget, notwithstanding her gentleness and politeness, in -her heart of hearts could not bear Janet. As Patrick and Gerald would -both of them have almost died for their cousin Bridget, the knowledge -that she was not fond of Janet was likely to give that young lady some -unpleasant experiences in the future.</p> - -<p>Although Bridget was in apparently gay spirits during the morning -of this day, she was in her heart of hearts extremely anxious and -unhappy. The fatal letter had arrived; the story of her deceit and -underhand ways would soon be known to her father and to Aunt Kathleen. -Aunt Kathleen might, and probably would, quickly forgive her; but -Squire O'Hara, although he forgave, would, at least, never forget. -Forever and forever, all through the rest of his days, the shadow of -Bridget's dishonor would cloud his eyes, and keep back the old gay and -heart-whole smile from his lips. He would love her, and pity her, and -be sweet to her, but never again would she be as the old Biddy to him. -Now he looked upon her as a pearl without a flaw, as the best of all -created beings; in the future there would be a dimness over her luster.</p> - -<p>While the poor young girl was laughing with her cousins, and trying to -make her visitors happy, these thoughts darkened and filled her mind. -She had also another care.</p> - -<p>She must discover if Janet had really taken the two pounds. It would be -too awful if she were really proved to be nothing better than a common -thief. Bridget intended to ask Janet to accompany her to Pat's cottage -on the hills that afternoon. The postal<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_262" id="Page_262">[Pg 262]</a></span> order might all the time be -safely tucked away in the envelope of the unread letter. If so, all -would be well; but if, on the other hand, it was nowhere to be found, -Bridget felt sure that she could, to a great extent, read the truth in -Janet's face. It would be impossible for her to speak to Janet on the -subject while she was in her father's house, or even in any part of the -grounds; but out on the hills, away from the O'Hara estate, she might -tell her plainly what she thought of her conduct.</p> - -<p>When the early dinner was over, Bridget called Janet aside and spoke to -her.</p> - -<p>"I am going to ride on my pony Wild Hawk," she said. "I am going to see -some poor people who live up in the hills. I don't want the boys to -come, but they can amuse Sophy if you like to ride with me, Janet. You -told me once at school that you were very fond of riding."</p> - -<p>"That is true," replied Janet. "I used to ride in Hyde Park when I was -a very little girl, but that, of course, is some years ago."</p> - -<p>"Oh, that doesn't matter, the knowledge will remain with you. We have a -very nice, quiet lady's horse, called Miss Nelly, in the stables; you -shall ride her."</p> - -<p>"But I haven't a habit," said Janet.</p> - -<p>"I have a nice little one which I have quite outgrown. Come to my room, -and let me try if it will fit you; I am almost sure it will."</p> - -<p>"All right," replied Janet; "I should enjoy a ride very much."</p> - -<p>She hoped that during this ride she would be able to tell Bridget that -she had secured the obnoxious<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_263" id="Page_263">[Pg 263]</a></span> letter, and the first step of putting -the young girl completely in her power would begin.</p> - -<p>She went with Miss O'Hara to her bedroom—an enormous room furnished -with oak, and strewn all over with costly knickknacks and ornaments. -The three large windows commanded an extensive view. They were wide -open, and Bridget when she entered the room went straight up to the -center one, and, clasping her hands, said in a low voice of passion:</p> - -<p>"How I love you!"</p> - -<p>"What do you love, Bridget?" asked Janet.</p> - -<p>"My land—my Ireland," she said. "Oh, you can't understand. Please help -me to open this long drawer. I'll soon find your habit."</p> - -<p>Janet assisted her with a will; the heavy drawer was tugged open, and a -neat dark blue habit, braided with silver, was pulled into view.</p> - -<p>Janet slipped it on, and found that it fitted her perfectly.</p> - -<p>"Take it to your room," said Bridget. "I am very glad it fits you; you -may want it many times while you are here."</p> - -<p>"Yes, and I may want to take it away with me, too," murmured Janet in a -whisper to herself.</p> - -<p>She went to her room, put on the dark, prettily made habit, and -looked at herself with much satisfaction in the glass. With a little -arrangement, Bridget's childish habit fitted Janet's neat figure like -a glove. She had never looked better than she did at this moment. The -rather severe dress gave her a certain almost distinguished appearance. -She ran downstairs in high spirits. Bridget was standing in<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_264" id="Page_264">[Pg 264]</a></span> the hall, -and the squire was also present to help the two girls to mount their -horses. He looked with pleasure at Janet, and said in a hearty tone:</p> - -<p>"I am very glad that you can ride, my little girl. It isn't often that -Bridget gets anyone at all her equal in horsemanship to accompany her."</p> - -<p>"Oh, father, you make a great mistake," exclaimed Bridget; "I have you."</p> - -<p>"What's an old boy worth to a young colleen," he replied; but he smiled -at her with fond affection, and the horses being led up by a shabbily -dressed groom, Bridget sprang lightly into her seat on Wild Hawk's back.</p> - -<p>He was a thoroughbred little Arab, with an eye of fire, a sensitive -mouth, and a jet-black shining skin. Miss Nelly was a pretty -roan-colored horse, but not a thoroughbred like Wild Hawk.</p> - -<p>"You'll be thoroughly safe on Miss Nelly," said the squire to Janet. -"Yes, that's right, now take the reins, so! You had better not use the -whip, but here is one in case you happen to require it."</p> - -<p>Janet nodded, smiled, and cantered after Bridget down the avenue.</p> - -<p>Her heart was beating fast. She was not exactly nervous, but as her -riding in old times had been of the slightest and most superficial -kind, she was truly thankful to find that Miss Nelly was gentle in -temperament, and not thoroughbred, if to be thoroughbred meant starting -at every shadow, and turning eyes like dark jewels to look at the -smallest obstruction that appeared on the road.</p> - -<p>"It's all right," said Bridget, noticing the uneasiness in Janet's -face. "Wild Hawk is a bit fresh,<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_265" id="Page_265">[Pg 265]</a></span> the beauty, but he'll quiet down and -go easily enough after I have taken it out of him a bit."</p> - -<p>"What do you mean by 'taking it out of him,' Bridget? He does not seem -to care much for this easy sort of trot, and he really does start so -that he is making Miss Nelly quite nervous."</p> - -<p>"Substitute Miss Janet for Miss Nelly," said Bridget, with a saucy curl -of her lips, "and you will get nearer to the truth. As to its being -taken out of the horse, you don't call this little easy amble anything? -Wait until we get on to the breezy hill, and then you will see what -kind of pranks Wild Hawk and I will play together."</p> - -<p>"But nowhere near Miss Nelly, I hope," said Janet.</p> - -<p>"Nowhere near Miss Nelly?" replied Bridget. "Dear me, Janet, you don't -suppose I am taking you out like this to lead you into any sort of -danger? I am not mean enough for that."</p> - -<p>"Some girls would be mean enough," said Janet, almost in a whisper.</p> - -<p>"Would they? Not the sort of girls I would have anything to do with. -Now, here we are on the top of the hill. Do you see these acres -and acres of common land which surround us, and do you notice that -small cottage or hovel which looks something like a speck in the far -distance? It is in that hovel that the poor people live whom I am going -to see. Now I mean to ride for that hovel straight as an arrow from a -bow. There are fences and sunk ditches in the way, but Wild Hawk and -I care for none of these things. You, my dear Janet, will follow this -little stony path on Miss Nelly's back; it is a considerable round to -the hovel over there on<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_266" id="Page_266">[Pg 266]</a></span> the horizon, but it is very safe, and you can -amble along as slowly as you please. I shall be at the cottage nearly -half an hour before you get to it, but what matter? Now then, Wild -Hawk, cheer up, my king; go like the wind, or like the bird after whom -you are named, my darling."</p> - -<p>Bridget rode on a few paces in front of Janet; then she suddenly bent -forward, until her lips nearly touched Wild Hawk's arched neck. Janet -thought that the wild Irish girl had whispered a word to the wild -horse; the next moment the two were seen flying through space together. -The horse seemed to put wings to his feet, his slender feet scarcely -touched the ground. With the lightness and sureness of a bird he -cleared the fences which came in this way. Janet could not help drawing -in her breath with a deep sigh—half of envy, half of admiration.</p> - -<p>"How splendid Bridget O'Hara is," she murmured; "such a figure, such a -face, such a bold, brave spirit! There is something about her which, -if the Fates were at all fair, even I could love. But they are not -fair," continued Janet, an angry flush filling her cheeks; "they have -given her too much, and me too little. I must help myself out of her -abundance, and there's noway of doing it but by humbling her."</p> - -<p>So Janet rode gently along the stony path, and in the course of time -found herself drawing in her reins by the low mud hovel, which looked -to her scarcely like a human habitation.</p> - -<p>The moment she appeared in sight two lean dogs of the cur species came -out and barked vociferously. Miss Nelly was, however, accustomed to the -barking of dogs, and did not take any notice. At the<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_267" id="Page_267">[Pg 267]</a></span> same instant a -stoutly built, gray-headed woman rushed out of the cabin and helped her -to alight.</p> - -<p>Janet felt a slight sense of discomfort when she recognized in this -woman the person who had warned her not to drink the water of the Holy -Well. It was not in her nature, however, to show her discomfort, except -by an extra degree of pertness.</p> - -<p>"How do you do?" she said, nodding to the woman, and springing to the -ground as she spoke. "I have not begun to dwindle yet, you see."</p> - -<p>"Why, me dear, it is to be hoped not," answered Norah, in quick retort; -"for, faix! then, you are so small already that if you grow any less -there'll be nothing for the eye to catch hould of. But come into the -cottage, missy; Miss Biddy is sitting by Pat, and comforting the boy a -bit with her purty talk."</p> - -<p>"Pat!" whispered Janet to herself. Her feeling of discomfort did not -grow less. The name of Pat seemed in some queer way familiar, but it -did not occur to her to connect it with the friends about whom Bridget -had cried at Mulberry Court.</p> - -<p>She had to stoop her head to enter the hovel, and could not help -looking round the dirty little place with disgust.</p> - -<p>"I have come, Biddy," she exclaimed. "I don't suppose you want to stay -long; this cottage is very, very close. I don't care to stop here -myself, but I can walk about while you are talking to your friends."</p> - -<p>"Oh, pray, don't!" said Bridget, springing to her feet; "I want to -introduce you to Pat. Come here, please!" She seized Janet's small -wrist, and pulled her forward. "Mr. Patrick Donovan—Miss Janet May. -This man, Janet, whom I have introduced to you<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_268" id="Page_268">[Pg 268]</a></span> as Patrick Donovan, is -one of my very dearest friends."</p> - -<p>"At your sarvice, miss," said Pat, blushing a fiery red, and pulling -his forelock awkwardly with one big, rather dirty hand.</p> - -<p>He was a powerfully built man, with great shoulders, long legs, and -grisly hair curling round his chin and on his head. His eyes were dark -and deep-set; capable of ferocity, but capable also of the affectionate -devotion which characterizes the noblest sort of dog. He looked askance -at Janet, read the contempt in her glance, and turned to look at -Bridget with a humble, respectful, but adoring glance.</p> - -<p>Norah had also entered the room; she was standing looking alternately -from Pat to Biddy. She was as plain as Patrick was the reverse, but the -love-light in her eyes, as she glanced at her suffering hero, would -have redeemed and rendered beautiful a far uglier face than hers.</p> - -<p>"It's all right then, Pat," said Bridget, "we'll have the wedding next -week; you'll be fit to be moved then, and you shall come down from the -hills on a litter, and the wedding shall be at Castle Mahun, and the -feast shall be in our kitchen, and I'll give you your bride my own -self."</p> - -<p>"Oh, Miss Biddy, long life to ye; the Heavens above presarve ye," -murmured poor Norah, in a voice of ecstasy. "Oh, me boy, me boy, to -think as in the long last we'll be wed!"</p> - -<p>"It's all right, Norah," said Pat, touching her forehead for a moment -with his big hand; "don't make a fuss, colleen, before the quality. -Keep yourself to yourself when there's strangers looking on."</p> - -<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_269" id="Page_269">[Pg 269]</a></span></p> - -<p>"Who talks of Miss Biddy as a stranger?" said Norah, with fierce -passion.</p> - -<p>"No one," said Pat; "but there's the young Englisher lady; may the God -above bless her, if she's a friend of yours though, Miss Biddy."</p> - -<p>Bridget made no response to this. She rose and offered her chair to -Janet.</p> - -<p>"Sit, Janet," she exclaimed; "there's a little matter I want to talk -over before we leave the cottage. You remember my telling you at -Mulberry Court about Pat's accident; you remember how troubled I was. -I wrote a letter to Pat and Norah, and you posted it. I gave you two -sovereigns to get a postal order to put into the letter. Now, a very -queer thing has happened. The letter arrived quite safely; here is the -letter; you see how neatly Pat has framed it; but the postal order -never arrived."</p> - -<p>"That's thrue, Miss Biddy," exclaimed Norah. "Here's all as was in the -letter, as sure as I'm standing up in my stockinged feet this minute."</p> - -<p>"I put the postal order in," said Janet, in a careless voice; "what -else should I do? I suppose your postmen here aren't honest."</p> - -<p>"Why then, miss, that's a bould thing to say of Mike Carthy," answered -Pat, in a low, angry voice, which resembled a growl.</p> - -<p>"I thought you might be able to throw some light on the matter," said -Bridget, "but it seems you cannot. We must be going home now, so I -shall have to say good-by, Pat. Norah, you can come down to the Castle -for some fresh eggs to-morrow, and I'll get Molly Malone to make up a -basket of all sorts of good things to strengthen Pat for his wedding."</p> - -<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_270" id="Page_270">[Pg 270]</a></span></p> - -<p>"You won't forget a wee dhrop of the crathur, lady?" muttered the -giant, looking up into Biddy's face.</p> - -<p>"No, no, that I won't, Pat, my poor fellow."</p> - -<p>Bridget wrung her retainer's hand, and a moment or two later she and -Janet were on their homeward way.</p> - -<p>"Now, look here," said Bridget, when the girls had gone a little -distance in almost unbroken silence; "I wish to say something; I shan't -talk about it when we get home, but out here we are both on equal -ground, and I can talk my mind freely and fully. I watched your face -when we were in that little cottage, Janet, and I am quite certain you -know something about those two sovereigns which I gave you to post to -Pat Donovan."</p> - -<p>"What if I do?" retorted Janet.</p> - -<p>"You have got to tell me the truth," answered Bridget. "If what I -suspect is the case, I shall not ask Aunt Kathleen to do anything to -shorten your stay at Castle Mahun; I shall not breathe the knowledge -that is given to me, to a soul in the house; but I myself will never -speak to you again. A few bare civilities it will be necessary for me -to offer, but beyond this I shall never address you. My silence will -not be noticed, for everyone else will be kind; but I—I tell you -plainly that, if what I suspect is true, I will <i>not</i> associate with -you."</p> - -<p>"Will you kindly tell me your suspicions?" replied Janet.</p> - -<p>"I think—oh! it's an awful thing to say—I think that you took those -two sovereigns and put them into your own pocket."</p> - -<p>"And because of that, supposing it to be true, you will not speak to -me?"</p> - -<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_271" id="Page_271">[Pg 271]</a></span></p> - -<p>"I will not!"</p> - -<p>"But I tell you that you will; you will speak to me, and pet me, and -fawn on me, even though you regard me as a thief—there!"</p> - -<p>"I won't, Janet; I am a proud Irish girl, and I can't."</p> - -<p>"You are a very cowardly, mean Irish girl. You are not a bit the sort -of creature that people imagine you to be!" replied Janet, who was now -almost overcome by the passion which choked her. "You talk of speaking -quite openly and frankly, because we are on the hills together. I, too, -will give you a piece of my mind out here, with no one to listen to us."</p> - -<p>"No one to listen to us!" said Bridget, her face growing pale; "oh, -you forget, you must forget, there is Nature herself, her voice in the -breeze, and in the twitter of the birds, and her face looking up at us -from the earth, and her smile looking down at us from the sky. I should -be awfully afraid to tell a lie out here, alone with Nature."</p> - -<p>"My dear, I have no intention of telling any lies to you. I do breathe -tarradillies now and then; I am not too proud to confess it. You would, -too, if you were situated like me; but I don't waste them on people -whom it is necessary to be honest with. I did keep that money; it was -far more useful to me than it would be to that Patrick of yours. He -didn't want it, and I did. You were full of pity for him, but you had -not a scrap of pity to bestow on me, so I had to pity myself, and I did -so by taking your money. I found it most useful. But for it, Sophy and -I would not now be at Castle Mahun. I hoped what I did would never be -discovered. Well, it has been, but it does not greatly matter, as you -are the one to make the discovery."</p> - -<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_272" id="Page_272">[Pg 272]</a></span></p> - -<p>"What do you mean? what can you mean?"</p> - -<p>"What I say; you can send me to prison, of course, and ruin me for -life, but you won't, for your own sake. See what I have done to save -you!"</p> - -<p>Janet put her hand into her pocket and pulled out the Eastcliff letter.</p> - -<p>She held it aloft, and laughed in her companion's face. "You won't be -hard on me now, Biddy," she said, in the tones of one addressing an -equal. "If I have been a thief—it is an ugly word, and there is no -use in speaking it again; if I have been a thief, you, too, have done -something which you are ashamed of. That something has been discovered -at Mulberry Court, and this letter contains a full account of it. Your -aunt, Lady Kathleen, was to read it first, and then, of course, in the -ordinary course, your father would have heard the whole disgraceful -story. Little as you think of me, I have saved you from disgrace, -Biddy, my love. You are fond of Nature, but Nature won't tell tales. If -you will promise to respect the secret you have discovered about me, I -will respect your secret; I will tear up this letter, here on this wild -hilltop, and Nature shall bury the tell-tale pieces as she wills and -where she likes. Here is the letter, Biddy; I have saved you. Ought you -not to be obliged to me?"</p> - -<p>A queer change came over Bridget while Janet was speaking; a certain -nobleness seemed to go out of her figure; she looked less like part of -Wild Hawk than she had done five minutes ago; the color receded from -her cheeks; her eyes lost their proud fire, her lips their proud smile.</p> - -<p>"How did you manage to get that letter?" she whispered in a low tone.</p> - -<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_273" id="Page_273">[Pg 273]</a></span></p> - -<p>"I am not going to tell you, my darling; I have got it, and that ought -to be enough for you. Now, are we each to respect the secret of the -other, or not?"</p> - -<p>"Oh, I don't know; it seems so dreadful."</p> - -<p>"It is rather dreadful, dear; I admit that. If you go and tell your -father and Lady Kathleen about me, and about what I have just confessed -to you, I shall have a very uncomfortable time. I shall be thoroughly -and completely ruined, but in my ruin I shall pull you down too, -Bridget, from the pedestal which you now occupy. It would be easy for -me to put this letter back where Lady Kathleen will be able to lay her -hands on it; in that case she will read it, and your father will know -everything. I shall be ruined, and you will have a very unpleasant -time. You must choose now what you will do; shall we both go on -appearing what we are not? I, a modest, good-natured little girl, who -never did an underhand trick in my life, and you—you, Biddy, the soul, -the essence of what an Irishman calls honor."</p> - -<p>"Oh, don't," said Bridget, "you make my eyes burn; you make me feel -so small and wicked. Janet, why do you tempt me so awfully? Janet, I -wish—I wish that I had never, never known you."</p> - -<p>"My dear, I can't echo your wish. I am glad that I have met you, for -you can be very useful to me; but now you have got to choose; shall I -put the letter back in Lady Kathleen's room, or shall I tear it up?"</p> - -<p>"But, even if you do tear it up," said Bridget, "the evil day is only -delayed. When my aunt does not reply to Mrs. Freeman's letter, she will -soon write her another, and Aunt Kathleen will perhaps find out that -you took the letter."</p> - -<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_274" id="Page_274">[Pg 274]</a></span></p> - -<p>"I don't think she will; she is the kind of erratic person who won't in -the least remember where she put her letter, and not having a clew, why -should she suspect me of taking it?"</p> - -<p>"But Mrs. Freeman will write again."</p> - -<p>"When she does there will be time enough to consider the right steps to -take. She won't write for a week or a fortnight, and a great deal can -happen in that time. If the worst comes to the worst, it will be quite -possible for me to obtain possession of her next letter."</p> - -<p>"O Janet, I can't listen to you; your suggestions are too dreadful."</p> - -<p>"All right, my dear." Janet slipped the letter into her pocket. "I -know Lady Kathleen's room," she continued, "and I shall manage to put -this letter back on her dressing table when I go in. Who's that coming -to meet us? Oh, I declare, it is Squire O'Hara! How well your father -rides, Bridget! what a handsome man he is!"</p> - -<p>Bridget felt as if she should choke; the squire's loud, hearty voice -was heard in the distance.</p> - -<p>"Hullo, colleens; there you are!" he shouted. "I thought I'd bring the -General round in this direction; I had a curiosity to see how you were -managing Miss Nelly, my dear." He bowed as he spoke to Janet. "I see -you keep your seat very nicely. And you, Biddy—eh, my jewel—why, you -look tired. Has Wild Hawk been too much for you?"</p> - -<p>"Not a bit, father; I am as right as possible." Bridget turned swiftly -to Janet as she uttered these words.</p> - -<p>"I will give you your answer to-morrow," she said in a low tone; "give -me until to-morrow to decide."</p> - -<hr /> - -<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_275" id="Page_275">[Pg 275]</a></span></p> - -<h2><span>CHAPTER XXIII.</span> <span class="smaller">UNDER A SPELL.</span></h2> - -<p>Lady Kathleen did not make much fuss over the loss of her letter.</p> - -<p>"It's a queer thing," she said that evening to the squire, as they all -sat round the supper table, "but I can't lay my hand on the letter with -the Eastcliff post-mark. I made sure that I slipped it into the pocket -of the striped lilac silk dress I wore this morning; but I didn't, and -I can't imagine where I dropped it."</p> - -<p>"Well, my dear, we had better send someone to look for it," said the -squire. "That is the letter with all the praise of Biddy in it, isn't -it?"</p> - -<p>"Squire, you're nothing but a doting old father," replied Lady -Kathleen; "you think no one looks at that girl of yours without making -a fuss over her. She's a good bit of a thing—I am the last person to -deny that; but from the little I saw of Mulberry Court she was no more -than any other girl there—indeed, I think our little Janet had wormed -herself more into the good graces of the school than my jewel of a -Biddy. It's my opinion that the letter contained no more and no less -than just the account of the term's expenses, and a request for a check -in payment."</p> - -<p>"Oh, then, if that's all, it can keep," said Squire<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_276" id="Page_276">[Pg 276]</a></span> O'Hara. "Mr. -O'Hagan, I'll trouble you to pass me the whisky bottle, sir. What's -that you are saying, Kathleen?"</p> - -<p>"I may lay my hand on it in some out-of-the-way corner," said Lady -Kathleen; "if not, I'll write in a day or two to Mrs. Freeman, and tell -her that it just got lost. Letters are no end of bother, in my opinion; -busy people have really no time to read them. Now, my colleen, what -ails you? Why, you're quite white in the cheeks, and you're not eating -your usual hearty supper! Don't you fancy that sweetbread, Bridget?"</p> - -<p>"Yes, Aunt Kathleen, I am enjoying it very much," said Bridget. "I am -quite well, too," she added under her breath.</p> - -<p>The next morning Janet came into Bridget's room.</p> - -<p>"I won't stay a minute," she said; "but I just thought I'd save you the -trouble of a decision, so I tore up the letter last night, and burnt -the bits in my candle before I went to sleep. You can't get it back -now, even if you wish to be honorable—which I know you don't—so there -is a weight off your mind. I told you how Lady Kathleen would take it. -What a blessing it is that she is that scatter-brained sort of woman!"</p> - -<p>"You oughtn't to speak against her," began Bridget in a feeble tone.</p> - -<p>"Oh, oughtn't I, my love? Well, I won't another time. Now we are all -going for a pleasure party on the lake; won't you join us?"</p> - -<p>"I don't think so," said Biddy; "you two girls and Patrick and Gerald -can do very well without me. I want to see my father about Pat -Donovan's wedding, and——"</p> - -<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_277" id="Page_277">[Pg 277]</a></span></p> - -<p>"By the way," said Janet, "is it true that we are all going out to high -tea at some outlandish place ten miles away?"</p> - -<p>"It is true that we are going to Court Macsherry," said Bridget; "but I -don't think you will call it an outlandish place when you see it."</p> - -<p>"I can't say," retorted Janet; "and, what is more, I do not care. Your -wild Ireland does not come up to my idea at all. I don't care twopence -about natural beauties. But I have a little bit of news for you, my -pet. Who do you think we'll see at Court Macsherry?"</p> - -<p>"The Mahonys and their guests," replied Bridget. "I don't know of -anyone else."</p> - -<p>"Well—you'll be rather startled—Evelyn Percival is there! I had -a letter this morning from Susy Price, and she told me so. Now, of -course, I don't care in the very least about Evelyn. I dislike her -quite as much as you dislike her; but I want to look very smart and -fresh when I go to Court Macsherry, and I want my poor little Sophy -also to look as trim and bright as a daisy; so, as you are going to -stay at home this morning, Biddy, you might look out for some little -ornaments to lend us both."</p> - -<p>"Ornaments to lend you!" retorted Bridget, opening her eyes. "What do -you mean? Even if I wished to lend you my clothes they would not fit -either of you."</p> - -<p>"Your dresses wouldn't fit us, of course; but there are lots of other -things—sashes, for instance, and necklets, and hats, and we wouldn't -mind a pretty parasol each, and we should feel most grateful for some -of your embroidered handkerchiefs. I have got that<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_278" id="Page_278">[Pg 278]</a></span> sweet, pretty dress -Lady Kathleen gave me for the bazaar, but poor little Sophy has really -nothing fit to appear in; and you must admit that she's a pretty little -creature, and would look sweet if she were well dressed. I dare say you -have got some white embroidered dresses you used to wear before you -grew so tall and gawky, and if there were a tuck put into one of them, -little Sophy would look very well in it. I should like her to have a -pale blue sash to wear with it, and some large blue Venetian beads to -put around her neck. Oh, a young girl needn't have much dress, if it's -good. You'll see about it, Bridget, won't you, and have it ready in our -room when we come back from our boating expedition?"</p> - -<p>Janet ran out of the room as she spoke, slamming the door rather -noisily behind her.</p> - -<p>Bridget, whose face was white with passion, felt quite too stunned even -to move for a minute or two. Then she clenched her hands, walked to the -window, and looked out.</p> - -<p>"What have I done?" she murmured. "How can I allow myself to get into -that horrid girl's power? Oh, surely it would be much, much better to -tell my father everything."</p> - -<p>She leaned out of the open window, and looked down on the terrace. Her -father was lounging on one of the rustic benches. He was smoking a -pipe, and Bruin was lying at his feet. Looking at him from her window, -Bridget fancied that his old figure looked tired, more bent than usual, -more aged than she had ever before noticed it.</p> - -<p>"I can't, I won't give him pain!" murmured the girl fiercely. "I'd -rather be under the power of<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_279" id="Page_279">[Pg 279]</a></span> twenty people like Janet than break his -heart. But, O Biddy, Biddy O'Hara, what a wicked, senseless girl you -have been!"</p> - -<p>"Is that you, acushla?" called the squire up to her. "Come right -downstairs this minute, and let me hear all your fine plans for Norah's -and Pat's wedding. What a colleen you are for planning and contriving! -But come away down at once, and let me hear what's at the back of your -head."</p> - -<p>"Yes, father, in a minute!"</p> - -<p>Bridget rushed over to her glass. She looked anxiously at her fair, -bright face; it reflected back little or nothing of the loathing with -which she regarded herself.</p> - -<p>"Oh, what a living lie you are!" she said, clenching her fist at it. -"Oh, if father but knew what a base daughter he has got! But he mustn't -know. He must never, never know!"</p> - -<p>She ran down and joined her father on the terrace.</p> - -<p>He put his arm round her, made room for her to seat herself by his -side, and the two began eagerly to talk and to make arrangements for -the coming wedding.</p> - -<p>"But you're out of spirits, my darling," said Dennis O'Hara suddenly. -"Oh, you needn't try to hide it from me, Biddy. Your heart and soul -aren't in your words; I can tell that in the wink of an eye. What's up -with you, mavourneen?"</p> - -<p>"I'll tell you one thing, daddy; I hate—I loathe school!"</p> - -<p>"Well, now," said the squire, "I have no fancy for schools myself; -it was your aunt's wish. But your aunt, Biddy"—here a twinkle came -into his eye—"your <span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_280" id="Page_280">[Pg 280]</a></span>aunt rules us, not with a rod of iron—oh, by no -means—but just with the little, soft, coaxing, and yet determined ways -which no one can withstand. She worked on my feelings for nearly two -years, Biddy O'Hara. She said you were a fine girl, and a good one, but -that you knew nothing, and that if you were ever to be of any use in -the world you must go to school."</p> - -<p>"Well, father," said Bridget, "did you really think in your own heart -when you and I were alone at Castle Mahun that I knew nothing? What -about the music we made in the old hall in the winter evenings? and -what about that time when I saved Minerva's life, and what about my -dancing? I think, somehow or other, I have a little bit of education, -father, and I doubt very much if I have really learned anything at -school."</p> - -<p>"But you will, my pet, you will. These are early days, and you will -learn at school. You will learn that sort of things that will make you -a fine lady by and by."</p> - -<p>"Father," said Bridget, "I don't want to be a fine lady."</p> - -<p>She put her arms suddenly round his neck, and looked into his eyes. -"Fine ladies are not good, father—they are not good. A girl can be -wild and ignorant, and yet good, very good; but a fine lady—oh, I hate -the thought of her!"</p> - -<p>"How excited you are, Biddy mavourneen, and how strangely you are -talking! Whoever thought of your not being the best sort of fine lady, -and what fine lady, except your poor Aunt Kathie, have you ever seen, -child?"</p> - -<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_281" id="Page_281">[Pg 281]</a></span></p> - -<p>"I have never seen any; but I feel down in my heart what they are like; -and I will never resemble them, even if I spend fifty years in school. -Now let us talk of Minerva and her pups. What are you going to do with -the pups?"</p> - -<p>The conversation turned into channels of a purely domestic nature, and -Biddy, as she talked, forgot the cares which harassed and filled her -soul.</p> - -<p>The young people soon returned from their expedition on Lake Crena. -Patrick and Gerald both seemed very much excited, Janet looked resolved -and defiant, Sophy alarmed.</p> - -<p>"What's the matter with you, Patrick?" said the squire. "I see mischief -in that eye of yours. What are you after?"</p> - -<p>"Oh, nothing, uncle, nothing," replied the lad. "It is only that Miss -Janet May has been rubbing me up. She doesn't believe any of the -stories I tell her about Lake Crena."</p> - -<p>"Of course I don't," said Janet. "Who would believe a schoolboy's wild -chattering nonsense?"</p> - -<p>Patrick's black eyes flashed.</p> - -<p>"Come, come," said the squire soothingly, and looking with half appeal -at Janet; "this fine lad is close on seventeen. He is scarcely to be -termed a schoolboy."</p> - -<p>"Oh, well, it does not matter what he is called," continued Janet. "If -I thought he were only joking, I shouldn't mind; but when he tells me -in sober earnest that a witch does live in the island in the center of -the lake; that she comes out on winter nights and curses the people who -sail on the lake; and, in short, that she's a sort of malevolent old -dame<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_282" id="Page_282">[Pg 282]</a></span> who belongs to the Dark Ages, I simply refuse to believe him."</p> - -<p>The squire looked rather startled while Janet was speaking.</p> - -<p>"You shouldn't talk of these things," he said to Patrick. "It's all -stuff and nonsense. Lake Crena is Lake Crena, the sweetest, sunniest -spot in the world all through the summer months; in the winter she is -the Witch's Cauldron, and we leave her alone, that's all. Now, young -folks, come in to lunch."</p> - -<p>Janet did not say anything further, but when in the course of the -afternoon the whole party were driving in a great big wagonette to -Court Macsherry, Patrick and she found themselves side by side.</p> - -<p>"Look here," he said to her then, "are you willing to stick to your -word?"</p> - -<p>"To what word?" she asked.</p> - -<p>"Why, you said that you didn't believe in the Witch?"</p> - -<p>"No more I do. How could I be so silly?"</p> - -<p>"Hush! Don't talk so loud; Uncle Dennis will hear us. Well, now, I'll -put faith in your bravery if you'll stick to what you said. You said -you wouldn't mind spending from nine till twelve any night alone on the -Witch's Island. Will you do it?"</p> - -<p>"As far as the Witch is concerned, I certainly will."</p> - -<p>"What do you mean by 'as far as the Witch is concerned'? There is -certainly no one else likely to trouble you. There is a little -broken-down arbor on the island where you can sit, and Gerald and I -will row you over, and come for you again after midnight."</p> - -<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_283" id="Page_283">[Pg 283]</a></span></p> - -<p>"But," said Janet, "if I promise to do this, you and Gerald won't play -me any trick, will you? I know what schoolboys are capable of. I used -to stay at a house once where there were lots of boys. I was a little -tot at the time, but they did lead me a life."</p> - -<p>"I should rather think they did," said Patrick, winking one of his -black eyes solemnly at his brother, who was regarding the two from the -opposite side of the wagonette with suppressed merriment.</p> - -<p>"Well," said Janet, "I know quite well what boys are like; and I'm -not going to give myself up to their tender mercies. Of course I -don't believe in that silly, stupid story about the Witch, but I do -think that you and that fine Gerald of yours over there would be -quite capable of playing me a trick, and dressing up as the Witch, or -something of that sort. If you both promise on your honor—and Irishmen -seem to think a great lot of their honor—if you'll both promise that -you'll do nothing mean of that sort, why I'll go to the Witch's Island -any night you like, and stay there from nine till twelve o'clock."</p> - -<p>"That's all right," said Patrick. "Gerry and I will give you our solemn -promise that we'll take you there and go away again, and come back at -midnight to fetch you, and that we won't do anything to frighten you -ourselves, nor, as far as we can tell, allow anyone else to play a -trick on you. There, now, are you satisfied?"</p> - -<p>"I suppose I am."</p> - -<p>"What night will you go?"</p> - -<p>"To-morrow night, if you wish."</p> - -<p>"That will do finely. The moon will be at her full<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_284" id="Page_284">[Pg 284]</a></span> from nine till -twelve to-morrow night, and if the Witch comes out of her lair you will -have a grand opportunity to get a good view of her. Well, then, that's -all right; only you mustn't tell anybody what you're going to do, for, -hark ye, Miss May, my Uncle Dennis over there believes in that Witch as -he believes in his own life. You wouldn't catch <i>him</i> spending three -hours alone on that island; no, not for anybody under the sun."</p> - -<p>Bridget had felt very angry when Janet had coolly proposed that she and -her sister should be decked out in her finery; but, angry as she was, -the spell which was over her was sufficiently potent to make her comply -with the audacious request which had been made to her. Accordingly, -Janet and Sophy looked wonderfully smart when they took off their light -dust cloaks in the enormous square oak hall at Court Macsherry. There -is really very little difference between one soft coral pink sash and -another, between one row of sky-blue Venetian beads and another row; -and although Aunt Kathie, with one flashing glance of her bright eyes, -discovered that the sashes with which the May girls were ornamented, -and the beads which encircled their pretty throats, belonged to -Bridget, no one else guessed this for a moment. The Mays looked extra -smart and extra pretty, but Biddy had taken less pains than usual with -her own dress. It was rich and expensive in texture, as almost all -her clothes were, but it was put on untidily, and was too heavy and -hot-looking for this lovely summer evening. Her cheeks were flushed, -too, and her eyes too bright. She looked like a girl who might be ill -presently, and when Evelyn Percival, running down to meet her friends, -asked<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_285" id="Page_285">[Pg 285]</a></span> Biddy if she had a headache, she had to own to the fact that -this was the case.</p> - -<p>Evelyn was not a pretty girl, but her sweet, kind face looked full -of pleasantness to Bridget to-night. Her eyes had such an open, -truthful way of looking at one, her lips were so kindly in their -curves, her voice so pleasant in its tone, that Squire O'Hara, as he -said afterward, fell in love with her on the spot. There were several -handsome young Irish girls living at Court Macsherry, and Evelyn looked -only like a very pale little flower among them; nevertheless, the -squire singled her out for special and marked approval.</p> - -<p>"So you are one of my colleen's schoolfellows!" he said. "Well, well, -everyone to their taste, but I should have thought Lady Kathleen would -have asked <i>you</i> to come and stay with us at Castle Mahun."</p> - -<p>"I shall be very glad to come over with my cousins to see you some -day," replied Evelyn. "I am not Irish, but I love Ireland, and I think -Court Macsherry the sweetest place in the world."</p> - -<p>"Oh, it isn't bad," said Dennis O'Hara. "I am not going to deny that it -is a fine bit of land, and notwithstanding those big bogs to the left -there, well cultivated. It might be improved by a bit of water, for -instance, but it isn't for me to disparage my neighbor's property."</p> - -<p>"My Cousin Norry has been telling me about your Lake Crena," said -Evelyn. "I should like to see it!"</p> - -<p>"So you shall, my dear; you'll admire it fine. It is as good as the -sea to us; there isn't its like in all the country round. When the -sun shines on its bosom it is a sight to be remembered, and as to the -moonlight effects, why they're just ravishing. Come and take a<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_286" id="Page_286">[Pg 286]</a></span> walk -with me on this terrace, my dear; I want to ask you about my girl -Biddy. She don't seem to take to that English school of yours, and I -must own that I'm scarcely surprised. That colleen of mine is a wild -sort of bird-like thing, and if you have a good many primity ways at -school, I don't wonder she can't abide them. Do you see much of her, -Miss Percival? You look about the same age, and I suppose you are in -the same class."</p> - -<p>"I am older than Bridget," said Evelyn Percival. "Bridget is a great -deal taller and bigger than any other girl of fifteen in the school."</p> - -<p>"Well, do you see much of her?"</p> - -<p>"Not as much as I should like. The fact is——"</p> - -<p>"What is it, my dear? you might confide in the colleen's father; if -there is anything I ought to know.</p> - -<p>"I can't exactly say there is, except—oh, perhaps I ought not to say -it."</p> - -<p>"But, indeed, you ought. I can see by your eyes that you are a -truthful, good sort of girl, and though I have only known you ten -minutes, I'd like my wild colleen to be friends with you. What is it -now? What's in your mind?"</p> - -<p>"I don't at all like to tell you; but the fact is, I was most anxious -to be fond of Biddy."</p> - -<p>"Yes, my dear, yes; I'm scarcely surprised at that."</p> - -<p>"I felt attracted to her the moment I saw her; she was so different -from the other girls. Of course, she didn't know the meaning of rules, -but there was something about her wonderfully fresh and pleasant, and I -and my friend Dorothy Collingwood would have done anything in our power -to make school life easy to her."</p> - -<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_287" id="Page_287">[Pg 287]</a></span></p> - -<p>"You don't mean to tell me that it wasn't easy? Why, she's about as -clever a bit of a thing as you could find."</p> - -<p>"I don't think anyone denies that; she has not been taught in the -ordinary way, so, of course, she could not get into a high class; but -that is not the point. I'd have been friends with her, the best of -friends, if she hadn't repulsed me."</p> - -<p>"Biddy repulse you! She never repulsed mortal in her whole life, the -poor darling!"</p> - -<p>"I don't think it was her fault; indeed, I am sure it was not, but—and -this is the thing that I don't at all like to say—she was, I am -convinced, influenced against me by another."</p> - -<p>"By another? Who? If you have a nasty sort of girl at the school, she -ought to be got rid of. Whom do you mean?"</p> - -<p>"I can't bear to tell you, and I may be wrong, but we do think, Dorothy -and I, that Biddy would be much, much happier at Mulberry Court but for -Janet May."</p> - -<p>"Phew!" the Squire drew a long breath; "that pretty little visitor -of mine? Lady Kathleen invited her and seemed much taken with her. -She told me that Janet was Biddy's dearest friend; but, now that you -mention it, I do not see the colleen much with her. You don't mean to -tell me?—oh, but I mustn't hear a word against one of my visitors."</p> - -<p>"I don't want to say anything, only that Dolly and I are sorry about -Bridget, and we are—I must say it frankly—not at all fond of Janet."</p> - -<p>"Maybe you're prejudiced; she's a pretty creature, and seems to mean -well."</p> - -<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_288" id="Page_288">[Pg 288]</a></span></p> - -<p>The great bell in the yard at Court Macsherry sounded a tremendous peal -for supper.</p> - -<p>"That's right," said the squire heartily; "that's a grateful sort of -sound when a man is starving, as I happen to be. Let me give you my -arm, Miss Percival. I'll never breathe what you have said, of course; -but I should be glad if you could do a kindness to my girl next term."</p> - -<p>"I will do my very utmost to help her," said Evelyn heartily.</p> - -<p>The guests had now assembled in the great dining hall, where a groaning -board awaited them.</p> - -<p>The squire looked down the long table. Biddy was nowhere to be seen.</p> - -<p>"Where can the girl be?" he said under his breath. Somebody else -remarked her absence, and Patrick immediately started up to go and look -for her.</p> - -<hr /> - -<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_289" id="Page_289">[Pg 289]</a></span></p> - -<h2><span>CHAPTER XXIV.</span> <span class="smaller">NORAH TO THE RESCUE.</span></h2> - -<p>Bridget had wandered away by herself. She knew her cousins, the Mahonys -of Court Macsherry, too well to stand on the least ceremony with them. -The load which crushed against her heart seemed to grow heavier each -moment. Her only desire was to be alone.</p> - -<p>She knew a spot where no one was likely to disturb her, and, catching -up the long train of her rich dress, she ran swiftly until she found -a solitary tree which stood a little apart from its fellows, and hung -over the borders of the great, big bog which formed a large portion of -the Court Macsherry estate.</p> - -<p>Bridget climbed up into the hollow of the oak tree, and leaning back -against its big trunk, looked out over the dismal, ugly bog. Her brows -were drawn down, her beautiful lips drooped petulantly, she pushed -back her rich hair from her brow. Her quaint many-colored dress, the -background formed by the oak tree, the effect of the wild country which -lay before her, gave to her own features a queer weirdness; and a -passing traveler, had any been near, might have supposed her to be one -of the fabled hamadryads of the oak.</p> - -<p>No travelers, however, were likely to see Bridget where she had now -ensconced herself. She sat quite still for nearly an hour, then -dropping her head on her hands she gave way to a low, bitter moan.</p> - -<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_290" id="Page_290">[Pg 290]</a></span></p> - -<p>She had scarcely done so before there was a rustling sound heard in -the grass. It was pushed aside in the place where it grew longest and -thickest, and a woman raised her head and looked up at her.</p> - -<p>"Eh, mavourneen?" she said, in a voice of deep love and pity.</p> - -<p>The woman was Norah Maloney. She had seen Biddy as she ran across the -grass to her seat in the oak tree, and had crept softly after her, -happy and content to lie silent and unobserved in the vicinity of her -adored young mistress.</p> - -<p>Norah was a <i>protégée</i> of the Mahonys as well as the O'Haras, and -thought nothing of walking from one estate to the other. She crouched -motionless in the long grass, scarcely daring to breathe or discover -her vicinity in any way, until Biddy's heartbroken moan reached her -ears.</p> - -<p>Uncontrollable pity then overcame all other feelings. Her child, her -darling was unhappy. Come what might, Norah must comfort her.</p> - -<p>"Eh, mavourneen?" she said then. "Core of me heart, you're in throuble! -What can Norah do for yez?"</p> - -<p>"I am unhappy, Norah!" said Bridget. She sprang out of the oak tree as -she spoke. "O Norah, Norah!" she exclaimed, clasping the old servant's -horny hand; "don't tell anyone—don't, don't for the life of you, -Norah; but I hate Janet May."</p> - -<p>"That young Englisher colleen?" said Norah, her eyes flashing angry -fire. "Eh, but she's a cowld-hearted foreigner. Eh, but it isn't me nor -Pat nayther that's took with her ways."</p> - -<p>"It's dreadful of me to say anything," continued<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_291" id="Page_291">[Pg 291]</a></span> Bridget. "She's my -visitor, and I have told you that I hated her. Forget it, Norah—forget -it."</p> - -<p>"Secret as the grave I'll keep it," replied Norah, with emphasis.</p> - -<p>Bridget ran back to the house, and the old servant, with a certain -stealthy movement, which was more or less habitual to her, glided away -through the long grass. She walked two or three hundred yards in this -fashion, then she came to a stile which led directly to the dusty and -forsaken highroad. Here Norah stooped down and carefully removed her -thick hobnailed shoes and coarse, gray woolen stockings. She thrust -the stockings into her capacious pocket, and tying the shoes together -with a coarse piece of string, slung them over her arm. After this, she -kilted her petticoats an inch or two higher, and the next moment began -to run swiftly and silently over the dusty road. Her movements were -full of ease, and even grace. Her bare feet quickly covered the ground.</p> - -<p>She ran with a certain swing, which did not abate in speed as she flew -over the road. Mile after mile she went in this fashion, never once -losing her breath, or appearing in the least inconvenienced by her -rapid motion. At last she turned up a narrow mountain path. Here the -ground was very rough, and she was obliged to go slowly, but even here -her bare feet carried her with unerring surety. She neither slipped nor -stumbled, and never once faltered in her swift upward course.</p> - -<p>After going up the mountain for nearly half a mile, she came suddenly -upon the little shanty or mud hut where Pat, the boy whom Norah loved, -lay flat on his back on a rude bed of straw.</p> - -<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_292" id="Page_292">[Pg 292]</a></span></p> - -<p>Norah lifted the latch of the door, and came in.</p> - -<p>"Here's poor Norah back, Pat," she said. "And how are you, alanna? Is -it dhry ye feels and lonesome? Well, then, here's Norah to give wather -for your thirst, and news to fill your heart."</p> - -<p>"Why, then, Norah, you look spent and tired," said Pat. "And what's up -now, girl, and why did you come up the cliff as if you had the hounds -at your heels?"</p> - -<p>"Bekaze I had some news," said Norah, "and my heart burned to tell it -to yez. I have gone over a good bit of ground to-day, Pat, and I put -two and two together. I said the young Englisher wasn't afther no good, -and well I knows it now. It's our Miss Bridget has a sore heart; and -why should she have it for the loikes of her?"</p> - -<p>Pat Donovan was a man of very few words, but he raised his big head now -from its pillow, and fixed his glittering black eyes on the old and -anxious face of Norah with keen interest.</p> - -<p>"Spake out what's in yer mind, girl," he said. "Thim what interferes -with our Miss Biddy 'ull have cause to wish themselves out of Ould -Oireland before many days is over."</p> - -<p>"Thrue for yez, Pat," said Norah; "and glad I am that I has come to a -right-hearted boy like yourself, for I knew as you'd see the rights of -it, and maybe rid Miss Bridget of an enemy."</p> - -<p>"Spake," said Pat, "and don't sit there running round and round the -subject; spake, Norah, and tell me what you're after!"</p> - -<p>"Well, then, it's this," said Norah. "Be a token which I can't reveal, -for I promised faithfully I wouldn't<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_293" id="Page_293">[Pg 293]</a></span>, our Miss Biddy is fit to break -her heart bekaze of that young Englisher. Now, I know that to-morrow -night Miss Janet May is going to the Witch's Island, jest for the sake -of brag, and to prove that she don't hould by no witches nor fairies, -nor nothing of that sort; and the young gentlemen'll take her over -to the island at nine o'clock, and they'll go to fetch her again at -twelve, and what I say, Pat, is this——"</p> - -<p>"Whist!" said Pat, raising his big hand, and a look of mystery coming -over his face; "whist, Norah, mavourneen, you come over here and sit -nigh me, and let's talk the matter over."</p> - -<hr /> - -<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_294" id="Page_294">[Pg 294]</a></span></p> - -<h2><span>CHAPTER XXV.</span> <span class="smaller">HER MAJESTY THE WITCH.</span></h2> - -<p>Janet enjoyed the feeling that Bridget was now in her power. She had -something of the cat nature, and she liked to torture this very fine -and rare specimen of mouse which she had unexpectedly caught. She was -so clever, however, that no one suspected her of anything but the -heartiest friendship for Bridget. Even the squire, whose eyes were more -or less opened by Evelyn's talk, and who watched Janet now with intense -scrutiny, could see nothing to object to in her.</p> - -<p>"It is a pity that other nice colleen should have those jealous -thoughts," he said to himself; "that little Miss May is as nice and -good-hearted a bit of a thing as I have come across for many a day. -I can see by the very way she walks, and eats, and looks, that she's -just devoted to Biddy; and, for the matter of that, who can wonder, for -everybody likes my colleen."</p> - -<p>The weather was very beautiful just now, and the young people spent -almost all their time in the open air. Bridget, who had avoided -the society of the other young folks yesterday, seemed quite to -have recovered her good spirits to-day, and merry laughter made the -beautiful old place seem more gay and cheerful than ever. Patrick, -however, and Gerald, for some reason or other, as the day advanced, did -not<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_295" id="Page_295">[Pg 295]</a></span> look quite at ease. Supper was at eight at Castle Mahun, and it -was arranged that immediately after that meal the boys should row Janet -over to the island and leave her there. The secret was to be revealed -to no one, but for some reason it did not give them the complete -satisfaction it had done yesterday.</p> - -<p>They were kind-hearted lads, and although they had plenty of mischief -in their composition, would not willingly hurt anyone. They were -as superstitious as Irish lads could be, and as the fateful hour -approached Patrick called his younger brother aside.</p> - -<p>"Have you anchored the boat quite snug under the big willow," he asked, -"where Uncle Dennis won't get a glimpse of it? He'd be sure to be mad -if he thought we were going on Lake Crena to-night."</p> - -<p>"And why to-night," asked Gerald, "more than any other night? The lake -is as safe a place as your bed, except from September to March. Why -shouldn't we have a row on Lake Crena to-night, Pat?"</p> - -<p>"For the best of good reasons," said Pat. "The full moon is just -beginning to wane to-night; that is the only night in the month when -the Witch gets restless. I am sorry, for my part, that I asked Miss May -to go to the island. I made sure, of course, that she'd funk it when it -came to the point; I never guessed that she'd go on with it. Whatever -she is, she's plucky; I'll say that for her."</p> - -<p>"I don't see that she's so plucky," retorted Gerry; "she doesn't -believe in the Witch, you know—she laughs when we speak about her."</p> - -<p>"But suppose—suppose she—she sees her," said Patrick, his big black -eyes growing full of gloom, and<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_296" id="Page_296">[Pg 296]</a></span> even fear. "Gerry, I'd never forgive -myself if I did such a dastardly thing as to give a poor girl like that -a real fright."</p> - -<p>Gerald looked reflective.</p> - -<p>"I don't think the Witch walks about until past eleven," he said, "and -why shouldn't we go back for Janet at eleven? She'll have spent two -hours on the island then, and will be quite satisfied with herself."</p> - -<p>"Yes, that's all very fine, and then she'll boast to the end of her -days that we haven't got a witch."</p> - -<p>"Well, even that is better than to give her such a rousing fright that -she'll be deprived of her senses. There's the supper gong, Pat; we must -go into the house. Uncle Dennis will suspect something if we are not -tucking-in as hard as possible in a minute or two from now."</p> - -<p>"I can't help it, I am too anxious to eat," said Pat. "I wish I hadn't -thought of the thing. Of course, I see we must go through with it now; -she'd brag all her days that we had only pretended about the Witch if -we didn't. But I vow I'll—I'll stay somewhere near and—and watch—I -vow I will. Come along into the house, Gerry, and keep your own -counsel, if you can; you have such a way of getting your face full of -your thoughts that people can almost read them."</p> - -<p>"If there is roley-poley pudding for supper," said Gerry, "I'll get my -thoughts packed full of that, and my face too. The roley-poley pudding -expression is innocent enough, isn't it?"</p> - -<p>Pat gave his brother a playful cuff on the ear, and they went into the -house together.</p> - -<p>Janet was seated near Lady Kathleen. Her face was absolutely tranquil. -So unconcerned and serene<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_297" id="Page_297">[Pg 297]</a></span> was its expression that Gerry, as he passed -her chair, could not forbear bending forward and whispering in her ear:</p> - -<p>"I guess you're funking it."</p> - -<p>Janet's blue-gray eyes looked calmly up at him.</p> - -<p>"I have nothing to funk," she replied, in the same low tone.</p> - -<p>The squire shouted to Gerald to take his seat, and the meal proceeded.</p> - -<p>Very soon after supper Gerald and Patrick disappeared. They ran down a -shady walk, and soon reached the old willow tree under which the boat -was moored.</p> - -<p>"She'll funk it for sure and certain," said Gerry again.</p> - -<p>"No, that's not her," replied Patrick; "and, hark! do you hear her -footstep? Here she comes! For my part, I wish we were well out of this."</p> - -<p>"There's no help for it now," retorted Gerald; "she'd laugh at us all -our born days if we didn't go on with it. Well, Miss May, and so your -ladyship is pleased to accept our escort to the Witch's Island."</p> - -<p>Gerry made a low bow as he spoke, and pulling off his somewhat tattered -straw hat, touched the ground with it ere he replaced it on the back of -his curly head.</p> - -<p>Janet was seen leisurely approaching. She carried a little white shawl -over her arm, and a yellow-backed novel in her other hand.</p> - -<p>"I say," exclaimed Patrick, coming up to her, "you don't mean to tell -me you are going to read?"</p> - -<p>"And why not?" replied Janet; "it would be rather dull work sitting -for three hours in that<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_298" id="Page_298">[Pg 298]</a></span> island doing nothing. See what I have also -brought—a box of matches and a piece of candle. You say there's a -little old summerhouse there—in that summerhouse I'll sit and read -'Pretty Miss Neville.' I assure you, boys, the time will pass very -quickly and agreeably."</p> - -<p>"You have some spunk in you," said Patrick, in a tone of genuine -admiration. His black eyes flashed fire with the admiration he felt for -the slim pale girl who was brave enough to despise the superstitious -terrors which overmastered himself.</p> - -<p>There was no horse in the country round about that Patrick O'Mahony -would not have mounted; the most terrible danger could not have daunted -his spirit. His physical courage had never known the point where fear -could conquer it; but he owned to himself that he would have shrunk -in abject terror from the very simple feat of sitting for three hours -alone in the Witch's Island.</p> - -<p>"If you'd like to get out of it," he said suddenly, "Gerry and I will -never tell—will we, Gerry?"</p> - -<p>"No, truth and honor!" replied Gerald.</p> - -<p>"You see you have proved your pluck," continued Patrick. "It would be -awfully dull for you staying for three hours alone on the island."</p> - -<p>"Not at all, I assure you," replied Janet; "I have my book and my -candle. Help me into the boat, please, gentlemen, or I shall begin to -think you are a fine pair of little humbugs."</p> - -<p>"Oh, if that is your way of putting it," said Patrick, his quick temper -easily roused, "we had better start at once. Come along, Gerry; help me -to unmoor the boat. Now, Miss Janet, jump in, if you please."</p> - -<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_299" id="Page_299">[Pg 299]</a></span></p> - -<p>Five minutes later, Janet May found herself alone on the tiny patch of -ground which went by the name of the Witch's Island.</p> - -<p>It consisted of a thickly wooded piece of land rising up in the very -center of Lake Crena, and about three-quarters of an acre in size. -There was a little landing-place where some of the thick trees had been -cleared away. Here, high and dry, and well out of reach of the water, -stood a rude summerhouse. Janet waited alone on the little strip of -quay until the boat, turning a tiny headland, was lost to view; then -she went into the summerhouse, and lighting her candle sat down on a -broken-down bench, placed the candle securely on a small stone slab -by her side, and opening her novel began to read. The courage she had -shown was not in the least assumed. This enterprise simply amused her; -she expected to find the time dull—dullness was the worst enemy that -could possibly visit her.</p> - -<p>"Pretty Miss Neville," however, was quite to her taste, and turning -its leaves quickly, she soon lost herself in a world far away from -the Witch's Island, and much more in harmony with her own ambitious -and eager spirit. She, too, would win her triumphs, and have her -lovers in the not too distant future. Oh, how splendidly she had -managed everything! How nice it was to have a girl like Bridget -O'Hara completely in her power! Janet's thoughts after all proved -more delightful than her book. She closed it, and coming out of the -little stuffy summerhouse stood on the tiny quay and looked around -her. The moon was getting up slowly, and was shedding silver paths of -shimmery light over beautiful Lake Crena. The scene was so<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_300" id="Page_300">[Pg 300]</a></span> lovely, -so exquisitely soothing and peaceful, that a girl with a different -order of mind might have felt her thoughts rise as she looked at that -moonlight path, and some aspirations for the good, the true, the noble, -might have filled her breast. Janet was not without imagination as she -looked at that long silver path which stretched away from her very feet -onward to the distant horizon, but it only brought to her visions of -Paris and Lady Kathleen, and what she would do to aggrandize herself in -the delightful future which was so near.</p> - -<p>Her meditations were suddenly disturbed by a slight noise to her right.</p> - -<p>She looked around her carelessly. "Can the Witch be coming?" she said, -with a slight laugh.</p> - -<p>At that moment the great clock in the stable at Castle Mahun struck -ten; the deep notes swelled and died away on the evening breeze.</p> - -<p>"That noise can't be caused by the Witch," thought Janet, "for the -boys say that she seldom deigns to put in an appearance before eleven -o'clock; oh, dear! oh, dear! have I two more hours to spend on this -detestable spot? When will they have passed away? What shall I do to -kill time? I had better go back and go on with my book." She was about -to re-enter the little summerhouse when the distinct splash of an oar -on the water reached her ears.</p> - -<p>She could not help giving a start, and then exclaimed with a sigh of -relief:</p> - -<p>"Is that you, Pat? But you need not come back yet. I assure you I am -thoroughly comfortable. I am waiting in state for her majesty Mrs. -Witch to visit me."</p> - -<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_301" id="Page_301">[Pg 301]</a></span></p> - -<p>There was no reply whatever to Janet's gay sally. She entered the -summerhouse and, rearranging her candle, opened her book, and went on -reading.</p> - -<p>Again there was a sound on the island; this time it was the cracking of -a bough.</p> - -<p>"A bird or a rabbit, or some small inoffensive creature of that sort," -murmured the girl; but, for the first time, her heart beat a little -more quickly.</p> - -<p>"It is absurd," she said to herself. "One would absolutely suppose, to -look at me now, that I gave credence to the boys' ridiculous tales. -Well, this is a very dull escapade at best, and catch me going in for -anything of the kind again. I must make the best of it now, however."</p> - -<p>She turned another page of her book, found that the plot was thickening -and the situation becoming more exciting, and forgot herself in Miss -Neville's sorrows.</p> - -<p>She was soon startled back to consciousness of present things, however. -She not only heard another bough crack, and a low, thick shrub rustle, -but she also distinguished a sure and unmistakable "Whist! whist!" in -a man's deep tones. It was plain, therefore, that she was not alone on -the island. Even now she was not afraid of the witch; but she had a -very substantial fear of human foes, and she already guessed that more -than one of Bridget's lawless friends would be quite capable of doing -her an ill turn.</p> - -<p>With a sudden feeling of satisfaction she remembered that she had a -dog-whistle fastened to her watch-chain. If she blew a shrill blast -with the whistle it would frighten any concealed enemies away, and -bring the boys quickly to her rescue.</p> - -<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_302" id="Page_302">[Pg 302]</a></span></p> - -<p>She stepped out of the hut, therefore, and put the whistle to her lips.</p> - -<p>"No, none of that!" said a voice. "You'll come with me, miss, and the -fewer questions you axes the better."</p> - -<p>A rough man of powerful build, with a piece of crape tied across his -eyes, rushed suddenly forward in the moonlight. He drew a thick cloth -over the girl's head and shoulders, a pair of strong arms encircled her -waist; she found herself lifted from the ground, and knew that she was -being carried rapidly away.</p> - -<hr /> - -<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_303" id="Page_303">[Pg 303]</a></span></p> - -<h2><span>CHAPTER XXVI.</span> <span class="smaller">A TERRIBLE NIGHT.</span></h2> - -<p>There was great fun and excitement at Castle Mahun that night, and -Janet's absence was not in the least noticed.</p> - -<p>It was a moonlight night, and the squire's will and pleasure was that -every member of the household who cared to come should assemble on the -wide terrace outside the Castle to hear Biddy play some of the Irish -melodies on her harp.</p> - -<p>Biddy's performances were well worth listening to. From far and near -the heterogeneous crowd who were wont to throng to the Castle assembled -to hear her.</p> - -<p>"The Harp that once through Tara's Halls" floated on the night breeze. -The wild, sweet melody sounded quite eerie, and caused two excited boys -to shiver as they listened. They were thinking of Janet on the Witch's -Island, and longing for the moment when they might fly down to the -boat, row across to the island, and release her from captivity.</p> - -<p>"A jig! Let us have a jig!" shouted the squire. "Come, Biddy, colleen, -you and Pat give us all an Irish jig."</p> - -<p>Bridget was nothing loath to obey. Someone scraped the bow of an -old fiddle, and merry, quick music succeeded the more somber notes. -Bridget's<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_304" id="Page_304">[Pg 304]</a></span> and Pat's dance was followed by many others, and the fun -rose fast and furious.</p> - -<p>By and by eleven struck from the clock in the courtyard. The boys crept -down unobserved to the shores of the lake, and the rest of the party -went to bed.</p> - -<p>Bridget had forgotten all her sorrows in a sound sleep. In her healthy -young slumbers she had not even room for dreams. A smile lingered round -her pretty lips, her dark curly lashes lay heavily on her rose-tinted -cheeks.</p> - -<p>"Bang! bang!" There came some pummels at her door, then the handle was -turned, and muffled feet stepped as noiselessly as they could across -the old and creaking boards.</p> - -<p>"You wake her, Gerry," said Pat.</p> - -<p>"I can't—I don't like to!" said Gerry, with a sob in his throat.</p> - -<p>"Well, then, I will. What a little coward you are! Why can't you -control yourself? What is the good of being in such a beastly funk? -It will be all right when Biddy knows. I say, Biddy! Biddy, wake! How -soundly she sleeps! Let's strike a match, and flash it into her eyes, -Gerry."</p> - -<p>"No, no; Uncle Dennis will hear us," said Gerry, his teeth chattering -more than ever.</p> - -<p>"Let's pull her, then," said Pat. "Let's give a tug at her hair. Oh, I -say, Biddy, you might wake and help a fellow."</p> - -<p>These last almost wailing words penetrated the sleeper's dreams. She -opened her eyes with a start, and said aloud:</p> - -<p>"I won't get into your power, Janet," and then exclaimed in -astonishment, when she saw her two<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_305" id="Page_305">[Pg 305]</a></span> cousins standing by her bedside, -the moonlight streaming all over them:</p> - -<p>"What is the matter?" she said. "You up, Pat, and you, Gerry! What does -this mean?"</p> - -<p>The moment her words reached his ears Gerry flung himself on his knees, -buried his head in the bedclothes, and began to sob violently.</p> - -<p>"Oh, do shut up, you little beggar!" said Pat. "What is the good of -waking the house? Biddy, we are in an awful mess, Gerry and I, and we -can't talk to you here. Won't you get up and come down to the hall, and -let us tell you what is the matter? Bruin is the only living creature -there, and he'll not let out a sound if we tell him that you are -coming."</p> - -<p>"Yes, I'll be with you in a minute," said Bridget.</p> - -<p>She rose quickly, dressed almost in a twinkling, and a few minutes -later was standing with her cousins in the great entrance hall of the -Castle.</p> - -<p>They quickly told the first part of their tale—all about Janet, and -the challenge which had passed between them. Biddy was just as fearless -as her cousins, but she, too, was superstitious, and she felt a catch -in her breath, and a sudden sensation of respect for Janet, when the -boys told her how absolutely indifferent to fear she was, and how -willing to spend three hours alone on the haunted island.</p> - -<p>"We went back for her sharp at eleven. Poor little spunky thing! she -hadn't a scrap of fear when we left her. There she stood, smiling and -nodding to us, with that stupid old novel in her hand, and just making -us believe that she was going to have quite a good time; but when we -went back she was nowhere<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_306" id="Page_306">[Pg 306]</a></span> to be seen. As sure as you are there, Biddy, -there wasn't a sight of her anywhere."</p> - -<p>"The Witch came, of course, and took her away," said Gerry. He shook -all over as he spoke.</p> - -<p>"Don't be a goose," said Biddy. "Let me think; it <i>couldn't</i> have been -the Witch."</p> - -<p>"Why, of course it was, Biddy. Who else could it have been? She's gone; -she's not on the island; and you know the stories of the Witch—how she -does appear on certain nights when the moon is in the full."</p> - -<p>"Yes, I know that," said Bridget. "She does appear, and she frightens -folks, and perhaps goes the length of turning them crazy; but she -doesn't spirit them away. How can she? Oh, do let me think. Don't talk -for a minute, boys; I have got to puzzle this thing out."</p> - -<p>The boys did not say a word. Gerry stooped crying, and Pat fixed his -big eyes gloomily on his cousin. Biddy was a girl, an Irish girl, -and such are quick to jump to conclusions. The boys watched her face -now with devouring interest. Bruin rose slowly to his feet, pattered -solemnly across the polished floor, and laid his big head on her lap.</p> - -<p>Biddy's shapely hand touched his forehead, but her thoughts were far -away. After a time she said quickly:</p> - -<p>"There is but one thing to be done: we must find Norah Malone without a -minute's loss of time."</p> - -<p>"Norah!" exclaimed both the boys.</p> - -<p>"You must have taken leave of your senses, Bridget!" exclaimed Pat. -"What has Norah to do with Janet May and the island?"</p> - -<p>"I can't tell you," said Bridget. "I have just a<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_307" id="Page_307">[Pg 307]</a></span> fear in my heart, and -Norah may set it at rest. We must find her. We must go to her at once, -this very night."</p> - -<p>"Where is she?" asked Pat. "I haven't seen her for days past."</p> - -<p>"She may be up on the mountain with Donovan. You know they are to be -married in a couple of days, and Donovan is to be moved down on a -litter to the Castle. Or she may be sleeping at the Hogans' at the -lodge. We will go to the Hogans' first, and if they can tell nothing -about her we must go up to the mountains. There is nothing whatever -else to be done."</p> - -<p>"It seems such a waste of time," grumbled Pat. "It is Janet we want to -find."</p> - -<p>"And I tell you it is through Norah we'll find her," answered Bridget, -stamping her foot at him. "Come along, boys, both of you, and Bruin, -you come, too. We have a night's work before us, and we haven't a -minute to lose."</p> - -<p>"It is the night when the moon is at the full," said Gerry, "and—and -the Witch may come to us, and—I couldn't <i>bear</i> to look at her."</p> - -<p>"Well, go to bed, you little coward!" said Pat, flashing round at him, -and aiming a cuff at his head.</p> - -<p>Gerry darted behind Bridget for protection.</p> - -<p>"Come, boys, don't quarrel," she said. "Gerry, you know you are not a -real coward. Come along this minute and help us."</p> - -<p>She was unbarring the bolts which secured the great front door as she -spoke. The next moment the three young folks were standing on the -terrace.</p> - -<p>"The dogs will raise an alarm," said Bridget;<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_308" id="Page_308">[Pg 308]</a></span> "that's the worst of -them. If so, my father will get up, and everything will be known. Stay, -though, I'll send Bruin round to speak to them. Come here, darling, I -want you."</p> - -<p>The great dog came up to her.</p> - -<p>She knelt on the gravel, with the moon shining all over her, and looked -into his eyes.</p> - -<p>"Go round to the dogs, Bruin," she said, "and tell them to be quiet, -and then come back to me. Go quickly."</p> - -<p>The deerhound licked his mistress's hand, and then trotted in sober, -solemn fashion round by the shrubbery and disappeared.</p> - -<p>The girl and the boys waited anxiously. Not a dog bayed, not a sound of -any sort was audible. Bruin trod on the velvety turf as he returned. He -looked up at Bridget, who bent down and kissed him between the eyes.</p> - -<p>"Good King!" she said, and then she and the boys started off as fast -as they could to the Hogans' cottage, where Norah might possibly be -sleeping.</p> - -<p>No sign of her there; no tidings of her, either. Hogan got up and put -out a white face of amazement from one of the tiny windows of the -cottage when Bridget made her demand. If he knew anything of Norah's -whereabouts, neither face nor manner betrayed him.</p> - -<p>"It's no good, boys," said Bridget, "she is not there; or if she -is, Hogan has got the word not to tell. We might stand and talk to -him forever before he'd let even a wink of an eye betray him. There -is nothing whatever for it but for us to go to the cottage on the -mountains."</p> - -<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_309" id="Page_309">[Pg 309]</a></span></p> - -<p>Gerry was quite silent now. He took care to keep Bridget between -himself and Pat, and no one particularly noticed when he started at his -own shadow, and when he looked guiltily behind.</p> - -<p>Even to ride on horseback to Donovan's cabin, in the midst of the -lonely mountains, took a long time; but to walk on foot in the -uncertain moonlight was truly a weary undertaking.</p> - -<p>It was between three and four in the morning when the children, -exhausted and almost spent, stumbled up against the little cabin, to -find the door locked and the house deserted.</p> - -<p>Gerry burst out crying, and even Bridget owned that she had come to the -end of her resources.</p> - -<p>"Don't talk to me, either of you," she said; "I am more persuaded than -ever that Norah and Donovan are at the bottom of this. There is nothing -for it now but to go home."</p> - -<p>"How dare we?" said Pat. "Uncle Dennis will almost kill Gerry and me if -he knows of this."</p> - -<p>"We must go home, boys; we must face the thing. We had better step out -now as fast as we can, or the servants will be up."</p> - -<p>"I can't tell Uncle Dennis of this," said Pat; "I simply can't."</p> - -<p>"Don't say whether you can or cannot now," said Bridget; "let us go -back as quickly as possible."</p> - -<hr /> - -<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_310" id="Page_310">[Pg 310]</a></span></p> - -<h2><span>CHAPTER XXVII.</span> <span class="smaller">"SPEAK OUT!"</span></h2> - -<p>Squire O'Hara was the first of the family to put in an appearance the -next morning at the breakfast table. He looked round him somewhat -impatiently. He did not count Miss Macnamara, nor old Captain Shand, -nor one or two more of the visitors, as anybody. When they came in he -simply nodded to them, but his impatient eyes looked eagerly at the -vacant places which his own family ought to occupy.</p> - -<p>What was the matter with the world?</p> - -<p>Where was his sister-in-law Kathleen? She was up too early as a -rule—fidgeting, fussing, talking, and clattering. Where were -those imps, Pat and Gerry? Where were the two nice little English -girls?—and, above all, where was his Colleen, his darling, the apple -of his eye?</p> - -<p>"Shall I pour out your tea for you, squire?" asked Miss Macnamara in a -timid voice.</p> - -<p>"No, I thank you," he replied; "I'll wait for my family. Help yourself; -help yourself, I beg. Captain Shand, pray tackle the beef; Mr. Jones, -try that kippered salmon. Nobody need wait breakfast who doesn't wish -to; but I'm not hungry. I'll just step out on the terrace for a minute -or two until some of my family choose to put in an appearance."</p> - -<p>The squire opened the window as he spoke, and,<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_311" id="Page_311">[Pg 311]</a></span> stepping over the sill, -was just about to call to the dogs to accompany him in his walk when a -little, shabby, gray-haired woman started up almost at his feet, and -raised two blazing black eyes to his face.</p> - -<p>"Is that you, Norah?" said the squire. "And may I ask what you are -doing here crouching down among the rose-bushes?"</p> - -<p>"Nothing, yer honor; sure as I live I'm doing nothing!" said Norah. "I -was only waiting to catch a sight of Miss Biddy, bless her."</p> - -<p>"You surely did not lie in ambush in this absurd fashion to see Miss -Bridget. She does not want people skulking after her like that. There, -my good woman, don't look at me as if I were going to eat you. Go round -to the kitchen and have some breakfast, and you shall see Miss Biddy -afterward."</p> - -<p>The squire heard fresh sounds of arrival in the breakfast room at this -moment. In consequence, his voice grew more cordial.</p> - -<p>He passed in again through the open window, and Norah quickly -disappeared round by the shrubbery.</p> - -<p>"Is that you, Biddy?" he said. "How are you, my love? Oh! and Kathleen, -you have put in an appearance at last; and here the boys, and Miss -Sophy. Come, that's right, that's right. Now let us sit down and enjoy -ourselves. I have been out since six o'clock, and I'm quite disposed to -do justice to my tea and fresh eggs. Here, Biddy, you shall pour me out -a cup with your own fair hands, alanna."</p> - -<p>The squire drew up to the table, making a considerable amount of -bluster and noise. Bruin<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_312" id="Page_312">[Pg 312]</a></span> crouched in his usual place by Bridget's -side; Sophy sat near Lady Kathleen; the boys began hungrily to attack a -huge bowl of porridge each, and the meal proceeded.</p> - -<p>"You are all very silent," said the squire. "Have none of you anything -to say for yourselves? Not a laugh do I hear—not a whisper. Half an -hour late for breakfast, and everyone coming in as mum as if we were -all a house of the dead! Come, Biddy, come, haven't you a joke to crack -with anyone?"</p> - -<p>"Oh, squire," said Lady Kathleen, from the other end of the long board, -"we just want you to drink off your tea first. Oh, oh, oh! Sophy, poor -child, poor child, restrain yourself. There, she can't, the creature, -she can't. Put your arms round my neck, pet, and cry here then; poor -little dear, poor little dear!"</p> - -<p>"What in the name of fortune does this mean?" exclaimed Dennis O'Hara. -"Biddy, can you explain it? Why, your face is like a sheet, child. What -can be wrong?"</p> - -<p>"I will tell you, Dennis," said Lady Kathleen. "Poor little Janet is -lost. If you hadn't been so taken up with all the singing and the -dancing last night you'd have missed her from our family circle, for -she wasn't there then, and she isn't here now; and what's more, she -hasn't been in her bed the whole of the blessed night, and there's -Sophy fit to break her heart, and no wonder, poor thing, no wonder, for -if there was a nice devoted little sister it was Janet. I am fearing -that the poor child has fallen from a precipice, or gone too far into -one of the bogs. I always told you, squire, that you didn't half drain<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_313" id="Page_313">[Pg 313]</a></span> -those bogs. Now, what is it? Oh, mercy me, what awful thing are you -going to say?"</p> - -<p>"I'm going to request you to hold your tongue," said the squire. "We -none of us can hear ourselves speak with you, Kathleen. And a fine, -queer tale you have to tell! Miss Janet May hasn't been in the house -all night! Is that true, Miss Sophy?"</p> - -<p>"She wasn't in her room last night," said Sophy, a fresh sob breaking -her voice.</p> - -<p>"But this must be looked into at once," continued the squire. "One -of my visitors has been absent from my roof all night, and I am only -told of it now—now—and it past eight o'clock in the morning! <i>This -is a scandalous shame!</i> Why, there isn't a man or boy in the place who -shouldn't have been searching round for the bit of a colleen four hours -past. But, of course, <i>I'm</i> always kept in the dark. Although I am -Squire O'Hara of Castle Mahun, I'm just nobody, I suppose? Now, what is -it, Bridget—what are you going to say? I won't take interference from -anyone when I am roused like this."</p> - -<p>The squire was in one of his rare, but terrible passions: his lips -trembled, his eyes blazed, his great hand shook.</p> - -<p>"I have got something to tell you," began Bridget.</p> - -<p>"Oh, you have, have you? You can throw light on this scandal then? -Speak out, speak out this minute."</p> - -<p>"Will you come with me into your study? I'd rather tell you alone."</p> - -<p>"I'll do nothing of the kind. You speak out here. It's a nice state -of things when the master of the house is kept in the dark! That girl -should have been searched for last night when she didn't come in. And<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_314" id="Page_314">[Pg 314]</a></span> -of course she <i>would</i> have been searched for if I had been told of it; -but the rest of you must hugger-mugger together and keep me in the -dark. I call this state of things disgraceful. Now what is it you have -got to say, Bridget? Are you a coward too, afraid to tell your own -father? A nice state of things the world is coming to! Speak! are you -<i>afraid</i> of me?"</p> - -<p>"I am a coward, and I <i>am</i> afraid of you," said Bridget.</p> - -<p>Her words were so absolutely unexpected that every single individual -seated round the breakfast table started back with an astonished -exclamation.</p> - -<p>Bridget's own face was white as death. She stepped a little away from -the table; Bruin got up and stood by her side. She was unconscious of -the fact that her hand rested on his great head.</p> - -<p>"Speak up," thundered the squire, "I'll have no more shuffling. You -look as if you were ashamed of something. I see it in your eye. You are -my only child—the last of the race, and you are <i>ashamed</i>! Good God, -that I should live to see this day. But come, no more shuffling—out -with the truth!"</p> - -<p>"I know something about Janet, and so also do Pat and Gerry," continued -Bridget. "I'd rather tell you by yourself, father; I wish you'd let me."</p> - -<p>"No, that I won't; if you have done anything wrong you have got to -confess it. A pretty pass we have come to when Bridget O'Hara has to -confess her sins! But, never mind, though you were twenty times my -child, you'll have to stand here and tell the truth <i>before everyone</i>. -Now speak up, speak up this minute—Kathleen! if you don't stop -blubbering you'll have to leave the room."</p> - -<p>Dennis O'Hara's face was terrible.</p> - -<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_315" id="Page_315">[Pg 315]</a></span></p> - -<p>He and Bridget were the only ones standing; all the rest remained glued -to their chairs, without speaking or moving.</p> - -<p>"Now go on," he said, "we are all waiting to hear this fine confession; -did you spirit Janet May away?"</p> - -<p>"No, I didn't. You make me cease to fear you, father, when you speak in -that tone," said Bridget. "I have behaved badly, I—I thought it would -break my heart to tell you; but when you look at me like that——"</p> - -<p>"Like what? Go on, Biddy, or you'll drive me mad."</p> - -<p>"Well, I know what has happened to Janet. She went over to the Witch's -Island last night. She said there was no witch. Nothing would make her -believe in a witch, and she would go; it was her own desire."</p> - -<p>"And you took her there, I suppose?"</p> - -<p>"No, I didn't; I had nothing to do with it."</p> - -<p>"It was I who did that part, uncle," said Pat, suddenly springing to -his feet. "I won't let Biddy be the only one scolded; I was in an awful -funk when I found what had happened, but I can't stand here and hear a -girl spoken to like this; and Biddy isn't a bit nor a morsel to blame. -It's just Biddy all out to try and shield other people; but it was my -fault, mine and Gerry's. What is it, uncle? what is it you are saying -to me?"</p> - -<p>"Come over here this minute," said the squire. "Shake hands with me; -you are a fine lad, you are a very fine lad. Oh, thank Heaven! I -thought the colleen had done something wrong. It isn't a bit of matter -about anybody else. Speak out, Pat, speak out; and, oh! alanna, alanna, -forgive me, forgive me.<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_316" id="Page_316">[Pg 316]</a></span> I thought bad of you, my jewel, my sweet! Come -into my arms, my colleen asthore. What matter who is black, when you -are white as a lily?"</p> - -<p>Dennis O'Hara's burst of passion was over as quickly as it had arisen; -he went up to Bridget and folded his great arms round her slight young -figure.</p> - -<p>"But I am not white," she said, bursting into sudden uncontrollable -weeping; "oh, I am not white, and you'll never love me any more, and my -heart will break. I can't tell you now, before everybody. I just can't, -I can't. Pat knows all about Janet. Pat can tell <i>that</i> story, and you -are not going to be too angry with him; but I must go away, for I can't -speak of the other thing. There, father, don't kiss me, I cannot stand -it."</p> - -<p>She wrenched herself out of his arms and flew from the room.</p> - -<p>It was a glorious summer's day; the sun was blazing down from the sky -with a fierce heat. Bridget felt half blinded with misery and confusion -of mind. She put up her hand to her head and glanced up at the sky.</p> - -<p>"I must tell my father everything when I see him next," she said to -herself. "Oh, what shall I do, what shall I do?"</p> - -<p>Footsteps sounded behind her. She felt impatient of anyone seeing her -in her grief and distraction, and, turning to hide herself in the -shrubbery, found that she was face to face with Norah.</p> - -<p>"I seen you, me darling," said Norah; "I seen you when you ran out of -the breakfast room all distraught like."</p> - -<p>"You saw me? then you were listening, Norah,"<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_317" id="Page_317">[Pg 317]</a></span> said Bridget, her tears -drying rapidly in her sudden anger.</p> - -<p>"And why not, alanna? and why shouldn't I listen when it was for the -good of my own nursling? The squire says, 'Go and have some breakfast, -Norah'; but what's breakfast to me when the light of my eyes, the child -I helped to rear, is suffering. I listened, Miss Biddy, and when you -run out of the room I followed you. You come with me, alanna. You trust -poor Norah. Norah Malony and Pat Donovan 'ud spill their heart's blood -for you, missie; you trust us both!"</p> - -<p>"I thought as much," said Bridget. "Come back here into the shade of -the shrubbery, Norah; I guessed last night that you were at the bottom -of this. Don't you know that you have behaved disgracefully? Do you -think my father will help you to marry Pat after such conduct as this? -No, don't go down on your knees; I am not inclined to intercede for -you at present. I am not inclined to take your part. You must go this -instant to the place where you have hidden Janet May. There is not a -moment to lose; go and bring her back at once!"</p> - -<p>Norah began to cry feebly.</p> - -<p>"You are hard on me," she sobbed, "and I done it for you—Pat and me, -we done it for you. We meant no harm either. The young Englisher girl -have come to no grief—leastways, nothing but a bit of a fright, and -she'll do what we wants if you don't spoil everything, Miss Bridget."</p> - -<p>"I don't understand you, Norah; I don't feel even inclined to listen to -you. You must go this minute and release poor Janet."</p> - -<hr /> - -<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_318" id="Page_318">[Pg 318]</a></span></p> - -<h2><span>CHAPTER XXVIII.</span> <span class="smaller">WHAT THE O'HARAS SAID TO ONE ANOTHER.</span></h2> - -<p>The race of human beings who can neither read nor write are fast -vanishing from the face of the civilized earth. They used, however, to -abound in great numbers in old Ireland, and, strange as it may seem, -these so-called uneducated people have proved themselves to be some of -the shrewdest in the world.</p> - -<p>For, never reading the books of men, they are always perusing the -greater book of nature. Unacquainted with the art of writing, they -trust absolutely to their memories. The observation, therefore, of the -Irish peasant can scarcely be credited by those who have never come -across him.</p> - -<p>Norah had made up her mind that Janet should not be released from the -hiding-place to which she and Pat had spirited her until she made full -confession of her own part in making Bridget unhappy. It is true Norah -had never heard the tale, but she seemed to know as much about it as if -she had been in everybody's confidence, and had even joined the Fancy -Fair Committee, and sat in Mrs. Freeman's schoolroom when Bridget, -under Janet's directions, cribbed her lessons.</p> - -<p>If Bridget herself, however, wished Janet to be set free, there was no -help for it.</p> - -<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_319" id="Page_319">[Pg 319]</a></span></p> - -<p>"You wait here, Miss Biddy," she said; "you needn't go for Miss Janet -May. I'll bring her to you in an hour at the farthest."</p> - -<p>"Very well, Norah," said Bridget, "I'll wait for you here."</p> - -<p>She sat down as she spoke, under the shelter of a large birch tree, -and, leaning her head against its silver stem, fell into a heavy sleep.</p> - -<p>She dreamt in her sleep, and these dreams were so disquieting that she -could not help crying out and moaning heavily. She opened her eyes at -last to see her old father standing by her.</p> - -<p>For a moment she could not remember where she was, nor what had -happened. The smile which always filled her eyes when she looked at -her dearly loved father came into them now; a gay word banished the -sorrowful lines from round her lips, and, with a little laugh, she rose -to her feet.</p> - -<p>"How ridiculous of me to have gone to sleep in the wood," she exclaimed.</p> - -<p>Then memory came back. She flushed first, and then turned deadly pale.</p> - -<p>"You are in trouble, alanna," said Squire O'Hara. "I know that by the -look you wore in your sleep; I never saw my colleen wear a face so full -of sorrow before. There's something on your mind, acushla, and you are -afraid to tell your father. Maybe I frightened you a bit in the parlor -just now; if so, my heart's core, you must forgive me. I was taken -aback and put out, and we O'Haras are celebrated for our hasty tempers. -I am not angry now, however: my anger has passed like a morning cloud. -You tell me all that is vexing you, Biddy. Put your arms round<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_320" id="Page_320">[Pg 320]</a></span> me, and -whisper your trouble in my ears, my own colleen."</p> - -<p>"And why should a beautiful young lady like that have any throuble," -exclaimed another voice.</p> - -<p>The squire and Bridget both started and turned round. Janet May and -Norah were coming up the little path, and even now stood by their sides.</p> - -<p>"Here's the young Englisher lady," said Norah. "She's none the worse -for having spent one night with the Irish folk, and there's no -throuble, now that she has come back; is there, Miss Biddy?"</p> - -<p>For one instant Bridget was silent.</p> - -<p>Janet came up to her and spoke in a gentle, cheerful tone. "I am so -glad to be back with you, dear," she said. "I dare say you and the -squire were uneasy about me. Well, I had an adventure, and am none the -worse. I'll tell you all about it presently. Norah has something, also, -to say for herself; but she, too, will speak presently. Now I have one -request to make of the squire."</p> - -<p>"What is that, my dear?" asked Dennis O'Hara.</p> - -<p>"It is that no one shall be punished on my account," said Janet, in -her sweet, low tones. "There was just a little bit of a practical joke -played on me. You Irish are celebrated for practical jokes, are you -not? I came to no harm, and if I don't wish anyone to be punished, I -suppose my wishes are worth considering, as I was the only one who -suffered."</p> - -<p>"You are by no means the only one who suffered, Miss May," said the -squire. "Look at Biddy, there. Why is her face so pale, and why are her -eyes so heavy? And as to practical jokes, I never heard that it was -the way of the Irish gentry to practice them<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_321" id="Page_321">[Pg 321]</a></span> upon their visitors. My -dear young lady, I appreciate your kind and generous spirit. It does my -old heart good to see you here safe and unharmed, but you must allow -me to deal with this matter in my own way. I am not thinking of it at -present, however. I want to have a word with my daughter Biddy. Will -you go into the house, Miss May? Biddy and I will follow you presently."</p> - -<p>"No, Janet, stay here," said Bridget suddenly.</p> - -<p>She threw up her head with something of the free action of a young race -horse, tossed her curly hair back from her broad brow, and looked first -at Janet and then at the squire.</p> - -<p>There was something in the expression of her eyes which caused Janet, -as she afterward expressed it, "to shake in her shoes."</p> - -<p>"Norah," continued Bridget, "you must stay here too. Now, father, I -will tell you something. I will tell you why your Biddy can never, -never again be the old Bridget you used to know and to love."</p> - -<p>"Oh, don't," interrupted Janet. "See how hysterical you are, Bridget. -Don't you think, squire——"</p> - -<p>"Hush!" thundered the squire. "Let the colleen speak."</p> - -<p>"Father," continued Bridget, "I am a very unhappy girl. I have behaved -badly. I have been wicked; I have been dishonorable and—and deceitful."</p> - -<p>"No, no, I don't believe that," said the squire. "Whatever you are, -you are not deceitful." Once again his face turned white, and an angry -light leaped out of his eyes.</p> - -<p>"It is true," continued Bridget, "and—and <i>she</i><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_322" id="Page_322">[Pg 322]</a></span> tempted me—she, -Janet May. I never met anyone like her before. She tempted me; I don't -know with what motive. It isn't right to tell tales of a visitor; but -I—I <i>can't</i> bear things any longer, and I have got so confused in -my mind that I don't know what is right and what is wrong. I don't -wish to excuse myself, but I do not think I'd have done the dreadful -things but for her. I wouldn't have done them, because they never would -have occurred to me. Perhaps that is because I am not clever enough. -I don't want to excuse myself, but she tempted me to do wrong, and I -did wrong, frightfully wrong, and I have been, oh, so miserable! And -Norah here—poor Norah—she guessed at my trouble, and she thought -she'd punish Janet. That's why Janet was away last night. It was very -wrong of Norah, too, but she did it out of love to me. Oh, father, -how miserable I am! Why did you send me to that English school? I can -never, never, <i>never</i> again be your old Biddy; never again, father, -never as long as I live."</p> - -<p>Here poor Bridget burst into such convulsive weeping that her words -became inaudible.</p> - -<p>Suddenly she felt a pair of arms round her neck, and, looking up, her -lips touched her father's cheek.</p> - -<p>"Let me go on," she said; "let me get it over."</p> - -<p>"Not until you are better, colleen. There is not the least hurry. Come -down and sit with me in the bower near the Holy Well. We shall have it -all to ourselves."</p> - -<p>"But the others," said Bridget—"Janet and Norah?"</p> - -<p>"I sent them away. Why should they hear what one O'Hara has to say to -the other?"</p> - -<hr /> - -<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_323" id="Page_323">[Pg 323]</a></span></p> - -<h2><span>CHAPTER XXIX.</span> <span class="smaller">THE CHILD OF HIS HEART.</span></h2> - -<p>Janet ran quickly toward the house. On her way she met one of the -servants, a man of the name of Doolan; she stopped to say a few words -to him eagerly, then, running on, found herself in the great hall, -where Lady Kathleen, Pat, Gerald, and Sophy were all assembled.</p> - -<p>Lady Kathleen uttered a scream when she saw her.</p> - -<p>"Oh, how glad I am——" she began.</p> - -<p>Janet interrupted her hastily.</p> - -<p>"Dear Lady Kathleen," she said, "I will speak to you presently. I will -tell you all my adventures presently; but please, please let me go up -to my room now with Sophy; I want to say a word to Sophy. Please let me -pass."</p> - -<p>There was an expression about Janet's face which caused Lady Kathleen -to fall back, which arrested a torrent of words on the lips of each of -the boys, and which made poor, frightened Sophy follow her sister out -of the room without a word.</p> - -<p>"Come upstairs with me, and be as quick as ever you can," said Janet.</p> - -<p>She took her sister's hand as she spoke, rushed up the stairs with her, -and entered the large room which the girls shared together.</p> - -<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_324" id="Page_324">[Pg 324]</a></span></p> - -<p>"Now, Sophy," said Janet, "how much money have you got? Don't attempt -to prevaricate. I know you received a letter yesterday from Aunt Jane, -and she—she sent you a five-pound note; I know it—don't attempt to -deny it."</p> - -<p>"I don't want to deny it," said Sophy. "You—you <i>frighten</i> me, Janet; -we have all been so miserable about you. I could not eat any breakfast; -I was crying as if my heart would break, and now you come back looking -like I don't know what, and you speak in such a dreadful way."</p> - -<p>"Never mind how I speak," said Janet; "pack your things; be quick about -it, for we must be out of this place in ten minutes."</p> - -<p>"What <i>do</i> you mean?"</p> - -<p>"I'll tell you presently. Pack, pack, pack! Fling your things into your -trunk, no matter how—anything to get away. If you are not packed, with -your hat and gloves on, in ten minutes, you shall come away without -your finery, that is all."</p> - -<p>"But how are we to get away?" said Sophy. "We can't walk to the -station; it is twenty miles off."</p> - -<p>"I know that, but I have arranged everything. Mike Doolan will have the -jaunting car at the top of the back avenue in fifteen minutes from now. -I only want to pack and lock our boxes; they must follow us by and by. -Now, don't waste another moment talking."</p> - -<p>Janet's words were so strong, her gestures so imperious, that Sophy -found herself forced to do exactly what she was told. The ribbons, -laces, trinkets, which she and Janet had amassed out of poor Bridget's -stores<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_325" id="Page_325">[Pg 325]</a></span> during their stay at Castle Mahun were tossed anyhow into their -trunks; the trunks were locked and directed, and the two girls had left -the house without saying a word to anyone long before Squire O'Hara and -Bridget returned to it.</p> - -<p>Janet was worthless through and through; Sophy was very little better. -The curtain drops over them here as far as this story is concerned.</p> - -<p>What more is there to tell?</p> - -<p>How can I speak of those events which immediately followed the -departure of Janet May and her sister?—the wonder and consternation -of Lady Kathleen Peterham; the astonishment and curiosity of the -retainers; the secret triumph of Norah Maloney and Pat Donovan; the -intense amazement of the boys!</p> - -<p>Amazement had its day, curiosity its hour, and then the memory of the -English girls faded, and the waters of oblivion, to a great extent, -closed over them. Lady Kathleen sent their trunks to the address which -Janet had put upon them. They were addressed to a Miss Jane Perkins, -and Lady Kathleen concluded that she was the Aunt Jane of whom Janet -stood in such wholesome dread.</p> - -<p>The squire made an important discovery on that unhappy day. It was -this: O'Hara of Castle Mahun could brook no dishonor in the person of -his nephew, or sister, or cousin; but the child of his heart could be -forgiven even dishonor.</p> - -<p>"I will myself write to Mrs. Freeman," he said, after he and Bridget -had concluded their long conference. "O Biddy, child! why did you not -tell me before; could anything, <i>anything</i> turn my heart from thy<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_326" id="Page_326">[Pg 326]</a></span> -heart? But listen, acushla macree, your Aunt Kathleen and Pat and -Gerald must never know of this."</p> - -<p>Of Bridget's future history, of her many subsequent adventures, both at -school and at home—are they not written in the book of the future?</p> - -<p> </p> -<p> </p> -<hr /> -<p> </p> -<p> </p> - -<div class ="mynote"><p class="center">Transcriber's Note:<br /><br /> -Obvious typographic errors have been corrected.<br /></p></div> - -<p> </p> -<p> </p> -<hr class="pgx" /> -<p>***END OF THE PROJECT GUTENBERG EBOOK BASHFUL FIFTEEN***</p> -<p>******* This file should be named 61857-h.htm or 61857-h.zip *******</p> -<p>This and all associated files of various formats will be found in:<br /> -<a href="http://www.gutenberg.org/dirs/6/1/8/5/61857">http://www.gutenberg.org/6/1/8/5/61857</a></p> -<p> -Updated editions will replace the previous one--the old editions will -be renamed.</p> - -<p>Creating the works from print editions not protected by U.S. copyright -law means that no one owns a United States copyright in these works, -so the Foundation (and you!) can copy and distribute it in the United -States without permission and without paying copyright -royalties. 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Meade - - -This eBook is for the use of anyone anywhere in the United States and most -other parts of the world at no cost and with almost no restrictions -whatsoever. You may copy it, give it away or re-use it under the terms of -the Project Gutenberg License included with this eBook or online at -www.gutenberg.org. If you are not located in the United States, you'll have -to check the laws of the country where you are located before using this ebook. - - - - -Title: Bashful Fifteen - - -Author: L. T. Meade - - - -Release Date: April 17, 2020 [eBook #61857] - -Language: English - -Character set encoding: ISO-646-US (US-ASCII) - - -***START OF THE PROJECT GUTENBERG EBOOK BASHFUL FIFTEEN*** - - -E-text prepared by MWS, Martin Pettit, and the Online Distributed -Proofreading Team (http://www.pgdp.net) from page images generously made -available by Internet Archive (https://archive.org) - - - -Note: Images of the original pages are available through - Internet Archive. See - https://archive.org/details/bashfulfifteen00mead - - - - - -BASHFUL FIFTEEN - -by - -L. T. MEADE - -Author of "Out of the Fashion," "A Sweet Girl Graduate," "The Medicine -Lady," "Polly, a New-Fashioned Girl," "A World of Girls," etc. - - - - - - -New York -Cassell Publishing Company -104 & 106 Fourth Avenue - -Copyright, 1892, by -Cassell Publishing Company. - -All rights reserved. - -The Mershon Company Press, -Rahway, N. J. - - - - -CONTENTS. - -CHAPTER PAGE - I. CURIOSITY, 1 - - II. THE NEW GIRL, 10 - - III. RIBBONS AND ROSES, 24 - - IV. THE QUEEN OF THE SCHOOL, 35 - - V. BREAKING IN A WILD COLT, 52 - - VI. CAPTIVITY, 62 - - VII. WHO IS TO PROVIDE THE NEEDFUL? 73 - - VIII. THE "JANET MAY STALL," 82 - - IX. TAKING SIDES, 98 - - X. CHECKMATE, 106 - - XI. A WILD IRISH PRINCESS, 114 - - XII. LADY KATHLEEN, 128 - - XIII. PEARSON'S BOOK OF ESSAYS, 147 - - XIV. "I'M BIG, AND I'M DESPERATE," 158 - - XV. BRIDGET O'HARA'S STALL, 177 - - XVI. STILL IN THE WOOD, 193 - - XVII. PERSIAN CATS, 200 - - XVIII. AN IRISH WELCOME, 215 - - XIX. "BRUIN, MY DOG," 221 - - XX. THE SQUIRE AND HIS GUESTS, 232 - - XXI. THE HOLY WELL, 244 - - XXII. WILD HAWK, 260 - - XXIII. UNDER A SPELL, 275 - - XXIV. NORAH TO THE RESCUE, 289 - - XXV. HER MAJESTY THE WITCH, 294 - - XXVI. A TERRIBLE NIGHT, 303 - - XXVII. "SPEAK OUT," 310 - -XXVIII. WHAT THE O'HARAS SAID TO ONE ANOTHER, 318 - - XXIX. THE CHILD OF HIS HEART, 323 - - - - -BASHFUL FIFTEEN. - - - - -CHAPTER I. - -CURIOSITY. - - -The school stood on the side of a hill, which faced downward to the -sea. Its aspect was south, and it was sheltered from the east and west -winds by a thick plantation of young trees, which looked green and -fresh in the spring, and were beginning already to afford a delightful -shade in hot weather. - -A fashionable watering-place called Eastcliff was situated about a -mile from Mulberry Court, the old-fashioned house, with the old-world -gardens, where the schoolgirls lived. There were about fifty of them -in all, and they had to confess that although Mulberry Court was -undoubtedly school, yet those who lived in the house and played in -the gardens, and had merry games and races on the seashore, enjoyed a -specially good time which they would be glad to think of by and by. - -The period at which this story begins was the middle of the summer -term. There were no half-term holidays at the Court, but somehow the -influence of holiday time had already got into the air. The young girls -had tired themselves out with play, and the older ones lay about in -hammocks, or strolled in twos or threes up and down the wide gravel -walk which separated the house from the gardens. - -The ages of these fifty girls ranged from seventeen to five, but from -seventeen down to five on this special hot summer's evening one topic -of conversation might have been heard on every tongue. - -What would the new girl be like? Was she rich or poor, handsome or -ugly, tall or short, dark or fair? Why did she come in the middle of -the term, and why did Mrs. Freeman, and Miss Delicia, and Miss Patience -make such a fuss about her? - -Other new girls had arrived, and only the faintest rumors had got out -about them beforehand. - -A couple of maids had been seen carrying a new trunk upstairs, or old -Piper had been discovered crawling down the avenue with his shaky cab, -and shakier horse, and then the new girl had appeared at tea-time and -been formally introduced, and if she were shy had got over it as best -she could, and had soon discovered her place in class, and there was an -end of the matter. - -But this new girl was not following out any of the old precedents. - -She was coming at mid-term, which in itself was rather exceptional. - -Mrs. Freeman and Miss Patience had driven away in a very smart carriage -with a pair of horses to meet her. - -Miss Delicia was fussing in and out of the house, and picking fresh -strawberries, and nodding to the girls she happened to meet with a kind -of suppressed delight. - -What _could_ it all mean? It really was most exciting. - -The smaller girls chatted volubly about the matter, and little Violet -Temple, aged ten, and of course one of the small girls, so far -forgot herself as to run up to Dorothy Collingwood, clasp her hand -affectionately round the tall girl's arm, and whisper in her impetuous, -eager way: - -"I'm almost certain, Dolly, that she's to sleep in a room by herself, -for I saw the Blue Room being got ready. I peeped in as we were going -down to dinner, and I noticed such jolly new furniture--pale blue, and -all to match. Oh, what is it, Olive? Now you've pinched my arm." - -"Run back to your companions this minute, miss," said Olive Moore. -"You're getting to be a perfect tittle-tattle, Violet. There, I'm not -angry, child, but you must learn not to talk about everything you see." - -Violet frowned all over her fair, small face, but Olive Moore, -a sixth-form girl, was too powerful an individual to be lightly -disregarded. She shrugged her shoulders therefore, and walked sulkily -away. - -"Why did you speak so sharply to her, Olive?" exclaimed Dorothy. "After -all, her curiosity is but natural--I must even own that I share it -myself." - -"So do I, Dorothy, if it comes to that, but Violet must be made to know -her place. She is one of those little encroachers without respect of -persons, who can become absolute nuisances if they are encouraged. But -there, we have said enough about her. Ruth and Janet are going to sit -in 'The Lookout' for a little; they want to discuss the subject of the -Fancy Fair. Shall we come and join them?" - -Dorothy turned with her companion; they walked along the wide gravel -sweep, then entered a narrow path which wound gradually up-hill. -They soon reached a rural tower, which was called by the girls "The -Lookout," mounted some steep steps, and found themselves standing on a -little platform, where two other girls were waiting to receive them. - -Ruth Bury was short and dark, but Janet May, her companion, was -extremely slim and fair. She would have been a pretty girl but for the -somewhat disagreeable expression of her face. - -"Here you are," exclaimed the two pairs of lips eagerly. - -"Sit down, Dorothy," cried Ruth, "we have kept your favorite armchair -vacant for you. Now, then, to discuss the Fancy Fair in all its -bearings. Is it not kind of Mrs. Freeman to consent to our having it? -She says it is quite an unusual thing for girls like us to do, but in -the cause of that poor little baby, and because we wish the Fancy Fair -to be our break-up treat, she consents. The only stipulation she makes -is that we arrange the whole programme without troubling her." - -"Yes," continued Janet, "she met me half an hour ago, and told me to -let you know, Dorothy, and you, Olive, and any other girls who happen -to be specially interested, that we are to form our programme, and -then ask her to give us an audience. She will look herself into all -our plans, and tell us which can and cannot be carried into effect. -The only other thing she stipulates is that we do not neglect our -studies, and that we leave room in the happy day's proceedings for the -distribution of the prizes." - -While Janet was speaking, Dorothy, who had refused to seat herself in -the armchair assigned to her, and whose clear, bright blue eyes were -roving eagerly all over the beautiful summer landscape, exclaimed in an -eager voice: - -"After all, what does the Fancy Fair signify--I mean--oh, don't be -shocked, girls--I mean, what does it signify compared to a real living -_present_ interest? While we are discussing what is to take place in -six weeks' time, Mrs. Freeman and Miss Patience are driving up the -avenue with _somebody else_. Girls, the new inmate of Mulberry Court -has begun to put in an appearance on the scene." - -"Oh, let me look; do let me look!" cried Ruth, while Olive and Janet -both pressed eagerly forward. - -From where they stood they obtained a very distinct although somewhat -bird's-eye view of the winding avenue and quickly approaching carriage. -Mrs. Freeman's tall and familiar figure was too well known to be -worthy, in that supreme moment, of even a passing comment. Miss -Patience looked as angular and as like herself as ever; but a girl, who -sat facing the two ladies--a girl who wore a large shady hat, and whose -light dress and gay ribbons fluttered in the summer breeze--upon this -girl the eyes of the four watchers in the "Lookout" tower were fixed -with devouring curiosity. - -"Well, I never!" exclaimed Dorothy, after a pause. "I don't suppose -Mrs. Freeman will allow that style of wardrobe long. See, girls, do -see, how her long blue ribbons stream in the breeze; and her hat! it is -absolutely _covered_ with roses--I'm convinced they are roses. Oh, what -would I not give for an opera glass to enable me to take a nearer view. -Whoever that young person is, she intends to take the shine out of us. -Why, she is dressed as if she had just come from a garden party." - -"I don't believe she's a new schoolgirl at all," cried Ruth; "she's -just a visitor come to stay for a day or two with Mrs. Freeman. No -schoolgirl that ever breathed would dare to present such a young lady, -grown-up appearance. There, girls, don't let's waste any more time over -her; let's turn our attention to the much more important matter of the -Fancy Fair." - -Notwithstanding these various criticisms, the carriage with its -occupants calmly pursued its way, and was presently lost to view in the -courtyard at the side of the house. - -"Now, do let us be sensible," said Janet, turning to her companions. -"We have seen all that there is to be seen. However hard we guess we -cannot solve the mystery. Either a new companion is coming among us, -who, I have no doubt, will be as commonplace as commonplace can be, or -Mrs. Freeman is receiving a young lady visitor. Supper will decide the -point, and as that is not half an hour away I suppose we can exist for -the present without worrying our brains any further." - -"Dear Janey, you always were the soul of sense," remarked Dorothy, in -a somewhat languid voice. "For my part I pity those poor little mites, -Violet and the rest of them. I know they are just as curious with -regard to the issue of events as we are, and yet I can see them at this -moment, with my mental vision, being driven like sheep into the fold. -They'll be in bed, poor mites, when we are satisfying our curiosity." - -"You have a perfect mania for those children, Dorothy," exclaimed -Olive. "I call it an impertinence on their parts to worry themselves -about sixth-form girls. What's the matter, Janet? Why that contraction -of your angel brow?" - -"I want us to utilize our opportunities," said Janet. "We have a few -minutes all to ourselves to discuss the Fancy Fair, and we fritter it -away on that tiresome new girl." - -"Well, let's settle to business now," said Ruth; "I'm sure I'm more -than willing. Who has got a pencil and paper?" - -Dorothy pulled an envelope out of her pocket. Olive searched into the -recesses of hers to hunt up a lead pencil, and Janet continued to speak -in her tranquil, round tones. - -"The first thing to do is to appoint a committee," she began. - -"O Janey," exclaimed two of the other girls in a breath, "a committee -does sound so absurdly formal." - -"Never mind, it is the correct thing to do. In a matter of this kind -we are nothing if we are not businesslike. Now, who _is_ coming to -interrupt us?" - -Steps--several steps--were heard clattering up the stone stairs of the -little tower, and two or three girls of the middle school, with roughly -tossed heads and excited faces, burst upon the seclusion of the four -sixth-form girls. - -"O Dolly," they exclaimed, running up to their favorite, "she has -come--we have seen her! She is very tall, and--and----" - -"Do let me speak, Marion," exclaimed little Violet Temple, coloring all -over her round face in her excitement and interest. "You know I got the -first glimpse of her. I did, you know I did. I was hiding under the -laurel arch, and I saw her quite close. It's awfully unfair of anyone -else to tell, isn't it, Dolly?" - -"Of course it is, Violet," replied Miss Collingwood in her good-natured -way. "But what a naughty imp you were to hide under the laurel arch. -The wonder is you did not get right in the way of the horses' hoofs." - -"Much I cared for that when I had a chance of seeing her," remarked -Violet. "I _did_ get a splendid peep. She's awfully tall, and she -was splendidly dressed; and O Dolly! O Ruthie! O Janey! she's just -_lovely_!" - -"I wish you'd go away, child!" said Janet in a decidedly cross tone. -"What are all you small girls doing out and about at this hour? Surely -it's time for you to be in bed. What can Miss Marshall be about not to -have fetched you before now?" - -"Cross-patch!" murmured Violet, turning her back on Janet. "Come, -Marion; come, Pauline, we won't tell her any more. We'll tell _you_, -Dolly, of course, but we won't tell Janet. Come, Marion, let's go." - -The children disappeared in as frantic haste to be off as they were a -few minutes ago to arrive. - -"Now, let's go on," said Janet, in her calm tones. "Let us try -and settle something before the supper bell rings. We must have a -committee, that goes without saying. Suppose we four girls form it." - -"What about Evelyn?" inquired Dorothy. - -When she said this a quick change flitted over Janet's face. She bit -her lips, and, after a very brief pause, said in a voice of would-be -indifference: - -"I don't suppose that Evelyn Percival is to rule the school. She is -away at present, and we can't wait on her will and pleasure. Let's form -our committee, and do without her." - -"It's a distinct insult," began Dolly. "I disapprove--I disapprove." - -"And so do I"--"And I"--cried both Ruth and Olive. - -"Well," said Janet, "if you insist on spoiling everything, girls, you -must. You know what Evelyn is." - -"Only the head girl of the school," remarked Dolly in a soft tone. "But -of course a person of not the _smallest_ consequence. Well, Janet, what -next?" - -"As I was saying," began Janet---- - -A loud booming sound filled the air. - -Ruth clapped her hands. - -"Hurrah! Hurrah! Supper!" she cried. "Your committee must keep, Janet. -Now for the satisfaction of rampant, raging curiosity. Dolly, will you -race me to the house?" - - - - -CHAPTER II. - -THE NEW GIRL. - - -Although the booming sound of the great gong filled the air, the supper -to which the head girls of the school were now going was a very simple -affair. It consisted of milk placed in great jugs at intervals down -the long table, of fruit both cooked and uncooked, and large plates of -bread and butter. - -Such as it was, however, supper was a much-prized institution of -Mulberry Court; only the fifth-form and sixth-form girls were allowed -to partake of it. To sit up to supper, therefore, was a distinction -intensely envied by the lower school. The plain fare sounded to them -like honey and ambrosia. They were never tired of speculating as to -what went on in the dining room on these occasions, and the idea of -sitting up to supper was with some of the girls a more stimulating -reason for being promoted to the fifth form than any other which could -be offered. - -On this special night in the mid-term the girls who were ignominiously -obliged to retire to their bedrooms felt a sorer sense of being left -out than ever. - -As Dorothy and her companions walked through the wide, cool entrance -hall, and turned down the stone passage which led to the supper room, -they were quite conscious of the fact that some of the naughtiest and -most adventurous imps of the lower school were hovering round, hanging -over banisters or hiding behind doors. A suppressed giggle of laughter -proceeded so plainly from the back of one of the doors, that Dorothy -could not resist stretching back her hand as she passed, and giving a -playful tap on the panels with her knuckles. The suppressed laughter -became dangerously audible when she did this, so in mercy she was -forced to take no further notice. - -The girls entered the wide, long dining hall and immediately took their -places at the table. - -Mrs. Freeman always presided at the head of the board, Miss Patience -invariably sat at the foot, Miss Delicia wandered about restlessly, -helping the girls to milk and fruit, patting her favorites on their -backs, bending down to inquire tenderly how this girl's headache was, -and if another had come off conqueror in her tennis match. No girl in -the school minded or feared Miss Delicia in the least. Unlike her two -sisters, who were tall and thin, she was a little body with a round -face, rosy cheeks, hair very much crimped, and eyes a good deal creased -with constant laughter. No one had ever seen Miss Delicia the least bit -cross or the least bit annoyed with anyone. She was invariably known -to weep with the sorrowful, and laugh with the gay--she was a great -coddler and physicker--thought petting far better than punishment, and -play much more necessary for young girls than lessons. - -In consequence she was popular, with that mild sort of popularity which -is bestowed upon the people who are all patience and have no faculty -for inspiring fear. - -Mrs. Freeman could be austere as well as kind, and Mrs. Freeman was ten -times more loved than Miss Delicia. - -The girls took their places at the table--grace was said, and the meal -began. - -A sense of disappointment was over them all, for the new girl -upon whom their present thoughts were centered had not put in an -appearance--nothing was said about her--Mrs. Freeman looked as -tranquil as usual, Miss Patience as white and anxious, Miss Delicia as -good-natured and downy. - -Dorothy was beginning to whisper to her companion that all their -excitement was safe to end in smoke, when the door at the farther end -of the dining hall was softly pushed open, and a head of luxuriant -nut-brown curling hair was popped in. Two roguish dark blue eyes looked -down the long room--they greeted with an eager sort of delighted -welcome each fresh girl face, and then the entire person of a tall, -showily dressed girl entered. - -"My dear Bridget!" exclaimed Mrs. Freeman, so surprised by the -unexpected apparition that she was actually obliged to rise from her -seat and come forward. - -"Oh, my dear, ought you not to be asleep?" exclaimed Miss Patience in -thin, anxious tones from the other end of the board, while Miss Delicia -ran up to the girl and took one of her dimpled white hands in hers. - -"I did not feel tired, Mrs. Freeman," replied the newcomer in an eager, -irrepressible sort of voice. "You put me into my room and told me to -go to bed, but I didn't want to go to bed. I have had my supper, thank -you, so I don't want any more, but I have been dying with curiosity to -see the girls. Are these they? Are these my schoolfellows? I never saw -a schoolfellow before. They all look pretty much like other people. -How do you do, each and all of you? I'm Bridget O'Hara. May I sit near -you, Mrs. Freeman?" - -"Sit there, Miss O'Hara, please," said Mrs. Freeman. She tried to -suppress a smile, which was difficult. "Girls," she said, addressing -the fifth and sixth forms, "girls, this young lady is your new -schoolfellow--her name is Bridget O'Hara. I meant to introduce her -to you formally to-morrow, but she has taken the matter into her own -hands. I am glad you are not tired, Miss O'Hara, for you have had a -very long journey." - -"Oh, my!" exclaimed Miss O'Hara, "that's nothing. Goodness gracious me! -what would you think of thirty or forty miles on an Irish jaunting car, -all in one day, Mrs. Freeman? That's the sort of thing to make the back -ache. Bump, bump, you go. You catch on to the sides of the car for bare -life, and as likely as not you're pitched out into a bog two or three -times before you get home. Papa and I have often taken our thirty to -forty miles' jaunt a day. I can tell you, I have been stiff after those -rides. Did you ever ride on a jaunting car, Mrs. Freeman?" - -"No, my dear," replied the head mistress, in a rather icy voice, "I -have never had the pleasure of visiting Ireland." - -"Well, it's a very fine sort of place, as free and easy as you please; -lots of fishing in the lakes and in the rivers. I'm very fond of my -gun, too. Can you handle a gun, Mrs. Freeman? It kicks rather, if you -can't manage it." - -An audible titter was heard down the table, and Mrs. Freeman turned -somewhat red. - -"Will you have some fruit?" she said coldly, laying a restraining hand -as she spoke on the girl's beflowered and embroidered dress. - -"No fruit, thank you. Oh, what a lovely ring you have on! It's a -ruby, isn't it? My poor mother--she died when I was only three--had -some splendid rubies--they are to be mine when I am grown up. Papa is -keeping them for me in the County Bank. You always keep your valuables -in the Bank in Ireland, you know--that's on account of the Land -Leaguers." - -"I think, my dear, we won't talk quite so much," said Mrs. Freeman. -"At most of our meals German is the only language spoken. Supper, of -course, is an exception. Why, what is the matter. Miss O'Hara?" - -"Good gracious me!" exclaimed Bridget O'Hara, "am I to be dumb during -breakfast, dinner, and tea? I don't know a word of German. Why, I'll -die if I can't chatter. It's a way we have in Ireland. We _must_ talk." - -"Patience," said Mrs. Freeman, from her end of the supper table, "I -think we have all finished. Will you say grace?" - -There was a movement of chairs, and a general rising. - -Miss Patience asked for a blessing on the meal just partaken of in a -clear, emphatic voice, and the group of girls began to file out of the -room. - -"May I go with the others?" asked Miss O'Hara. - -"Yes, certainly. Let me introduce you to someone in particular. Janet -May, come here, my dear." - -Janet turned at the sound of her name, and came quickly up to her -mistress. She looked slight, pale, and almost insignificant beside -the full, blooming, luxuriously made girl, who, resting one hand in a -nonchalant manner on the back of her chair, was looking full at her -with laughing bright eyes. - -"Janet," said Mrs. Freeman, "will you oblige me by showing Miss O'Hara -the schoolrooms and common rooms, and introducing her to one or two of -her companions? Go, my dear," she continued, "but remember, Bridget, -whether you are tired or not, I shall expect you to go to bed to-night -at nine o'clock. It is half-past eight now, so you have half an hour to -get acquainted with your schoolfellows." - -"My! what a minute!" said Miss Bridget, tossing back her abundant hair, -and slipping one firm, dimpled hand inside Janet's arm. "Well, come -on, darling," she continued, giving that young lady an affectionate -squeeze. "Let's make the most of our precious time. I'm dying to know -you all--I think you look so sweet. Who's that love of a girl in gray, -who sat next you at supper? She had golden hair, and blue eyes--not -like mine, of course, but well enough for English eyes. What's her -name, dear?" - -"I think you must mean Dorothy Collingwood," said Janet in her clear, -cold English voice. "May I ask if you have ever been at school before, -Miss O'Hara?" - -"Oh, good gracious me! don't call me Miss O'Hara. I'm Biddy to my -friends--Biddy O'Hara, at your service--great fun, too, I can tell you. -You ask my father what he thinks of me. Poor old gentleman, I expect -he's crying like anything this minute without his Biddy to coddle him. -He said I wanted polishing, and so he sent me here. I have never been -in England before, and I don't at all know if I will like it. By the -way, what's your name? I didn't quite catch it." - -"Janet May. This is the schoolroom where the sixth form girls do their -lessons. We have a desk each, of course. That room inside there is for -the fifth form. I wonder which you will belong to? How old are you?" - -"Now, how old would you think? Just you give a guess. Let me stand in -front of you, so that you can take a squint at me. Now, then--oh, I -say, stop a minute, I see some more girls coming in. Come along, girls, -and help Miss May to guess my age. Now, then, now then, I wonder who'll -be right? How you do all stare! I feel uncommonly as if I'd like to -dance the Irish jig!" - -Dorothy, Ruth, and Olive had now come into the schoolroom, and had -taken their places by Janet's side. She gave them a quick look, in -which considerable aversion to the newcomer was plainly visible, then -turned her head and gazed languidly out of the window. - -Bridget O'Hara bestowed upon the four girls who stood before her a -lightning glance of quizzical inquiry. She was a tall, fully developed -girl, and no one could doubt her claim to beauty who looked at her even -for a moment. - -Her eyes were of that peculiar, very dark, very deep blue, which seems -to be an Irish girl's special gift. Her eyelashes were thick and black, -her complexion a fresh white and pink, her chestnut hair grew in thick, -curly abundance all over her well-shaped head. Her beautifully cut -lips wore a petulant but charming expression. There was a provocative, -almost teasing, self-confidence about her, which to certain minds only -added to her queer fascination. - -"Now, how old am I?" she asked, stamping her arched foot. "Don't be -shy, any of you. Begin at the eldest, and guess right away. Now then, -Miss Collingwood--you see, I know your name--the age of your humble -servant, if _you_ please." - -Dorothy could not restrain her laughter. - -"How can I possibly tell you, Miss O'Hara?" she replied. "You are a -tall girl. Perhaps you are seventeen, although you look more." - -"Oh! hurrah, hurrah, hurrah! What will my dear dad say when I tell him -that? Biddy O'Hara seventeen! Don't I wish I were! Oh, the lovely balls -I'd be going to if those were my years! Now, another guess. It's your -turn now--you, little brown one there--I haven't caught your name, -darling. Is it Anne or Mary? Most girls are called either Anne or Mary." - -"My name is Ruth," replied the girl so addressed, "and I can't guess -ages. Come, Olive, let us find our French lessons and go." - -"Oh, I declare, the little dear is huffed about something! Well, then, -I'll tell. _I'll be fifteen in exactly a month from now!_ What do you -say to that? I'm well grown, am I not, Janet?" - -"Did you speak?" asked Miss May in her coldest tones. - -"Yes, darling, I did. Shall we go into the common room now? I'm dying -to see it." - -"I'm afraid I have no more time to show you any of the house this -evening," answered Janet. "The common room is very much the shape of -this one, only without the desks. I have some of my studies to look -over, so I must wish you good-evening." - -Bridget O'Hara's clear blue eyes were opened a little, wider apart. - -For the first time there was a faint hesitation in her manner. - -"But Mrs. Freeman said----" she began. - -"That I was to take you round and introduce you to a few companions," -continued Janet hastily. "Miss Collingwood, Miss O'Hara--Miss Moore, -Miss O'Hara--Miss Bury, Miss O'Hara. Now I have done my duty. If you -like to see the common room for yourself, you can go straight through -this folding door, turn to your left, see a large room directly facing -you; go into it, and you will find yourself in the common room. Now, -good-night." - -Janet turned away, and a moment later reached the door of the -schoolroom, where she was joined by Olive and Ruth. "Come," she said -to them, and the three girls disappeared, only too glad to vent their -feelings in the passage outside the schoolroom. Dorothy Collingwood -lingered behind her companions. "Never mind," she said to Biddy, "it is -rude of Janet to leave you, but she is sometimes a little erratic in -her movements. It is a way our Janey has, and of course no one is silly -enough to mind her." - -"You don't suppose I mind her?" exclaimed Bridget. "Rudeness always -shows ill-breeding, but it is still more ill-bred to notice it--at -least, that's what papa says. She spoke rather as if she did not like -me, which is quite incomprehensible, for everybody loves me at home." - -There was a plaintive note in the girl's voice, a wistful expression in -her eyes, which went straight to Dorothy's kind heart. - -"People will like you here too," she said. "I am certain you are -very good-natured; come and let me show you some of our snug little -arrangements in the common room, and then I think it will be time for -bed." - -"Oh, never mind about bed--I'm not the least sleepy." - -"But Mrs. Freeman wants you to go to bed early to-night." - -"Poor old dear! But wanting Biddy O'Hara to do a thing, and making -her do it, are two very different matters. I'll go to bed when I'm -tired--papa never expected me to go earlier at home. I declare I feel -quite cheerful again now that I have got to know you, Dorothy. Janet is -not at all to my taste, but you are. What a pretty name you have, and -you have an awfully sweet expression--such a dear, loving kind of look -in your eyes. Would you mind very much if I gave you a hug?" - -"I don't mind your kissing me, Bridget, only does not it seem a little -soon--I have not known you many minutes yet?" - -"Oh, you darling, what do minutes signify when one loves? There, Dolly, -I have fallen in love with you, and that's the fact. You shall come and -stay with me at the Castle in the summer, and I'll teach you to fire a -gun and to land a salmon. Oh, my dear, what larks we'll have together! -I'm so glad you're taking me round this house, instead of that stiff -Janet." - -Dorothy suppressed a faint sigh, took her companion's plump hand, and -continued the tour of investigation. - -The common room to which she conducted Miss O'Hara was entirely for the -use of the elder girls; the girls of the middle and the lower school -had other rooms to amuse themselves in. But this large, luxuriously -furnished apartment was entirely given up to the sixth and fifth-form -schoolgirls. - -The room was something like a drawing room, with many easy-chairs and -tables. Plenty of light streamed in from the lofty windows, and fell -upon knickknacks and brackets, on flowers in pots--in short, on the -many little possessions which each individual girl had brought to -decorate her favorite room. - -"We are each of us allowed a certain freedom here," said Dorothy. "You -see these panels? It is a great promotion to possess a panel. All the -girls who are allowed to have the use of this room cannot have one, -but the best of us can. Now behold! Open sesame! Shut your eyes for a -minute--you can open them again when I tell you. Now--you may look now." - -Bridget opened her eyes wide, and started at the transformation -scene which had taken place during the brief moment she had remained -in darkness. The room was painted a pale, cool green. The walls -were divided into several panels. One of these had now absolutely -disappeared, and in its place was a deep recess, which went far enough -back into the wall to contain shelves, and had even space sufficient -for a chair or two, a sewing machine, and one or two other sacred -possessions. - -"This is my panel," said Dorothy, "and these are my own special pet -things. I bring out my favorite chair when I want to use it, or to -offer it to a guest; I put it back when I have done with it. See these -shelves, they hold my afternoon tea set, my books, my paint box, my -workbasket, my photographic album--in short, all my dearest treasures." - -"I must have a cupboard like that," said Biddy. "Why, it's perfectly -delicious!" - -"Yes; you have got to earn it first, however," replied Miss -Collingwood, slipping back the pale green panel with a dexterous -movement. - -"Earn it--how? Do you mean pay extra for it? Oh, that can be easily -managed--I'll write to papa at once. He has heaps of money, even though -he is Irish, and he can deny me nothing. He's paying lots more for -me than most of the girls' fathers pay for them. That's why I have a -room to myself, and why I am to have riding lessons, and a whole heap -of things. But I mean to share all my little comforts with you, you -darling. Oh, if the cupboard is to be bought, I'll soon have one. Now -let us sit in this cosy, deep seat in the window, and put our arms -round one another and talk." The great clock in the stable struck nine. - -"Don't you hear the clock?" exclaimed Dorothy, unconscious relief -coming into her tones. - -"Yes, what a loud, metallic sound! We have such a dear old eight-day -clock at the Castle; it's said to be quite a hundred years old, and I'm -certain it's haunted. My dear Dolly, to hear that clock boom forth the -hour at midnight would make the stoutest heart quail." - -"Well, and our humble school clock ought to make your heart quail -if you don't obey it, Bridget. Seriously speaking, it is my duty to -counsel you, as a new girl, to go to bed at once." - -"The precious love, how nicely she talks, and how I love her gentle, -refined words. But, darling, I'm not going to bed, for I'm not tired." - -"But Mrs. Freeman said----" - -"Dolly, I will clap my hands over your rosebud lips if you utter -another word. Come, and let us sit in this deep window-seat and be -happy. Would you like to know what papa is doing at the Castle now?" - -"I don't think I ought to listen to you, Bridget." - -"Yes, you ought. I'm going to give you a lovely description. Papa has -had his dinner, and he's pacing up and down on the walk which hangs -over the lake. He is smoking a meerschaum pipe, and the dogs are with -him." - -"The dogs?" asked Dorothy, interested in spite of herself. - -"Yes, poor old Dandy, who is so lame and so affectionate, and Mustard -and Pepper, the dear little snappers, and Lemon. Poor darling, he is a -trial; we have called him Lemon because he exactly resembles the juice -of that fruit when it's most acrid and disagreeable. Lemon's temper -is the acknowledged trial of our kennel, but he loves my father, and -always paces up and down with him in the evening on the south walk. -Then of course there's Bruin, he's an Irish deerhound, and the darling -of my heart, and there's Pilate, the blind watchdog--oh! and Minerva. -I think that's about all. We have fox hounds, of course, but they are -not let out every day. I see my dear father now looking down at the -lake, and talking to the dogs, and thinking of me. O Dolly, Dolly, I'm -lonely, awfully lonely! Do pity me--do love me! O Dolly, my heart will -break if no one loves me!" - -Bridget's excitable eager words were broken by sobs; tears poured out -of her lovely eyes, her hands clasped Dorothy's with fervor. - -"Love me," she pleaded; "do love me, for I love you." - -It would have been impossible for a much colder heart than Dorothy -Collingwood's to resist her. - -"Yes, I will love you," she replied; "but please go to bed now, dear. -You really will get into trouble if you don't, and it seems such a pity -that you should begin your school life in disgrace." - -"Well, if I must go, and if you really wish it. Come with me to my -room, Dorothy. O Dolly, if you would sleep with me to-night!" - -"No, I can't do that; we have to obey rules at school, and one of our -strictest rules is that no girl is to leave her own bedroom without -special permission." - -"Then go and ask, darling. Find Mrs. Freeman, and ask her; it's so -easily done." - -"I cannot go, Bridget. Mrs. Freeman would not give me leave, and she -would be only annoyed at my making such a foolish proposition." - -"Oh, foolish do you call it?" A passing cloud swept over Bridget -O'Hara's face. It quickly vanished, however; she jumped up with a -little sigh. - -"I don't think I shall like school," she said, "but I'll do anything -you wish me to do, dearest Dorothy." - - - - -CHAPTER III. - -RIBBONS AND ROSES. - - -Dorothy shared the same bedroom as Ruth and Olive. Each girl, however, -had a compartment to herself, railed in by white dimity curtains, which -she could draw or not as she pleased. Dorothy's compartment was the -best in the room; it contained a large window looking out over the -flower garden, and commanding a good view of the sea. She was very -particular about her pretty cubicle, and kept it fresh with flowers, -which stood in brackets against the walls. - -Ruth and Olive slept in the back part of the room. They had a cubicle -each, of course, but they had not Dorothy's taste, and their little -bedrooms had a dowdy effect beside hers. - -They were both undressing when she entered the room this evening, but -the moment she appeared they rushed to her and began an eager torrent -of words. - -"Well, Dolly, have you got rid of that horrible incubus of a girl at -last? What a trial she will be in the school! She's the most ill-bred -creature I ever met in my life. What can Mrs. Freeman mean by taking -her in? Of course, she cannot even pretend to be a lady." - -"And there's such a fuss made about her, too," interrupted Olive. "A -carriage and pair sent to meet her, forsooth, and a separate room -for the darling to sleep in. It was good-natured of you to stay with -her, Dolly; I assure you Ruth, and Janet, and I could not have borne -another moment of her society." - -"She's not so bad at all," began Dorothy. - -"Oh, oh, oh! if you're going to take her part, that is the last straw." - -"I shan't allow her to be persecuted," said Dorothy, with some -firmness. "She's the most innocent creature I ever met in my life. -Fancy a girl of her age, who has simply never had a rebuff, who has -been petted, loved, made much of all her days, who looks at you -with the absolute fearlessness of a baby, and talks out her mind as -contentedly and frankly as a bird sings its song. I grant she's an -anomaly, but I'm not going to be the one to teach her how cruel the -world can be." - -"Oh, _if_ you take it up in that way," said Olive; but her words had a -faint sound about them--she was a girl who was easily impressed either -for good or evil. - -If Dorothy chose to take the new girl's part, she supposed there -was something in her, and would continue to suppose so until she -had a conversation with Janet, or anyone else, who happened to have -diametrically opposite opinions to Dorothy Collingwood. - -Dorothy went into her own little cubicle, drew her white dimity walls -tight, and, standing before the window, looked out at the summer -landscape. - -She had to own to herself that Bridget had proved a very irritating -companion. She would take her part, of course; but she felt quite -certain at the same time that she was going to be a trial to her. As -she stood by her window now, however, a little picture of the scene -which the Irish girl had described so vividly presented itself with -great distinctness before Dorothy's eyes. - -She saw the wild landscape, the steep gravel path which overhung the -lake, the old squire with his white hair, and tall but slightly bent -figure, pacing up and down, smoking his pipe and surrounded by his -dogs. Dorothy fancied how, on most summer evenings, Bridget, impetuous, -eager, and beautiful, walked by his side. She wondered how he had -brought himself to part with her. She gave a little sigh as she shut -the picture away from her mind, and as she laid her head on her pillow, -she resolved to be very kind to the new girl. - -Breakfast was at eight o'clock at Mulberry Court. The girls always -assembled a quarter of an hour before breakfast in the little chapel -for prayers. They were all especially punctual this morning, for they -wanted to get a good peep at Miss O'Hara. - -She was not present, however, and did not, indeed, put in an appearance -in the breakfast room until the meal was half over. - -She entered the room, then, in a long white embroidered dress, looped -up here, there, and everywhere with sky-blue ribbons. It was a charming -toilet, and most becoming to its wearer, but absolutely unsuitable for -schoolroom work. - -"How do you do, Mrs. Freeman?" said Bridget. "I'm afraid I'm a little -late; I overslept myself, and then I could not find the right belt for -this dress--it ought to be pale blue to match the ribbons, ought it -not? But as I could not lay my hand on it, I have put on this silver -girdle instead. Look at it, is it not pretty? It is real solid silver, -I assure you; Uncle Jack brought it me from Syria, and the workmanship -is supposed to be very curious. It's a trifle heavy, of course, but it -keeps my dress nice and tight, don't you think so?" - -"Yes, Bridget, very nice--go and take your place, my dear. There, -beside Janet May. Another morning I hope you will be in time for -prayers. Of course, we make all allowances the first day. Take your -place directly, breakfast is half over." - -Bridget raised her brows the tenth of an inch. The faintest shadow of -surprise crossed her sweet, happy face. Then she walked down the long -room, nodding and smiling to the girls. - -"How do you do, all of you?" she said. "Well, Janet, good-morning"; she -tapped Janet's indignant back with her firm, cool hand, and dropped -into her place. - -"Now, what shall I eat?" she said. "By the way, I hope there's a nice -breakfast, I'm awfully hungry. Oh, eggs! I like eggs when they're -_very_ fresh. Mrs. Freeman, are these new laid? do you keep your own -fowls? Father and I wouldn't touch eggs at the Castle unless we were -quite sure that they were laid by Sally, Sukey, or dear old Heneypeney." - -A titter ran down the table at these remarks; Mrs. Freeman bent to pick -up her pocket handkerchief, and Miss Delicia, rushing to Bridget's -side, began to whisper vigorously in her ear. - -"It is not the custom at school, my dear child, to make remarks about -what we eat. We just take what is put before us. Here's a nice piece -of bacon, dear, and some toast. Don't say anything more, I beg, or you -will annoy Mrs. Freeman." - -"Shall I really--how unfortunate; but she doesn't look a bad-tempered -woman, and what is there in wishing for fresh eggs? Stale eggs aren't -wholesome." - -"Do try not to make such a fool of yourself," repeated Janet, angrily, -in her ear. - -Bridget turned and looked at her companion in slow wonder. Janet's -remark had the effect of absolutely silencing her; she ate her bacon, -munched her toast, and drank off a cup of hot coffee in an amazingly -short time, then she jumped up, and shook the crumbs of her meal on to -the floor. - -"I've had enough," she said, nodding to Mrs. Freeman in her bright way. -"I'm going out into the garden now, to pick some roses." - -Bridget's movements were so fleet that the head mistress had no time to -intercept her; there was a flash of a white dress disappearing through -the open window, and that was all. - -The eyes of every girl in the room were fixed eagerly on their -mistress; they were all round with wonder, lips were slightly parted. -The girls felt that a volcano had got into their midst, an explosion -was imminent. This feeling of electricity in the air was very exciting; -it stirred the somewhat languid pulses of the schoolgirls. Surely -such an impulsive, such a daring, such an impertinent, and yet such a -bewitching girl had never been heard of before. How sweet she looked in -her white dress, how radiant was her smile. Those pearly white teeth of -hers, those gleaming, glancing eyes, that soft voice that could utter -such saucy words; oh! no wonder the school felt interested, and raised -out of itself. - -"My dears," said Mrs. Freeman, answering the looks on all faces, "your -young companion's extraordinary conduct can only be explained by the -fact that she has never been at school before. I am going out to the -garden to speak to her. You girls will now go as usual to your separate -schoolrooms and commence study." - -"Come, my dears," said Miss Patience to the girls near her, "let us -lose no more valuable time. Please don't scrape your chair in that -atrocious way, Alice. Rose, _what_ a poke! Susie, hold back your -shoulders. Now, young ladies, come to the schoolroom quietly; quietly, -if you please." - -Miss Patience had a thin voice, and her words fell like tiny drops of -ice on the girl's excited hearts. They followed their teachers with a -certain sense of flatness, and with very little desire to attend to -French verbs and German exercises. - -Dorothy Collingwood ran after Mrs. Freeman. - -"Please remember----" she began. - -"What is it, my dear?" The head mistress drew herself slightly up, and -looked in some surprise at her pupil. - -"I ought not to speak," said Dorothy, turning very red, "but if you are -going to be hard on Bridget----" - -"Am I ever hard to my pupils, my love?" - -"No, no--do forgive me!" - -"I think I understand you, Dorothy," said Mrs. Freeman. "Kiss me!" - -Miss Collingwood was turning away, when her mistress stretched out her -hand and drew her back. - -"I shall look to you to help me with this wild Irish girl," she said -with a smile. "Now, go to your lessons, my dear." - -Dorothy ran away at once, and Mrs. Freeman walked down the garden in -the direction where she had just seen a white dress disappearing. - -She called Bridget's name, but the wind, which was rather high this -morning, carried her voice away from the young girl, who was gayly -flitting from one rosebush to another, ruthlessly pulling the large, -full-blown flowers with buds attached. - -"I don't think I ever felt my temper more irritated," murmured the good -lady under her breath. "Why did I undertake an Irish girl, and one who -had never been from home before? Well, the deed is done now, and I -must not _show_ impatience, however I may _feel_ it. Bridget, my dear! -Bridget O'Hara! Do you hear me?" - -"Yes, what is it?" - -Biddy turned, arrested in her gay flight from rosebush to rosebush. - -As she cut the blossoms off, she flung them into her white skirt, -which she had raised in front for the purpose. Now, as she ran to meet -Mrs. Freeman, the skirt tumbled down, and the roses--red, white, and -crimson--fell on the ground at her feet. - -"Bridget, do look," said Mrs. Freeman; "you have trodden on that lovely -bud!" - -"Oh, I am sorry!" - -Miss O'Hara stooped carelessly to pick it up. "Poor little bud!" she -said, laying it on her hand. "But there are such a lot of you--such a -lot! Still, it seems a pity to crush your sweetness out." - -"It is more than a pity, Bridget," said her governess in a severe tone. -"I am sorry to have to open your eyes, my dear child; but in picking -any of my roses you have taken an unwarrantable liberty." - -"What?" said Bridget, coloring high. "Do you mean seriously to tell me -that I--I am not to pick flowers? I think I must have heard you wrong! -Please say it again!" - -"You are not to pick flowers, Miss O'Hara; it is against the rules of -the school." - -"Oh, how very funny--how--how unpleasant. Did you tell papa about that -when he arranged to send me here?" - -"I did not specially mention the flowers, my dear. There are many rules -in full force at Mulberry Court, and the pupils are expected to obey -them all." - -"How disagreeable! I can't live without flowers. I suppose papa will -not expect me to stay if I don't like the place?" - -"He will expect you to stay until the end of the term." - -"Good gracious, why, that's weeks off! I can't live without flowers for -weeks! Look here, Mrs. Freeman; is there not to be an exception made -for me? Papa said, when I was coming here, that my happiness was to be -the first thing considered. Don't you agree with him? Don't you wish me -to be very, very happy?" - -"I do, my love. But your truest happiness is not secured by giving you -your own way in everything." - -"Oh, but I hate self-denial, and that dreadful motto--'No cross, no -crown.' I'm like a butterfly--I can't live without sunshine. Papa -agrees with me that sunshine is necessary for life." - -"So it is, Bridget. But you will permit me, an old woman compared to -you, to point out a fact--the self-denying people are the happy ones, -the selfish are the miserable. Take your own way now in your youth, -sip each pleasure as it comes, turn from the disagreeables, trample on -those who happen to be in your way, as you did on that rosebud just -now, and you will lay up misery for yourself in the future. You will be -a very wretched woman when you reach my age." - -"How solemnly you speak," said Bridget, tears coming slowly up and -filling her eyes. "Is that a sermon? It makes me feel as if someone -were walking over my grave. Why do you say things of that sort? I'm -superstitious, you know. I'm very easily impressed. You oughtn't to do -it--you oughtn't to frighten a stranger when she has just come over to -your hard, cold sort of country." - -"But, my dear child, our hearts are not cold. I assure you, Bridget, I -am most anxious to win your love, and so also is Dorothy Collingwood." - -"Is she? I love her--she is a sweet darling! And you really want me -to love you, Mrs. Freeman? Well, then, I will. Take a hug now--there, -that's comfortable." - -Bridget's arms were flung impulsively round her governess's neck, and -then one hand was tucked within the good lady's arm. - -Mrs. Freeman could not help uttering a faint, inward sigh. - -"I must break you in gradually, dear," she said. "As this is your first -day at school you need not do any lessons, but you must come with me -presently to the schoolroom in order that I may find out something -about your attainments." - -"My attainments! Good gracious, I haven't any!" - -"Don't say 'good gracious,' Bridget; it's a very ugly way of expressing -yourself. You have learnt something, haven't you?" - -"Learnt something? I should rather think I have. You question me on -dogs, their different breeds, and their complaints! Do you know, Mrs. -Freeman, what's the best thing to do for a dog if he shows signs of -distemper?" - -"I don't mean that sort of learning, Bridget. I mean what you acquire -from books--grammar, French, music." - -"I adore music; I play by ear all the old Irish jigs and the melodies. -Oh, doesn't father cry when I play 'The Harp that once through Tara's -Halls,' and 'She is far from the Land,' and 'The Minstrel Boy.' And oh, -Mrs. Freeman, even you, though you are a bit old and stiff, could not -help dancing if I strummed 'Garry Owen' for you." - -"Well, my dear, you must play it for me some evening, but we don't -allow _strumming_ at the Court." - -"Oh, good gra----! I mean, mercy Moses!" - -"That's as bad as the other expression, Bridget." - -"I expect I shan't be allowed to talk at all." - -"Yes, you will. You'll soon learn to control your tongue and to speak -in a ladylike way." - -"I loathe ladylike ways." - -"Now, my dear child, will you come into the house with me? I ought to -be in the schoolroom now." - -"Please wait one moment, Mrs. Freeman." - -"Yes, my dear, what is it?" - -"Are you going to be cross when you find I don't know your sort of -things?" - -"I hope not, Bridget." - -"It will be awfully unfair if you are, for I could pose you finely on -my subjects. What's the first thing to do for a dog who shows symptoms -of hydrophobia? How do you land a salmon? What keeps a gun from -kicking? How does a dear old daddy like his pipe filled with tobacco? -What is the best way to keep your seat when you ride bare-backed, and -the horse runs away? Ha, ha, I thought I'd pose you. I could have a -very jolly school of my own, if I tried." - -"Bridget, my dear, before you come into the schoolroom I must request -that you go upstairs and change your dress." - -"Change my dress! Now I really _don't_ understand you. Am I to come -down in my dressing-gown?" - -"No. You are to take off that unsuitable afternoon costume you are now -wearing, and put on a neat print dress for your morning work." - -"This is the very plainest dress I possess, Mrs. Freeman; I pulled a -lot out of my trunk this morning to look at them. There was a sky-blue -delaine with coffee lace, and a pink surah, and----" - -"Spare me, my dear. I really am in too great a hurry to hear a list of -your wardrobe. Is it possible that your father sent you to school with -all that heap of finery, and nothing sensible to wear?" - -"It wasn't father, it was Aunt Kathleen. She chose my outfit in Paris. -Oh, I do think it's lovely. I do feel that it's hard to be crushed on -every point." - -"Well, dear, you are not to blame. I shall take you to Eastcliff this -afternoon, and order some plain dresses to be made up for you." - -"Oh, goodness--no, I mustn't--mercy! nor that either; oh, I--I _say_, -Mrs. Freeman, don't let the new dresses be frumpy, or I'll break my -heart. I do so adore looking at myself in a lovely dress." - -"Come into the schoolroom with me," said Mrs. Freeman. She was -wondering how it would be possible for her to keep Bridget O'Hara in -her school. - - - - -CHAPTER IV. - -THE QUEEN OF THE SCHOOL. - - -It is not an easy matter to break in a wild colt, and this was the -process which had now to take place with regard to the new girl, whose -eccentricities and daring, whose curious mixture of ignorance and -knowledge, of affectionate sympathy and careless levity, made her at -once the adored and detested of her companions. - -In every sense of the word Bridget was unexpected. She had an -extraordinary aptitude for arithmetic, and took a high place in the -school on account of her mathematics. The word mathematics, however, -she had never even heard before. She could gabble French as fluently -as a native, but did not know a word of the grammar. She had a perfect -ear for music, could sing like a bird, and play any air she once heard, -but she could scarcely read music at all, and was refractory and -troublesome when asked to learn notes. - -"Just play the piece over to me," she said to her master. "I'll do -it if you play it over. Yes, that's it--tum, tum, tummy, tum, tum. -Oughtn't you to crash the air out a bit there? I think you ought. Yes, -that's it--_isn't_ it lovely? Now let me try." - -Her attempts were extremely good, but when it came to laboriously -struggling through her written score, all was hopeless confusion, -tears, and despair. - -With each fresh study Bridget showed the queer vagaries of a really -clever mind run more or less to seed. She did everything in a dramatic, -excitable style--she was all on wires, scarcely ever still, laughing -one moment, weeping the next; the school had never known such a time as -it underwent during the first week of her residence among them. - -After that period she found her place to a certain extent, made some -violent friends and some active enemies, was adored by the little -girls, on whom she showered lollipops, kisses, and secrets, and was -disliked more or less by every girl in the sixth and fifth form, -Dorothy Collingwood excepted. - -All this time Miss Percival, the head girl of the school, was absent. -She had been ill, and had gone home for a short change. She did not -return until Bridget had been at the Court a fortnight. - -By this time the preparations for the Fancy Fair were in active -progress. Janet May had obtained her own wish with regard to the -Committee, each member of which was allowed to choose a band of workers -under herself, to make articles for the coming sale. - -The Fair was the great event to which the girls looked forward, and in -the first excitement of such an unusual proceeding each of them worked -with a will. - -Janet was the heart and soul of everything. She was a girl with a -great deal of independence of character; she was not destitute of -ambition--she was remarkable for common sense--she was sharp in her -manner, downright in her words, and capable, painstaking, and energetic -in all she did. - -She was a dependable girl--clever up to a certain point, nice to those -with whom she agreed, affectionate to the people who did not specially -prize her affection. - -Janet was never known to lose her temper, but she had a sarcastic -tongue, and people did not like to lay themselves open to the cutting -remarks which often and unsparingly fell from her lips. - -She used this tongue most frequently on Bridget O'Hara, but for the -first time she was met by a wondering, puzzled, good-humored, and -non-comprehending gaze. - -"What does Janet mean?" Bridget would whisper to her nearest companion. -"_Is_ she saying something awfully clever? I'm sorry that I'm stupid--I -don't quite catch her meaning." - -These remarks usually turned the tables against Janet May, but they -also had another effect. She began to be sparing of her sharp, unkind -words in Bridget's hearing. This, however, did not prevent her hating -the new girl with the most cordial hatred she had ever yet bestowed -upon anyone. - -Bridget was a fortnight at the school, and had more or less shaken down -into her place, when the evening arrived on which Miss Percival was to -return. - -Dorothy, Bridget, and a number of the girls of the lower school were -walking up and down a broad road which led to the shore. They were -talking and laughing. The smaller girls were dancing and running about -in their eagerness. Some very funny proposal had undoubtedly been made, -and much explosive mirth was the result. - -Janet and Olive Moore were returning slowly to the house after a -vigorous game of tennis. They stopped to look down at the group who -surrounded Dorothy. - -"We have lost her," said Olive, with a sigh. - -"Lost whom?" answered Janet in her tart voice. - -"Why, Dorothy Collingwood; she has gone over to the ranks of the enemy." - -"What do you mean, Olive?" Olive turned and looked at Janet. - -"You know perfectly well what I mean," she answered; "you know who the -enemy is--at least you know who is your enemy." - -"I never knew before that I had an enemy," said Janet, in her guarded -voice. - -Olive looked at her steadily. - -"Come now, Janet," she said, "confession is good for the soul--own--now -do own that you cordially hate the new girl, Bridget O'Hara." - -"I'm sick of the new girl," said Janet; "if you are going to talk -about her I shall go into the house; I want to look over my French -preparation. M. le Comte is coming to-morrow morning, and he is so -frightfully over-particular that I own I'm a little afraid of him." - -"Nonsense, Janet, you know you're one of the best French scholars in -the school. You won't get out of answering my question by that flimsy -excuse. Don't you hate Miss O'Hara?" - -"Hate her?" said Janet; "there must be a certain strength about a girl -to make you hate her. I've a contempt for Bridget, but I don't rouse -myself to the exertion of hating." - -"Oh, well; it's all the same," said Olive. "You won't admit the feeling -that animates your breast, but I know that it is there, _cherie_. Now -I have got something to confess on my own account--I don't like her -either." - -"You have too good taste to like her, Olive, but do let us talk about -something more interesting. How are you getting on with that table -cover for the fair?" - -"Oh, I'll come to that by and by; now about Miss O'Hara. Janet, I deny -that she's weak." - -"You deny that she's weak," repeated Janet. "I wonder what your idea of -strength is, Olive." - -"She's not learned, I admit," replied Olive, "but weak! no, she's -not weak; no weak character could be so audacious, so fearless, so -indifferent to her own ignorance." - -"If she had any strength, she'd be ashamed of her ignorance," retorted -Janet. - -"I don't agree with you," answered Olive. "Strength shows itself in -many forms. Miss O'Hara is pretty." - -"Pretty," interrupted Janet, scorn curling her lip. - -"Yes, Janet, she's pretty and she's rich, and she's destitute of fear. -She is quite certain to have her own party in the school. I repeat," -continued Olive, "that there is no weakness in Bridget. I grant that -she is about the most irritating creature I know, but weak she is not." - -"Well, well," interrupted Janet impatiently, "have your own way, Olive. -Make that tiresome, disagreeable girl a female Hercules if you fancy, -only cease to talk about her. That is all I have to beg." - -"I must say one thing," replied Olive, "and then I will turn to a more -congenial theme. I hope Evelyn Percival won't take Miss O'Hara's part. -You know, Janet, what strong prejudices Evelyn has." - -"Oh, don't I!" said Janet, stamping her small foot. - -"And if she happens to fancy Bridget she won't mind a word we say -against her. She never does mind what anyone says. You know that, -Janet." - -"I know," echoed Janet, a queer angry light filling her eyes for a -minute. "Oh, dear! oh, dear! What with our examinations and the Fancy -Fair, and all this worry about the new girl, life scarcely seems worth -living--it really doesn't." - -"Poor darling!" said Olive, in a sympathetic tone. "I thought I'd tell -you, Janet, that whatever happened I'd take your part." - -"Thanks!" said Janet calmly. - -She looked at her friend with a cool, critical eye. - -Olive Moore belonged to the toadying faction in the school. Toadies, -however, can be useful, and Janet was by no means above making use of -Olive in case of need. - -She scrutinized Olive's face now, a slightly satirical expression -hovering round her somewhat thin lips. - -"Thanks!" she repeated again. "If I want your help I'll ask for it, -Olive. I'm going into the house now, for I really must get on with my -preparation." - -Janet turned away, and Olive was obliged to look out for a fresh -companion to attach herself to. - -She looked at the merry group on the lawn, and a desire to join them, -even though of course she knew she was in no sense one of them, came -over her. - -She ran lightly down the grassy slope, and touched Dorothy on her arm. - -"I'm here, Dolly," she said, in her rather wistful manner. - -"Oh, well; it's all right for you to be here, I suppose," said Dorothy. -"What were you saying, Bridget? I didn't catch that last sentence of -yours." - -"I was going up the staircase," continued Bridget. "I held a lighted -candle in my hand. It was an awful night--you should have heard the -wind howling. We keep some special windbags of our own at the Castle, -and when we open the strings of one, why--well, there is a hurricane, -that's all." - -"Oh, she's telling a story," whispered Olive under her breath. She -settled herself contentedly to listen. - -"Go on; tell us quickly what you did with the candle, Biddy!" cried -little Violet, pulling her new friend by the arm. - -"Don't shake me so, Vi, my honey; I'm coming to the exciting place--now -then. Well, as I was going up the stairs all quite lonely, and by -myself, never a soul within half a mile of me----" - -"But your castle isn't half a mile big," said Katie, another small -girl. "And you did say your father lived there with you, and, of -course, there must have been some servants." - -"Well, dear, well! half a mile is a figure of speech. That's a way -we have in Ireland--we figure of speech everything; it's much more -graphic. Now, to go on. I was running up the stairs with my candle, and -the wind rushing after me like mad, and the Castle rocking as if it -were in an agony, when---- What do you think happened?" - -"What?" said Katie, her eyes growing big with fascination and alarm. - -"The wind dropped as if it were dead. After screeching as if it had the -tongues of hundreds of Furies, it was mummer than the timidest mouse -that ever crept. The Castle ceased to rock; it was the suddenest and -deadest calm you could possibly imagine. It was miles more frightful -than the storm. Just then there came a little puff of a breeze out of -the solid stone wall, and out went my candle." - -"O Bridget!" exclaimed the little girls, starting back in affright. - -"Bridget, you are talking a great deal of nonsense," said Dorothy, "and -I for one am not going to listen to you. We are much too sensible to -believe in ghost stories here, and there is no use in your trying to -frighten us. Good-by, all of you; I am off to the house!" - -Dorothy detached herself from Bridget's clinging arm, and ran quickly -up the sloping lawn. - -Bridget stood and watched her. Olive kept a little apart, and the -smaller girls clustered close together, watching their new friend's -face with interest and admiration. - -The Irish girl looked certainly pretty enough to win any number of -susceptible small hearts at that moment. Her pale blue dress set off -her graceful figure and fair complexion to the best advantage. Her -mirthful, lovely eyes were raised to follow Dorothy as she disappeared -into the house. Her lips were parted in a mischievous smile. She raised -one hand to push back the rebellious locks of chestnut curls from her -forehead. - -"Now, Biddy, go on, Biddy!" exclaimed the children. "We love ghost -stories, so do tell us more about the candle." - -"No!" said Bridget. "_She_ says they aren't good for you, so you shan't -have them. Let's think of some more fun. Who's that new girl, who, you -say, is going to arrive to-night?" - -"New girl!" exclaimed Katie, "why, she's about the very oldest girl in -the school--the oldest and the nicest. She's the head of the school. -We call her our queen. She's not like you, Biddy, of course; but she's -very nice--awfully nice!" - -"And what's the darling's name?" asked Bridget. - -"Evelyn Percival. Doesn't it sound pretty?" - -"Faix, then, it does, honey. I'm all agog to see this lovely queen. Why -has she been absent so long? Doesn't Mrs. Freeman require any lessons -of the sweet creature? Oh, then, it's I that would like to be in her -shoes, if that's the case." - -"She has been ill, Biddy," said Violet. "Evelyn has been ill, but she -is better now; she's coming back to-night. We are all glad, for we all -love her." - -"Let's run down the road, then, and give her a welcome," said Bridget. -"In Ireland we'd take the horses off the carriage, and draw her home -ourselves. Of course, we can't do that, but we might go to meet her, -waving branches of trees, and we might raise a hearty shout when we saw -her coming. Come along, girls--what a lark! I'll show you how we do -this sort of thing in old Ireland! Come! we'll cut down boughs as we go -along. Come! be quick, be quick!" - -"But we are not allowed to cut the boughs, Bridget," said Katie. - -"And we are not allowed to go out of the grounds by ourselves," cried -several other voices. - -"We are not by ourselves when we are together," replied Bridget. "Come -along, girls, don't be such little despicable cowards! I'll square -it with Mrs. Freeman. You trust _me_. Mrs. Freeman will forgive us -everything when the queen is coming back. Now, do let's be quick, we -haven't a minute to lose!" - -Small girls are easily influenced, and Bridget and her tribe rushed -down the avenue, shouting and whooping as they went. - -Olive had no inclination to join them. They had taken no notice of her, -and she was not sufficiently fascinated by Bridget to run any risk for -her sake. She knew that her present proceedings were wrong, but she -was not at all brave enough to raise her voice in protest. She walked -slowly back to the house, wondering whether she should go and tell -Janet, or sink down lazily on a cozy seat and go on with a story book -which was sticking out of her pocket. - -As she was approaching the house she was met by Miss Delicia, who -stopped to speak kindly to her. - -"Well, my dear child," she said, "I suppose you, like all the rest of -us, are on tenter hooks for our dear Evelyn's return. From the accounts -we received this morning, she seems to be quite well and strong again, -and it _will_ be such a comfort to have her back. I don't know how it -is, but the school is quite a different place when she is there." - -"We'll all be delighted to have her again, of course," said Olive. "And -is she really quite well, Miss Delicia?" - -"Yes, my love, or she would not be returning." - -Miss Delicia hurried on, intent on some housewifely mission, and Olive -entering the house went down a long stone passage which led to the -sixth form schoolroom. - -Janet was there, busily preparing her French lesson for M. le Comte. -She was a very ambitious girl, and was determined to carry off as many -prizes as possible at the coming midsummer examinations. She scarcely -raised her eyes when Olive appeared. - -"Janet!" - -"Yes, Olive; I'm very busy. Do you want anything?" - -"Only to tell you that that pet of yours, Bridget O'Hara, is likely to -get herself into a nice scrape. She has run down the road with a number -of the small fry to meet Evelyn. They are taking boughs of trees with -them, and are going to shout, or do something extraordinary, when they -see her arriving. Janet, what's the matter? How queer you look!" - -"I'm very busy, Olive; I wish you'd go away!" - -"But you look queer. Are you frightened about anything?" - -"No, no; what nonsense you talk! What is there to be frightened about? -Do go; I can't learn this difficult French poetry while you keep -staring at me!" - -"I wish you'd say what you think about Bridget. Isn't she past -enduring, getting all the little ones to disobey like this? Why, she -might be expelled! Yes, Janet; yes, I'm going. You needn't look at me -as if you'd like to eat me!" - -Olive left the room with slow, unwilling footsteps, and Janet bent her -head over the copy of Moliere she was studying. - -"Nothing in the world could be stupider than French poetry," she -muttered. "How am I to get this into my head? What a nuisance Olive is -with her stories--she has disturbed my train of thoughts. Certainly, -it's no affair of mine what that detestable wild Irish girl does. I -shall always hate her, and whatever happens I can never get myself to -tolerate Evelyn. Now, to get back to my poetry. I have determined to -win this prize. I won't think of Evelyn and Bridget any more." - -Janet bent her fair face again over the open page; a faint flush had -risen in each of her cheeks. - -She was beginning to collect her somewhat scattered thoughts, when the -door was opened suddenly, and, to her surprise, Mrs. Freeman came into -the room. - -"Pardon me for disturbing you," she said; "I did not know anyone was in -the schoolroom at present." - -"I am looking over my French lesson, madam," answered Janet, in her -respectful tones. "It's a little more difficult than usual, and I -thought I'd have a quiet half hour here, trying to master it." - -"Quite right, Janet, I am glad you are so industrious. I won't disturb -you for more than a minute, my love. I just want to look out of this -window. It is the only one that commands a view of the road from -Eastcliff. Evelyn ought to be here by now." - -Janet did not say any more. She bent forward, ostensibly to renew her -studies, in reality to hide a jealous feeling which surged up in her -heart. - -What a fuss everyone _was_ making about that stupid Evelyn Percival. -Here was the head mistress even quite in a fume because she was a -minute or two late in putting in an appearance. - -It really was too absurd. Janet could not help fidgeting almost audibly. - -"Janet," said Mrs. Freeman, "come here for a moment. I want you to use -your young eyes. Do you see any carriage coming down the hill?" - -Janet sprang from her seat with apparent alacrity. - -"Look, dear," said the governess. "What is that distant speck? I am so -terribly near-sighted that I cannot make out whether it is a carriage -or cart of some sort." - -"It is a covered wagon," said Janet. "I see it quite plainly. There is -no carriage at all in view, Mrs. Freeman." - -"My dear, I must tell you that I am a little anxious. Hickman took that -shying horse, Caspar, to bring Evelyn home. I intended Miss Molly to -have been sent for her. Dear Evelyn is still so nervous after her bad -illness that I would not for the world have her startled in any way. -And really, Caspar gets worse and worse. What is the matter, Janet? -_You_ have started now." - -"Nothing," replied Janet. "I--I--shall I run out to the front, Mrs. -Freeman, and listen if I can hear the carriage? You can hear it a very -long way off from the brow of the hill." - -"Do, my love, and call to me if you do. I would not have that dear girl -frightened for the world. I am more vexed than I can say with Hickman." - -Janet ran out of the room. Her heart was beating hard and fast. Should -she tell Mrs. Freeman what Olive had just confided to her, that Bridget -and a number of the smaller children of the school had rushed down the -road to meet Evelyn, carrying boughs in their hands, and doubtless -shouting loudly in their glee? - -Caspar was a sensitive horse; even Janet, who had no physical fear -about her, disliked the way he started, and shied sometimes at his own -shadow. It was scarcely likely that he would bear the shock which all -those excited children would give him. - -Oh, yes, she ought to tell; and yet--and yet---- - -She stood wavering with her own conscience. Caspar was nervous, but he -was not vicious. - -All that could possibly happen would be a little fright for Evelyn, -and a larger measure of disgrace for Bridget. And why should Janet -interfere? Why should she tell tales of her schoolfellows? Her story -would be misinterpreted by that faction of the girls who already had -made Bridget their idol. - -No, there was nothing to be alarmed about. Evelyn was too silly, with -her nerves and her fads. Janet stood by the bend of the hill. Her -thoughts were so busy that she scarcely troubled herself to listen for -the approaching carriage. - -She stood for a minute or two, then walked slowly back to the window, -out of which her schoolmistress leaned. - -"I don't hear any sound whatever, Mrs. Freeman," she said, "but please -don't be alarmed; Evelyn's train may have been late." - -"Hark! Stop talking!" said Mrs. Freeman. - -There was a sound, a commotion. Several steps were heard; eager voices -were raised in expostulation and distress. - -"Let me go," said the head mistress. - -She stepped out of the open window, and walked rapidly across the wide -gravel sweep. - -Alice, Violet, and several more of the little girls were running and -tumbling up the grassy slope. The moment they saw Mrs. Freeman they -ran to her. - -"Oh, come at once!" said Violet, "there has been an accident, and -Evelyn is hurt. Bridget is with her. Come, come at once!" - -The child's words were almost incoherent. Alice, who was not quite so -excitable, began to pour out a queer story. - -"I know we've all been awfully naughty, but we didn't think Caspar -would mind the boughs. He turned sharp round and something happened -to the wheels of the carriage--and--and--oh, Mrs. Freeman, do come. I -think Evelyn must be dead, she's lying so still." - -"Are you there, Janet?" said Mrs. Freeman. "Go into the house, and ask -Miss Patience to follow me down the road. And see that someone goes -for Dr. Hart. Alice, you can come back with me. The rest of the little -girls are to go into the playroom, and to stay there until I come to -them." - -Mrs. Freeman spoke calmly, but there was a look about her face which -gave Janet a very queer sensation. The schoolmistress took Alice's -hand, and walked as quickly as she could to the scene of the accident. - -The carriage lay smashed a couple of hundred yards from the gates of -the avenue. - -Bridget was sitting in the middle of the dusty road with a girl's head -on her lap. The girl's figure was stretched out flat and motionless; -her hat was off, and Bridget was pushing back some waves of fair hair -from her temples. - -"It's all my fault, Mrs. Freeman," said Bridget O'Hara, looking up with -a tear-stained face at her governess. "_I_ made the children come, and -_I_ made them cut the branches off the trees, and we ran, and shouted -as we ran. I didn't think it would do any harm, it was all a joke, and -to welcome her, for they said she was the queen, but no one is to blame -in all the wide world but me." - -"Oh, what a wicked girl you are," said Mrs. Freeman, roused out of -her customary gentle manner by the sight of Evelyn's motionless form. -"I can't speak to you at this moment, Bridget O'Hara; go away, leave -Evelyn to me. Evelyn, my darling, look at me, speak to me--say you are -not hurt!" - -When Mrs. Freeman told Bridget to go away and leave her, the Irish girl -stopped playing with the tendrils of hair on Evelyn's forehead, and -looked at her governess with a blank expression stealing over her face. - -She did not attempt to rise to her feet, however, and Mrs. Freeman was -far too much absorbed to take any further notice of her. - -"If I had only some smelling salts," she began. - -Bridget slipped her hand into her pocket, and pulled out an exquisitely -embossed vinaigrette. - -The governess took it without a word, and opening it applied it to -Evelyn's nostrils. - -After two or three applications the injured girl stirred faintly, a -shade of color came into her cheeks, and she opened her eyes. - -"There, thank Heaven, I haven't killed her!" exclaimed Bridget. - -She burst into sudden frantic weeping. - -"I believe I am more frightened than hurt," said Miss Percival, -struggling to sit up, and smiling at Mrs. Freeman, "I'm so awfully -sorry that I've lost my nerve. Where am I? what has happened? I only -remember Caspar turning right round and looking at me, and some people -shouting, and then the carriage went over, and I cannot recall anything -more. But I don't think--no--I am sure I am not seriously hurt." - -"Thank God for that, my darling," said Mrs. Freeman. She put her arm -round the young girl, kissed her tenderly, and drew her away from -Bridget. - - - - -CHAPTER V. - -BREAKING IN A WILD COLT. - - -Miss Percival's accident, and Bridget O'Hara's share in it, were the -subjects of conversation not only that night, but the next morning. - -The doctor had come to see Evelyn, had pronounced her whole in limb, -and not as much shaken by her fall out of her carriage as might have -been expected. After prescribing a day in bed, and all absence of -excitement, he went away, promising to look in again in a few days. - -Mrs. Freeman breathed a sigh of relief. - -"And now," she said, turning to her two sisters, "the question of -questions is this: what is to be done with Bridget O'Hara? Is she to -continue at Mulberry Court after such a daring act of disobedience? -Must the safety of the other scholars be sacrificed to her?" - -"I'd punish her very severely," said Miss Patience. "I am sure -punishment is what she wants. She ought to be broken in." - -"I don't believe you'll ever drive her," said Miss Delicia. "I know -that sort of character. It's only hardened when it's driven." - -"I shall do nothing to-night," said Mrs. Freeman. "But to-morrow, -after morning school, I must speak to Bridget. Her conduct during that -interview will more or less decide what steps I must take." - -The next morning, after breakfast, Mrs. Freeman went upstairs to sit -with her favorite Evelyn. - -Evelyn Percival, the head girl of the school, was now between -seventeen and eighteen years of age. She was a rather pale, rather -plain girl; her forehead was broad and low, which gave indications of -thoughtfulness more than originality; her wide open gray eyes had a -singularly sweet expression; they were surrounded by dark eyelashes, -and were the best features in a face which otherwise might have -appeared almost insignificant. - -But plain as Evelyn undoubtedly was, no one who knew her long ever -remarked about her appearance, or gave a second thought to the fact -that she could lay small claim to physical beauty. - -There was a spirit that shone out of those gray eyes, and lent -sweetness to that mouth, which was in itself so beautiful that it -radiated all over Evelyn, and gave her that strong fascination which -those who are striving heavenward ever possess. - -She never came into a room without exercising in a silent, unobtrusive, -very gentle way, a marked effect for good. - -Uncharitable talk about others ceased when Evelyn drew near. -Selfishness slunk away ashamed. - -All the other girls in the school tried to be good when Evelyn was by, -not because she would reproach them, but because she had a certain way -about her which made goodness so attractive that they were forced to -follow it. - -She was not a specially clever girl, nevertheless she was now, in -virtue of her seniority, and a certain painstaking determination, which -made her capable of mastering her studies, at the head of the school. - -There are some jealous people who dislike the beautiful because they -are beautiful, the good because they are good. Girls with this special -character are to be found in every school. Janet May was one of them, -but perhaps in the whole of Mulberry Court she was the only person who -at this juncture cordially disliked Evelyn Percival. - -"It is delightful to have you back again," said Mrs. Freeman, bending -over her pupil and kissing her. "And really, Evelyn, you look almost -well. Oh, my dear child, what a fright I got about you last night." - -"But I'm all right to-day," said Evelyn, in her bright voice. "I don't -feel any bad effects whatever from my accident. I can't think why I was -so stupid as to faint, and give you a fright. I ought really to have -more control over my nerves." - -"My dear, you have been ill, which accounts for your nervousness. But -in any case a person with the stoutest nerves may be pardoned for -fainting if she is flung out of a carriage. I cannot imagine how you -escaped as you have done." - -"I feel quite well," replied Evelyn, "quite well, and disinclined to -stay in bed. I want to get up and see all my friends. You don't know -how I have been looking forward to this." - -"You shall see the girls one at a time in your room, darling, for -whether you feel well or not, the doctor wishes you to remain quiet -to-day." - -Evelyn gave a very faint sigh, and turning her head looked out of the -window. - -Mrs. Freeman went over and drew back the curtains. - -"You can watch the sea from your bed, my dear," she said, "and I will -send Dorothy to sit with you after morning school. Now I want to ask -you if you can give any idea of how the accident occurred?" - -A slight additional color came into Miss Percival's cheeks. - -"Caspar shied at something," she said. - -"Yes, but at what?" - -"Well, Mrs. Freeman, you know how fond the children are of me, and I of -them. They came to meet me, several of the little ones, and one tall, -beautiful girl, whom I do not know. Perhaps they were all over-excited. -They shouted a good deal, and waved branches of trees. Poor Caspar -evidently could not stand it; but they really did nothing that anyone -could blame them about." - -"Nonsense, Evelyn. They disobeyed my most stringent orders. Are they -not to be blamed for that?" - -"Hadn't they got leave to come to meet me?" - -"No, it was that wild Irish girl's doing. I really don't know what to -do with her." - -"Is she the beautiful girl who was the ringleader? I don't think I ever -saw anyone with such presence of mind. She absolutely caught me as I -was flung out of the carriage. I felt her arms round me; that was why I -was not hurt." - -"Yes, I am sure she has a good deal of physical courage, but that -does not alter the fact of her having defied my authority and led the -children into mischief." - -"Poor girl!" said Evelyn, a wistful expression coming into her eyes. - -"Now, my dear, you are not going to plead for her. I must manage her my -own way. I will leave you now, Evelyn. Rest all you can, dear, and if -you are very good you may perhaps be allowed to join us at supper." - -Mrs. Freeman left her pupil's room, and went downstairs. - -Evelyn Percival was one of the few girls in the school who was -privileged to have a room to herself. Her little room was prettily -draped in white and pink. It was called the Pink Room, and adjoined the -Blue Room, which was occupied by Bridget O'Hara. - -On her way downstairs Mrs. Freeman stepped for a moment into Bridget's -room. Her pupil's large traveling trunks had been removed to the box -room, but many showy dresses and much finery of various sorts lay -scattered about. - -Bridget was evidently not blessed with the bump of order. Valuable -rings and bracelets lay, some on the mantelpiece, some on the dressing -table; ribbons, scarfs, handkerchiefs, littered the chairs, the -chest of drawers, and even the bed. A stray stocking poked its foot -obtrusively out of one of the over-packed drawers of the wardrobe. -Photographs of friends and of scenery lay face downward on the -mantelpiece, and kept company with Bridget's brushes and combs in her -dressing-table drawer. - -Mrs. Freeman was very particular with regard to tidiness, and the -condition of this very pretty room filled her with grave displeasure. -The rules with regard to tidy rooms, neatly kept drawers, a place for -everything and everything in its place, were most stringent at Mulberry -Court, but up to the present rules mattered nothing at all to Bridget -O'Hara. - -"There is nothing whatever for it," murmured Mrs. Freeman; "I must -punish the poor child in a way she will really feel. If this fails, -and I cannot break her in before the end of the term, I must ask her -father to remove her." - -Mrs. Freeman sighed as she said these words. - -She went downstairs and entered her own private sitting room. It was -now half-past eleven o'clock, and morning school was over. The weather -was too hot for regular walks, and the girls were disporting themselves -according to their own will and pleasure on the lawns and in the -beautiful grounds which surrounded the school. - -Mrs. Freeman could see them as she sat in her sitting room. - -Janet, accompanied by Olive and Ruth, was pacing slowly backward and -forward under some shady trees. Her satellites were devoted to her, -and Janet's slender figure was very erect, and her manner somewhat -dictatorial. Dorothy Collingwood was not to be seen, she had evidently -gone to join Evelyn upstairs. The girls of the middle school were -preparing to exert themselves over more than one tennis match. The -smaller children were going down to the shore. - -Bridget, her hat hanging on her arm, defiance very marked on her brow, -came suddenly into view. She was alone, and Mrs. Freeman noticed that -Janet and her two companions stopped to look at her as if they rather -enjoyed the spectacle. They paused for a moment, stared rudely, then -turned their backs on Miss O'Hara. - -Bridget wore a white muslin dress with a long train. Her silver girdle -was clasped round her waist. She went deliberately up to a rose tree in -full flower, and, picking two or three half-opened buds, put them in -her girdle. - -Mrs. Freeman got up, and sounded an electric bell in the wall. - -When the servant answered her summons, she desired her to ask Miss -O'Hara to come to her immediately. - -In about ten minutes' time Bridget came into the room without knocking. -Her hat was still swinging on her arm; there was a wild-rose color on -her cheeks; her eyes had a certain excited, untamed gleam in them. - -"Did you want me, Mrs. Freeman?" she said, in her lazy, rich, somewhat -impertinent voice. - -"I certainly want you, Bridget. I am not in the habit of sending for my -pupils if I don't wish to speak to them." - -Bridget uttered a faint sigh. - -"Well, I'm here," she said; "what is it?" She still used that -half-mocking, indifferent voice. - -Mrs. Freeman could scarcely restrain her impatience. - -"I'm afraid I have some unpleasant things to talk about, Miss O'Hara," -she said. "But, before I begin, I must distinctly request you to -remember that you are a young girl in the presence of the lady who has -been appointed by your father to guide, direct, and command you." - -"Command me?" said Bridget, her nostrils dilating. - -"Yes; does not a mistress always command her pupils?" - -"When she can," replied Bridget. Her hands dropped to her sides. She -lowered her eyes; her proud lips were firmly shut. - -After a little pause, during which neither mistress nor pupil spoke, -the pupil raised her head. - -"I hate school," she said. "I want to go back to the Castle. Can I go -to-day?" - -"No, Bridget, you cannot. You have been sent here to be under my care, -and you must remain with me at least until the end of the term." - -"When will that be?" - -"Not for over a month?" - -"Couldn't you write to father, Mrs. Freeman, and tell him that I am not -happy? Say, 'Biddy is not happy, and she wants to go back to you and -the dogs.' If you say that, he'll let me come home fast enough. You -might write by the next post, and father, he'd jump on the jaunting-car -and drive into Ballyshannon, and send you a wire. If papa wires to you, -Mrs. Freeman, the very moment he gets your letter, I may perhaps be -home on Sunday." - -Bridget's changeful face was now all glowing with excitement, -eagerness, and hope. Her defiant attitude had vanished. As she looked -full at Mrs. Freeman, her governess noticed for the first time that her -eyelids were red, as if she had been crying. That, and a certain pathos -in her voice, made the head mistress regard her in a new light. - -"My dear," she said, "I cannot grant your request. You have been sent -to me by your father. He wishes you to stay here as long as you are -well in body. You are quite well, Bridget; you must therefore make up -your mind, whether you like school or whether you hate it, to remain -here until the end of the term." - -"Very well, if it must be so, but I shall be very miserable, and misery -soon makes me ill." - -"You were not miserable yesterday." - -"No, not very. The younger girls were fond of me, and Dorothy -Collingwood was nice." - -"And isn't she nice to-day?" - -"_No_ one is nice to-day. There's the most ridiculous, unfair fuss -being made about nothing. There isn't a single girl in the school who -hasn't turned against me, because of the accident last night to that -stupid, plain Miss Percival. If I'd hurt her, or if she were ill, and -in the least pain, I'd be as sorry as the rest of them; but she's not -in the slightest pain; she's quite well. I can't understand all this -fuss." - -"Can't you, Bridget? I'm afraid I must make you understand that the -fact of Evelyn being uninjured does not alter your conduct." - -"My conduct? What _have_ I done?" - -"You have disobeyed me. One of my strictest rules forbids the girls to -leave the grounds without permission. You not only left the grounds -contrary to my express order, but you took several of the little -children of the school with you. It is against my orders to have the -trees destroyed by breaking off branches. Knowing this, you willfully -disobeyed me again, and you and your companions rushed down the road -shouting wildly. What was the result? Evelyn Percival mercifully -escaped serious injury, but my carriage was broken and my horse -damaged. The mere money loss you have occasioned me, Bridget----" - -"Oh, papa'll pay that! Don't you fret about that, Mrs. Freeman; the -dear old dad will settle it. He quite loves writing checks!" - -"But your father cannot pay for your disobedience--for the bad example -you have set the little children, for the pain and anxiety you have -given me." - -"Pain and anxiety! I like that! You are just angry with me--that's -about all!" - -"I am sorry for you also, my dear. I earnestly desire that you should -be a good girl, for the girl is the mother of the woman, and a good -girl makes that admirable and priceless treasure--a good woman by and -by." - -Bridget moved restlessly. She looked out of the window. The sun was -shining brilliantly, and the grass under the big shady trees looked -particularly inviting. - -"I suppose I may go," she said, "if that's all you have got to say?" - -"I have some more things to say. I must get you, Bridget, before you -leave this room, to make a promise." - -"What is that?" - -"That you will obey me." - -"I don't know how I can, Mrs. Freeman. I said at once, when I came to -school and saw what kind of place it was, that I wouldn't obey the -rules. They were so tiresome and silly; I didn't see the use of them." - -"Bridget, you are incorrigible. If kindness won't make you see that you -are bound in honor to obey me, I must try punishment. Wretched child, I -don't wish to be hard to you, but do what I say, you _must_!" - -Bridget's face turned very white. She looked wildly toward the door, -then at the window. - -Mrs. Freeman went up to her, and took her hand. "My dear," she said, "I -must make you feel my authority. I do this with great pain, for I know -you have not had the advantage of the training which many of the girls -who live here have received. I would treat you with kindness, Bridget, -but you won't receive my kindness. Now I must be severe, but for your -good. Until you promise to obey the rules of the school, you must not -join your schoolfellows either at work or play. My sister Patience -will allow you to sit with her in her sitting room, and your meals -will be brought to you there. The length of your punishment rests with -yourself, my dear." - - - - -CHAPTER VI. - -CAPTIVITY. - - -There are times in life when all one's preconceived ideas are -completely upset and altered. We looked at the world from a certain -point of view. From that special angle of our own it showed in gold -and rose color and blue. A day came when we were forced to change our -vantage ground, and on that day we for the first time perceived the -grays and the blacks of that same old world--it ceased to smile on us, -it ceased to pet us--it ceased to say to us, "I was made to render -your life beautiful, I was made to minister to every selfish desire of -yours; I am your slave, you are my mistress; do with me what you will." - -On this particular day the world ceases to speak in those gentle and -submissive tones. With all its grays and its blacks turned full in -view, it says: "You are only an atom; there are millions of other human -beings to share my good things as well as my evil. After all, I am not -your slave, but your mistress; I have made laws, and you have got to -obey them. Up to the present I have treated you as a baby, but now I am -going to show you what life really means." - -It was in some such fashion that the world spoke to Bridget O'Hara on -this special summer's morning. - -Mrs. Freeman took her unwilling hand, led her into Miss Patience's dull -little sitting room, which only looked out upon the back yard, and, -shutting the door behind her, left her to her own meditations. - -"You remain here, Bridget," she repeated, "until you have promised to -obey the rules of the school. No longer and no shorter will be your -term of punishment. It remains altogether with yourself how soon you -are liberated." - -The door was closed then, and Bridget O'Hara found herself alone. - -The summer sounds came in to her, for the window of her dull room was -open, the birds were twittering in the trees, innumerable doves were -cooing; there was the gentle, soft whisper of the breeze, the cackling -of motherly hens, the lowing of cows, and, far away beyond and over -them, the insistent, ceaseless whisper of the gentle waves on the shore. - -Bridget stood by the window, but she heard none of these soothing -sounds. Her spoilt, childish heart was in the most open state of -rebellion and revolt. - -She was in every sense of the word an untamed creature; she was like a -wild bird who had just been caught and put into a cage. - -By and by doubtless the poor bird would be taught to develop his -notes into something richer and rarer than nature had made them, but -the process would be painful. Bridget was like the bird, and she was -beating her poor little wings now against her cage. - -Her first impulse was to open the door of her prison and go boldly out. - -She had not passed a pleasant morning, however, and this plan scarcely -commended itself to her. - -For some reason her companions, both old and young in the school, had -taken upon themselves to cut her. - -In all her life Bridget had never been cut before. - -At the dear old wild Castle in Ireland she had been idolized by -everyone, the servants had done her bidding, however extravagant and -fanciful that bidding had been. She led her old father where she wished -with silken reins. The dogs, the horses, even the cows and the calves, -followed Bridget like so many faithful shadows. In short, this wild -little girl was the beloved queen of the Castle. To cut her, or show -her the smallest incivility, would have been nothing short of high -treason. - -This morning Bridget had been practically "sent to Coventry." Even -Dorothy was cold in her manner to her. The small children who had hung -upon her words and followed her with delight the evening before, were -now too frightened at the consequences of their own daring to come -near her. Janet, Ruth, and Olive had shown their disapproval by marked -avoidance and covert sneers. Bridget had done a very naughty act, and -the school thought it well to show its displeasure. - -There was little use, therefore, in rushing out of her prison to join -her companions in their playground or on the shore. - -Should she run away altogether? Should she walk to Eastcliff and take -the next train to London, and then, trusting to chance, and to the -kindness of strangers, endeavor to find her way back to the dear and -loving shores of the old country, and so back again to the beloved home? - -Tears rolled down her cheeks as she thought of this plan; but, in the -first place, she had no idea how to manage it, and, what was a far more -serious obstacle, her little sealskin purse, her father's last present, -was empty. - -Bridget could certainly not return home without money. - -She sat down presently on the nearest chair and covered her face with -her hands. She could only resolve on one thing--she would certainly not -yield to Mrs. Freeman's request--nothing would induce her to promise to -obey the rules of the school. - -A story book, belonging to the school library, happened to be lying -on a chair close to her own. She took it up, opened it, and began to -read. The tale was sufficiently interesting to cause her to forget her -troubles. - -She had read for nearly an hour when the door of the room opened, and -Miss Patience came in. Miss Patience was an excellent woman, but she -took severe views of life; she emphatically believed in the young -being trained; she thought well of punishments, and pined for the -good old days when children were taught to make way for their elders, -and not--as in the present degenerate times--to expect their elders -to make way for them. Miss Patience just nodded toward Bridget, and, -sitting beside a high desk, took out an account book and opened it. -Miss O'Hara felt more uncomfortable than ever when Miss Patience came -into the room; her book ceased to entertain her, and the walls of her -prison seemed to get narrower. She fidgeted on her chair, and jumped up -several times to look out of the window. There was nothing of the least -interest, however, going on in the yard at that moment. Presently she -beat an impatient tattoo on the glass with her fingers. - -"Don't do that, Bridget," said Miss Patience; "you are disturbing me." - -Bridget dropped back into her seat with a profound sigh. Presently -the dinner gong sounded, and Miss Patience put away her papers and -accounts, and shutting up her desk, prepared to leave the room. Bridget -got up too. "I am glad that is dinner," she said; "I'm awfully hungry. -May I go up to my room to tidy myself, Miss Patience?" - -"No, Bridget, you are to stay here; your dinner will be brought to -you." Bridget flushed crimson. - -"I won't eat any dinner in this horrid room," she said; "I think I have -been treated shamefully. If my dinner is sent to me I won't eat it." - -"You can please yourself about that," said Miss Patience, in her -calmest voice. She left the room, closing the door behind her. - -Bridget felt a wild desire to rush after Miss Patience, and defying all -punishment and all commands, appear as usual in the dining room. - -Something, however, she could not tell what, restrained her from doing -this. She sank back again in her chair; angry tears rose to her bright -eyes, and burning spots appeared in her round cheeks. - -The door was opened, and a neatly dressed servant of the name of -Marshall entered, bearing a dinner tray. - -She was a tall, slight girl, fairly good-looking, and not too -strong-minded. - -"Here, Miss O'Hara," she said good-naturedly, "here's a lovely slice of -lamb; and I saved some peas for you. Them young ladies always do make -a rush on the peas, but I secured some in time. I'll bring you some -cherry tart presently, miss, and some whipped cream. You eat a good -dinner, miss, and forget your troubles; oh, dear! I don't like to see -young ladies in punishment--and that I don't!" - -While Marshall was speaking she looked down at the pretty and -rebellious young prisoner with marked interest. - -"I'd make it up if I was you, miss," she said. - -Marshall, with all her silliness, was a shrewd observer of character. -Had the girl in disgrace been Janet May or Dorothy Collingwood, she -would have known far better than to presume to address her; but Bridget -was on very familiar terms with her old nurse and with many of the -other servants at home, and it seemed quite reasonable to her that -Marshall should speak sympathetic words. - -"I can't eat, Marshall," she said. "I'm treated shamefully, and the -very nicest dinner wouldn't tempt me. You can take it away, for I can't -possibly touch a morsel. Oh, dear! oh, dear! how I do wish I were at -home again! What a horrid, horrid sort of place school is!" - -"Poor young lady!" said Marshall. "Anyone can see, Miss O'Hara, as -you aint accustomed to mean ways; you has your spirit, and I doubt me -if anyone can break it. You aint the sort for school--ef I may make -bold to say as much, you aint never been brought under. That's the -first thing they does at school; under you must go, whether you likes -it or not. Oh, dear, there's that bell, and it's for me--I must fly, -miss--but I do, humble as I am, sympathize with you most sincere. You -try and eat a bit of dinner, miss, do now--and I'll see if I can't get -some asparagus for you by and by, and, at any rate, you shall have the -tart and the whipped cream." - -"I can't eat anything, Marshall," said Bridget, shaking her head. "You -are kind; I see by your face that you are very kind. When I'm let -out of this horrid prison I'll give you some blue ribbon that I have -upstairs, and a string of Venetian beads. I dare say you're fond of -finery." - -"Oh, lor, miss, you're too good, but there's that bell again; I must -run this minute." - -Marshall departed, and Bridget lifted the cover from her plate and -looked at the nice hot lamb and green peas. - -Notwithstanding her vehement words, some decided pangs of hunger seized -her as she saw the tempting food, She remembered, however, that in -the old novels heroines in distress had never any appetite, and she -resolved to die rather than touch food while she was treated in so -disgraceful a manner. - -She leant back, therefore, in her chair and reflected with a sad sort -of pleasure on the sorrow which her father would feel when he learnt -that she had almost died of hunger and exhaustion at this cruel school. - -"He'll be sorry he sent me; he'll be sorry he listened to Aunt -Kathleen," she said to herself. - -A flash of self-pity filled her eyes, but there was some consolation in -reflecting on the fact that no one could force her to eat against her -will. - -Marshall reappeared with the asparagus and cherry tart. - -She gave Bridget a great deal of sympathy, adjured her to eat, shook -her head over her, and having gained a promise that a pair of long -suede gloves should be added to the ribbons and Venetian beads, went -away, having quite made up her mind to take Bridget's part through -thick and thin. - -"It's most mournful to see her, poor dear!" she muttered. "She's fat -and strong and hearty, but I know by the shape of her mouth that she's -that obstinate she won't touch any food, and she won't give in to obey -Mrs. Freeman, not if it's ever so. I do pity her, poor dear, and it -aint only for the sake of the things she gives me. Now let me see, -aint there anyone I can speak to about her? Oh, there's Miss Dorothy -Collingwood, she aint quite so 'aughty as the other young ladies; I -think I will try her, and see ef she couldn't bring the poor dear to -see reason." - -The girls were leaving the dining room while these thoughts were -flashing through Marshall's mind. Dorothy and Janet May were walking -side by side. - -"Miss Collingwood," said Marshall, in a timid whisper, "might I say a -word to you, miss?" - -"Yes, Marshall," said Dorothy; she stopped. Janet stopped also, and -gave Marshall a freezing glance. - -"We haven't a moment to lose, Dorothy," she said, "I want to speak to -you alone before the rest of the committee arrive. That point with -regard to Evelyn Percival must be settled. Perhaps your communication -can keep, Marshall." - -"No, miss, that it can't," said Marshall, who felt as she expressed it -afterward, "that royled by Miss May's 'aughty ways." "I won't keep Miss -Collingwood any time, miss, ef you'll be pleased to walk on." - -Janet was forced to comply, and Dorothy exclaimed eagerly: - -"Now, Marshall, what is it? How fussy and important you look!" - -"Oh, miss, it's that poor dear young lady." - -"What poor dear young lady?" - -"Miss Bridget O'Hara. She aint understood, and she's in punishment, -pore dear; shut up in Miss Patience's dull parlor. Mrs. Freeman don't -understand her. She aint the sort to be broke in, and if Mrs. Freeman -thinks she'll do it, she's fine and mistook. The pore dear is that -spirited she'd die afore she'd own herself wrong. Do you think, Miss -Collingwood, as she'd touch a morsel of her dinner? No, that she -wouldn't! Bite nor sup wouldn't pass her lips, although I tempted her -with a lamb chop and them beautiful marrow peas, and asparagus and -whipped cream and cherry tart. You can judge for yourself, miss, that -a healthy young lady with a good, fine appetite must be bad when she -refuses food of that sort!" - -"I'm very sorry, Marshall," said Dorothy, "but Miss O'Hara has really -been very naughty. You have heard, of course, of the carriage accident, -and how nearly Miss Percival was hurt. It's kind of you to plead for -Miss O'Hara, but she really does deserve rather severe punishment, and -Mrs. Freeman is most kind, as well as just. I don't really see how I -can interfere." - -"Are you coming, Dorothy?" called Janet May from the end of the passage. - -"Yes, in one minute, Janet! I don't know what I'm to do, Marshall," -continued Dorothy. "I should not venture to speak to Mrs. Freeman on -the subject; she would be very, very angry." - -"I don't mean that, miss; I mean that perhaps you'd talk to Miss -Bridget, and persuade her to do whatever Mrs. Freeman says is right. I -don't know what that is, of course, but you has a very kind way, Miss -Dorothy, and ef you would speak to Miss O'Hara, maybe she'd listen to -you." - -"Well, Marshall, I'll see what I can do. I must join Miss May now, for -we have something important to decide, but I won't forget your words." - -Marshall had to be comforted with this rather dubious speech, and -Dorothy ran on to join Janet. - -"Well," said Janet, "what did that impertinent servant want? I hope you -showed her her place, Dorothy? The idea of her presuming to stop us -when we were so busy!" - -"She's not at all impertinent," said Dorothy. "After all, Janet, -servants are flesh and blood, like the rest of us, and this poor -Marshall, although she's not the wisest of the wise, is a good-natured -creature. What do you think she wanted?" - -"How can I possibly guess?" - -"She was interceding for Bridget," said Dorothy. - -"Bridget O'Hara!" exclaimed Janet, "that incorrigible, unpleasant girl? -Why _did_ you waste your time listening to her?" - -"I could not help myself," replied Dorothy. "You know, of course, -Janet, what Bridget did last night?" - -"Yes, yes, I know," replied Janet, with a sneer; "she did something -which shook the nerves of our beloved favorite. Had anyone else given -Miss Percival her little fright, I could have forgiven her!" - -"Janet, I wish you would not speak in that bitter way." - -"I can't help it, my dear; I'm honest, whatever I am." - -"But why will you dislike our dear Evelyn?" - -"We won't discuss the whys nor the wherefores; the fact remains that I -do dislike her." - -"And you also dislike poor Bridget? I can't imagine why you take such -strong prejudices." - -"As to disliking Miss O'Hara, it's more a case of despising; she's -beneath my dislike." - -"Well, she's in trouble now," said Dorothy, with a sigh. "I think you -are very much mistaken in her, Janet; she's a very original, clever, -amusing girl. I find her tiresome at times, and I admit that she's -dreadfully naughty, but it's the sort of naughtiness which comes from -simply not knowing. The accident last night might have been a dreadful -one, and Bridget certainly deserves the punishment she has got; all the -same;--I'm very sorry for her." - -"I can't share your sorrow," replied Janet. "If her punishment, -whatever it is, deprives us of her charming society for a few days, it -will be a boon to the entire school. I noticed that she was absent from -dinner, and I will own I have not had a pleasanter meal for some time." - -"Well, Marshall is unhappy about her," replied Dorothy. "She said that -Bridget would not touch her dinner. I don't exactly know what Mrs. -Freeman means to do about her, but the poor girl is a prisoner in Miss -Patience's dull little sitting room for the present." - -"Hurrah! Hurrah! Long may she stay there! Now, do let us drop this -tiresome subject. We have only ten minutes to ourselves before the rest -of the committee arrive, and that point with regard to Evelyn Percival -must be arranged. Come, Dorothy, let us race each other to the Lookout!" - - - - -CHAPTER VII. - -WHO IS TO PROVIDE THE NEEDFUL? - - -Fast as they ran, however, the two girls were not the first at the -place of rendezvous. Olive and Ruth, and another girl of the name of -Frances Murray, were all waiting for them when they arrived. - -These three girls, with Janet and Dorothy, were the members of the -committee who were managing all the affairs of the Fancy Fair. - -The subject now to be brought under discussion was whether Evelyn -Percival, the head girl of the school, should be asked to join the -committee. - -Janet was very much opposed to the idea; the other girls, for more -reasons than one, were in favor of it. - -Evelyn was popular; she had a very clear head, she had a good many -original, as well as sensible ideas; last, but not least, she was rich. -If Evelyn took up the idea of the Fancy Fair with enthusiasm, the -scheme would certainly succeed, for she would spare neither time nor -money on the cause. She would, however, also, in the natural sequence -of things, become immediately the guiding spirit of the scheme. - -Janet was head at present; Janet first thought of the Fancy Fair. A -little boy in the neighborhood had lost his father and mother; the -father had been drowned at sea, the mother had died of the shock--the -baby-boy of a year old had been left without either friends or -providers. - -When out walking one day, Janet and one of her companions met the -child, who was a beautiful boy, with picturesque hair and one of those -fair, sweet faces which appeal straight to the hearts of all women. A -little barefoot and slip-shod girl was carrying the child. Janet and -her companion stopped to speak to him; his sad story was told by his -eager little nurse. The girls were full of sympathy; even Janet May's -languid interest was aroused. She was poor, but she took half a crown -out of her purse and gave it to the beautiful baby; her companion -immediately followed suit. Janet and her friend talked of the boy all -the way home, and that evening the Fancy Fair was first mooted as a -means of raising a substantial sum of money for little Tim's benefit. - -Mrs. Freeman was only too pleased to see the rather cold-hearted Janet -May roused to take an interest in another. She gave her sanction to -the girls' ideas, and the Fancy Fair was now the principal object of -conversation in the school. The girls liked to think they were working -for little Tim, and Janet secured more affectionate glances and more -pleasant words than she had ever received before in the school. She -enjoyed herself greatly. Ambition was her strongest point, and that -side of her character was being abundantly gratified. She was looked up -to, consulted, praised; she was the head of the committee. Janet liked -to be first; she was first now, with a vengeance. No fear of anyone -else even trying to claim this envied position. Janet was clever; she -had a good head for business; she was first; the glory of the scheme -was hers; the praise, if it succeeded, would be hers. It was all -delightful, and nothing came to dim her ardor until the news reached -her that Evelyn Percival had recovered and was returning to the school. - -This news was most unwelcome to Janet. Everybody loved Evelyn; she was -the head girl. If she joined the committee she would be expected to -take the lead; Janet would be no longer first. If such a catastrophe -occurred, Janet felt that the Fancy Fair would immediately lose all -interest in her eyes. Her object of objects now was, whether by foul -means or fair, to keep Evelyn Percival from being asked to join the -committee. - -She knew that her task would be a delicate one, as it would be -impossible for her to give the real reasons for her strong objection to -Evelyn being on the committee. - -"Well, girls, here you are!" sang out Frances Murray, as the two, -panting and breathless, ran up the winding stairs of the little tower. -"We thought you weren't coming; but three make a quorum, and we were -about to transact the business ourselves; weren't we, Ruth?" - -"Yes," said Ruth, in her prim, somewhat matter-of-fact voice; "but," -she added, glancing at Janet, "we are only too delighted that you have -come, Janey, for what really important step can be taken with regard to -the fair without your advice?" - -"Of course," echoed Olive; "it is dear old Janey's idea from first to -last. Sit here, Janet, love; won't you, next me? It is very hot up -here, but there's nice shade under my big umbrella." - -Janet took very little notice of her satellites Ruth and Olive. They -were useful to her, of course, but in her heart of hearts she rather -despised them. She was by no means sure of their being faithful to her -in case anything occurred to make it more for their own interest to go -over to the other side. - -"Sit down, sit down, and let us begin!" said Frances, who was a very -downright, honest sort of girl. "What I want to do is to get to -business. The fair is only three weeks off. We have committed ourselves -to it, and we have really made very little way. The idea of the fair -is, of course, Janet's, and she's the head for the present; but when -Evelyn joins us, we'll have a lot of fresh force put into everything. -Mrs. Freeman says that Evelyn is better, and that she will be down to -supper this evening, and I vote that we tell her about the fair then, -and ask her at once to come on the committee. What do you say, Dolly?" - -"I agree, of course," said Dorothy. "Evelyn is delightful; and she has -such a lot of tact and sense that having her with us will insure the -success of the fair." - -"Well, that is our principal business to-day," continued Frances. "We -can soon put it to the vote, and then each member of the committee can -join her own working party, and get things as forward as possible. For -my part, I can't get the girls to do much needlework this hot weather. -I have done everything in my power to incite them; little Tim's -destitute condition has been aired before their eyes so often that it -begins to lose its effect. The girls who are well off say they will buy -things, or write to their several homes for them, and the girls who are -badly off simply loll about and do nothing." - -"You have not sufficient influence, Frances," said Janet, some -angry spots coming into her cool, pale cheeks. "Now, my girls work -extraordinarily well. Annie and Violet, and Rosy and Mamie, are -painting some beautiful fans; they will be really artistic, and will -fetch a good price. All that is wanted is to get a girl to take up -the work she is really interested in. She'll do it fast enough then. -You can't expect anyone to care to hem stupid pinafores, and to make -babies' frocks this weather." - -Frances colored; she had no love for Janet, whose ideas on every point -were opposed to her own. - -"It's all very well to sneer at my pinafores and babies' frocks," she -exclaimed; "but when people go to bazaars they like to buy useful -articles. Your ideas are all very well, but you carry your art mania -too far; however, when Evelyn is with us she'll make everything smooth. -How glad I am that she has come back in time! Now then, who'll vote to -have her asked to join the committee?" - -"I will, of course," said Dorothy Collingwood. Janet was silent; she -walked across the little platform at the top of the Lookout, and -leant over the low parapet. Ruth and Olive were also silent; they -cast anxious and undecided glances at their friend's back. They knew -by her attitude that she was waiting for them to speak. In her heart -Ruth adored Evelyn, but she was more or less in Janet's power, who had -helped her many times with her more difficult lessons. Olive also felt -that up to the present it would be her best policy to side with Janet. - -"Well, Ruth, you, of course, wish us to ask Evelyn to join," said -Frances, fixing her bright eyes on the girl. - -"I--I don't know," said Ruth, in a hesitating voice. - -"It might rather upset arrangements now," faltered Olive. - -"Yes, I agree," said Janet, flashing round; "I agree with Ruth and -Olive." - -"Ruth doesn't know her own mind, so you can't agree with her," -interrupted Frances. - -"Yes, Ruth does know her own mind," said Janet; "she's a little bit -timid, I grant, but she knows it well enough. You don't want Evelyn to -be asked to join us, do you, Ruthy?" - -"No," said Ruth, with sudden boldness, "no, I don't." - -"Well, then, the votes are against you, Frances," said Janet; "so the -matter is settled; three against two. I suppose we needn't waste any -more time now; we can all go away and set to work." - -"No; wait a minute," said Dorothy. "The decision you have come to, -Janet--of course, Olive and Ruth always go with you; you know that, so -they scarcely count--the decision you have come to seems to us most -extraordinary. You offer a direct slight to Evelyn Percival; you leave -her out in the cold. I do not see that there is anything for it, but -for Frances and me to send in our resignations, if Evelyn is not to -join us." - -"I have very good reasons for what I am doing," said Janet. "When I -stayed with my aunt, Mrs. Greville, last summer, she had a Fancy Fair -very much on the lines on which I propose to conduct ours. At the last -moment a lady of influence in the neighborhood was asked to join. She -was very nice and very important, just as Evelyn is very nice and -very important, and the people said just what you say now, that they -could not possibly do without her, and that it would be a great slight -not to have her. Well, she was asked at the eleventh hour to come -on the committee, and from that moment everyone else's arrangements -were turned topsy-turvy, and the fair was an absolute failure. Had -Evelyn been here at the beginning, we could not have helped asking -her to join, but I know that it's a mistake now. I don't think I'm -unreasonable in saying this." - -Janet had great control of her emotions, and her words, now uttered -very calmly and quietly, had a certain effect upon Frances Murray. - -"There's something in what you say," she remarked after a pause. "Of -course, Evelyn might be told that matters are too advanced now for her -to take any active part, but there is another matter, Janet, which -you have overlooked. It is this: There is not a single rich person on -our committee. I am as poor as a church mouse, and am not ashamed to -own it. I don't suppose you are overburdened with pelf, and I know -that Dolly and Ruth and Olive are not oppressed with the weight of -their purses. Now, Evelyn is rich. If Evelyn took an interest in this -bazaar, she would think nothing of spending five or six pounds in -buying all sorts of pretty things; she would send to London and have -some big packets sent down full of those sorts of little fresh tempting -_souvenirs_ which people always take a fancy to at bazaars and always -buy." - -While Frances was speaking, Janet turned rather pale. She had foreseen -this great difficulty, and was much puzzled to know how to get over it. - -"The fact is," said Dolly, "there are only two really rich girls in the -school. Evelyn is one, and that poor wild little Biddy is the other." - -"Is Bridget O'Hara rich?" asked Janet suddenly. - -"Rich? I should think so. Mrs. Freeman told me one day that the poor -child is an heiress, and will have more money than she knows what to do -with." - -"Why do you talk of an heiress as 'a poor child,' Dorothy?" said Janet. -"That kind of speech sounds so affected and out of date." - -"Well, you needn't be cross to me," said Dorothy. "I do pity Bridget -very much; she will have a lot of responsibility by and by, and up to -the present she certainly has no wise ideas with regard to her future." - -"Poor dear," said Janet, with a little sneer, "her position is truly -afflicting." - -"Well, well, do let us return to business," said Frances. "Is Evelyn to -be asked to join or not? We all know that Janet doesn't love her; we -can't make out why, but we are not going to trouble ourselves on that -score. I repeat that it is a slight to Evelyn not to ask her to join, -but that fact may be glossed over by making a great deal of the fact -that she was not here at the beginning. We might support you, Janet, in -this, in order that you might retain your dearly coveted position as -head of the fair." - -"I don't care a bit about that," said Janet, coloring high. - -"Now, my dear; now, my dear, don't let that graceful little tongue lend -itself to a wicked story. However, to return to business. If we exclude -Evelyn from taking an active part in the arrangements of the fair, who -is to provide the needful? Now, Janet May, there's a puzzler for you; -answer it if you can." - -Janet walked over to the little parapet, and, leaning against it, -looked out over the dazzling, dancing summer sea. She was silent for a -full moment, then she turned slowly and looked at her companions. - -"I own that the money is a sore puzzle," she said. "It goes without -saying that we must have money. Give me twenty-four hours, girls, to -think what is best to be done. If, at the end of that time, I have -thought of no expedient, I will own myself defeated, and will withdraw -my opposition to Evelyn Percival being asked to join." - - - - -CHAPTER VIII. - -THE "JANET MAY STALL." - - -The several girls of the committee separated, and went to join the -different parties who were working for the Fancy Fair. - -Almost every girl in the school had volunteered to do something, and -on this long, lovely half-holiday they had decided to take their work -out to different parts of the grounds, where they sat, some under the -shelter of the wide-spreading beech trees, others in the summerhouses, -or tents, which were scattered here and there in the grounds. - -Ruth, who had a certain gift for management, was helping three or four -of the smaller girls to make some patchwork quilts, but Olive had -decided to keep with Janet and help her as much as possible. - -Janet's party had assembled in a large, roomy summerhouse. There was a -rustic table in the middle, and rustic chairs and benches surrounded -it. Here six girls, all of whom belonged to the lower school, were -sitting round a table laughing and chatting merrily. Some bits of -colored silk, some gay chintzes, a heap of wools for crewel work, -several boxes of water-color paints, some pieces of cardboard, some -fans, screens, and pretty baskets were scattered about. - -The girls were waiting for Janet and Ruth. They were not disposed to -work. They lolled about and laughed, and looked somewhat wistfully at -the lovely outer world, with the flickering shadows on the grass, and -the dancing, happy sunshine making itself felt through everything. - -"Even a Fancy Fair is a bore," said pretty little Violet to her crony -Nora. - -"But then we are doing it for Tim," said Alice, raising her charming, -sweet face, and blushing as she spoke. - -"Yes," retorted Violet again; "I think of Tim all the time, and how -nice it will be to collect money for the little darling, and how happy -we'll be in the long vacation, when we remember how we saved the pet -from going to the workhouse, but still I do want to bathe awfully -to-day, and however hard I think of the good this Fancy Fair is going -to do, I cannot help being lazy this hot weather." - -"Did you know, girls," exclaimed Nora, "that Bridget can swim and dive? -She made a bet yesterday in the school that if we dropped sixpence into -the sea she'd bring it up again in her mouth. She did really; she was -most positive about it. Mary Hill and Cissy Jones bet against her that -she wouldn't, but she was so fierce, and said she had done it fifty -times before in the lake at home. I do love Bridget, don't you, Violet?" - -"Yes, I adore her," said Violet, "she's quite the jolliest girl I ever -came across. I'm awfully sorry she has got into trouble, and I hope -Mrs. Freeman will soon forgive her. Poor dear, she doesn't mean to do -wrong, and she is such fun." - -"She's like a big baby," said Alice; "but all the same, it is wrong of -her to bet, isn't it?" - -"I don't know," replied Violet; "the way Biddy does things makes them -appear not a bit wrong. I should like awfully to see her bring up -that sixpence in her mouth. But hush, let us pretend to be talking of -something else, for here comes Janet and that nasty Olive." - -"Janet is really very nice about this fair," said Alice; "but she hates -Biddy, and she has always hated darling Evelyn; it is so funny!" - -"O Alice, do shut up," exclaimed Violet. "Here's Janet coming in. Let's -pretend to be talking of something else." - -The little girls bent their heads together, pulled forward their -different working materials, and looked busy and important when Janet -and Olive came in. - -"Well, girls," said Janet, "I hope you are making lots of progress. -How about that fan, Alice? Oh, you naughty puss, you have not touched -it yet to-day. Now set to work; do set to work. Violet, how is your -mat getting on? Let me look at it, dear; very pretty indeed; don't you -think you could finish it to-day? Molly," turning to the smallest girl -in the summerhouse, "you said you would paint some ribbon markers. -Have you begun them yet? No, I see you haven't. Sit down now, you lazy -darling, and try to make good progress." - -Janet's tone was bright and confident. It had immediate effect upon, -the children, stimulating their listlessness, and exciting them to work -with energy. - -Janet herself sat near the entrance of the summerhouse. She had an -easel in front of her, and was painting an exquisite little water-color -from nature. Janet had great talent for a certain kind of painting. -There was nothing bold nor masterful in her work, but her touch was -true and delicate, and in a small way she could produce a very pretty -effect. - -The younger girls thought Janet's painting perfection, and they stole -up now, one by one, to look at her work and to give enthusiastic -opinions with regard to it. - -Their little comments were delightful to her. She had a great thirst -for praise, and could swallow it in any guise. - -While she worked, however, her thoughts were very busy; she had to -solve a difficult problem, and had only a few hours to do it in. - -After a long period of silence a remark dropped from her lips. - -"I have made up my mind," she said, turning round and addressing all -the children. - -"O Janey, what have you thought of now?" asked Alice, raising her -pretty flushed face, and pushing aside her painting. - -"Take care of messing that fan, dear; you are painting in that red -poppy very nicely," answered Janet. "Well, girls, I have made up my -mind." - -"Yes, Janey, yes; what about?" they all answered. - -"Our stall is to be far and away the most beautiful at the Fancy Fair." - -"Three cheers!" exclaimed the children, but then Alice said in a -wistful tone: - -"I don't see how it can be, Janet, for we are none of us rich. I heard -Dolly say this morning that Evelyn's stall would certainly be far and -away the best, for she was the only one of us who had money." - -"Evelyn may not have a stall at all," said Janet, "but, in any case, -if you six little girls will back me, and if Olive--I can answer for -Olive that she will do her best--if Olive will help also, our stall -will be the richest and the most lovely at the fair. Will you trust me -to manage this, children?" - -"Of course, Janet!" replied Nora, her eyes sparkling. - -"Now I tell you what," said Janet, "I know pretty well what the other -girls are doing. Frances Murray's girls are going in for the sober and -useful; Dorothy Collingwood's are working with a will on the same dull -lines. Poor old Ruth--oh, I'm not disparaging her--can't rise above her -patchwork quilts, whereas we, we alone, have embraced ART. Girls, the -combination of _art_ and _money_ will produce the most lovely stall -at the fair. Now I have spoken! You stick to me, girls, and keep your -secret to yourselves. Say nothing, but determine, every one of you, to -do her utmost, not only for little Tim, but for the glory of the 'Janet -May Stall.'" - -"We will, we will!" said the children. - -They were quite impressed by Janet's enthusiasm, and looked upon their -own humble little efforts in the great field of art with some awe. - -"It shall be done!" said Janet. "You have my word for it; I can, I will -manage it. I shall take immediate steps. Olive, will you look after the -girls during the remainder of this afternoon? I must do something at -once to secure our ends." - -Janet walked quickly back to the house. She was so lost in thought that -she never saw a girl who was running full tilt against her. - -"A penny for your thoughts, Janey!" exclaimed Dorothy Collingwood. -"I never saw your brow so knit with care, my love. What _can_ be the -matter? Is the problem you have got to solve within twenty-four hours -so intensely difficult?" - -"It is difficult, Dorothy," replied Janet. "But, puzzling as it is, I -am not going to allow it to conquer me. By the way, that reminds me; -have you just come from the prisoner?" - -"What prisoner?" - -"That sweet Irish maid, Bridget O'Hara." - -"No, I haven't, Janet; I have not forgotten her by any means. But I -suppose I ought to ask Mrs. Freeman's leave before I visit her." - -"Well, can't you ask it?" - -"I have been looking all over the place for her, but can't find her -anywhere. I am ever so sorry, for I should like to see Biddy, and I am -sure I could exercise a little influence over her. However, there is -nothing to be done until I get Mrs. Freeman's permission, and, as I'm -going up to Evelyn now, poor Biddy must ponder over her shortcomings -for at least another hour." - -"What a happy girl you are, Dorothy!" said Janet. "Just fancy spending -all one's time between the good and the naughty favorite of the school. -Oh, what will not money effect!" - -"I did not know before that poor Biddy was the favorite of the school," -said Dorothy. "I wish you would not speak in such a satirical way, -Janet. What is the good of trying to throw scorn on Evelyn? People -only dislike you when you speak like that, and I earnestly wish you -wouldn't." - -"You are a good little soul, Dolly," said Janet, "but I must speak -as the spirit moves me. Now don't let me keep you from your darling. -There! I'll try and tolerate her for your sake." - -Dorothy ran off, and Janet walked slowly past the front of the house, -her brow knit in anxious thought. - -She had reached a little wicket gate, which led round to the back -premises, when she was suddenly startled by finding herself face to -face with Mrs. Freeman. - -For a moment a flood of color rushed to her cheeks. She felt inclined -to pass her mistress with a brief salutation; then another impulse -arrested her steps. - -"Mrs. Freeman," she said, "may I speak to you for a moment?" - -"Certainly, my dear! Can I do anything for you?" - -"I should like to ask a favor of you." - -"Well, Janet, you don't very often petition for my small mercies. You -are a good girl, studious and attentive. Your masters and mistresses -always give me pleasant reports of your progress. Now, what can I do -for you?" - -"I've been told that Bridget O'Hara is under punishment. I should very -much like to see her." - -This request of Janet's evidently astonished Mrs. Freeman. She looked -attentively at her pupil, then said in a voice of surprise: - -"I did not even know that you were friends." - -"Nor are we. I think without any doubt we are at the antipodes in -everything. But--I am sorry for a girl who is under punishment. I -thought perhaps I might say something to her about--submitting. -She might take it better from one of her schoolfellows than from a -mistress. This occurred to me, but perhaps I am only taking a liberty." - -"By no means, Janet. I frankly say I am pleased and surprised at your -thoughtfulness. I confess to you, my dear, that Bridget is a very -difficult girl to manage." - -"I am sure of that!" - -"Very, very difficult. The care of her weighs heavily on me. I -sympathize with her in some things. She is full of good impulses, but -her character--well, it has not been trained at all. Are you likely to -be able to influence her, Janet?" - -"I could but do my best!" - -Mrs. Freeman paused to consider. - -"Had Dorothy made this petition," she said then, "I should have granted -it, as a matter of course. Dorothy has always tried to be nice to -Bridget, and it would have been like her to do a kindness now. Dorothy, -however, has come to me with no such request, and you have, Janet. I am -pleased with your thoughtfulness. I shall certainly not refuse you. Go -to her, dear, and say what is in your heart. You have my best wishes!" - -"Thank you, Mrs. Freeman," said Janet, in her low, pretty voice. She -tripped away, and a moment later was knocking at Miss Patience's -sitting-room door. - -"Come in, whoever you are!" said a sulky voice from the interior of the -room. - -Janet opened the door, shut it carefully behind her, and advanced to -the table, on the edge of which Bridget had perched herself as if she -were on horseback. - -"Well, what do you want now that you have come?" asked Miss O'Hara, in -her proudest voice. "You never liked me, so I suppose you are awfully -pleased to see me like this?" - -"Now do hush," said Janet. "I have not come in an unkind spirit. You -must really listen, Bridget, to what I have come to say. I am the very -first of your schoolfellows to visit you, and _would_ I trouble to come -if I did not mean it kindly?" - -Janet's voice was the essence of gentle calm. It affected poor -tempest-tossed Biddy, who jumped down from her imaginary horse, and -leant up against the window-sill, a strikingly handsome, but defiant -looking young sinner. - -"I suppose you do mean it kindly," she said, "and you are the first of -the girls to look me up. But you are sure Mrs. Freeman did not send -you?" - -"She knows that I have come, but she certainly did not send me." - -"Well, I suppose it's good-natured of you. I thought Dolly Collingwood -would have come to me before now, but it's 'out of sight, out of mind' -with her as with the rest of them." - -"Dorothy, at the present moment, is with Evelyn Percival." - -"The girl who was thrown out of the carriage last night--the queen of -the school? I may be thankful she was not badly hurt, poor dear." - -Janet did not say anything. Bridget turned to the window, and began to -beat a tattoo on the pane with her knuckles. - -"Look here," she said again, after a pause, "now that you are here, -what do you want? It's good-natured of you to come, of course, but I -can't make out what good you are likely to do." - -"Yes. I shall do plenty of good," said Janet, in her assured tones. "I -am going to give you some advice which you will be very glad to take." - -"Indeed, then, you are finely mistaken. I'll be nothing of the kind." - -"You've not heard what I'm going to say, yet. Won't you sit down and -let us be comfortable?" - -"You can sit if you fancy it. I prefer standing." - -"Very well; we shall both be pleased. This is a very comfortable chair." - -Janet sank back in it, and raised her placid face to Bridget's. The -two girls were in all particulars contrasts. Biddy's curls were now a -mop; a wild, aggressive, almost disreputable looking mop. Her white -dress was draggled and crumpled, her cheeks were deeply flushed, her -eyes flashed ominous fire, her proud lips took many haughty and defiant -curves. Janet, in contradistinction to all this, was the soul of neat -commonplace. Her pale blue cambric frock fitted her neat figure like a -glove. She had white linen cuffs at her wrists; her little hands were -exquisitely clean; her fair face looked the essence of peace. Her neat, -smooth head of light hair shone like satin. - -"I am anxious about you," said Janet. "I can see quite plainly that you -are going all wrong." - -Bridget gave a sort of snort. - -Janet held up her small hand imploringly. - -"Do listen," she said. "How can I explain myself if you interrupt me -each moment?" - -"But you never liked me, Janey. You have shown that all too plainly. I -cannot imagine what you are prying into my affairs for. Now if Dolly -came----" - -"Dolly has not come, and I have. Now, will you listen. I will frankly -say that I did not care about you when you first came to the school. -When I saw you so--so defiant, Bridget, so proud, so free, so -absolutely fearless; when I saw you with all these characteristics, -taking people by storm, for you know you did take the little girls of -the school quite by storm, I felt a sense of strong irritation against -you. I never met a girl like you before; you puzzled me; you did not -please me. Now, I am going to be quite frank; I do not really like you -much better now, but as I see that you fully intend to be on my side, -it is impossible for me any longer not to take your part." - -"I fully intend to be on your side?" repeated Bridget. "Indeed, then, I -don't, and I may as well say so frankly at once." - -"Yes, Bridget, you do; you can't help yourself, for you and I will in -future have good cause to hate the same girl." - -"What girl?' - -"Evelyn Percival; the one you have just spoken of as the queen of the -school." - -"The darling!" exclaimed Bridget, "and why in the name of goodness am I -to hate her?" - -"Well, you must be a poor-spirited thing if you don't. May I ask if -you would have got into your present scrape but for her? Have you not -before this disobeyed Mrs. Freeman? Up to last night she took pity on -you; she said to herself: 'Bridget knows nothing of the rules of the -school; Bridget has never been accustomed to obey any rules, I will be -merciful to her, I will be lenient, I will never forget that Biddy has -been queen in her Irish home.'" - -"Oh, don't talk to me about my home," said Bridget, her lips quivering, -her eyes filling with tears. - -"Yes; but is it not true, Bridget? Has not Mrs. Freeman been very -lenient to you in the past?" - -"I suppose she has. I never thought much about it. I scraped along -somehow; I was happy enough." - -"Well, was she lenient to you to-day?" - -"Need you ask, Janet? I'm a prisoner; a close prisoner in this -abominable room. Such treatment will soon kill me. I can't eat; I shall -soon die of misery." - -"It is hard on you, Bridget; you are exactly like a wild bird of the -woods put into a cage." - -"Yes, that's it; and the captive bird will break its heart." - -"Poor Bridget! I didn't like you in your free days, but I'm willing to -own that I pity you now." - -"Thank you, thank you; but I hate pity. Whoever would think of offering -pity to Bridget O'Hara at home?" - -"But Bridget O'Hara is no longer at home; she is a captive in a strange -land. Don't cry, Biddy. Let us leave sentimentalities now, and come to -facts. Whom do you think you owe this severe treatment to?" - -"I am sure I can't tell you." - -"I can tell you, however. You owe it entirely--to Evelyn Percival." - -"Now what do you mean? that nice girl whom I nearly killed?" - -"You didn't nearly kill her; that's all stuff! Bridget, you don't know -Evelyn Percival, but I do. Had any other girl been in the carriage when -you and the children startled the horses, you would have been forgiven. -Mrs. Freeman would still have remembered that you were unaccustomed -to rules, and she would have tried to break you in gently and -considerately; but as Evelyn happened to be the person whose delicate -nerves sustained a shock, Mrs. Freeman was incapable of showing any -mercy. Evelyn Percival poses in the school as a sort of saint. Nearly -everyone bows down to her; Mrs. Freeman, head mistress though she is, -is so influenced by her that you are sure to have a bad time in future." - -"I shan't stand it; it isn't likely." - -"You will be forced to stand it. If Evelyn gives the smallest -suggestion about you, it will be certain to be followed out. I pity -you, Bridget, but you are certainly likely to have a lively time." - -"You don't mean to tell me," answered Bridget, "that I have to thank -Miss Percival for this punishment; that it is at her instigation I am -here?" - -"You are certainly here at no one else's instigation." - -"Did she tell Mrs. Freeman to make a close prisoner of me, and to -starve me?" - -"It is your own fault if you are starved, Bridget; don't exaggerate, -my dear; you do no good by that. As to your being made a prisoner, you -certainly owe it to Evelyn. She can say things, even though she does -not put them into words." - -"Oh, I understand," said Bridget. She turned again to look out of the -window, and her impatient fingers once more played a tattoo on the -glass. - -"Evelyn is most popular," continued Janet, "for the simple reason that -people don't read her through and through. I can see beneath that -sweet, saintly calm, and I honestly say that I cannot bear her. Now, -Bridget, if you will come on my side, if you will join me in opposing -the pernicious influence that girl exercises, I can help you out of -this scrape without allowing you to humiliate yourself, and I can at -the same time put you up to having the nicest little revenge in the -world on this delightful Miss Percival." - -"But Dorothy believes in her, and Dorothy is so sweet and kind," -exclaimed Bridget, in perplexity. - -"Poor, dear Dolly," exclaimed Janet, "anyone can take her in; but you, -my dear, although you are not very learned, are clever. However, this -is your own concern. If you like to stay in this hot room until Mrs. -Freeman breaks in your proud spirit, and if you like to submit to the -many indignities which I can plainly see are before you, that, of -course, is your affair. I thought it only kind to warn you, but perhaps -I have interfered unwarrantably. If so, forgive me." - -Janet rose as she spoke, and took a step or two toward the door. - -"No, don't go," exclaimed Biddy. "You puzzle me very much; there's no -one in the world who hates mean ways more than I do, and if Evelyn is -that sort----" - -"She is that sort, Bridget." - -"Well, well!" Bridget turned again to the window. - -"What am I to do, Janet?" she said, after a pause. Her tone was quite -humble; there was a crushed expression in her face. - -"Poor old thing!" said Janet, in her light, silvery voice. She went up -to Bridget, and gave her a careless kiss on her cheek. She could afford -to do this, for she knew the victory was hers. - -"In the future I will be your friend," she said; "you may rely upon me. -We are going to choose fresh chums in a week's time. Suppose we choose -one another. I know we are not a bit alike, but that's just the very -thing; opposites should keep together. However, there's time enough to -settle that presently." - -"Yes, quite time enough," said Bridget. "I thought that I'd take Dolly -for my chum." - -"You can't get her, my dear; she's bespoken to Evelyn long ago." - -"That horrid Evelyn!" Bridget stamped her foot impatiently. - -"Ah, I see, Biddy, that you and I will get on capitally. I could kiss -you again, but kissing isn't my way. Now then to business. The first -thing is to get you out of this room." - -"How is that to be effected? Mrs. Freeman says that I am to stay here -until I promise to obey the rules of the school. I can't obey them, so -I suppose I'm to stay here until I die." - -"And why can't you obey them, Bridget?" - -"Why can't I obey the rules of the school? We are not likely to be -chums if you talk to me in that fashion, Janet." - -"Now, my dear, I must just reason with you a little. You say you can't -obey the rules of the school; you say so because you fail to understand -them. If you put yourself under my guidance, and I am quite willing to -take charge of you, I will show you that you can obey them sufficiently -to keep yourself out of all serious scrapes, and yet at the same time -you will enjoy as much liberty as any girl need desire. Do you think I -am unhappy on account of the rules of the school?" - -"No; but you haven't got a wild heart like me." - -"Poor Biddy, I'll take care of your wild heart. It was ill-natured of -me not to see after you before, but in the future, my dear, you are -quite safe. I am going to fetch Mrs. Freeman now." - -"What in the world for?" - -"To tell her that you will obey the rules, that you will cease to be an -unruly member of the community, that you are going to be my chum." - -"O Janet, but it's dreadful to promise and not to perform. I have been -awfully naughty, I know, over and over and over again, but I have never -stooped to breaking a promise." - -"You shall not break this promise, for I won't let you, but I can show -you a way to keep the fetters from galling. Now I am going to fetch -Mrs. Freeman. It's worth your while to submit at once, Biddy, for I -intend to take you for a row." - -"A row on the water!" Bridget's eyes sparkled; she threw back her -shoulders with a gesture of relief. - -"Yes," repeated Janet, "a row on the water. The school boat is at our -disposal this evening. Mademoiselle is coming to take charge of us, -but, as she is really nobody, we shall practically be as free as air. -Stay where you are, Biddy, until I fetch Mrs. Freeman." - - - - -CHAPTER IX. - -TAKING SIDES. - - -When Dorothy entered Evelyn's bedroom she found her friend up and -dressed. - -"I'm quite well, really, Dolly," said Evelyn, with a smile. "I stayed -in bed until I could endure it no longer. I can't tell you how vexed I -am that I fainted last night, and gave Mrs. Freeman a fright. There was -nothing really to make anyone else faint, for that brave girl saved me -from being hurt in the most wonderful manner. By the way, how is she? I -should like to see her and to thank her." - -"Poor Eva," said Dorothy, coming up and kissing her friend, "you are -just the most forgiving creature in existence. Anyone else would be -awfully angry with Bridget. Her conduct very nearly cost you your life!" - -"There is a wide difference between 'very nearly' and 'quite,'" said -Evelyn, with a smile. "I escaped with a 'very nearly,' and feel as well -as ever now, and rather ashamed of myself. There never was a girl who -meant less harm than this Bridget. I can see her now running down the -road, her face all smiles, her eyes dancing, her white teeth showing; -I can see the little ones surrounding her. They waved boughs of trees, -and they shouted and sang as they came. For one moment I said to -myself, 'O Jubilate! here is a welcome worth having!' but then Caspar -took fright, the carriage swayed horribly, the cushions jumped up as -if they were going to strike me, and I remembered nothing more until I -awoke with my head on this girl's lap, and Mrs. Freeman bending over -me. I should like to see the girl, to thank her. Where is she, Dolly? I -am attracted by her face; it is a very lovely one!" - -"Well, sit down, now, by the window, and let us talk," answered -Dorothy. "I shall be jealous if you give all your thoughts to Bridget -O'Hara. I know she's a pretty girl, and I like her very much for some -things. But, oh dear, she is a care! I don't believe that any school -had ever before such a madcap in it. But don't let us waste all our -time talking about her. You can't help hearing her name spoken morning, -noon, and night, when you come into the school." - -Evelyn sank down in a low easy-chair by the open window. She wore a -white cambric dress, and a pale blue belt round her slender waist. Her -gentle eyes, also faint blue in their coloring, looked out over the -summer scene. She was not beautiful, but there was a charm about her, a -sense of repose, which made it delightful to be with her. The singular -unselfishness of her nature was apparent in everything she did, said, -and thought. - -"I'm delighted to be back, Dolly," she said. "This illness of mine has -been such a bother, and it's delicious to be well and able to go in for -things again. Now, if I may not speak of Bridget, tell me about the -other girls in the school. Tell me, also, what is the great object of -interest at present?" - -"Oh, the Fancy Fair!" Dorothy colored as she spoke. "You need not -bother your head about it, Evelyn," she continued quickly. "Janet is -at the head of it; it was she who thought of the fair, and she's the -moving spring. You know what that means, don't you, darling?" - -"I'm afraid I do," replied Evelyn. "Does Janet May dislike me as much -as ever?" - -"She certainly does; but don't fret about her; she's not worth it. Eva, -you will most likely be asked to come on the committee, and to take a -stall at the Fancy Fair. If you get the invitation, will you accept it?" - -"Of course I shall. Need you ask? Alack and alas! I have no chance of -winning any prizes, so the fair will be a great diversion. I suppose -it's a charity concern; who is it for?" - -"A little orphan boy in the neighborhood. Oh, you'll learn all about -him presently. We are working as hard as possible for the fair. If -you come on the committee, Evelyn, you must let me help you with your -stall." - -"_If_ I come on the committee," repeated Evelyn. "I suppose I am quite -certain to be asked to join? Dolly, you look at me in rather a queer -way!" - -"_Do_ I? Don't notice my looks. There is something worrying me, but -nothing bad may come of it. It is so nice to talk to you again. Now I -have something to say about that poor Biddy. At the present moment she -is in disgrace." - -"In disgrace? What about?" - -"I'm afraid it's about you." - -"Oh, but I must speak to Mrs. Freeman. She really meant nothing wrong, -dear child." - -"She broke the rules in leaving the grounds without leave. I think it -is for her disobedience that Mrs. Freeman is punishing her. She has -shut her up in Miss Patience's room, and poor Biddy won't eat, and -is in a dreadful state of mind. Marshall spoke to me about her after -dinner, and asked me to go to her; but we had a committee meeting just -then, and afterward I could not find Mrs. Freeman." - -"Have you left the poor girl by herself all this time, Dolly?" - -"I must own that I have. I will go and have a talk with her as soon as -ever I leave you; not that I can do much good, she's such a queer kind -of mixture of obstinacy and passion." - -"But it does seem dreadful to leave her by herself all this time; just -as if no one had a scrap of sympathy for her. Let us both go to her at -once, Dolly. I want to thank her for being so brave." - -"But Mrs. Freeman; we ought to ask her leave." - -"Mrs. Freeman will be in her own sitting room at this time. Come along, -Dolly, we have just a few minutes to spare before the gong sounds for -tea." - -Dorothy made no further objections, and she and Eva went downstairs -side by side. - -They knocked at Mrs. Freeman's sitting-room door. She was not in, but -Miss Delicia was tidying books and papers on her davenport. - -"Is that you, Eva!" she exclaimed in delight. "Why, you look as well -and jolly as possible. How nice to have you back again!" - -The little lady ran up to Evelyn, and kissed her affectionately. "Now, -my darling, you are not going to tire yourself," she said. "Come and -sit here by the open window." - -"I have been sitting still and lying down all day," replied Evelyn, -with a faint little grimace; "I am not really tired at all. Dolly and -I came, Miss Delicia, to ask Mrs. Freeman to give us leave to go and -see that poor girl, Bridget O'Hara. It seems she has got into a scrape -on my account." - -"And rightly, my dear; and very rightly. For my part, I don't approve -of punishments; I am all the other way; but such conduct as Bridget's -does deserve a sharp reprimand. Suppose you had been seriously hurt, -Evelyn?" - -"But I was not hurt at all. I wish I could go and see Miss O'Hara now; -I want to thank her for having saved my life. If she did give me a -fright, Miss Delicia, she also kept me from the consequences of her own -act. I wish I could thank her." - -"Well, dear, do go to her; I'll give you permission, and set things -right with Mrs. Freeman. If you and Dolly can bring that wild child to -hear reason we shall all be only too delighted. Run away, my dears, -both of you, and do your best." - -The girls left the room, and ran down the stone passage which led to -Miss Patience's little sitting room at the other side of the big house. - -They were surprised, however, on reaching it, to find the door flung -wide open and the room empty. - -Dorothy gave an exclamation of astonishment. - -"Bridget must have given in," she said; "Mrs. Freeman must have come to -her, and she must have yielded. Oh, what a relief! How glad I am! Come, -Evelyn, let us go on the terrace, and walk up and down until tea is -ready." - -The broad terrace which ran in front of the house was completely -sheltered from the sun at this hour. There was a pleasant breeze, and -the girls, as they paced arm in arm up and down the broad path, looked -happy and picturesque. - -Two girls who were coming up the grassy slope at this moment stopped at -sight of them; one uttered a slight exclamation of dismay, the other -made an eager bound forward. - -"There's Dolly!" exclaimed Bridget; "do let me run to her, Janet." - -"Miss Percival is with her," exclaimed Janet. "Do you really want to -speak to Miss Percival, Bridget, after all you have suffered on her -account?" - -"But she looks very nice." - -"What a poor, weak kind of creature you are to be influenced by looks; -besides, she is in reality very plain. Even her warmest admirers have -never yet bestowed on her the palm of beauty." - -"Oh, I like her face; it looks so good." - -Janet paused in her walk to give her young companion a glance of steady -contempt. - -"Can I possibly go on with this scheme of mine?" she muttered to -herself. "Bridget O'Hara is altogether too dreadful." Had Janet yielded -to her impulses at that moment she would have told Bridget to join her -beloved Dorothy and Evelyn Percival, and have declared her intention of -washing her hands of her on the spot. Had Janet acted so, this story -need never have been written. But that strong ambition, that thirst -for praise, which was her most marked characteristic came to her aid. -Bridget was the only means within her power to achieve a most desirable -end, and as such she must be tolerated. - -"Come down this walk with me," she said, in a low tone; "come quickly, -before those girls see us. I want to say a word to you." She took -Biddy's hand as she spoke and hurried her into a little sheltered path -which led round to the back of the house. - -"Now, Bridget," she said, "I must clearly understand how matters are -going to be. Dorothy Collingwood cares nothing at all for you; she is -a most fickle girl. She took you up to a certain extent when first you -came, but her conduct during your punishment proves how little she -really cares for you. She and Evelyn will be all in all to each other, -and if you go back to them, you will soon see for yourself that three -is trumpery; now, on the other hand, if you will be guided by me, I -will keep my promise to you. I am willing to become your chum, and if I -am your chum, I will see you safely past all the rocks ahead. You know -nothing whatever about school. There are two sorts of girls at every -school; there is the girl who is always in trouble, who doesn't learn -her lessons, who doesn't obey the rules. Such a girl is a misery both -to herself and her companions. There is also the girl who obeys the -rules, and who learns her lessons. I represent the one sort of girl, -you represent the other. I can teach you to become like me, without -making things at all unpleasant to you, but you must choose at once; -you must be on my side, or on Evelyn Percival's side. Now which is it -to be?" - -"Yours, of course," said Bridget; "you are the only girl in the school -who was kind to me to-day, so of course I'll be on your side." - -"Very well, that's all right. You must copy me when you talk to Evelyn -Percival. You must show Dorothy also that you resent her coldness. -There's the tea gong. Let us go in. Immediately after tea you will -find time to write that letter to your father, won't you, dear?" - -"Yes, of course. I know he'll give me as much money as I want." - -"Ask him for plenty; there's nothing like money when all is said and -done. Now come along to tea. I won't be able to sit near you, Bridget, -but I'll have my eye on you, so don't forget how I'll expect you to -behave." - - - - -CHAPTER X. - -CHECKMATE. - - -There was great astonishment among the girls who met at the Lookout the -next day when Janet pronounced in calm, decided tones that a new member -was willing to join the committee, that the new member was the Irish -girl, Bridget O'Hara, who would help her at her stall, and would give -as much money to the cause as was necessary to insure its success. - -"Bridget O'Hara is not here," said Janet, "but she has asked me to -speak for her. She has written to her father to ask him to send her -plenty of funds. She will be more or less of a cipher, of course, but -having the wherewithal she will be a useful one. I propose, therefore," -continued Janet May, "that our committee remains as it is with this one -welcome addition, and that Evelyn Percival is not asked to join." - -While Janet was speaking Dorothy's rosy face turned very pale. "Now I -understand," she murmured; "now I can account for poor Biddy's change -of manner. O Janet, why didn't you leave her alone?" - -"What do you mean?" said Janet, flashing round angrily. "Bridget's -help is most desirable. She has money, and she won't interfere with -projects already formed. Had Miss Percival been asked to join, she -would, of course, have given us plenty of money, but she would also -have interfered. I may as well plainly say that I don't choose to -be interfered with at this juncture. That is plain English, I hope; -you can make the worst of it, girls, all of you! I prefer that poor -nonentity of a Bridget to Miss Percival, and I have managed to have my -way." - -"I suppose we must vote for Biddy," said Ruth and Olive. - -"Of course, you must vote for her," retorted Janet. - -"I do not object to her joining the committee," said Frances; "but I -think you have managed the whole thing in a very underhand way, Janet. -You are fond of saying that you like frank opinions, so there is mine -for you." - -"All right!" said Janet; "I accept it for what it is worth. Now then, -girls, this weighty matter is settled. Dorothy, you must say something -nice to Evelyn. Of course, you have a reasonable excuse to give her. It -would be ridiculous to ask her to join us at the eleventh hour. She is -a sensible girl, and will----" - -At this moment, Olive, who was bending over the parapet, turned round, -and said to her companions in a low, almost awestruck voice: - -"Mrs. Freeman is coming up the steps of the Lookout!" - -The next instant the smiling face of the head mistress appeared. - -"Well, my dears," she said, "I won't waste your valuable time a single -moment longer than is necessary. I am very much pleased with all your -zeal in getting up this little bazaar. I, on my part, will take every -possible pains to see that your Fancy Fair is well attended. I have a -suggestion, however, to make; it is this: Evelyn Percival ought to be -asked to take a prominent part in the management of the fair. She has -come back in sufficient time for this; her health is quite restored, -and it is due to her position in the school to pay her this respect. I -dare say, my loves," continued Mrs. Freeman, "that you have all thought -of this already, and are even now preparing to ask her to join you. If -so, you will find her in the summerhouse at the end of the East Walk -with Kitty Thompson. Good-by, my dears! Forgive me if I have interfered -unnecessarily." - -Mrs. Freeman went away. The girls had no time to ask her a question. -The head mistress was always quick and decisive in her movements. She -was kind, even indulgent, but she was also firm. From Mrs. Freeman's -decision each girl in the school felt there was no appeal. - -As her retreating footsteps sounded on the winding stairs of the little -tower, the girls who formed the committee for the Fancy Fair looked -at one another. In Janet's gaze there were open-eyed consternation -and dismay. Olive and Ruth appeared what they were: the very essence -of uncertainty and nervousness. Frances Murray could not restrain an -expression of triumph appearing in her bright eyes, while Dolly looked -both glad and sorry. - -"O Janet!" she said, "I wish I could take your side and my own. I wish -I could obey dear Mrs. Freeman, and have our darling Evelyn to help us, -and be one of us, and I also wish to do the thing that makes you happy." - -"Oh, don't worry about me," said Janet. "Of course, the thing is -inevitable. Under existing circumstances, I give in. I have only -one request to make, girls, and that is, that you will not betray -to Evelyn Percival, who, of course, will take the lead now in the -management of the Fancy Fair, the very frank objections I have made to -having her with us. We must welcome her, of course, with a good grace, -and I trust to you all to keep my little remarks to yourselves." - -"Of course, of course, Janey," they each eagerly replied. - -"As if we could be so mean as to tell," remarked Ruth, going up to her -friend and giving her hand a squeeze. - -Janet did not return the pressure of Ruth's hand. She turned abruptly -to Dorothy. - -"Evelyn is to be found in the summerhouse. Will you go and fetch her at -once, Dolly?" - -Dorothy ran off without another word. While she was absent Janet kept -her back to her friends. She generally carried a little sketchbook in -her pocket; she took it out now, and under the shelter of her parasol -pretended to sketch the lovely summer landscape which surrounded her. - -The other girls who were watching saw, however, that her small, dainty -fingers scarcely moved. - -When voices and steps were heard in the distance, Janet was the first -to turn round, and when Evelyn appeared on the scene Janet went up and -bade her welcome. - -"We have elected you to join our committee," she said, in a low and -careless voice. "As the head girl of the school, you will naturally -take the lead in the matter; but, as you have been obliged to be absent -when our scheme was first started, you would perhaps like me to tell -you how far we have gone." - -"I am delighted to join the committee," replied Evelyn, "and -particularly glad that you have asked me, Janet. You may be sure, -girls, I'll do all I can to help, but as the idea of the Fancy Fair was -yours, Janet, I don't think I ought to take the lead." - -For a second a pleased expression flitted across Janet May's cold, -self-possessed face. It vanished, however, as quickly as it came. - -"No," she said, "I cannot possibly take the lead. The head girl of -the school has certain rights which no one must deprive her of. It is -generous of you to offer me your place, Evelyn, but, even if I allowed -myself to accept the position, Mrs. Freeman would instantly require -me to vacate it in your favor. The thing is settled, then; you are -formally invited by us all to join our committee; is that not so, -girls?" - -"Yes, yes," they all exclaimed, delight and relief plainly apparent on -every face. - -"You are formally elected, therefore," proceeded Janet. "Won't you sit -down, Evelyn? That is a comfortable seat in the shade over there. Won't -you take it? I can then tell you as briefly as possible what we have -done." - -Evelyn sat down in the comfortable seat without a word. Frances Murray -sprang to her side, slipped her hand through her arm, and looked into -her face with adoration; Ruth and Olive were only restrained by Janet's -presence from groveling at her feet. Dolly alone leant in a careless -attitude against the low parapet of the tower. Her affectionate glance -traveled many times to her friend's face, but she had too much tact and -too good taste to show her preference too openly while Janet May was -present. - -"Up to the present," said Janet, also leaning against the parapet, and -exactly facing Evelyn, "up to the present I have managed the proposed -bazaar. If it is generally wished, I can still remain treasurer. At the -present moment, I am sorry to say, there is very little money to guard. -If the thing is to be a success, more money must be spent, but that, -of course, is for Evelyn to decide. We are having the bazaar, Evelyn, -hoping to raise money to send little Tim Donovan to a good school. Mrs. -Freeman said something about this bazaar being repeated, if necessary, -in the future; but that, of course, we need not discuss at present. The -bazaar is to be called a Fancy Fair. It will be held in a large tent in -the four-acre field. This part of the entertainment Mrs. Freeman has -herself promised to provide. Our present idea is to have four stalls. -You will, of course, conduct the principal one; I, if permitted, will -take the second; Dorothy or Frances Murray will manage the third; -and there will also be a refreshment stall, for which we have not at -present provided. Each girl of the committee has undertaken to secure -a certain number of fancy materials for sale at the fair. Ruth, Olive, -and I at the present time are doing well; about six little girls of the -lower school are helping us. We meet twice a week in the summerhouse -at the end of the South Walk to work for the bazaar, and the results -will, I believe, be fairly creditable. I cannot say what arrangements -Frances is making, but she will doubtless tell you herself. Dorothy -is also the soul of industry. You'll probably reconstruct everything, -and I shall be ready to come to you for advice whenever you ask me. -There is, I think, only one thing more to say, and that is, that I -have persuaded the new girl, Bridget O'Hara, to join us. She does not -strictly belong either to the upper or the lower school at present. -Her position in the house is, I think, somewhat unique. She is a very -tall, grown-up-looking girl, but she is not yet quite fifteen years of -age. Her mind very much resembles her body, being extremely grown-up -in some ways, and absolutely childish in others. Her acquirements -are also those of a child. I have thought it right, however, in your -absence, of course, Evelyn, to ask her to join us. She has a good -deal of originality; she has also some money, which she is willing to -devote to the cause. I think that is all. I am now going to join my -workers in the summerhouse at the end of the South Walk. You, Ruth, and -you, Olive, can come with me if you like, but if you prefer it, you -are quite at liberty to join Evelyn's stall, for now that I have got -Bridget's help I can do admirably without you." - -Ruth and Olive looked more undecided than ever, but Evelyn said in -a firm voice: "Of course, girls, you could not for a moment wish to -desert Janet. I should like to say one thing before you go, Janet; it -is this, that I am very much surprised at your pluck and bravery in -getting up a bazaar of this sort. I am pleased to join it, and to do -all I can to promote it. Under the circumstances, I should much prefer -working as your aide-de-camp to taking the lead; but you are quite -right in saying that the head girl of the school has certain privileges -which, whether she likes it or not, she cannot forego. I must, of -course, take the principal part at the bazaar, but I shall, in every -way in my power, do what is most agreeable to you, and will lose no -opportunity to let my friends know that the idea is yours, not mine." - -"You are very good-natured," said Janet, "but I, too, have something -to say. Under the circumstances, I prefer sinking into the background. -After all, the only person to be seriously considered is little Tim -Donovan. If he is substantially helped I don't suppose it matters much -what anyone thinks of us." - - - - -CHAPTER XI. - -A WILD IRISH PRINCESS. - - -The girls of the lower school were all busy with their preparation. -Violet and Rose sat side by side. They had been chums for nearly a -year now, and the fact was so fully recognized in the school that -even their desks were placed close together. Violet was puzzling her -little brains over a very difficult piece of French translation, Rose -endeavoring to learn four or five long stanzas from Scott's "Lady of -the Lake." They were both clever little girls, and, as a rule, their -preparation was quickly over, and their tasks speedily conquered; but -to-night there was a holiday feeling in the air; a sense of idleness -pervaded everyone. Lessons seemed cruel, and the children rebelled -against their tasks. They looked at one another, laughed, yawned, -struggled with the listlessness which seized them, shot envious glances -at their more studious companions, and absolutely refused to overcome -the difficulties of the French translation and the English poetry. - -The door between the lower schoolroom and the room occupied by the -girls of the middle school had been thrown open, and from where the -children sat they could see the pretty flounce of a pale blue muslin -dress, and the provoking and exasperating peep of a little, pointed, -blue Morocco shoe. The shoe evidently belonged to a restless foot, for -it often appeared beneath the flounce, to vanish as quickly, and then -to poke itself into notice again. - -"It's Biddy," whispered Violet in a low tone to Rose. "I don't believe -she's learning her lessons a bit better than we are." - -"She never learns them at all," answered Rose. "Janet does them for her -now; don't you know that, Violet?" - -"Hush!" said Violet, "we are disturbing Katie and Susy Martin, and they -are such spiteful little cats, they are sure to tell on us. Hush! do -hush, Rose! you ought not to say such things." - -"I won't say them if you don't like," whispered Rose back again; "but -they are true all the same." - -Violet bent over her French translation. Rose made another frantic -struggle to conquer "The Lady of the Lake." - -The other children in the room were working with considerable industry; -the little idlers in the corner had to suppress their emotions as best -they could. - -Rose had a very emphatic way; she was a stronger character than Violet, -and in consequence had her little friend more or less under her thumb. - -Violet had a great admiration for Biddy, and, as she was really an -honorable and conscientious child, Rose's words shocked her very much. - -The moments went by. The summer evening outside looked more beautiful -and inviting each moment. After preparation was over, there was a treat -in store for the children. This was Bridget O'Hara's birthday, and she -was herself the giver of the treat. The children were to have a sort of -supper-tea in the tent on the lawn, and afterward Biddy was going to -give each of them a little present in memory of the day. - -The thought of Biddy's present and Biddy's treat had filled every -little heart with a pleasant sense of excitement during the entire day; -but Violet felt now that if Rose's words were really true she would not -care to accept a keepsake from Bridget. - -As she sat before her desk, too lazy, too languid, and at the same time -too excited, to pay the smallest heed to her lessons, she could not -help wishing that she could see something more of the blue frock than -just that part which covered the pretty foot. - -She slipped down lower and lower by her desk, and presently contrived -to get a view of Bridget's desk. She could not see her face, but she -could catch a glance of a plump young hand; it was quite still, it did -not move, it did not turn a page. Violet could stand it no longer. In -a moment of desperation she kicked off her slipper, and springing from -her seat, bent low on the floor to pick it up. - -From there she could see the whole of Biddy's figure. Oh, horror! her -little heart went down to zero; Bridget O'Hara's head rested against -her plump hand; she was fast asleep. - -The shrill voice of mademoiselle was heard from her corner of the room: - -"Reste tranquille, mon enfant; tu es bien ennuyeuse; est ce que tu ne -sais pas que c'est l'heure de silence?" - -Violet scrambled to, her feet, and sat down before her French -translation with a crimson face. - -In the meanwhile a pale, quiet-looking girl had entered the room where -the middle school were busy over their tasks, and, bending down by -Bridget O'Hara's side, took up an exercise she had just finished, and -looked over it swiftly and eagerly. - -"That is right," she said; "you will get good marks for this. Now, what -about your arithmetic?" - -"I have managed my sums fairly well, Janet; see," pulling an -exercise-book forward. "I suppose they are all right, but they look -very funny." - -"They must be all right, dear. Let me see! Yes, yes; oh, what an -incorrigibly stupid girl you are! This sum in compound subtraction has -got the answer which should be attached to the compound addition sum. -Quick, Bridget, give me your pen; I will score through these two lines, -and then you must add the figures underneath yourself. That is right. -What have you done with my----" - -"Your copy, Janet? I was going to tear it up, as I had done with it." - -"Don't do that, give it to me; it will be safest. Now, try and look -over your poetry, Bridget. I will wait for you outside." - -"Oh, that is easy enough; I shan't be any time. It's the first page or -two of that delightful 'Ancient Mariner'; I can get it done in no time." - -"Lucky for you. I will wait for you outside; I have something I want to -say to you. Be quick, for all those small tots will be out immediately, -and they'll want to take up every moment of your time. Give me those -notes, however, before I go." - -Bridget pulled some crumpled bits of paper out of her pocket, and -thrust them into Janet's eager hand. - -Miss May left the room, and Biddy, wide awake now, devoted herself to -her poetry. - -There was an eager, pleased, almost satisfied, expression on her face. - -It was over a week now since Janet had taken her up. During that time -she had, without in the least guessing the fact herself, been brought -into a considerable state of discipline. - -If she obeyed no one else in the school, Janet's slightest nod was -sufficient for her. - -It was Janet's present aim, whether by foul means or fair, to make -Biddy appear both good and fascinating. - -She did not want her captive to feel the end of her chain; she was -clever enough to make Biddy her complete slave without allowing the -slave to be conscious of her slavery. - -The result of this week of very judicious slavery was, as far as -externals went, highly beneficial. - -Biddy had a gorgeous taste in the matter of dress. She wore her -splendid garments with truly barbarian recklessness, overdressing -herself on one occasion, being untidy and almost slovenly on another. -A few suggestions, however, from Janet, altered all this, and the most -fastidious person could now see nothing to object to in the clothes -which adorned her beautifully proportioned figure, and the hats under -which that charming and lovely face looked out. - -To-night, Biddy's pale blue muslin, made simply, but with a lavish -disregard to expense in the matter of lace and ribbons, was all that -was appropriate; her crisp chestnut curls surrounded her fair face like -a halo. There was a queer mixture of the woman and the child about her; -she was by many degrees the most striking-looking girl in the school. - -It took Biddy but a very few minutes to conquer the difficulties of -"The Ancient Mariner." She had a great aptitude for committing poetry -to memory, and after repeating the stanzas two or three times under her -breath, she slipped the book inside her desk and ran out. - -To do this she had to go through the schoolroom where the little girls, -Violet and Alice, were sitting mournfully in front of their unlearned -lessons. - -"Oh, you poor tots!" she said, struck by the expression on their -wistful faces, "haven't you done yet? The feast is almost ready. I've -ordered clothes baskets of strawberries, my dears, and quarts and -quarts of cream." - -"Silence, mademoiselle!" screamed the French teacher. - -Bridget put her rosy fingers to her lips in mock solemnity, blew a kiss -to all the children, and banged the door somewhat noisily behind her. - -Violet's blue eyes sought Alice's; there was a world of entreaty in -their meaning. Alice began, with feverish, forced energy, to mutter to -herself: - - - "A chieftain's daughter seemed the maid." - - -Violet continued to gaze at her; then, taking up a scrap of paper, she -scribbled on it: - - - "I don't believe that Janet helps Biddy with her lessons." - - -This scrap of paper was thrust into Alice's hand, who, in a moment, -tossed a reply into Violet's lap: - - - "Yes, she does. You ask Honora Stedman or Jessie Sparkes." - - -Violet tore the paper into a thousand bits. Tears, she could scarcely -tell why, dimmed her pretty eyes. She sank back in her seat, and -resumed her lessons. - -"Maintenant, mes enfants, l'heure de preparation est passee," said the -French governess, rising, and speaking with her usual, quick little -scream. "Mettez vos livres de cote; allons-nous a la fete donnee par la -gracieuse Mlle. Bridget O'Hara." - -The children jumped up with alacrity. Chairs scraped against the -floor; desks were opened and books deposited therein more quickly than -quietly, and then the whole eager group went out. - -There was a large tent erected on the front lawn; gay flags were posted -here and there round it, and a rustic porch had been hastily contrived -at the entrance. This was crowned with many smaller flags, and was -further rendered gay with bunches of wild flowers and ferns which had -been fastened to it, under Bridget's supervision, early in the day. - -The brilliant effect of the many colored flags and banners, the peep -within the tent of tempting tables and many charming presents, excited -the wild spirits of the little ones to an almost alarming degree. - -Alice looked at Violet with a face full of ecstasy. - -"_How_ I love Biddy O'Hara!" she exclaimed. "Think of her getting up -such a lovely, exquisite treat for us! Would any other girl think only -of others on her birthday? Oh, I love her; I do love her!" - -"But if she does really crib her lessons!" answered Violet, in a low -tone of great sorrow. "O Alice, it can't be true." - -"It is true," replied Alice; "but, for goodness' sake, Violet, don't -fret yourself; it isn't our affair if Biddy chooses to do wrong. -Whether she does right or wrong, I shall still maintain that she's -a dear, generous darling. Do come on now, Violet, and let us enjoy -ourselves." Alice caught her little companion's hand as she spoke, and -the two children ran down the rather steep grassy incline to the tent. - -Most of their companions had arrived before them, and when they entered -under the flower-crowned porch, they found themselves in the midst -of a very gay and attractive scene. Bridget, with two or three older -girls of the school, was entertaining the children with strong sweet -tea, piles of bread and butter, cakes of various sizes and shapes, and -quantities of strawberries, which were further supplemented with jugs -of rich cream. - -Violet and Alice seated themselves at once at one end of the long -table, and the merry feast went on. - -What laughter there was at it, what childish jokes, what little -harmless, affectionate, mirthful repartees! Bridget O'Hara's face wore -its sweetest expression. The Irish girl had never looked more in her -element. Frances Murray and Dorothy, who were both helping her, had -never seen Bridget look like this. She showed herself capable of two -things: of giving others the most intense pleasure and enjoyment, and -absolutely forgetting herself. - -Dorothy had not felt kindly disposed to Bridget during the past week. -Bridget's conduct, Bridget's extraordinary reserve, the marked way in -which she resented small overtures of friendship from Evelyn Percival, -hurt her feelings a great deal; but to-night Dorothy Collingwood felt -her heart going out to Biddy in a new, unexpected way. - -"I agree with Evelyn," she said suddenly, turning round and speaking to -Frances Murray. - -"About what, my dear?" retorted that young lady. "You generally do -agree with Evelyn, you know." - -"Don't tease me, Frances; of course we're chums, but I hold, and always -will hold, my own opinions. I agree with her now, however. I agree with -her with regard to Bridget O'Hara." - -"Biddy looks very sweet to-night," replied Frances, "but surely Evelyn -cannot care about her." - -"Biddy has been very nasty to Evelyn," answered Dolly. "Of course, I -know who is really to blame for it. Still I thought Biddy would have -more spirit than to be led in a matter of this sort. But do you think -Evelyn resents this sort of thing? Not a bit of her. She is just as -sweet and good about it all as she can be, and she said to me, what I -am really inclined to believe, that if Biddy is only done justice to, -there won't be a nobler woman in the world than she." - -"Oh, fudge!" said Frances; "I grant that she does look very sweet now, -but it's just like Evelyn to go to the fair with things, and it's just -like you, Dolly, to believe her. Come, come, the little ones cannot eat -another strawberry, however hard they try, and Bridget is going up to -the end of the tent to distribute the presents." - -"Let us see," replied Dolly. - -The two girls went up to the far end of the tent, where a little table -covered with a crimson cloth stood; on this Bridget had placed her -small gifts. - -They were all minute, but all dainty. They had arrived from Paris, a -few nights ago, in a small box. Thimbles in charming little cases, -dainty workboxes, writing cases, penholders, dolls, photograph frames, -boxes of colors, etc., etc., lay in profusion on the pretty table. - -Biddy stood by her presents, a bright light in her eyes, a bright -color on her cheeks. The two elder girls, who stood in the background, -could not help a sudden pang as they watched her. There was something -about her mien and bearing which made them, for the first time, clearly -understand that this girl was a wild Irish princess at home. For the -first time they got an insight into Biddy's somewhat complex character. - -"Come here, darlings," she said to the children in her sweet, rather -low-pitched voice. "I am glad to give you a little bit of pleasure. It -is the best sort of thing that can happen to me, now that I'm away from -father. Had you enough to eat, pets?" - -"Oh, yes, Biddy, oh, yes!" they all cried. - -"That's right. I thought you would. We have lots of feasts of this sort -at the Castle. The children aren't like you, of course; they live, -half of them, down in the cabins near the water's edge, and they come -up with their little bare feet, and their curly heads that have never -known hat nor bonnet, and their eyes as blue as a bit of the sky, or -as black as the sloes in the hedges. Oh, they are pets every one of -them, with their soft voices, and their little prim courtesies, and -their 'Thank you, kind lady,' and their 'Indeed, then, it's thrue for -ye, that I'm moighty honored by ateing in the sight of yer honor.' -Ah, I can hear them now, the pets! and don't they like the presents -afterward, and don't they send up three cheers for father and me before -they go away! They are all having a feast to-night at the Castle in -honor of my birthday, and father is there, and all the dogs, but I'm -away; I expect they're a bit lonesome, poor dears, without Biddy, but -never mind! You have all been very good to let me give you a little -feast, my dear darling pets." - -There was a great pathos in Biddy's words; the children felt more -inclined to cry than to laugh; Dolly felt a lump in her throat, and -even Frances looked down on the ground for a second, but when there -was a brief pause Frances raised her hand, and waved it slightly as a -signal. - -This was enough, all the hands were raised, all the handkerchiefs -waved, and from every throat there rose a "Hip! hip! hurrah!" and -"Three cheers for the Irish princess!" - -"Many happy returns of the day," said Frances, and then all the -children repeated her words. - -"You must not add any more," exclaimed Biddy. "I don't wish to cry; I -want to be happy, as I ought to be when you are all so nice and good -to me. I may as well say frankly that I did not at all like school at -first, but I do now. If you are all affectionate and loving, and if -Janet goes on being kind to me, I shall like school, and I shan't mind -so much being broken in." - -"Poor Biddy," exclaimed Dorothy, turning to her companion; "she reminds -me of the lovely silver-winged horse Pegasus. She does not like the -taming process." - -"No, my dear, that's true," replied Frances; "but Pegasus grew very -fond of Bellerophon in the end." - -"Only I deny," said Dolly, "that Janet is in the least like -Bellerophon." - -"Listen!" exclaimed Frances. - -"I am going to give you your presents now," said Bridget. "Come here, -each of you in turn." - -The children pressed eagerly to the front, and Biddy put a small gift -into each of their hands. - -"Now come for a walk with me," she said. "I shall tell you a fairy -story--a very short one; it pleased the barefooted children at home, -and I dare say it will please you. After that you must go to bed." - -It was really late now. The sun had set, but there was an after-glow -all over the sky, and the moon was showing her calm, full, round face -above the horizon. - -Alice linked her hand inside Biddy's arm, the other children surrounded -her, and Violet felt herself pressed up to her other side. - -On another occasion Violet would have taken Biddy's arm, and held it -tight. She did not do so to-night; she walked quietly by her side, -holding a lovely jointed doll in her arms. - -Bridget told a wonderful fairy tale, but Violet's eyes were fixed on -her doll, and her thoughts were far away. - -The other children cheered and applauded, and questioned and -criticised, but Violet was absolutely silent. - -At last the gong in the great house sounded. This was the signal for -all the little ones to go to bed. They each of them pressed up to kiss -Bridget, and thank her for the lovely treat she had given them. Each -one after she had kissed her friend ran into the house. - -At last Violet was the only child left. Even Alice ran off, but Violet -stood in the middle of the gravel walk, clasping her doll in her arms. - -"What is the matter, Vi?" asked Bridget. "Don't you like the doll? -Would you rather I exchanged it for something else?" - -Alice had climbed the steep grassy slope. She stood on the summit, and -shouted down into the gathering darkness: - -"Come, Violet, come at once, or you'll be late!" - -"Kiss me, Violet, and run to bed," said Bridget. "If you don't like the -doll, I'll exchange it to-morrow." - -"But I do like the doll," said Violet. "I love it! It isn't that, -Biddy. May I ask you something?" - -"Of course you may, you little darling. How pale you look. What's the -matter, Vi?" - -"Is it true, Biddy, that you crib your lessons? Alice says it's true; -but I don't believe her." - -Bridget had knelt down by Violet in her earnest desire to comfort her. -She rose now to her feet, and stood erect and tall in the moonlight. -After a very brief pause, she spoke in a haughty tone: - -"Alice says that I crib?" she repeated. "What do you English girls mean -by 'cribbing'?" - -"Alice says--oh, please don't be angry, Biddy--she says that Janet -helps you; that Janet does--does _some_ of your lessons for you, -herself. I don't believe it! I said it wasn't true." - -"You are a good little soul," said Biddy. - -She took the child's hand within her own. - -"What a plucky little thing you are, Vi. So you think it wrong to crib?" - -"I think it wrong to crib?" repeated Violet. "I think it wrong to crib? -Why, of course; it is _most un_honorable." - -Bridget colored. - -"That's what you English think," she said, in a would-be careless tone; -"but when a girl doesn't know, and when she's quite certain to get into -all sorts of scrapes--eh, Vi--you tell me what a girl of that sort has -got to do?" - -"She must not crib," said Violet, in a shaky and intensely earnest -little voice; "it's most awfully unhonorable of her; a girl who -cribs must feel so--so mean. If it was me, I'd rather have all the -punishments in the school than feel as mean as _that_. But you don't -crib, Biddy, darling; you are so lovely, and you are so sweet; I -know--I _know you don't crib_." - -Bridget O'Hara had been tempted by Janet into a very dishonorable -course of action, but no spoken lie had ever yet passed her lips. - -When Violet looked up at her with the moonlight reflected on her little -pale, childish, eager face, Biddy felt the hour for that first lie had -arrived. She thought that she would do anything in the world rather -than crush the love and the eager trust which shone out of Violet's -eyes. - -"Of course I don't crib," she was about to say; but suddenly, like a -flash, she turned away. - -"I'm sorry to destroy your faith in me, Vi," she said, in a would-be -careless tone; "but though I have done a very 'unhonorable' thing, as -you call it, I really can't tell a lie about it. I do crib, if cribbing -means taking Janet's help when I learn my lessons." - -The faint roses which Violet wore in her cheeks faded out of them. - -"I'm awfully sorry for you," she said. "I didn't believe it a bit when -Alice said it; I wouldn't believe it now from anyone but yourself. -There's the doll back again, Biddy; I--I can't keep it, Biddy." - -She pushed the waxen beauty into Bridget's arms, and rushed back to the -house. - - - - -CHAPTER XII. - -LADY KATHLEEN. - - -For the past week, Janet May had managed, through her tact and -cleverness, to make Bridget's life quite comfortable to her. She had -shown her a way in which she could obey the rules and yet not feel the -fetters. She imparted to Bridget some of that strange and fatal secret -which leads to death in the long run, but which at first shows many -attractions to its victims. Bridget might live at the school, and have -a very jolly, and even independent time; all she had to do was to obey -the letter and break the spirit. - -In point of acquirements, Biddy could scarcely hold a place even in -the middle school. She had many talents, but her education had never -been properly attended to. During the last week, however, she had made -rapid progress in her studies; she had been moved up a whole class, and -was steadily getting to the top of her present one. Her masters and -mistresses praised her, and these words of approval proved themselves -extremely sweet, and spurred her on to make genuine efforts in those -studies for which she had really a talent. Biddy's English was perhaps -her weakest point. Her spelling was atrocious; her writing resembled -a series of hieroglyphics; her sums were faulty; her history was -certainly fable, not fact. - -She could speak French perfectly; her marks, therefore, in this -tongue were always good. Now her English, too, began to assume quite a -respectable appearance; her sums were invariably correct; her spelling -irreproachable; her various themes were well expressed, and her facts -were incontestable. She was making her way rapidly through the middle -school, and Mrs. Freeman said that she had every reason to hope that so -clever a girl might take her place in the upper school by the beginning -of the next term. - -As it was, Bridget was accorded a few of the privileges of the upper -school. One of these privileges was very much prized; she might spend -her evenings, once preparation was over, exactly as she pleased. - -After Violet's unexpected reproof she came slowly into the house. She -had that uncertain temperament which is so essentially Irish; her -spirits could rise like a bird on the wing, or they could fall into the -lowest depths of despondency. - -She had felt gay and joyful while her birthday treat was going on; now -as she entered the house she could scarcely drag one leaden step after -the other. - -Janet was standing in the stone passage which led to the common room, -when Biddy passed by. - -"I have been waiting for you," she said, in a rather cross voice. "What -an age you've been! Surely the treat need not have been followed by a -whole wasted hour afterward?" - -"I was telling the children a story," said Biddy; "the story was part -of the treat." - -Janet's thin lips curled somewhat sarcastically. - -"Well, come now," she said; "the committee have all assembled in the -common room, and we're only waiting for you to begin." - -"You must do without me to-night," said Bridget; "I have got a -headache, and I'm going to bed." She turned abruptly away, utterly -disregarding Janet's raised brows of astonishment, and the faint little -disagreeable laugh which followed her as she went upstairs. - -Bridget's room adjoined the one occupied by Evelyn Percival. As Bridget -was entering her bedroom, Evelyn was coming out of hers. - -"Had you a nice treat?" she said, stopping for a moment to speak to -Bridget. "You never asked me to come and look on, and I should have -enjoyed it so much." - -"But you're the head girl of the school; my treat was only for the -little ones," said Bridget, in a cold tone. - -"I love treats for little ones," said Evelyn, "and I think it was so -nice of you to think of it. Aren't you coming down to the committee, -Miss O'Hara? This is the evening when we arrange our different -contributions. You know, of course, that the bazaar is only a week off." - -"I don't care when it is held," said Biddy; "there never was such -a stupid fuss made about anything as that bazaar; I'm sick of the -subject. No, Miss Percival, I'm not going to join the committee -to-night." - -"Well, good-night, then," said Evelyn. - -She ran downstairs, and Biddy shut herself into her own room and locked -the door. - -About an hour later the other girls went to bed. Biddy unlocked her -door, and getting between the sheets just as she was, in her pretty -blue muslin frock, waited until all the house was still. Miss Delicia -usually visited the girls the last thing before going to bed. She came -into Bridget's room as usual, but noticed nothing wrong. The top of a -curly head was seen above the sheet. Miss Delicia stepped lightly on -tiptoe out of the room, and a few moments later the large house, with -its many inmates, was wrapped in profound silence. - -When this silence had lasted about a quarter of an hour, Biddy raised -herself on her elbow, and listened intently; then she threw aside the -bedclothes, and stepped lightly on to the floor. Her slippers were -discarded, and her little stockinged feet made no sound as she walked -across the boards. She managed to open her door without its making a -single creak, and a few moments later, guided by the moon, she was -standing in the deserted schoolroom, and was unlocking her school desk. -From out of it she took three very neat looking exercise-books. From -each of these books she tore a page. These three pages she deliberately -reduced to the minutest fragments; returned the books to her desk, -locked it, and went back to bed. - -No one had heard her go or come. When she laid her head once more on -her pillow a little sob escaped her lips. - -"You shan't ever say I'm unhonorable again, Violet," she muttered; some -tears stole from under her thick, curly lashes. Two or three minutes -afterward she had dropped into profound and peaceful slumber. - -The next day at lesson time Bridget O'Hara was in extreme disgrace. She -had no exercises, either good or bad, to show; not the most careless or -untidy notes had she with regard to her history lesson; her geography -had simply not been prepared at all. - -Biddy went to the bottom of her class, where she stayed for the -remainder of the morning. - -She was to learn her lessons during the hours of recreation, and was -told by her indignant teachers that she might consider herself in great -disgrace. - -She received this announcement with complacency, and sat with a -contented, almost provoking, smile hovering round her lips. - -Morning school being over, the girls went out to play as usual; -but Biddy sat in the schoolroom with her sums, history lesson, and -geography all waiting to get accomplished. - -"You have been a good girl lately, Bridget; you have prepared your -lessons carefully and cleverly," said Miss Dent, the English teacher. -"I am quite sure, therefore, that you will speedily retrieve the great -carelessness of this morning. I am willing to make all allowances -for you, my dear, for we none of us forget that yesterday was your -birthday. Now, just give your attention to these lessons, and you will -have them nicely prepared by dinner time." - -"I don't believe I shall," said Bridget, with a comical expression. She -bent over her books as she spoke, and Miss Dent, feeling puzzled, she -did not know why, left the room. - -A moment later Janet came in. - -"What is the matter?" asked Janet. "I have just met Miss Dent, who -tells me that you failed in your three English lessons this morning. -How can that be? Your grammar and English history and geography were -perfect last night. They had not a single mistake!" - -"You mean," said Bridget, raising her eyes and looking full at, Janet, -"that _your_ grammar and geography and English history were perfect -last night." - -Janet shrugged her shoulders. - -"It's all the same," she said. "I told you that I'd help you with your -lessons, and I shall keep my word. How is it that you have managed to -get into disgrace, after all the trouble I have taken for you?" - -"You are never to take it again, Janet; that is all!" - -"Never to take it again! Dear me, what a very superior voice we can -use when we like! And has our 'first' sweet little 'gem of the ocean' -discovered that her own mighty genius can tide her over all school -troubles?" - -"I'm not going to be afraid of you, Janet," said Biddy. "Of course, -you've been awfully kind to me, and I'm not ungrateful. But -something--something _happened_ last night which made me see that I've -been a mean, horrid, deceitful girl to let you help me at all, and you -are not to do it again; that's all." - -"What happened last night to open your virtuous eyes?" - -"I'm not going to say." - -"Have any of the girls found out?" - -Janet turned decidedly pale as she asked this question. - -"I'm not going to say." - -"You don't mean to hint to me, Bridget, that you have told the teachers -about what I have done?" - -"Of course I haven't, Janet. But I'll tell you what I did do. I went -down last night when all the other girls--you among them--were sleeping -the sleep of the just, and I tore a sheet out of each of these books; -the sheet which you had so carefully prepared for me last night. That's -why I had no English lessons, good, bad, or indifferent, to show this -morning." - -Janet stood quite silent for a moment or two; her delicately formed -fingers beat an impatient tattoo on the top of Biddy's desk. - -"You can please yourself, of course," she said, after a pause. "You -can wade through your lessons as best you can, and sink to your proper -position, you great big baby, in the lower school. You have shown a -partiality for the little children. You are likely to see enough of -them in future, for you will belong to them." - -"They are dear little creatures, much nicer than any of the big girls, -except Dolly. I'd rather be with them and do right than stay in the -middle school, or even the upper, and feel as I did last night." - -"It is delightful to see what a tender conscience you have got! -I confess I did not know of its existence until to-day, but I -congratulate you most heartily on such a priceless possession. It will -be a great relief to me, not to have to worry any more about your -lessons. For the future I wash my hands of you." - -"Am I not to be your chum any more, then, Janet?" - -Bridget looked up, with decided relief on her face. - -Janet saw the look. Her brow darkened; she had to make a great effort -to suppress the strong dislike which filled her breast. Bridget, -however, was rich; she might be useful. - -"Of course, we are chums still," she said in a hasty voice. "It is your -own fault if I don't do as much for you as I promised. You are a great -little goose to reject the help which I am giving you. Your father sent -you to school in order that you might learn; you can't learn if you -are not helped. However, it's your own affair; but if you ever let out -to mortal that I gave you this assistance your life won't be worth -living, that's all." - -"I'm not a bit afraid of your threats, Janet; but I won't tell, of -course." - -"I say," exclaimed Janet, suddenly rushing to the window, "what a nice -carriage, and what fine horses! Who in the world can be coming to -Mulberry Court now?" - -Bridget had again bent over her lessons. They were hopelessly -difficult. It was on the tip of her tongue to say: - -"Janet, how am I to parse this sentence?" But she restrained herself. - -Janet had forgotten all about her. She was gazing at the beautiful -carriage and spirited horses with eyes full of curiosity. - -The carriage, a smart little victoria, contained only one occupant. The -horses were pawing the ground impatiently now; the lady had disappeared -into the house. - -"I say," exclaimed Janet, turning to Bridget; but whatever further -words she meant to utter were arrested on her lips. There was the -swishing sound of voluminous draperies in the passage, a gay, quick -voice could be distinguished pouring out eager utterances, and the next -moment the room door was opened hastily, and a lady rushed in. - -She was immediately followed by Miss Patience, who seemed somewhat -amazed. - -"Really, Lady Kathleen----" she began. - -"Now, my dear Miss Patience, don't interrupt me. I know what a good -soul you are; but if you think I'm going to sit in your drawing room -waiting until that precious child is brought to me, you are finely -mistaken. Ah, and here you are, my treasure! Come into Aunt Kitty's -arms!" - -"Aunt Kathleen!" exclaimed Bridget. - -She rushed from her seat, upsetting a bottle of ink as she did so, and -found herself clasped in a voluminous embrace. - -"Now that's good," said Lady Kathleen. "I'll write full particulars -about you to Dennis to-night. And how are you, my pet? And how do you -like school? Are they very cross? Oh, _I_ know them! I was here long -ago myself. Patience, do you remember how you used to insist upon -punishing the girls, and dear old Delicia used to beg them off? I -expect you are just the same as ever you were. Does Miss Patience give -you many punishments, my ducky, and does Miss Delicia beg you off?" - -"I'll leave you now, Lady Kathleen," said Miss Patience, still in -her stiff voice. "If you really prefer staying in this room to the -comfortable drawing room, I cannot help it. Of course, you will remain -to dinner? Mrs. Freeman will be delighted to see you again." - -"Dear Mrs. Freeman! If there's a woman in the world I respect, she's -the one. But stay a moment, Miss Patience; I'll come and see Mrs. -Freeman another time. I want to take this dear child off with me now -to Eastcliff for the day, and I'd be delighted if her young companion -would come too. What's your name, my love?" - -"May," replied Janet. - -"May? What a nice little flowery sort of title. Well, I want you to -come and spend the day with me, May." - -"My name is Janet May." - -"It's all the same, I expect. Now, Miss Patience, may I take these two -sweet children to Eastcliff? I'll promise to have them back under your -sheltering wings by nine o'clock this evening." - -Miss Patience hesitated for a moment, but Lady Kathleen Peterham was -not a person to be lightly offended. - -"It is very kind of you," she said, "and also most natural that you -should wish to have your niece with you. But Janet----" - -"Oh, come, come," said Lady Kathleen, with a hearty laugh, "I want to -have them both, dear children. Run upstairs, now, both of you, and make -yourselves as smart as smart can be. While the girls are getting ready, -you and I can have a little talk, Patience. Run, my loves, run, make -yourselves scarce." - -Bridget and Janet both left the room. All the crossness had now -disappeared from Janet's face. She was in high good humor, and even -condescended to link her hand inside Bridget's arm as they mounted the -stairs to their bedrooms. - -Janet had very quiet and very good taste in dress. - -She came downstairs presently in a dove-colored cashmere, a black lace -hat on her head, and dove-colored gloves on her hands. A pretty black -lace parasol completed her ladylike attire. There was nothing expensive -about her simple toilet, but it was youthful, refined, and suitable. - -Biddy did not return so quickly to the schoolroom. Alas! alas! she was -given _carte blanche_ with regard to her dress. Miss O'Hara loved gay -clothing. She came out of her room at last bedizened with fluttering -ribbons, wherever ribbons could be put. Her dress was of shimmering -sea green; she wore a large white hat, trimmed with enormous ostrich -feathers; white kid gloves were drawn up her arms. Her parasol was of -white lace, interspersed with bows of sea-green velvet. This gorgeous -costume had not before seen the light. It suited Biddy, whose radiant -sort of beauty could bear any amount of dress. Beside this splendid -young person, quiet Janet May seemed to sink into utter insignificance. -Miss Patience gave a gasp when Bridget appeared, but Lady Kathleen -Peterham smiled with broad satisfaction. - -"Ah!" she said, rising from her chair, "I call that costume really -tasty. The moment I saw it at Worth's I knew it would suit you, -Biddy, down to the ground. No, you naughty child, I'd be afraid even -to whisper to you what it cost; but come along now, both of you, or -we'll be late for all our fun. Miss Patience, I see you are lost in -admiration of Bridget's turn-out." - -"I must be frank with you, Lady Kathleen," said Miss Patience. "I -consider your niece's dress most unsuitable--the child is only fifteen. -A white muslin, with a blue ribbon belt, is the fitting costume for -her, and not all that tomfoolery. You'll excuse me, Lady Kathleen; I -think you and Mr. O'Hara make a great mistake in overdressing Miss -Biddy as you do." - -"Oh, come, come," said Lady Kathleen, "Bridget is my poor dear sister's -only child, and my brother-in-law and I can't make too much of her. In -school hours, of course, she can be as plain as you please, but out -of school----" The lady raised her eyebrows, and her expression spoke -volumes. - -"Come, my dear," she said. - -A moment later the gay little victoria was bowling back to Eastcliff, -and Lady Kathleen was pouring out a volley of eager remarks to Janet -May. The change from the dull routine of school life bewildered and -delighted sober Janet; she forgot her habitual reserve, and became -almost communicative. Biddy, notwithstanding all her fine feathers, -seemed for some reason or other slightly depressed, but Janet had never -known herself in better spirits. - -"What a sweet companion you are for my niece!" said Lady Kathleen. "You -may be quite sure, my love, that I'll tell my brother-in-law all about -you. I shouldn't be a bit surprised if he invited you to the Castle -for the holidays. I shall be there, and we are going to have all kinds -of gay doings. Eh, Biddy, love, what do you say to having your pretty -school friend with you? Why, how pensive you look, my deary!" - -"When I see you, Aunt Kathleen, I cannot help thinking of father and -the dogs," said Bridget abruptly. She turned her head away as she spoke. - -"Oh, my darling, the dogs; that recalls something to my mind. Minerva -has had four pups, elegant little creatures, thoroughbred, every one of -them. Dennis telegraphed their arrival to me last night." - -Janet thought this information highly uninteresting, but Biddy's -cheeks quite flamed with excitement. She asked innumerable and eager -questions, and absorbed all Lady Kathleen's attention until they -reached the gay hotel where the lady was staying at Eastcliff. - -Lady Kathleen Peterham had a suite of rooms to herself, and no pains -were spared to make these as luxurious and beautiful as possible. The -wide balconies of her drawing room, which looked directly over the -sea, were gay with many brilliant and lovely flowers. They were also -protected from the rays of the sun by cool green-and-white striped -awnings. - -Lunch was ready when the girls arrived, but immediately afterward Lady -Kathleen took them out to sit on the balcony with her. - -"We will have our ices and coffee here, Johnson," she said to the -servant who waited on them. - -As she spoke, she sank into a comfortable chair, and taking up a large -crimson fan, began to move it slowly backward and forward before her -somewhat heated face. - -Lady Kathleen was still a very handsome woman. Her blue eyes resembled -Bridget's in their brightness and vivacity; but her skin, brows, -and hair were much darker, and her expression, although vivacious -and winning, had not that charming innocence about it which marked -Bridget's young face. - -Lady Kathleen was a woman of about five-and-thirty. She was made on a -large scale, and the first slenderness of youth was already lost. She -had seen a great deal of what she called "life," for she had married -early, and had lived almost ever since in Paris with her husband. - -Hers was a somewhat frivolous nature. She was imprudent, injudicious, -incapable of really guiding the young; but, at the same time, she was -the soul of good nature, and would not willingly have hurt the smallest -living creature. - -Janet could not help being greatly impressed by Lady Kathleen. If there -was one point more strongly developed than another in Janet's character -it was her worldliness. She was a lady by birth, but she was poor. Some -day Janet knew that she would have to earn her own living. She had -the most intense respect, therefore, for those people who were blessed -with an abundance of this world's goods. Hers was naturally a cold, -cynical, and calculating nature. Bridget was, in reality, not in the -least to her taste, but the rumors of Bridget's wealth had always been -pleasant to listen to. On account of these rumors, Janet had done what -she considered good service to the willful and headstrong schoolgirl. - -She felt highly pleased now with her own worldly wisdom, as she sat -under the shelter of the green-and-white awning, and ate strawberry -ices, and sipped her coffee. - -Lady Kathleen was, in all respects, a woman to Janet's taste. She had -the _savoir faire_ which impresses young girls. Janet's respect for -Bridget increased tenfold when she saw that she was related to such -a woman, and she wondered to herself how the aunt could have so much -style and the niece be so _gauche_. - -Lady Kathleen, who was determined to make the day delightful to her -young companions, questioned Janet eagerly with regard to her school -and school pursuits. - -"Now, my darling," she said, "you must tell me about your little world. -I know what school is. I was at school myself for many a weary year. At -school there always is a big excitement going on. What's the present -one?" - -Biddy had seated herself close to the edge of the balcony, and -was looking out over the sea. She was thinking of the Castle, and -of Minerva, and of the cherished litter of pups; of her father's -excitement, and Pat Donovan's raptures, and Norah Mahoney's comments. - -She saw the Irish serving man and woman gesticulating and exclaiming; -she saw her father's white hair and weatherbeaten, eagle face, and -could almost hear his deep tones of satisfaction as he bent over -Minerva, and patted her wise head. - -"Biddy!" shrieked Lady Kathleen; "Biddy, child, wake up! What in the -world have you gone off into one of those brown studies for? Here's -this dear little Janet telling me that you're going to have a Fancy -Fair at Mulberry Court." - -"Oh, yes, Aunt Kathie," said Bridget; "I believe we are." - -"Well, child, and isn't that a bright, lively sort of amusement for -you? And the bazaar is to be for a charitable object, too? Splendid! -splendid! Why, Dennis will be quite delighted when I tell him. I always -said the Court was the right school for you, Biddy. It gives a sort -of all-round training. It isn't only accomplishments--tinkle, tinkle -on the piano, and that sort of thing--hearts are also thought of, and -trained properly to think of others. Well, darlings, I'm very much -pleased about the bazaar, and this good little Janet tells me that it -is her idea; most creditable to her. You are the head of the whole -thing, are you not, Janet?" - -"No," said Janet, trying to speak in a calm, indifferent voice; "of -course _I_ don't mind; I _can't_ mind, but one of Mrs. Freeman's -strictest rules is that seniority goes before all else. I am not the -head girl of the school, Lady Kathleen; the head girl's name is Evelyn -Percival, and, although I was the one to think of the Fancy Fair, and -although Evelyn was away from the school during the first two or three -weeks while the matter was being planned out and we were getting -materials ready for our stalls, still, the moment she came home, Mrs. -Freeman insisted on our asking her to join the committee, and since -then she has taken the lead, and hers will be the principal stall on -the day of the fair." - -"And you'll be nowhere, so to speak?" said Lady Kathleen. - -"Well, I don't know that; I hope to have a pretty stall too; Bridget is -helping me with my stall; aren't you, Biddy?" - -"I don't know that I am," replied Bridget. "Father sent me a little -money to buy a few pretty things, and that was about all that I could -do. I love pretty things, but I am no worker." - -She turned away as she spoke, and once more looked out over the sea -with longing in her eyes. - -Lady Kathleen had a keen perception of character. Janet had spoken -in a very quiet, subdued voice, but the fact was by no means lost on -the good lady that she was terribly chagrined at the position she was -obliged to occupy at the fair. - -"Confess, my little one; you don't like being second," she said, -bending over her and tapping her fair head with the large crimson fan. - -Janet colored faintly. "'What can't be cured,'" she said, shrugging her -shoulders. - -Lady Kathleen took up the proverb and finished it. "'Must be endured,'" -she said. "But I don't believe that this position of affairs can't be -cured. It strikes me as extremely unfair that you should have had the -trouble of getting up this fair, and then that you should be pushed -into a second position. I don't care if fifty Mrs. Freemans say you -are not to be first. I don't choose that my niece, Bridget O'Hara, -should have anything to do with a second-rate stall; or a second-rate -position. Wake up, Biddy, child, and listen to me; I insist upon one -thing--you and Janet are to be first on the day of the fair." - -Janet's eyes began to sparkle, and the faint glow in her cheeks grew -bright and fixed. Her eager expression spoke volumes, but she did not -utter a word. Bridget, however, exclaimed wearily: - -"Oh, what does it matter who is first! Besides, whether you like it or -not, Aunt Kathie, you can't alter matters. Mrs. Freeman is mistress in -her own school; and if she decides that Evelyn is to take the lead, -Evelyn will take the lead, no matter whether you wish it or not, fifty -times over." - -"My good little Biddy, you are a bit of an innocent for all you are -growing such a fine big girl--the pride of your father's heart, and -the light of your old auntie's eyes! Little Janet has more wisdom than -twenty great handsome creatures like you. Now, my pets, you listen to -me; we'll manage this matter by _guile_. Miss Percival may have the -first stall at the bazaar, if she likes. Who cares twopence about that? -You, Janet, and you, Biddy, will have the stall that all the visitors -will flock to. You leave me to manage the matter; I'll make your stall -so lovely that all the others will sink into insignificance." - -"Oh, will you?" exclaimed Janet; "how--_how_ good you are!" - -"I will do it, my dear, I certainly will; the honor of the O'Haras is -involved in this matter. Now, girls, you just put on your hats, and -we'll go round Eastcliff, and see if we can't pick up a basketful of -pretty trifles for you to take home with you this evening. Of course, -they will be nothing to what will presently follow, but they'll just do -for a beginning. You leave it to me, my loves; leave it all to me. This -great, grand, wise Evelyn Percival can't compete with Paris and the Rue -Rivoli; you leave it all to me." - -"How kind you are," said Janet again. - -"Don't thank me," said Lady Kathleen, rising; "it's for the honor of -the O'Haras. Whoever yet heard of an O'Hara eating humble pie, or -taking a second position anywhere? Now, girls, run into my room, and -make yourselves smart as smart can be, for we have plenty to do with -our time, I can assure you." - -The rest of the day passed for Janet in a sort of delicious dream. -Money seemed as plentiful to Lady Kathleen Peterham as the pebbles -on the seashore. Janet almost gasped as she saw the good lady take -one gold piece after another out of her purse to expend on the merest -nothings. Lady Kathleen had exquisite taste, however, and many useless -but beautiful ornaments were carefully tucked away in the large basket -which was to be taken to Mulberry Court that evening. - -"I shall go to Paris on Monday," said Lady Kathleen; "I will telegraph -to my husband to expect me. When is your bazaar? next Thursday? I shall -be back at Eastcliff on Wednesday at the latest. One day in Paris will -effect my purpose. I mean to attend this bazaar myself, and I mean to -bring several friends. Do your best, loves, in the meantime to make as -creditable a show as possible, but leave the final arrangements, the -crowning dash of light, color, and beauty to me." - -When the two girls were starting for Mulberry Court in the evening, -Lady Kathleen opened her purse and put five golden sovereigns into -Biddy's hand. "I don't know how you are off for pocket money, my pet," -she said, "but here's something to keep you going. Now, good-night, -dears; good-night to you both." - - - - -CHAPTER XIII. - -PEARSON'S BOOK OF ESSAYS. - - -Now that the break-up day was so near, nothing was talked of in the -school but the coming examinations, the prizes, and the delightful fair -which was to bring such honor and renown to Mulberry Court. The school -resembled a little busy hive of eager, animated workers. Even play -during these last days was forgotten, and everyone, from the eldest to -the youngest, was pressed into the service of the fair. - -When the matter was first proposed, Mrs. Freeman had said to the girls: -"You are abundantly welcome to try the experiment. My share will -consist in giving you a large marquee or tent; everything else you must -do yourselves. I shall invite people to see your efforts and to buy -your wares. Each girl who contributes to the bazaar will be allowed to -ask two or three guests to be present; the only stipulation I have to -make is that you don't produce a failure; you are bound, for the honor -of the school, to make the fair a success." - -The programme for the great day was something as follows: The -examinations were to be held in the morning. Immediately afterward the -prize-winners would receive their awards; there would be an interval -for dinner; and at three o'clock the great fair would be opened, and -sales would continue until dusk. - -The girls who were to sell at the stalls were all to be dressed in -white with green ribbons. Mrs. Freeman had herself selected this quiet -and suitable dress; she had done this with a special motive, for she -was particularly anxious that Biddy should have no opportunity of -displaying her finery. - -The evening before the great and important day arrived. Evelyn had -purchased a great many useful and beautiful articles for her stall. -She and Dolly were to be the saleswomen; and Mrs. Freeman had arranged -that the principal stall should be at the top end of the large marquee. -Janet felt a sarcastic smile curling her lips when this arrangement was -made. - -"It does not really matter," she said to herself; "Bridget's and my -stall will be exactly in the center. The light from the entrance to -the tent will fall full upon it. After all, we shall have a better -position, even than that occupied by the head stall." She kept her -thoughts to herself. Her spirits had never been better, her manners -never more amiable, than since the day of her visit to Lady Kathleen. -The girls who were working under her were very busy, and much delighted -with the basket of beautiful things which had been brought from -Eastcliff, but about any further contributions Janet was absolutely -silent. - -On the afternoon of the day before the bazaar, Bridget came into the -bedroom which was shared by Janet and one other girl. "Mrs. Freeman -tells me that you are going into Eastcliff," she said. - -"Yes," replied Janet, "I'm to drive in with Marshall. There has been -a mistake about some of the confectionery, and Mrs. Freeman wants me -to go to Dovedale's, in the High Street, without delay, to order some -more cheese cakes, creams, and jellies. Frances Murray ought really -to attend to this, for she is to manage the refreshment stall, but -she happens to be in bed with a stupid headache. What's the matter, -Bridget? How excited you look! and, good gracious, my dear! you have -been crying; your eyes have red rims round them." - -"I have had a letter from home," said Bridget, "and Pat Donovan is ill: -he fell off the ladder and hurt his back. Norah Mahoney wrote about -him--she's awfully troubled. Poor Norah, she is engaged to Pat, you -know; she's says he's very bad, poor boy!" - -"Who in the world is Pat Donovan? and who is Norah Mahoney?" asked -Janet, as she hastily drew on her gauntlet gloves. "Friends of yours, -of course. But I never heard of them before." - -"They are very dear friends of mine," replied Bridget; "they are two -of the servants; I love them very much. Poor, poor Pat! Norah has been -engaged to him for years and years, and now only to think of his being -hurt so dreadfully! Norah wrote me such a sad letter. I'll read it to -you, if you like." - -"No thanks, my dear; I really have no time to listen to the sorrows -of your servants. It is too absurd, Bridget, to go on like that! Why, -you're crying again, you great baby! I thought, when you spoke of them, -that you meant people in your own rank." - -"I won't tell you any more!" said Biddy, coloring crimson. "You have no -heart, or you wouldn't speak in that horrid tone! Dear, dear Pat! I'm -ten thousand times fonder of him than I am of anyone else in the world, -except father and the dogs, and, perhaps, Aunt Kathleen. I used to -ride on his shoulder all over the farm when I was quite a little tot!" - -"Well, my dear, I must run now. I am sorry that I can't sympathize with -you." - -"Yes; but, Janet, one moment. I want to send a little present to Pat; -I can, for Aunt Kathleen gave me five pounds. I want to send him a -post-office order for two pounds, and I want to know if you will -get it for me. Here's the letter, all written, and here are the two -sovereigns. Will you get a postal order and put it into the letter for -me, Janet, and then post it at Eastcliff?" - -"But you are going home yourself in a couple of days." - -"Oh! that doesn't matter; I wouldn't leave Pat a hour longer than I -could help without his letter. You may fancy how fond I am of him, when -I tell you that he has the care of Minerva and the pups." - -"I think you're a great goose," said Janet. "But there's no time to -argue. Give me the money, child, and let me go." - -"Be sure you post the letter in good time," said Bridget. "Here it is; -I haven't closed it." - -She laid the directed envelope on Janet's dressing table, put the two -sovereigns on the top of it, and ran off. - -The whole place was in bustle and confusion. Many of the girls were -packing their trunks preparatory to the great exodus which would take -place the day after to-morrow. Evelyn and her favorite friends were -sitting in the large summerhouse which faced the front of the house. -They were chatting and laughing merrily, and seeing Biddy they called -to her to come and join them. Her impulse was to rush to them, and pour -out some of her troubles in Dolly's kind ears; but then she remembered -certain sarcastic sayings of Janet's. Janet's many insinuations were -taking effect on her. - -"They all look good enough up in that summerhouse," she said to -herself; "but according to Janet they are each of them shams. Oh, dear, -dear, what a horrid place the world is! I don't think there's anyone -at all nice in it, except father and the dogs, and Pat and Norah. Aunt -Kathie is pretty well, but even she is taken in by Janet. I don't -think school is doing me any good; I hate it more and more every day. -I shan't join the girls in the summerhouse; I'll go away and sit by -myself." - -She turned down a shady walk, and presently seating herself under a -large tree, and, clasping her hands round her knees, she began to think -with pleasure of the fast approaching holidays. - -While Bridget was so occupied, two ladies passed at a little distance -arm in arm. They were Miss Delicia and the English mistress, Miss Dent. -These two were always good friends; they were both kind-hearted, and -inclined to indulge the girls. They were great favorites, and were -supposed to be very easily influenced. - -When she saw them approach, Bridget glanced lazily round. They did not -notice her, but made straight for the little rustic bower close to the -tree under which she was sitting. - -"I can't account for it," said Miss Dent. "Of course, I have always -found plenty of faults in Bridget O'Hara, but I never did think that -she would stoop to dishonor." - -Bridget locked her hands tightly together; a great wave of angry color -mounted to her temples. Her first impulse was to spring to her feet, to -disclose herself to the two ladies, and angrily demand the meaning of -their words. Then a memory of something Violet had said came over her; -she sat very still; she was determined to listen. - -"I think you must be mistaken, Sarah," said Miss Delicia to her friend. -"I know my sister, Mrs. Freeman, thinks that Bridget, with all her -faults, has a fine character. I heard her saying so to Patience one -day. Patience, poor dear, just lacks the very thing she was called -after, and Henrietta said to her: 'The material is raw, but it is -capable of being fashioned into something noble.' I must say I agreed -with Henrietta." - -"My dear Delicia," responded the other lady, "am I unjust, suspicious, -or wanting in charity?" - -"No, Sarah; Patience--poor Patience--does fail in those respects -occasionally; but no one can lay these sins to your door." - -"I am glad to hear you say so. Now you must listen to the following -facts. You know what a queer medley that poor girl's mind is in; -she has a good deal of knowledge of a certain kind: she has poetic -fancy, and brilliant imagination, she has a lovely singing voice, and -the expression she throws into her music almost amounts to genius; -nevertheless, where ordinary school work is concerned, the girl is an -absolute ignoramus. Her knowledge of geography is a blank. Kamschatka -may be within a mile of London, for all she knows to the contrary, -Africa may be found at the opposite side of the Straits of Dover; her -spelling is too atrocious for words. As to arithmetic, she is a perfect -goose whenever she tries to conquer the smallest and simplest sum." - -"Well, my dear," interrupted Miss Delicia, "granted all this, the poor -child has been sent to school to be taught, I suppose. I can't see why -she should be accused of dishonor because she is ignorant." - -"My dear friend, you must allow me to continue. I am coming to my point -immediately. When Bridget first came to school, she was placed in the -lowest class in the middle school. She was with girls a couple of years -her juniors. Mrs. Freeman was much distressed at this arrangement, for -Bridget is not only fifteen--she arrived at that age since she came -to school--but she is a remarkably developed, grown-up-looking girl -for her years; to have to do lessons, therefore, with little girls of -twelve and thirteen was in every way bad for her. - -"There was no help for it, however, and we had really to strain a point -to keep her out of the lower school. - -"For two or three weeks Biddy did as badly as any girl with a -reasonable amount of brains could. Each day we felt that we must take -her out of the middle school. Then occurred that unfortunate accident, -when Evelyn Percival was so nearly hurt. That seemed to bring things to -a crisis. Bridget was punished, you remember?" - -"Yes," said Miss Delicia, nodding her wise head, "I remember perfectly." - -"Bridget was punished," continued Miss Dent, "but on that day also she -submitted to authority. The next morning she took her usual place in -class, but--lo and behold! there was a marked and sudden improvement. -Her spelling was correct, the different places in the world began to -assume their relative positions. Her sums were more than good. In two -or three days she had risen to the head of her class; she was moved -into a higher one, and took a high place in that also. This state of -things continued for a fortnight; we were all in delight, for the girl -had plenty about her to win our interest. All she wanted to make her -one of the most popular girls in the school was attention to the rules, -and a certain power of getting on at her lessons. - -"This golden fortnight in Biddy's life, however, came to an end. Her -aunt, Lady Kathleen Peterham, called a week ago, and took her and -Janet May to Eastcliff. On that very morning Bridget had absolutely no -lessons to say; she had not written out her theme, she had not learned -her geography; her sum book was a blank. From that day she has returned -to her normal state of ignorance; her lessons are as hopelessly badly -learnt as ever." - -"Well, well," said Miss Delicia, "I am sorry for the poor child. That -rather silly aunt of hers probably turned her brain, but I cannot even -now see how you make her conduct dishonorable. She's a naughty child, -of course, and we must spur her on to greater efforts next time; but as -to her being wanting in _honor_, that's a strong word, Sarah." - -"Wait a minute," said Miss Dent. "You know the girls have to give up -all their exercise books a couple of days before the examinations? -Bridget handed me hers a couple of days ago. Her books were -disgraceful--blotty, untidy, almost illegible. I examined them in -hopeless despair. Suddenly my eyes were arrested; I was looking through -the English themes. - -"'Ah!' I said, 'here is the little oasis in the desert; these are the -exercises Biddy wrote during the fortnight she was so good.' - -"I suppose it was the force of the contrast, but I looked at these -neatly written, absolutely correct, well spelled pages in astonishment. -Busy as I was, I felt obliged to read one of the little essays over -again; the subject was 'Julius Caesar.' Bridget went up to the top of -her class for the masterly way in which she had worked out her little -essay. I read it over again, in perplexity and admiration. The English -was correct, the style vigorous; there were both conciseness and -thought in the well turned sentences. One phrase, however, struck on my -ear with a curious sense of familiarity. At first I said to myself, 'I -remarked this sentence when Bridget read her theme aloud, that is the -reason why it is so familiar,' but my mind was not satisfied with this -explanation. Like a flash I remembered where I had seen it before. I -said to myself the child has got this out of Pearson's book of English -extracts. Her essay is admirable, even without this concluding thought. -I must tell her to put marks of quotation another time when she uses -phrases not her own. I rose and went to the bookcase, and taking down -Pearson, looked out his remarks on Julius Caesar. My dear Delicia, -judge of my feelings; the little essay was copied word for word from -Pearson's book! It was a daring act, and, putting the wickedness out -of sight, almost a silly one, for to quote from such a well-known -author as Pearson was naturally almost to invite discovery. All the -good, carefully written essays were copied from the same volume. I can -at last understand why Bridget has fallen back into her old state of -hopeless ignorance. I can also, alas! understand that golden fortnight -of promise." - -"But this is dreadful!" said Miss Delicia. "What have you done; have -you told my sister yet?" - -"No, I wanted to consult you before I spoke to anyone else on the -matter." - -Bridget got up slowly and softly, and moved away down the shady path; -the two ladies did not see her as she went. She soon found herself -standing on the open lawn in front of the house. The great marquee was -being put up there; several workmen were busy, and little girls were -fluttering about like gay, happy butterflies. Alice, Violet, and two or -three more ran up to her when they saw her. "We are making wreaths of -evergreens; won't you help us, Bridget?" they exclaimed. - -"No," she said; "I have a headache--don't worry me." She turned -abruptly away and walked down the avenue. - -She had no longer any wish to break the rules, but she thought she -would wait about near the entrance gates, in order to catch Janet on -her way back from Eastcliff. - -The girls were all busy round the marquee, and Bridget had this part -of the avenue to herself; she went and stood near an ivy-covered -wall; leaned her elbows against the trunk of a tree, and waited; a -motionless, but pretty figure, her gay ribbons streaming about her, her -hat pushed back from her forehead, her puzzled, troubled eyes looking -on the ground. - -Bridget knew that Janet would be back within an hour. It mattered very -little to her how long she had to wait; she felt too stunned and sore -to be troubled by any keen sense of impatience. - - - - -CHAPTER XIV. - -"I'M BIG--AND I'M DESPERATE." - - -As soon as Janet found herself alone in the pony trap, she took a -letter out of her pocket, opened it, and read its contents with -eagerness. These were the words on which her eyes fell: - - - MY DEAR, GOOD LITTLE JANEY: - - I am afraid I cannot take your advice; I cannot exercise the virtue - of patience another day. Mine has run its course, my dear, and the - whole stock is exhausted. I have resolved to leave my situation on - Saturday. I have given Miss Simpkins notice--she does not believe - me, of course, but she'll know who's right when Saturday comes, - and she has no one to hector and bully and make life a misery to. - I wonder where you are going to spend your holidays. Don't go to - Aunt Jane's, I beg of you; I know she has sent you an invitation, - but don't accept it. Now, couldn't you and I go off for a little - jaunt together to Margate, and have some fun? And look here, dear, - _will_ you send me two pounds by return of post? I absolutely must - have the money, for Miss Simpkins paid me in full a week ago, and - I shan't have a penny when I leave, as of course, the little I get - from her--she is the stingiest old wretch in existence!--naturally - goes to keep your humble servant in dress, stamps, paper, etc., - etc. Lend me two pounds, like a darling. I'll pay it back when I - can. I do not want to go to Aunt Jane's, and I will have to do it - if you cannot oblige me, Janey; but if you can I will go to Margate - and take a bedroom there, which you can share, my love, and we'll - have some fun, if it's only for a couple of days. - - Your loving sister, - - SOPHIA. - - -"Poor Sophy," exclaimed Janet. She folded up the letter and placed it -in her pocket. "I wonder where she thinks I'm going to get two pounds -from?" she muttered. "I am as hard up as a girl can be. Sophy might -have stayed with Miss Simpkins, but she's a sort of bad penny; always -returning on one's hands when one least expects her. Well, I don't see -how I'm going to help her. It would be very nice to go to Margate with -her, but what would Mrs. Freeman say? No, I think I know a better plan -than that. I am not going to Aunt Jane's for the holidays; I am going -to have a good time, but it won't be at Margate. Suppose Sophy came, -too? she's very pretty, and very clever, and I think Lady Kathleen -would like her awfully. I must think over this. Oh, here we are at -Eastcliff. Now, my dear little Biddy, the first thing to be done is -post your letter, but if you think I am going to get that postal order, -and place it in it, you are vastly mistaken. I do not at all know that -I shall send the two sovereigns to Sophy, but it is convenient to have -them at hand in case of need." - -Janet was always very cool and methodical in her movements. She never, -as the phrase goes, "lost her head." She could also make up her mind -clearly and decidedly. Having done so, she now proceeded to act. She -slipped her sister's most troublesome letter into her pocket, and -driving to the pastry cook's, ordered the creams, jellies, and other -refreshments necessary for the next day's entertainment. She then went -to the post office and wrote a few lines. - - - MY DEAR SOPHY [she wrote]: How am I to get two pounds? You must be - mad to think that I can send you so large a sum of money. If Aunt - Jane pays for my schooling, she takes very good care to stint my - pocket money. You had better be wise and go straight to her when - you leave Miss Simpkins. I _may_ have a nice plan to propose in a - day or two, but am not sure. You may be certain I'll do my best for - you, only do be patient. - - Your affectionate sister, - - JANET MAY. - - -This letter was sealed and directed, and in company with Bridget's -found its way into one of Her Majesty's mail bags; then Janet stepped -once again into the pony carriage, and desired the coachman to drive -her back to Mulberry Court. - -The two sovereigns were snugly placed in her purse. She had not yet -quite made up her mind to steal them, but she liked even the temporary -sense of wealth and possession that they gave her. - -The wickedness of her own act did not trouble her hardened conscience; -she sat lazily back in the snug little carriage, and enjoyed the -pleasant feel of the summer breeze against her forehead. A passing -sense of annoyance swept over her as she thought of Sophy. Sophy was -nineteen; a very pretty, empty-headed girl. She had not half Janet's -abilities. She was really affectionate, but weak, and most easily -led. Janet was three years younger than her sister, but in force of -character she was several years her senior. The two girls were orphans. -They had lived a scrambling sort of life; tossed about when they were -little children, from one uncomfortable home to another. Finally, -at the ages of fourteen and eleven, they found themselves with a -very strict and puritanical old aunt. Her influence was bad for both -of them, particularly for Janet. Old Aunt Jane was a very good and -excellent woman, but she did not understand the two badly trained and -badly disciplined girls. She was by no means rich, but she struggled -to educate them. Sophy was not clever enough to undertake the somewhat -arduous duties required from governesses in the present day, but Miss -Laughton took great pains to get her a post as companion. Janet had -plenty of abilities, and she was sent to Mulberry Court to be trained -as a teacher. - -The girls were fond of each other. Perhaps the only person in the -wide world whom Janet really loved was this frivolous and thoughtless -sister. She ruled Sophy, and, when with her, made her do exactly -what she wished; but still, after a fashion, she felt a very genuine -affection for her. - -"Sophy might have stayed at Miss Simpkins's," muttered Janet, as she -drove back to the Court; "but as she has given notice, there's no help -for it. I must get Lady Kathleen to invite her to Ireland when I go. -I'm determined to manage that little affair for myself, and Sophy may -as well join in the fun." - -The carriage turned in at the white gates of Mulberry Court, and -Bridget sprang forward to meet it. - -"Get out, Janet!" she said, in an imperious, excited voice; "get out at -once; I have something to say to you." - -"Stop, Jones," called Janet to the driver. "If you want to speak to me, -Bridget, you had better jump into the carriage, for I mean to go back -to the house; I want to speak to Mrs. Freeman." - -"You won't do anything of the kind," said Bridget; "you have got to -speak to me first; if you don't, I'll go straight to Miss Delicia -and Miss Dent and tell them everything. I know now about Pearson's -extracts, and I'll tell about them; yes, I will; I won't live under -this disgrace! You had better jump out at once, and let me speak to -you, or I'll tell." - -Bridget's eyes were flashing with anger, and her cheeks blazing with -excitement. - -In this mood she was not to be trifled with. - -Janet could not comprehend all her wild words, but she guessed enough -to feel an instant sense of alarm. There was danger ahead, and danger -always rendered Janet May cool and collected. - -"My dear child," she exclaimed, "why do you speak in such a loud, -excited voice? Of course, I'll go and talk to you if you really want -me. Jones, please take this basket carefully to the house, and if you -see Mrs. Freeman tell her that I shall be with her in a few minutes, -and that everything is arranged quite satisfactorily for to-morrow. -Don't forget my message, Jones." - -"No, miss; I'll be careful to remember." The man touched his hat. Janet -alighted from the pony trap, and, taking Bridget's hand, walked up the -avenue with her. - -"Now, you dear little Quicksilver," she exclaimed, "what is the matter? -I posted your letter, my love, so that weight is off your mind." - -"Thank you, Janet," exclaimed poor Bridget; "you did not forget to -put the postal order in, did you?" Janet raised her delicate brows in -well-acted astonishment. - -"Is that likely?" she exclaimed. "But now, why this excitement? Have -you heard fresh news of that valuable Pat, and that delightful Norah?" - -"Janet, you are not to talk of the people I love in that tone; I won't -have it! I quite hate you when you go on like this. I'm not mean, but -I know what you are wanting, and I shall speak to Aunt Kathleen and -ask her not to invite you to Ireland if you go on in this way. Aunt -Kathleen likes you because she does not know you, but I can soon open -her eyes." - -Janet put on a mock tone of alarm. - -"You must not crush me, my dear," she exclaimed; "it _would_ be a trial -not to go to the Castle. There, there, I don't want really to tease -you, my love. Now, what is the matter? Why have you been making those -extraordinary remarks about Pearson? Who _is_ Pearson?" - -"You know better than I do, Janet. I'll tell you what has happened. You -copied a lot of themes, and gave them to me as if they were your own -to put into my exercise book. It was very, very wrong of me to let you -help me at all, but, of course, I thought that you had done so without -referring to books." - -"My dear little saint! I don't see what difference that makes!" - -"I don't suppose it makes any difference in the wickedness," retorted -Bridget; "but it certainly does in the chance of being found out. -I overheard Miss Dent and Miss Delicia talking in one of the -summerhouses; Miss Dent has discovered that my essays were copied -from Pearson's extracts, and she's awfully angry, and Miss Delicia is -horrified. I won't live under it! no, I won't! I was awfully wicked -ever to allow it, but I'd much, much rather confess everything now. I -am an idle, scapegrace sort of a girl; but I can't think how I ever -submitted to your making me dishonorable. I'm horribly dishonorable, -and I could die of the shame of it! I'll go straight this very minute -to Mrs. Freeman, and tell her to punish me as much as ever she likes. -The only thing I shall beg of her is not to tell father, for this is a -sort of thing that would break my father's heart. You must come with -me, of course, Janet; you must come at once and explain your share in -the matter. That's what I waited for you here for. It is most important -that everything should be told without a minute's delay." - -Bridget's words were poured out with such intense passion and anguish -that Janet was impressed in spite of herself. She was not only -impressed; she was frightened. It took a great deal to arouse the sense -of alarm in her calm breast, but she did realize now that she had got -herself and the young Irish girl into a considerable scrape, and that, -if she did not wish to have all her own projects destroyed, it behooved -her to be extremely wary. - -"Let us go down and walk by the sea, Biddy," she said. "Oh, yes, -there's plenty of time; meals will be quite irregular to-day. Why, how -you tremble, you poor little creature!" - -"I'm not little," said Bridget; "I'm big, and I'm desperate. The time -has gone by for you to come round me with soft words, Janet. Why am I -to go and walk with you by the sea? The thing to be done is for us both -to find Mrs. Freeman, and tell her, without mincing words, how wicked -we are." - -"Have you really made up your mind to do this?" said Janet. - -She turned and faced her companion. The color had left her cheeks, her -lips trembled, her eyes were dilated. - -"Do you positively mean to do this cruel thing?" she repeated. - -"Cruel?" said Bridget, stamping her foot; "it's the only bit of justice -left; it's the one last chance of our ever retrieving our position. Oh, -do come with me at once; there's just time for us to see Mrs. Freeman -before tea." - -"You can go, Bridget," said Janet. "If you are determined to go I -cannot prevent you. You can make all this terrible mischief if you -like; but you must do it alone, for I shall not be with you. The -effect of your confession will be this: you will suffer some sort of -punishment, and by and by you will be forgiven; and by and by, too, you -will forget what you now consider such an awful tragedy; but what you -are now doing will ruin me for all my life. I am only sixteen--but no -matter. However long I live I shall never be able to get over this step -that you are taking. If you go--as you say you will--to Mrs. Freeman, -there is only one thing for me to do, and that is to run away from -school. I won't remain here to be expelled; for expelled I shall be if -you tell what you say you will of me. They'll make out that I am worse -than you, and they'll expel me. You don't know the effect that such -a disgrace will have on my future. I am not rich like you; I have no -father to break his heart about me. The only relations I have left in -the world are an old aunt, who is very stingy and very hard-hearted, -and who would never forgive me if I did the smallest thing to incur her -displeasure; and one sister, who is three years older than myself, and -who is very pretty and very silly, and who has written to me to say she -has lost her situation as companion. If you do what you are going to -do, Bridget, I shall walk back to Eastcliff, and take the next train -to Bristol, where Aunt Jane lives. You will ruin me, of course; but -I don't suppose that fact will influence your decision. I did what I -did for you out of a spirit of pure kindliness; but that, too, will be -forgotten, now that your conscience has awakened. I am just waiting for -you to choose what you will really do, Bridget, before I run away." - -When Janet finished speaking she moved a few steps from her companion. -She saw that her words had taken effect, for Biddy's determined -expression had changed to one of indecision and fresh misery; her -troubled eyes sought the ground, her red lips trembled. - -"I see you have made up your mind," said Janet. (She saw quite the -reverse, but she thought these words a politic stroke.) "I see you have -quite made up your mind," she continued; "so there is nothing for me to -do but to go. Good-by! I only wish I had never been so unlucky as to -know you." - -Janet turned on her heel, and began to walk down the avenue. - -"You know you can't go like this," Bridget called after her. "Stop! -Listen to me! You know perfectly well that, bad as you are, I don't -want to ruin you. I'll go by myself, then, and say nothing about you. -Will that content you?" - -"I see you are going to be reasonable," said Janet, returning, and -taking her companion's arm. "Now we can talk the matter out. Come down -this shady walk, where no one will see us. Of course, the whole thing -is most disagreeable and unpleasant, but surely two wise heads like -ours can see a way even out of this difficulty." - -"But there is no way, Janet, except by just confessing that we have -behaved very badly. Come along, and let us do it at once. I don't -believe you'll get into the awful scrape you make out. I won't let you! -I'll take your part, and be your friend. You shall come to Ireland -with Aunt Kathleen and me, and father will be ever so kind to you, and -perhaps--I'm not sure--but _perhaps_ I'll be able to give you one of -the dogs." - -"Thanks!" said Janet, slightly turning her head away; "but even the -hope of ultimately possessing one of those valuable quadrupeds cannot -lighten the gloom of my present position. There is no help for it, -Biddy, we must stick to one another, and resolve, whatever happens, -_not_ to tell." - -"But they know already," said Bridget. "Miss Delicia and Miss Dent know -already! Did I not tell you that I overheard them talking about it?" - -"Yes, my dear, you did. It is really most perplexing. You must let me -think for a moment what is best to be done." - -Janet stood still in the center of the path; Bridget looked at her -anxiously. - -"What a fool I was," she murmured under her breath, "to use that -extract book. It was just my laziness; and how could I suppose that -that stupid Miss Dent would go and pry into it? It will be a mercy if -she does not discover where some of my own happy ideas have come from. -If I trusted to my own brains I could have concocted something quite -good enough to raise poor little Biddy in her class. Discovery would -then have been impossible. Oh, what a sin laziness is!" - -"What are we to do?" said Bridget, looking anxiously at her companion. -"We have very little time to make up our minds in, for probably before -now Miss Dent and Miss Delicia have told Mrs. Freeman. I do want, at -least, to have the small merit of having told my own sin before it has -been announced by another. There's no way out of it, Janet. Come and -let us tell at once!" - -"How aggravating you are!" replied Janet. "There is a way out of it. -You must give me until after tea to think what is best to be done. -Ah! there's the gong! We _can't_ tell now until after tea, even if we -wished to. Come along, Bridget, let us return to the house. I'll meet -you in the South Walk at seven o'clock, and then I shall have something -tangible to propose." - -Bridget was obliged very unwillingly to consent to this delay. Hers was -a nature always prone to extremes. She thought badly of her conduct -in allowing Janet to help her with her lessons ever since the moment -little Violet had given back the waxen doll, but even then she did not -know the half of the sin which she and another had committed. It only -needed Miss Dent and Miss Delicia to open her eyes. A sick sense of -abasement was over her. Her proud spirit felt humbled to the very dust. -She was so low about herself that she looked forward to confession with -almost relief. - -Janet's nature, however, was a great deal firmer and more resolute -than Bridget's. There was no help for it: the Irish girl was bound to -comply with her decision. The two walked slowly up to the house, where -they parted, Janet running up to her room to take off her hat, wash her -hands, and smooth her hair, and Biddy, tossing her shady hat off in the -hall, and entering the tea room looking messed and untidy. On another -day she would have been reprimanded for this, but the excitement which -preceded the grand break-up prevented anyone noticing her. She sank -down in the first vacant seat, and listlessly stirred the tea which she -felt unable to drink. - -Janet's conduct in this emergency differed in all respects from -Bridget's. No girl could look fresher, sweeter, or more composed than -she when, a moment or two later, she entered the long room. Mrs. -Freeman was pouring out tea at the head of the table. Janet went -straight up to her, and entered into a lucid explanation of what she -had done at Eastcliff, and the purchases she had made. - -"Very nice, my dear! Yes, quite satisfactory. Ah! very thoughtful of -you, Janet. Sit down now, dear, and take your tea." - -Janet found a place near Dolly. She ate heartily, and was sufficiently -roused out of herself to be almost merry. - -When the girls were leaving the tea room, Janet lingered a little -behind the others. Her eyes anxiously followed Miss Delicia, who, with -a flushed face and dubious, uncertain manner, was watching her elder -sister, Mrs. Freeman. Miss Dent had not appeared at all at tea, which -Janet regarded as a very bad sign, but she also felt sure, by the head -mistress's calm expression, that the news of Bridget's delinquencies -had not been revealed to her. Janet saw, however, by Miss Delicia's -manner that this would not long be the case. Janet had thought the -matter over carefully, and had made up her mind to a determined and -bold stroke. - -Miss Delicia, who had, as usual, been hopping about during the meal, -attending to everyone's comforts, and quite forgetting her own, was now -seen by Janet to walk up by the side of the long table, evidently with -the intention of waylaying Mrs. Freeman as she left the room. - -With a sudden movement Janet frustrated her intentions. Mrs. Freeman -passed out through the upper door of the tea room, and Miss Delicia -found herself coming plump up against Janet May. - -"Oh, I want to speak to you!" said Janet. - -"Pardon me," said Miss Delicia, "I will attend to you in a moment; but, -first of all, I wish to say a word to my sister; she will shut herself -up in her own room, for she is going to be very busy over accounts, -if I don't immediately secure her. I'll be back with you in a moment, -Janet, after I have spoken to Mrs. Freeman." - -"Please forgive me," said Janet, "but what I have to say is of very -great importance. Perhaps you won't want to speak to Mrs. Freeman after -you have talked to me." - -"Now, my dear, what do you mean?" - -Miss Delicia raised her kind, but somewhat nervous eyes. She was a -little round body, nearly a head shorter than tall Janet May. - -"I want to speak to you by yourself," said Janet; "it is of great -importance--the very greatest. Please talk to me before you say -anything to Mrs. Freeman." - -"Come to my private room," said Miss Delicia, taking Janet's hand -in her own. "Come quickly before Patience sees us. Miss Patience is -very curious; she will wonder what is up. Ah, here we are with the -door shut; that is a comfort. Now, my dear, begin. Your manner quite -frightens me." - -"I have something most important to say. I am very glad--very, very -glad--that it is to you, Miss Delicia, that I have got to say this -thing. Your kindness is--is well known. Each girl in the school is well -aware of the fact that you would not willingly hurt anyone." - -"My dear, none of us would do that, I hope." Miss Delicia drew her -little figure up. "We are Pickerings; my sister, Mrs. Freeman, is a -Pickering by birth; and the Pickerings have been in the scholastic line -from time immemorial. Those who guide the young ought always to be -tolerant, always kind, always forbearing." - -"Yes, yes," interrupted Janet, "I know that, of course, but some people -are more forbearing than others. Mrs. Freeman, Miss Patience, and you -are loved and respected by us all; but you are loved the most, for you -are the kindest." - -Miss Delicia's little face flushed all over. - -"I am gratified, of course," she said, "but _if_ this is the general -feeling, I shall be most careful to keep the knowledge from my sisters -Henrietta and Patience. Now, Janet, what is it you want to say to me?" - -"I want to speak to you about Bridget O'Hara." - -Miss Delicia felt the color receding from her cheeks. - -"Oh!" she exclaimed; "what about her? I may as well say at once that I -am not happy with regard to that young girl." - -"I know," said Janet, "I--I know more than you think; that is what -I want to speak about. Biddy has told me; poor Biddy, poor, poor -misguided Biddy." - -"Bridget O'Hara has told you? Told you what, Janet? It is your duty to -speak; what has she told you? - -"The truth, poor girl," said Janet, shaking her head mournfully. -"I'll tell you everything, Miss Delicia. Biddy, through an accident, -overheard you and Miss Dent speak about her this afternoon." - -"Then she's an eavesdropper as well as everything else," said Miss -Delicia. "Oh, this is too bad. I did not suppose that such an -absolutely unprincipled, wicked girl ever existed; with her beautiful -face too, and her kind, charming, open manners. Oh, she's a wolf in -sheep's clothing, she will be the undoing of the entire school. It -is very difficult, Janet, to rouse my anger, but when it is aroused -I--I--well, I feel things _extremely_, my dear. I must go to Mrs. -Freeman at once; don't keep me, I beg." - -Janet placed herself between Miss Delicia and the door. - -"I must keep you," she said. "You are not often angry, Miss Delicia; I -want you on this occasion to be very forbearing, and to restrain your -indignation until you have at least listened to me. Biddy did not mean -to eavesdrop." - -"Oh, don't talk to me, my dear!" - -"I must, I will talk to you. Please, please let me say my say. Biddy -behaved badly, disgracefully, but she did not mean to listen. She was -in trouble, poor girl, about a friend of hers, a servant who was ill in -Ireland. She was sitting in the shrubbery thinking about it all when -you and Miss Dent came and sat in the summerhouse near by. You spoke -her name, and said some very plain truths about her. She forgot all -about going away and everything else in the intense interest with which -she followed your words. She rushed away at last, and waited near the -gates in the avenue to unburden herself to me. Whatever you may have -said to Miss Dent, Miss Delicia, the effect on Bridget was really -heartrending; she told me that you had opened her eyes, that she saw -at last the disgrace of her own conduct. I never could have believed -that the poor girl could get into such a state of mind; I really felt -quite anxious about her. I don't think my sympathies were ever more -thoroughly aroused, and you know that I am not easily carried away by -my feelings." - -"That is certainly the character you have received in the school, Janet -May." - -"It is true," repeated Janet, in her steady voice; "I am not -demonstrative. Therefore, when I am roused to pity, the case which -arouses me must be supposed to be extreme. Poor Biddy is in the most -terrible anguish." - -"Did she tell you, did she dare to tell you, that she copied her -extracts from Pearson?" - -"She did, she told me everything. She says she is quite sure that Mrs. -Freeman will expel her, and that, if so, her father will die of grief." - -"Oh, she has deputed you, then, to plead for her?" - -"She has not; it has never occurred to her that anyone should plead for -her. She does not feel even a vestige of hope in the matter; but I do -plead for her, Miss Delicia. I ask you to have mercy upon her." - -"Mercy," said Miss Delicia, "mercy! Is this sort of thing to go on in a -respectable high-class school? We are not going to be heartlessly cruel -to any girl, of course, but my sisters Henrietta and Patience must -decide what is really to be done." - -"I have come to you with a bold request," said Janet. "I will state it -at once frankly. I want you not to consult your sisters about Bridget -until--until after the festival to-morrow." - -"I can't grant your request, my dear." - -"But please consider. I am taking great and personal interest in -Bridget; you know that I am very steady." - -"You are, Janet; you are one of the best girls in the school." - -"Thank you," said Janet, "I try to do my duty; I take a great interest -in Bridget, and I have an influence over her. You know how badly she -has been brought up; you know how reckless she is, how untaught, how -affectionate and generous she can be, and yet also how desperate and -defiant. There are only two people in the world whom she greatly loves; -her old father is one; oh, she has told me lovely, pathetic stories -about her gray-headed old father; and her aunt, Lady Kathleen Peterham, -is the other. To-morrow is to be a great day in the school, and if -Bridget is to be in disgrace and publicly held up to opprobrium, you -can imagine what Lady Kathleen's feelings will be--what Bridget's own -feelings will be. What will be the effect? Bridget will be taken away -from school and in all probability never educated at all." - -"But, my dear--you are a remarkably wise girl, Janet--my dear, the -fact of my sisters knowing the truth about Bridget O'Hara need not be -followed by public and open disgrace. We three must consult over the -matter and decide what are the best steps to take." - -"Forgive me," said Janet, "you know--you must know what Mrs. Freeman's -and Miss Patience's sentiments will be. If you, who are so gentle and -charitable, feel intense anger, what will their anger be? Reflect, Miss -Delicia, you must reflect on the plain fact that they will feel it -their duty publicly to disgrace Bridget." - -"For the sake of example," murmured Miss Delicia. - -"Precisely," said Janet, "for the sake of example; and Biddy's -character will be ruined forever. Lady Kathleen will take her from -school, and all chance of making her what she may become, a brave and -noble woman, will be at an end." - -"If I thought that----" said Miss Delicia. - -"It is true. I assure you, it is true!" - -"What do you want me to do then, Janet?" - -"Simply to keep your knowledge to yourself for twenty-four hours." - -"I am much puzzled," murmured Miss Delicia. "You're a queer girl, Janet -May, but I will own there is wisdom in your words." - -"How sweet you are, Miss Delicia! You will never, never repent of this -forbearance." - -"But there is Miss Dent to be thought of, my love. She is most unhappy -about the whole thing." - -"You will talk to her," said Janet; "you will talk to her as if from -yourself; you will, of course, not mention me, for who am I? nothing -but a schoolgirl. You will tell Miss Dent that you have thought it -wisest to defer saying anything to Mrs. Freeman until the anxieties -of to-morrow are over. Oh, it does seem only right and natural; I am -so deeply obliged to you. May I kiss you? This lesson in Christian -forbearance will, I assure you, not be thrown away on me, and will, -doubtless, be the saving of poor, poor Biddy." - -Janet ran out of the room; Miss Delicia pressed her hand in a confused -way to her forehead. - -"Have I really promised not to tell?" she murmured; "I suppose so, -although I don't remember saying the words. What a queer, clever girl -that is, and yet, at the same time, how really kind. It is noble of -her to plead like that for Bridget! Well, after all, twenty-four hours -can't greatly signify, and the delay will certainly insure Henrietta -and Patience a peaceful time. Now, I must go and talk to poor, dear -Sarah Dent." - - - - -CHAPTER XV. - -BRIDGET O'HARA'S STALL. - - -"And now, my dears," said Mrs. Freeman, addressing her assembled -school, "we have come to the end of our school term; the prizes -have been distributed; the examinations are over. To those girls -who have succeeded in winning prizes, and who have, in consequence, -been raised to higher classes in the school, I offer my most hearty -congratulations; they have worked well and steadily, and they now reap -their due rewards. You, my dears"--the head mistress waved her hand in -the direction of the successful girls who were each of them pinning -a white satin badge into their dresses, and were standing together -in a little group--"you, my dears, will wear the badge of honor all -through the remainder of this day; may honor dwell in your hearts, -and may success attend you through life; that success, my dear girls, -which comes from earnest living, from constant endeavor to pursue the -right, from constant determination to forsake the wrong. You have been -successful in this day's examinations; you have every reason to be -pleased with your success; but, at the same time, it must not render -you self-confident. In short, my dear girls, you must ask for strength -other than your own to carry you safely though the waves of this -troublesome world. I now want to say a word or two to those girls who -have not to-day earned prizes. I want you, my dear children, not to go -away with any undue sense of discouragement. If, through carelessness -or inattention, you have not got the prize you coveted, you must -try very hard to be careful and attentive next term; you must also, -however, remember that every girl cannot win a prize, but that patience -and constant endeavor will secure to each of you the best rewards in -due time. On the whole, the term's work has been satisfactory, and the -progress made in every branch of study gratifying. I now declare the -school closed as far as lessons are concerned. Some of you will go away -to your own homes to-night; some to-morrow morning. We shall all meet -again, I hope, in September; and now there is a very happy time before -us. To the courage and the thoughtfulness of a young girl in this -school whom you all know--I allude to Janet May--we are going to have -a Fancy Fair for the benefit of a child who has none of the advantages -which you one and all possess. Evelyn Percival, as the head girl of the -school, and as my special friend and right hand, will hold the first -stall at the Fancy Fair; this, of course, is her due--but, that every -justice should be done, I wish you all, girls, now to acknowledge that -the first thought of the fair was due to Janet. Shall we cheer her?" - -A chorus of applause followed the head mistress's speech. Janet, in -her white dress with green ribbons, the glistening satin badge of a -prize-winner pinned on her breast, stood pale and slender, a little in -advance of the other girls who had also won prizes. A brief gleam of -triumph filled her dark, steel-blue eyes; she glanced at Evelyn, who, -next to her, occupied the most conspicuous position; her breath came -fast; her lips trembled. The burst of applause was delicious to her. - -The girls were all clapping and stamping vigorously. Their "hip, hip, -hurrrah!" echoed through the large hall where the examinations had just -been held. - -Raising her eyes suddenly, Janet perceived that Bridget O'Hara stood -motionless. She was in front of a group of smaller girls; her lips were -shut; neither hands nor feet responded to the volume of applause which -was echoing on all sides for Janet May. - -"Now we'll cheer our head girl," said Mrs. Freeman. "We are thankful -for her restoration to health, and we wish her long to remain an inmate -of Mulberry Court. Now, girls, with all your might, three cheers for -Evelyn Percival, the school favorite!" - -The burst of applause was deafening; the old roof rang with the -exultant young voices. Evelyn, in her turn, proposed some cheers for -the head mistress and the other teachers, after which the school broke -up. - -"Why didn't you cheer Janet May, Biddy?" asked Violet, when the girls -were streaming out of the hall. "I noticed that you didn't say a word, -and that you neither clapped your hands nor stamped your feet. I was -surprised, for I thought you were so fond of her." - -"I'm not fond of her at all," said Bridget. "Don't bother me, Vi; I -must run down now to the marquee to see about my stall." - -Violet's little face looked mystified. She turned to say something to -her chum Alice, and Bridget ran down the lawn to the marquee. - -The school was broken up by twelve o'clock, but the Fancy Fair was not -to be opened until three. - -Evelyn Percival's stall had been fully dressed the night before. It -looked very lovely and inviting, and although Janet's and Bridget's -stall also looked pretty, the stall of the head girl took the shine out -of all the others. - -When Bridget found herself standing by the marquee she looked around, -to find no one present but Janet. - -"I suppose you are satisfied now?" she said, giving Miss May a slightly -contemptuous glance. "You had your desire; you were publicly honored -and clapped by the whole school." - -"Well, my dear love," retorted Janet, who was most anxious to be -friendly with Bridget, "don't be vicious about it. I noticed that you -didn't clap me, nor cheer me. Why was that, _cherie_? Your conduct -didn't look at all amiable." - -"I was to clap you for being good and honorable. As I happen to know -you are not at all good, and most frightfully dishonorable, it was -impossible for me to join in the applause." - -"Oh, now, my dear Bridget, if you are going to preach!" - -"I to preach? Certainly not! I need someone to preach _me_ sermons. -When are we to see Mrs. Freeman?" - -"I told you not before this evening. Why will you worry me with that -unpleasant subject? We have enough on our hands now in getting the fair -well through." - -"I wish it were over; I hate the Fancy Fair! I saw Miss Delicia looking -at me, and Miss Dent's eyes were so red, while Mrs. Freeman was talking -of the goodness of her girls. I never felt smaller nor meaner in my -life. If Mrs. Freeman had known everything, you would not have been -standing where you were, Janet, with all that false glory shining -about you. I couldn't have taken it, if it were me; but you didn't seem -to mind." - -"Mind, dear? I like it, I assure you! I mean to have some more of that -sort of glory before the day is out. Ah, and here they come! I knew -they would not fail us." - -Janet's eyes glistened with delight; she forgot all Biddy's unpleasant -words in the ecstasy of this moment. Two men were seen walking across -the lawn, each of them bearing a large hamper. They laid them down on -the grass beside Janet and Bridget. - -"These are from Lady Kathleen Peterham," the foremost of the men said. -"She desired that they should be delivered without delay to Miss -Bridget O'Hara and Miss Janet May." - -"This is Bridget O'Hara, and I am Janet May," exclaimed Janet. - -The man touched his hat. - -"That's all right, then, miss. There are four more hampers to be -brought along; we has 'em in a cart at the gate. My mate and me'll go -back and fetch 'em, miss; and Lady Kathleen said that one of us was to -stay and help you to open them." - -"Yes, yes," said Janet eagerly. "Bring the hampers round, please, -to the back part of the marquee. We shall have the place quite to -ourselves, for the girls do not think there is anything more to be -done, and they are busy finishing their packing. Now, Biddy, Biddy, -help me! let us set to work. Oh, Glory and Honor, we shall have -something more to do with _you_ this day!" - -Janet's delicate complexion began to flame with excitement; her hand -shook with eagerness. She fastened a large brown holland apron over -her pretty white dress, and with the aid of one of the men, who was -very handy and efficient, began to take out the contents of the hampers. - -Bridget stood aside without offering to help. Janet gave her one or two -indignant glances, and then resolved to waste no further time on her. - -The lovely things which Lady Kathleen had purchased in Paris were so -varied and so dazzling that the home-painted fans, and the various home -articles of beauty and art were pushed hastily out of sight, and the -stall practically redecked. - -Lady Kathleen had evidently spared neither time nor money. Her -magnificent contribution to the Fancy Fair consisted of necklets, -bangles, scarfs, handkerchiefs, aprons, ties, every conceivable house -ornament, gay butterflies for the hair, bewitching little Parisian -bonnets; in short, a medley of fashion and beauty which intoxicated -Janet out of all reason. She clapped her hands, and laughed aloud, and -even Bridget so far forgot her sorrows and the gloom and disgrace which -each moment was bringing nearer, to exclaim at the treasures which were -taken out of the wonderful hampers. - -Evelyn's really beautiful stall sank into complete insignificance -beside the stall which was decked with the rare articles of beauty -from the choicest Parisian shops. Evelyn might be head of the fair, -but Lady Kathleen would certainly have her wish, for no one with eyes -to see, and money in her pocket, would linger for a moment beside -the home-decked stall when the sort of fairyland which Bridget's and -Janet's stall now presented was waiting within a stone's throw for -their benefit. - -Lady Katherine, remembering the wants of the children, had supplied -endless toys and bonbon boxes. In short, no one was forgotten. From -the youngest to the oldest a fairy contribution could be found on this -wonderful stall. - -Lady Kathleen's final act of beneficence was shown in her having marked -an exceedingly low price on each of the beautiful articles. In short, -a whim had seized her ladyship. Money was of no moment to her; she -had spent lavishly, and gone to enormous expense. If every article on -the stall were sold, about half the money she had expended would be -realized, but that fact mattered nothing at all; her object being not -to benefit little Tim Donovan, but to bring honor and renown to her -beautiful niece Bridget. - -Janet had great taste. She knew in a moment where to place each article -to the best advantage; she grouped her colors with an eye to artistic -effect; every touch from her deft fingers told. She was so excited and -intoxicated with the cheers she had received in the school, and now -with this fulfillment of her dearest dream, that her natural talent -arose almost to genius. Even Biddy could not help exclaiming with -wonder at the results she produced. - -"Whatever you are, Janet, you're clever!" she said. "I never saw -anything more lovely than this stall; never, never, in all my life!" - -"Well," said Janet, "if you admire it, Bridget, be good-natured about -it. Whatever is going to happen in the next few hours, let us be happy -while the bazaar is going on. Nothing can take place to disturb or -frighten us during that time. Let us, therefore, be happy." - -"Lady Kathleen Peterham said, miss," remarked one of the men, now -approaching Janet, and touching his hat respectfully, "that this box -was to be given most especial to you and the other young lady when the -stall was decked. Lady Kathleen said you would know what was in it when -you opened it, and she'd be sure to be here herself in good time for -the fair. Is there anything more that me and my mate can do for you -both, young ladies?" - -"No, nothing further," said Janet, "we are much obliged. Please -clear away the hampers and the pieces of paper and wool in which the -different things were wrapped, and if you return to Lady Kathleen say -that everything is most satisfactory." - -Janet had assumed a slightly commanding air, which suited her well. The -men were under the impression that she must be Lady Kathleen's niece. -They respectfully attended to her bidding, and, holding the box in her -hand, she and Bridget walked round to the other side of the marquee. - -It was a large box, and at another time Janet would have been -disinclined to burden herself with anything so heavy; but she was in -too good a humor now to think of small inconveniences. Attached to the -box was pinned a little note. It was directed to Bridget. - -"Here!" said Janet, handing it to her. "This is from your aunt; you had -better read it at once." - -"I don't suppose it matters," said Biddy. - -"Of course it matters. I never saw anyone so dull and stupid! Shall I -read it to you?" - -"If you like." - -Janet tore the note open. Her eyes rested on the following words; she -read them aloud: - - - DARLING BIDDY: - - I am told that Mrs. Freeman wishes all the stall-holders to wear - simple white with green ribbons, but there are different degrees - and qualities of this charming combination. I have selected - something very simple for you and your friend Miss May to wear - on this auspicious occasion. You will find your dresses in the - accompanying box. I can promise that they will fit you perfectly. - - -"O Biddy, Biddy!" said Janet, in excitement, "was there ever anyone so -kind as your Aunt Kathleen? Let us bring this box into the house at -once, and look at our finery." - -Even Bridget was not proof against the charms of a new dress. She -had a great love for gay clothing, and one of the small things that -fretted her on the occasion of the Fancy Fair was having to wear a book -muslin dress, made after a prescribed pattern, with a simple sash of -apple-green round her waist. - -She, therefore, willingly helped Janet to convey the big box to the -house. - -In the general excitement and disturbance the girls had no difficulty -in conveying it unobserved to Bridget's bedroom, where they eagerly -opened it, and pulled out its contents. - -Lady Kathleen Peterham had been careful to obey Mrs. Freeman's commands -to the letter. The Parisian frocks were also of book muslin, and the -sashes to be worn with them were of apple-green. But very wide was the -difference between the dresses made by a home dressmaker at Mulberry -Court and those which two pairs of eager eyes now feasted on. - -Lady Kathleen was quite right when she said that there are many kinds -of simple costumes. The quality of this book muslin was of the finest; -the embroidery and lace of the most exquisite; the puffings and -frillings, the general cut and arrangements, were made in the newest, -the most stylish and the most becoming fashion. There was something -piquant about these dresses, which removed them many degrees from those -which Evelyn Percival, Dorothy Collingwood, and the other girls would -wear. There were white silk stockings for the girls' dainty feet, and -little apple-green satin shoes with pearl buckles and high heels for -them to wear with the stockings; there were rows of shining green beads -to clasp round their slender throats; and last, but not least, there -were the cunningest and most bewitching little headdresses in the world -to perch on their heads of sunny hair. - -"Let us dress quickly," said Janet. "Let us slip the dresses on and run -down to the marquee and stay there. Oh, what _does_ dinner matter? no -one will mind whether we dine or not to-day. Let us stay in the marquee -until the fair opens; then, even if Mrs. Freeman should disapprove, -there won't be time for us to change. O Biddy, can it really be true -that I am not only to wear this exquisite costume, but to keep it? Oh, -what a woman your Aunt Kathleen is; she is really better than any fairy -godmother." - -Bridget laughed, and cheered up a good deal while she was putting on -her beautiful dress. The two girls dressed with great expedition, and -ran down to the marquee, where they amused themselves flitting about -from one stall to another until half-past two. - -The fair was to open at three, and at half-past two Mrs. Freeman, -the numerous teachers belonging to the school, and the rest of the -stall-holders streamed down in a body from the house. The white canvas -which concealed the front of the tent was removed, and the different -girls bustled to their stalls to give the finishing touches to -everything. - -Bridget was feeling hungry for want of her dinner, but Janet was too -excited and too triumphant to feel the pangs of healthy appetite. - -She stood a little in the shadow, a slight tremor of nervousness -running through her, notwithstanding her delight. - -Mrs. Freeman was the first to enter the marquee; she was accompanied by -Evelyn and Dorothy; they all walked straight up to Evelyn's stall. It -was in the best position, and commanded the first view as one entered -the tent. - -Mrs. Freeman had not hitherto seen the stalls; her hand was drawn -affectionately through Evelyn's arm, she had a careless and relieved -expression on her face which made her look years younger. As she had -just remarked to one of the teachers: - -"I am like a schoolgirl myself to-day. I mean to slip away from dull -care for the next seven weeks." - -Mrs. Freeman was a very handsome woman, and in her gray silk dress, and -a prettily arranged black lace scarf over her shoulders, she presented -a striking and impressive appearance. - -"So this is our _first_ stall," she exclaimed; "very nice; very nice -indeed, Evelyn. I knew you had great taste, dear. I must now see what -Janet and Bridget have contrived between them." - -Janet took this opportunity to step forward. - -The shadow caused by the interior of the tent prevented Mrs. Freeman -from at once noticing the marked difference in her dress; she only -observed a very graceful girl, whose eyes were shining with happiness, -and cheeks flushed with natural excitement. - -"Will it not be a good plan," said Janet, "to have the side canvas -removed also from the marquee. Visitors can then come in from both -sides, and there will be no sun round at this angle. Bridget's and my -stall is a good deal in shadow; we should like to have the side canvas -removed." - -"Certainly," said Mrs. Freeman, "give your own directions, Janet." - -Janet ran away, called to one of the gardeners, spoke to him quickly -and eagerly, ran up a step ladder herself to show him exactly what was -to be done, then, springing to the ground, she caught hold of Bridget's -hand and waited with a beating heart for the result. - -What might have happened can never be known, but at the very moment -when the side canvas dropped, and the full glories of the Parisian -stall and the exquisitely dressed girls were exposed to view, a gay, -high voice was heard in the distance, and a lady was seen tripping with -little runs across the lawn, and advancing rapidly in the direction of -the marquee. - -Mrs. Freeman at once went to meet this lady. Dorothy, Evelyn, Frances -Murray, and the many school teachers stood motionless, transfixed with -astonishment. - -"Well, after that!" said Dolly at last, "are there fairies alive? -Janet, I think you are bewitched; what a stall!" - -"I never saw anything so beautiful in my life," said Evelyn; "only I -think I ought to have been told." - -"It's a nasty, mean trick!" said Frances Murray, "and I for one am not -going to be dazzled. It's enchantment, but it's not going to overcome -me." She turned away as she spoke; she realized the meaning of the -whole thing more quickly than the other two girls. - -"Janet, come here," said Evelyn, running up to her, and pulling her -forward. "You are dressed in white muslin and green ribbons, but--O -Dolly! look at these girls' dresses. There is nothing whatever for us -to do but to hide our diminished heads." - -"Not a bit of it!" said Dorothy in a stout voice. She turned away; her -cheeks were flushed with anger; she had never felt in a greater passion -in her life. - -"It's a trick to humiliate you, Eva," she said in a whisper. "I might -have guessed that Janet would have been up to something; she never -wanted you to have anything to do with the fair. You would not have -been asked to join at all but for Mrs. Freeman's command, and now she -has invented this way to spite us both. I am not going to be cowed, of -course; but I never felt so plain and dowdy in my life. I see now why -she has taken up with that wretched little Bridget. Oh, why did we clap -Janet in the hall just now?" - -"Never mind, dear," said Evelyn. "It does not really matter, of course, -whose stall is first. In my heart I never in the least cared to take a -prominent place in the bazaar. It was just Mrs. Freeman's wish." - -"Just Mrs. Freeman's wish!" echoed Dorothy. "It was your right, Evelyn; -you know that perfectly well." - -"Well, darling, my rights have been taken from me; not that it matters -in the very least. Please don't think that I am angry. Don't let us -seem sorry, Dolly; let us resign ourselves to the second position with -a good grace." - -"Never!" said Dorothy, stamping her foot. "This is the first stall and -you are at the head of the fair, whether people buy from us or not. -What--is that you are saying, Janet? I don't want to listen to you." - -"Only," said Janet, "you must not suppose this is my fault. I heard you -two muttering together, and I suppose you feel vexed that Bridget's and -my stall should be more beautiful than yours. If anyone is to blame in -the matter, it's Lady Kathleen Peterham. She said the other day she -would give us a contribution from Paris. It arrived this morning. How -could we possibly tell that it would be so large and magnificent?" - -"And I suppose she sent you those dresses, too?" - -"She did, quite unsolicited. Don't you admire them?' - -"Go away! I don't want to speak to you!" - -"You are making poor Bridget quite unhappy, Dorothy. Biddy, never mind, -dear; we will both do our utmost to keep in the shade, and, of course, -our stall is the second one, not the first. Whoever thought of its -being anything else?" - -Janet turned away as she spoke. The rest of the children were now -pouring down from the house, and more and more guests were arriving -each moment. Lady Kathleen, after keeping Mrs. Freeman talking outside, -until the very last instant, now rushed in to survey the premises. - -"Ah, my love!" she exclaimed, running up to her niece; "you do look -charming! I knew that cut about the shoulders, and that arrangement -of sleeve would suit you, Bridget. Come here, my treasure, and let -me look at you, and little May, too; sweet, dear little Mayflower. My -darling, let me whisper to you, you look most _recherchee--recherchee_, -yes, that is quite the word. Dear loves, your stall does us three -immense credit, does it not? Who talks of anyone else being first -now--eh, little Mayflower, eh?" - -Janet laughed, flushed, and tripped about. Bridget threw her arms round -Lady Kathleen, and gave her a hug. Her presence slightly cheered her. -The bazaar now really began, and Janet's tact during the long hours of -hard work which followed never deserted her. - -If Mrs. Freeman were angry she had no opportunity of showing her -feelings; neither Bridget nor Janet saw anything of Dolly and Evelyn; -they were surrounded by a stream of eager, worshiping, excited, -enthusiastic buyers. The dense mob which surrounded this one stall -seemed never for a moment to lighten. The girls worked with a will, and -money dropped into their boxes unceasingly. - -Once Janet could not resist raising herself on tiptoe, and then -springing on an empty box, to see how Dolly's and Evelyn's stall was -faring. - -Two or three sensible old ladies were calmly scrutinizing some -well-made children's frocks and pinafores; no one else seemed to be -buying; Dorothy and Evelyn did not look at all overworked. Turning her -head in another direction Janet saw that even the refreshment stall was -in nothing like the favor that her own stall was in. It was not only -the very beautiful things to be purchased, but the young stall-holders -were so piquant. One of them was so strikingly beautiful, and both -presented such an altogether uncommon appearance, that people pressed -forward to obtain a sight of them, and to wonder who they could be. - -Finding that the work was too much even for the two indefatigable young -sellers, Lady Kathleen herself at last donned a green ribbon badge, -and tying on an apron, stepped behind the counter to help the sale. -Her good nature, her fun, her quick repartees, made her even a greater -favorite than the two girls. The excitement rose now fast and furious. -Never, in short, had there been a greater success than Bridget O'Hara's -stall. - - - - -CHAPTER XVI. - -STILL IN THE WOOD. - - -But in the midst of all the fun Janet's heart was not easy. - -Last night she had managed very cleverly to induce Miss Delicia to keep -silence. She felt as she worked hard at the Fancy Fair, as she made -bargains with customers, and laughed and joked and looked the very -personification of light-heartedness and gayety, that she must set her -wits to work again to-night. Miss Delicia had only promised to keep -silence until the fair was over; but Janet was determined that, come -what would, Bridget should leave school before Mrs. Freeman knew of her -delinquencies. - -People were already beginning to depart, when Janet stole up to Lady -Kathleen, who was standing in the shade fanning herself with a huge fan. - -"Oh, my darling, what a success the whole thing has been," said that -good lady. "Aren't you proud, my little Mayflower, of having won -the day? I fear the head girl of the school was simply nowhere on -this occasion. I am really sorry for her, poor girl. I saw a dowdy, -pale-faced, uncouth-looking creature standing by an equally dowdy stall -at the other end of the marquee. Is _she_ the school favorite--the -school _queen_, my love?" - -"Yes," said Janet, in a low voice; "but please don't speak against -her, she is a very dear, very sweet girl. I really felt sorry for her -and her friend Dolly Collingwood to-day." - -"Dolly Collingwood was, I presume, that stout, bouncing looking young -person with the red cheeks. I thought she looked very cross. It's sweet -of you, Mayflower, to stand up for them both; but if you think that -I could allow Bridget O'Hara, my niece, to be overshadowed by girls -of that sort, you are pretty well mistaken. Thank goodness, the whole -affair has gone off splendidly. You look a little tired, Mayblossom, -but very, very sweet. Your dress is most becoming. I am so delighted -to find that the new way of puffing the drapery over the shoulders -suits a little _mignonne_ thing like you. As to Bridget, she is a -radiant creature--something like the sun in his strength. You, my dear, -resemble the pale moon; but don't be vexed, _cherie_, the moon, too, is -very lovely." - -"I want to speak to you," said Janet, laying her small hand on the -great lady's sleeve. "No, of course, I am not the least bit vexed. How -could I be vexed with anything you do? You are quite the kindest friend -I have ever come across; but I want to talk to you about Bridget." - -"Mercy, child, how solemn you look! What about my lovely girl?" - -"It is just this: I don't think she is well. She has a great color in -her cheeks, it is true, and her eyes shine; but she has eaten nothing -all day, and just now when I touched her hand it burned. I am sure she -is feverish, and over-excited. I wish, Lady Kathleen--I do wish, most -earnestly--that you would take her from the school to-night." - -"To-night!" said Lady Kathleen; "you quite alarm me, Janet May. If -Biddy is going to be ill there'll be a frightful to do. Why, she's -the only descendant we have any of us got; positively the last of the -family; the apple of her old father's eye, the core of my heart. Oh, my -colleen, let me get to her at once!" - -"Please, please," said Janet, "will you let me speak to you?" - -"Yes, you dear little anxious creature, I will. Why, there are -positively tears in your eyes! I never saw anyone so tender-hearted. -Oh, bother that Fancy Fair, I am sick to death of it! Let us walk here -in the shade. Now, my dear love, what is it?" - -"I happen to know," said Janet, "that Bridget is perplexed and unhappy; -she has taken some morbid views with regard to certain matters, and her -illness of body is really caused by the unrestful state of her mind. It -would be very bad for her if anyone noticed that she were not well, but -if anyone with tact--like yourself, for instance, Lady Kathleen--were -to take her right away from the school to-night, she would probably get -quite well at once. I cannot reveal to you what is worrying her, and I -must beg of you not to allude to the subject to her. In many ways she -is a most uncommon girl, and she is new to the sort of things that go -on here. She is quite morbid, poor dear, because she has not got up -higher in her classes, and has not won a prize; but it would _never_ do -to mention this to her. Only, Lady Kathleen, please, please, take her -away to-night." - -"I will," said Lady Kathleen; "I most undoubtedly will. Mum's the -word with regard to the reason, of course; but out of this Biddy goes -to-day, whatever happens. I don't stir until she goes with me. But -there's just one thing more, my sweet little Janet. When are you going -away? where are you going to spend your holidays?" - -Janet's eyes drooped. - -"I--I don't quite know," she said. - -"But I do, my darling. I would not part Biddy from such a -tender-hearted, affectionate little friend as you are for the world. If -Biddy and I leave Mulberry Court to-night, you leave it to-morrow; and -I know where you are going to spend your holidays; at Castle Mahun, in -dear old Ireland, with Biddy and her father and me. You'll like that, -won't you, sweet Mayflower?" - -"But I--I am a poor girl," said Janet, coloring. - -Lady Kathleen placed her hand across Janet's lips. - -"Not another word," she said; "you are my guest, and I pay for -everything. Now, run along, dear, and help Biddy with her packing, you -had better not mind the bazaar any more. I'll go and tell her that I am -going to take her away with me this evening." - -Janet ran off with a beating heart. - -She saw daylight in the distance, but she also knew that she was by -no means yet out of the wood. Miss Delicia was the most good-natured -of women, but she was also not without a strong sense of justice; and -even if Miss Delicia could have been induced to keep silence, there -was Miss Dent, the English teacher, to be considered. Miss Dent looked -fierce and uncomfortable all day. An angry glitter had shone in her -eyes whenever she turned them in Bridget's direction; this Janet had -not failed to observe. Yes, it was all very well to get Bridget away -that evening, and to go with her herself; but she might as well spare -all her pains if before they left Mulberry Court Miss Delicia had an -opportunity of telling her story to Mrs. Freeman. - -As Janet was running to the house she met the post boy; he handed -her the bag, which happened to be unlocked. In the confusion of the -morning the key had got mislaid. Janet took it from him, and, opening -it, looked eagerly at its contents. There were only two letters; one -for herself, the other, in deep mourning, addressed to Mrs. Freeman. -The moment Janet saw this letter she knew what it contained; she also -knew that here was an open way out of her difficulty. Mrs. Freeman -had a first cousin in Liverpool, who was very, very ill. She was -intensely attached to this cousin, whose husband wrote to her almost -daily with regard to her health. Janet had often seen the letters, and -knew the handwriting. Now, when she saw the black-edged letter with -the Liverpool postmark on it, she guessed at once that Mrs. Freeman's -favorite cousin was dead. - -"I know what I'll do," said Janet to herself; "I'll take this letter to -Miss Delicia; I'll tell her how I came by it, and beg of her not to let -Mrs. Freeman see it until the worries of the day are over. Miss Delicia -will be so pleased with me for this thoughtfulness that, perhaps, she -will agree that it is best not to worry Mrs. Freeman about Bridget's -naughtiness; at any rate, to-night. This is a bit of luck for me! I'll -go and find Miss Delicia at once." - -It was not easy to discover that most good-natured, bustling, and -obliging little woman. Her movements were so quick, her anxiety to make -everyone happy so intense, that she had almost the faculty of being in -several places at the same time. - -After several minutes' active search, Janet found her in one of the -attics, cording a schoolgirl's trunk herself. - -"Oh, my dear, what is it?" she said, when the girl entered. "How pretty -you look in that stylish frock, Janet! I know Henrietta will scold you -for wearing it, but I must own that it is becoming. I am to see my -sister on that other unpleasant matter about seven o'clock. Now, what -is wrong, my dear?" - -"I--I have brought you this," said Janet, her face turning pale, and -her voice trembling. "I--I am very sorry, but I thought perhaps you -would rather Mrs. Freeman did not have this letter just at present; it -came in the post bag, which was unlocked. The post boy gave me the bag, -and I looked in. There were only two letters, one for me, and this; -I--forgive me, Miss Delicia; it has the Liverpool postmark." - -"Good gracious!" said Miss Delicia, "a black-edged letter, and from -Liverpool; then it is all over; poor Susan is gone. The will of the -Lord be done, of course, but this will be a sore blow to Henrietta." - -"I--I thought you'd keep it, and give it to her by and by," said Janet. - -"Thank you, my dear; very thoughtful of you; very thoughtful, but I -think she must receive it at once, for she will probably wish to go to -Liverpool to-night. Poor Susan's husband will--will want her. Oh, this -is very, very sad; my dear, loving sister, what a blow I shall have to -deal to you!" - -"You," said Janet; she came up and laid her hand on Miss Delicia's arm; -her face turned ashy white, so much depended on this moment; "you--you -won't tell about--about Bridget, at the same time," she gasped. - -Miss Delicia stared back at Janet in amazement. - -"Of course not!" she said. "Who could be so heartless as to worry -Henrietta about school matters at a moment like this?" - -"You won't tell Miss Patience, either?" - -"I shall, probably, say nothing until Henrietta returns to the Court. -How queer you look, Janet; are you ill?" - -"No, no, I am very well indeed," said Janet. She bent forward and -kissed Miss Delicia on her forehead, and then ran out of the room. - - - - -CHAPTER XVII. - -PERSIAN CATS. - - -Lady Kathleen Peterham had not much difficulty in inducing Bridget to -return with her to Eastcliff. The young girl was in a state of intense -nervous excitement. She was making up her mind to face disgrace. -All through the triumph and supposed pleasure of the Fancy Fair she -kept seeing the indignant face of Mrs. Freeman when she heard of the -wicked trick which she and Janet had played upon her. She saw her Aunt -Kathleen with her shocked, incredulous, unbelieving expression; and -last, but not least, she saw her gray-headed old father when the news -reached him that the last of the O'Haras--the very last of all the -race--had stooped to dishonor. - -These thoughts took away Biddy's enjoyment. She became so wretched at -last that she almost wished for the crucial hour to be over. - -Janet came up to her as the last of the guests were departing. - -"It's all right," she whispered. "I have not time to explain matters -now, but you have nothing whatever to fear. Leave things in my hands, -and don't be nervous, for I assure you everything will be as right as -possible." - -Bridget had no time to ask Janet to explain her strange words, for the -next moment she had turned away to say something with eagerness to -Lady Kathleen. - -Lady Kathleen nodded, and looked intensely wise and affectionate. - -An hour later Bridget found herself driving away from Mulberry Court, -her last frantic endeavors to see Mrs. Freeman by herself having proved -utterly fruitless. - -"I can't make out what's the matter with you, Biddy!" said her aunt. -"Why are you flushing one moment and growing pale the next? I hope to -goodness you haven't caught anything. You look quite feverish." - -"Oh, I'm all right, Aunt Kathie!" said Bridget. "Please don't worry -about my looks; they don't signify in the least." - -"Your looks don't signify, Bridget? That's a strange thing to say -to me, who was born a Desborough. You are a Desborough yourself, -Bridget, on your poor mother's side, and have we not been celebrated -for our beauty through a long line of distinguished ancestors? Never -let me hear that kind of nonsense fall again from your lips, Biddy. -Heaven-born beauty is a gift which ought not to be lightly regarded." - -"I have a headache, then," said Bridget. "I suppose I needn't talk if I -don't want to?" - -"Of course you needn't, pet; and when we go back to the hotel you shall -go straight to bed. Oh, how pleased your father will be when we get -back to the Castle!" - -In reply to this speech Bridget burst into a sudden flood of tears. - -"I can't bear it!" she sobbed. "Oh, Aunt Kathie, I have been so -naughty! I wanted to see Mrs. Freeman to tell her everything; but she -had just had some bad news, and no one would let me go near her. Oh, -I am so miserable! I do hate school most dreadfully. Aunt Kathie, you -wouldn't love me if you knew what a bad girl I have been." - -"Now, my pet, that is nonsense. I'd just love you through everything. -I suppose you have got into a little school scrape? Bless you, Biddy, -all the girls do that. Now dry your eyes, and let us think no more -about trifles of that sort. Here we are at the hotel, and your holidays -have begun. I promise you, you'll never have gayer ones. I have a nice -little surprise in store for you, but you are not going to get it out -of me to-night." - -Bridget did not betray any inordinate curiosity with regard to her -aunt's surprise. She cheered up a little, and after a slight supper -retired to bed. - -In the meantime, Janet May was in her own room at the Court, busily -concluding her packing. - -The girl who shared her room with her had left that evening. Janet, -therefore, had the apartment to herself. - -Two letters had come by that evening's post; one which brought to her -at least some days of respite, for she was now quite sure that nothing -further would be done with regard to Miss Dent's discovery for a week -or ten days. It was even possible that the thing might remain in -abeyance until the school reassembled. - -In any case Janet had now time to breathe. - -Two letters had, however, come by the post, and while one gave her -relief, the other added to her perplexities. - -The other letter was from her sister Sophy. - - - DEAR JANET [this sister had written] I am waiting anxiously for - the moment when the post will bring me your letter with a couple - of pounds in it. I simply cannot do without it, as Miss Simpkins - has turned me out of doors. I am writing from a little stationer's - shop quite close, and I have bribed Annie, the housemaid, to bring - me your letter the instant it comes. I have exactly one shilling - in my pocket, so you may suppose that I am brought to a low ebb. - Miss Simpkins is the very crossest old cat that ever breathed, - and I could not help giving her cheek this morning, so she turned - me out, and refused to pay me my week's salary. It isn't worth - fighting with her, and, of course, I am willing to admit that there - were faults on both sides. The stationer's wife will give me a bed - to-night, but what _am_ I to do afterward? Of course, the money - will come from you, you dear, and then I shall immediately start - for Margate, and look for you to meet me there. Mrs. Dove, the - stationer's wife, knows of a nice little room, which we could share - together, for ten shillings a week--that is dirt cheap, as you must - know. The address is Mrs. Dove's, 9 Water Street, South Parade. - It's a top room--I suppose that means an attic; but, never mind; as - Mrs. Dove says, "the higher up you are, the better the air." - - Your devoted sister, - - SOPHY. - - P. S.--Oh, you cruel, cruel Janet! You heartless monster! The post - has come and your letter, and _no inclosure_. Mrs. Dove will let me - sleep here to-night--she is a kind soul; but, remember, I have only - got one shilling in the world, and I vow I will never ask Aunt Jane - to help me. - - -Very early the next morning Janet rose, and going downstairs met one of -the servants in the hall. - -"I'm going to walk to Eastcliff," she said. "I have got all my boxes -packed and directed. They are to be sent by the carrier to-day to the -railway station, where they are to be left for me until I send further -orders. They will be put into the booking office of course." - -"Very well, miss," said the servant, "but you'll want some breakfast of -course." - -"No, no, I am in a great hurry; I can't possibly wait." - -"Have you seen Miss Delicia, Miss May?" - -"It's all right," repeated Janet, not heeding this remark. She walked -through the hall as she spoke, opened the door herself, and let herself -out. - -She was neatly dressed in pale gray alpaca; her little sailor hat, with -a plain band of white ribbon round it, looked neat and girlish; she -carried a thin dust cloak on her arm. - -No one could look nicer or sweeter than Janet. She had a sort of good -heroine air about her, and this fact struck Lady Kathleen Peterham -most forcibly when about eight o'clock that morning the young lady was -admitted into her bedroom. - -Lady Kathleen was not an early riser. - -She was, indeed, sound asleep when her maid brought her a little note -on a silver salver. The note contained a few piteous lines from Janet. - - - I am in great trouble and perplexity [she wrote]; will you see me - for one minute? - - -"The little dear, of course I'll see her," said Lady Kathleen. She had -herself arrayed in a rose-colored silk dressing gown, and was sitting -up in the shaded light when Janet tripped into the room. - -"Oh, how kind of you to let me come," said the girl. - -"My love," said Lady Kathleen, "I was expecting you between ten and -eleven. I have not broken the news of our charming arrangement yet to -Biddy; I know well how delighted she'll be when I do tell her. Why -have you come so early, little Mayflower, and what is all this trouble -about? You look very nice, my love, notwithstanding your perplexities." - -"I am very anxious," said Janet; and then she proceeded to tell a -long and pathetic story about Sophy; Sophy was so pretty, but also so -willful; she was older than Janet, but she also leaned upon her. She -had just been turned out of her situation owing to the cruelty of her -employer, and--and--of course Janet could not go to Ireland and leave -her dear older sister in such a plight; she had saved a few shillings, -and she was going to take the very next train to Bristol to see her. - -The words that Janet hoped Lady Kathleen would utter fell at once from -the good lady's lips. "My darling," she said, "you and this naughty, -pretty little sister of yours shall both come to Castle Mahun. My -brother-in-law, dear fellow, will give you the best of Irish welcomes; -of course he will, you sweet little brave soul; why it's a heroine you -are, and no mistake." - -Janet replied in a very humble and pretty manner to these gratifying -words of praise, and soon a plan which she had already sketched out in -her own mind was proposed to her by Lady Kathleen. - -"You and your sister can cross over from Bristol to Cork," she said. -"From there it is only a short distance to Castle Mahun. Biddy and I -will start for home to-day, and we'll expect you in a day or two after. -Oh, my dear, you want a little money; I know you're poor, darling, and -I am rich, so where are the odds? It's no worry to me, but a pleasure -to help you. Give me your address in Bristol, and I'll send you a -postal order before Biddy and I leave Eastcliff to-day." - -Janet's eyes fell, and her heart sank a trifle. - -It would have been so much nicer to have got the money now; she did not -want to spend Biddy's two pounds if she could help it. Her intention, -indeed, had been to get a postal order to send off to Pat Donovan -before she left Eastcliff, but Lady Kathleen, who had risen to all -Janet's other suggestions, failed her in this. - -There was no help for it, therefore, she must spend part of the two -pounds in taking her railway ticket to Bristol, and could only trust -that Biddy would never hear of the non-reception of her gift. - -Janet bade Lady Kathleen an affectionate good-by and tripped off on her -errand of sisterly mercy. - -She sent a telegram to Sophy, and found her standing on the platform at -Bristol waiting to receive her. - -Sophy was smaller than Janet, a plump, softly rounded little person, -with wide-open eyes of heavenly blue, rosebud lips, and masses of -shining golden hair. At the first glance people as a rule fell in love -with Sophy; how long they continued in this state of devotion was quite -another matter, but the impression she made with those large-eyed -innocent glances was always favorable, and served her in good stead as -she fought her way through the world. - -She was not nearly as clever as Janet, but that very fact added to -her charms, for she had a way of confiding her troubles, of looking -pathetic and asking such touchingly simple questions with regard to -her future that, unless the person she addressed was very suspicious -indeed, the little good-humored pretty creature was taken at once to -the heart of her sympathizer. - -"Oh, here you are, Janey," she exclaimed, rushing up to her sister now -and clasping a plump little hand affectionately through her arm. - -She was really fond of Janet, and Janet really cared for her, but as -the two were perfectly open with each other it was unnecessary in -Janet's opinion to waste time in sentiment. - -"Yes, I have come," she said, "and very troublesome it is to me to have -to come. Why couldn't you keep your situation, Sophy?" - -"Oh, my darling," exclaimed Sophy, "if you had been me! you don't -know--you can't possibly know what Miss Simpkins is like. She is -full of the most awful fads, and she fusses so about the cats. There -were four cats when I first went to her, and now there are six, all -Persians, and every one of them affected with the most terrible -bronchitis. They have to be doctored and medicined and their hair -combed out, and watched like any number of babies. I do think, Janey, -I really do think that I might have a higher vocation in life than -looking after Persian cats." - -"That's stuff," said Janet. "Don't you prefer looking after Persian -cats to living with Aunt Jane?" - -"I am not quite sure, Janet." - -"But I am!" said Janet, favoring her sister with a quick, angry glance. -"I wouldn't eat the bread of dependence for anybody; but now let's come -back to Mrs. Dove's and have a talk." - -"Is there any money, Janey?" whispered Sophy, in an appealing tone. -"I told you that I had only a shilling, and it is absolutely true. I -ought to pay something for my bed, and she gave me some tea and a nice -new laid egg, lightly boiled, for breakfast. If I pay her the whole -shilling it will be cheap; very cheap, for what she has done for me. I -do trust and hope you have brought a little money with you, Janet!" - -"I have brought a little. It was very hardly come by, I can tell you, -and will have to go a tremendous long way. I may get into an awful -scrape about that money, and I really don't see why I should run such -risks for your sake." - -"O Janey, Janey, and you know I'd do anything in the world for you." - -Sophy's lovely eyes slowly filled with tears. Janet gave her a quick -half-contemptuous, half-affectionate glance. - -"There," she said, "you needn't fret; I daresay everything will be all -right, and I have something very jolly to tell you in a minute or two. -Only let us get to your lodgings first, for we can't talk comfortably -in this noisy street." - -The girls presently reached the poky little house where Sophy had spent -her night. They went up at once to a tiny room with a sloping roof, and -there Janet proceeded to administer a very sound lecture to her sister. - -"I have something unpleasant to talk about before I say anything nice," -she began. "You must first hear me out, whether you like it or not, for -if you cry until your eyes are sunk into your head it won't make the -least bit of difference to me. Speak I will, for it is for your good -and mine." - -No one could cry more copiously than Sophy on occasions, but she also -had a certain power of self-control. If her tears could effect no -object there was not the least use in her spoiling her pretty eyes, so -she sat very still now on the edge of the small hard bed, and gazed at -Janet, who sat opposite to her on a cane-bottomed chair. - -"The first thing to be done is this," said Janet; "I must see Miss -Simpkins, and ask her if she will take you back after the holidays are -over." - -"I won't go!" said Sophy, clenching her fist. - -"That is nonsense, Sophy; you will either have to go to Miss Simpkins -or to Aunt Jane. Aunt Jane will half starve you, and give you no money -at all; Miss Simpkins will feed you well--I know she does that, or -you'd be sure to tell me the contrary--then Miss Simpkins gives you -fifteen pounds a year. That being the case, there is no choice at all -between the two posts. Miss Simpkins's, notwithstanding the Persian -cats, is much the best place for you to live at." - -"Oh, you don't know," said Sophy; "it's the most horrid life. Besides, -she wouldn't have me again; I know she wouldn't. We were both -frightfully impertinent to each other. We were like two cats ourselves. -Miss Simpkins was the old tabby, and I was the angry, snarling kitten. -I have claws, you know, Janet, although I do look so velvety." - -"I know perfectly well that you have claws, my dear, but you must keep -them sheathed. As to going back to Miss Simpkins, I shall see her -myself, and I am sure I can manage that part. You have got to come with -me there after we have finished our present conversation, and you have -got to beg her pardon in the most humble and proper fashion." - -"I really don't know how I am to do it, Janey." - -"But I do, love; you must just lean on me, and do exactly what I -advise; it won't be for the first time." - -"I know that," said poor Sophy, "and you are three years younger than -me, and all. I didn't think you'd be such an awful tyrant; it seems -rather hard to bear from one's younger sister." - -"But I am older in mind, darling." - -"Yes, yes, and much cleverer; but after all a worm _will_ turn. Suppose -I refuse to go back to Miss Simpkins?" - -"Then, my love, I will try and screw together sufficient money to send -you back third class to Aunt Jane's." - -"Oh, I can't; I won't do that; it would be too horrible!" - -"Listen to me, Sophy. I always said I would help you. You are very -pretty, but you are not clever. You have not been educated up to the -required standard; you have no chance whatever of getting a situation -as governess. In these days it is the most difficult thing in the world -for lady-girls who are not educated, and have not got special talents, -to find anything at all to do. You are in great luck in getting this -situation as companion, and I am absolutely determined that you shall -not lose it. In two years' time I shall have left school. My object -then is to get a good situation as English and musical teacher in one -of the high schools. When I have got such a post, I may want you to -live with me, Sophy, as housekeeper; there is no saying. You would like -that, wouldn't you?" - -"Oh, shouldn't I! What larks we'd have." - -"Yes, we'd have a jolly time together; but there's not the least use in -thinking about it if you don't do what I tell you now. Put your hat on -straight, Sophy, and don't let your hair look quite so wild and fluffy, -and we will go across to Miss Simpkins's without delay. I have a very -jolly plan to propose to you after you have made your peace with the -old lady and the Persian cats, but not even a hint with regard to it -shall drop from my lips until you have been a good girl." - -"Oh, dear, oh, dear," said Sophy, "I don't know how I am ever to face -the old tabby cat again." - -"That's a very improper way to speak of your employer, and I'm not -going to laugh. Come; are you ready?" - -"I wish you weren't such a Solon, Janet." - -"It is well I have got some brains; I don't know where you and I would -be if I hadn't. Now, come along." - -"But I am not to go back and live with her to-day?" - -"No, no, I'll manage that; you shall have your bit of fun first, poor -Sophy. Now come at once, we have not a moment of time to lose." - -Sophy straightened her hat very unwillingly, brushed back her -disordered locks with considerable rebellion in each movement, but -finally followed Janet down into the street and across the narrow road -into the fashionable locality where Miss Simpkins and the Persian cats -resided. - -Miss Simpkins lived in a small house, which was kept scrupulously clean -and bright. There were flower boxes in all the windows, and the shining -brass knocker and handles of the door reflected the faces of the two -girls like mirrors. - -A neat but severe-looking servant answered Janet's rather determined -ring. She scowled at Sophy, but replied civilly to Janet's inquiry if -Miss Simpkins was at home. - -"Yes, miss," she replied; "my missus is in her morning room, very -particularly occupied." - -"I should like to see her for a few minutes," said Janet. - -"I am afraid, miss, that if you have come on behalf of that young lady, -the late companion, that you may spare yourself the trouble, for the -missus won't have nothing to say to her nor her belongings." - -"I have come on that business," said Janet. "I am much shocked at what -has occurred, and have come to offer apologies. My sister, Miss May, -has behaved with great indiscretion." - -Poor Sophy gasped. - -Janet did not pay the smallest heed to Sophy's indignant expression. -Her smooth young face looked full of shocked virtue. It impressed the -servant, who nodded back a sympathetic reply, and telling the girls to -wait a minute, walked sedately across the hall and into the morning -room. - -She returned in a few moments with the information that Miss Simpkins -would see the younger of the young ladies. - -"I can put you, Miss May," she said, turning to Sophy, "into the hall -room while the other young lady talks to my missus." - -"Yes, Sophy, go there and wait," said Janet; and Sophy went. - -Janet tripped lightly across the tiled hall. - -The servant opened the door of the morning room and then turned to -inquire the young lady's name. - -"Miss Janet May," was the response. - -"Miss Janet May!" shouted the servant, and Janet found the door closed -behind her. - -A severe looking woman, primly dressed, was seated by a round mahogany -table. In the center of the table sat a snow-white and very beautiful -Persian cat; a dark tabby of the same species was lapping a saucer of -milk also on the table; some Persian kittens gamboled about the room. -Miss Simpkins was bending over the tabby. She raised her eyes now and -murmured, half to herself, half to Janet, "She has taken exactly a -tenth of a pint of milk! That is a great improvement on yesterday." - -"I am sure of it," said Janet, entering into the spirit of the thing -without a moment's delay; "and what an exquisite cat! and oh! what a -beauty that white one is! I do admire Persian cats!" - -"Do you, my dear?" said the old lady. "This cat--Cherry Ripe I call -her--has won several prizes at the Crystal Palace. This tabby--his name -is Pompey--will also, I expect, be a prize-winner. These two kittens -that you see on the floor, Marcus Aurelius and Mark Antony, have been -sent to me direct from Persia. They are most valuable animals. The -Persian cat is a curious and remarkable creature. Don't you think so? -so sadly delicate! so fragilely beautiful! so sensitive and refined in -every movement! Breed is shown in each of its actions. These cats are -lovely--almost too lovely--and yet, my dear, whatever care you take of -them, they all suffer more or less from bronchitis! they all swallow -their long hairs when they wash themselves! and they all die young. -Beautiful darlings! it is too touching to think of your inevitable -fate!" - -Miss Simpkins, as she spoke, stroked the snow-white Persian with her -long, slender fingers. - -Janet murmured some words of rapture, and the old lady asked her to -seat herself. - -The subject of Sophy was introduced in a few moments, and here Janet -showed that talent for diplomacy which always marked her actions. Miss -Simpkins found, as she listened to the admirable words which dropped -from the lips of this young girl, her anger fading. After all, Sophy -had some good points. The white Persian cat liked to nestle on her -shoulder, and rub its soft head against her soft cheek. Miss Simpkins -fancied that the cat looked melancholy since Sophy's departure. In -short, knowing well in her heart that she would find it extremely -difficult to get anyone else to take the much-enduring Sophy's place, -she consented to have her back again on trial. - -"But not at once," said Miss Simpkins, "for I have just let this house, -furnished, to a friend. I don't really know what your sister will do, -Miss May, but Barker and I and the cats are quite as many as can travel -comfortably together. I shall be back here by the end of September, and -will receive your sister, if she faithfully promises to behave herself." - -These terms being quite to Janet's satisfaction, she closed with Miss -Simpkins's offer, and left the house in Sophy's company in high good -humor. - -"Now you have behaved well, and you shall hear of the treat I have in -store for you," she said to her sister. "But, first of all, let us -go to one of the shipping offices to find out at what hour the next -steamer sails for Cork." - - - - -CHAPTER XVIII. - -AN IRISH WELCOME. - - -Castle Mahun was the sort of old place which can be met in many parts -of Ireland. It consisted of almost innumerable acres of land, some -cultivated, some wild and barren, and of a large, rambling, and, in -parts, tumble-down house. Castle Mahun stood on rising ground which -faced due west. The ground was beautifully shaped, with many gentle -undulations and many steep and bold descents. It was thickly wooded, -and some of these forests of almost primeval trees sloped down to the -edge of a deep, wide lake of nearly two miles in length and half a mile -in width. This lake was the pride of Castle Mahun. In sunshiny weather -it looked blue as the sea itself; in winter its waters became dark -and turbid, the high waves tossed them and made themselves at times -as angry as if they were really influenced by the many currents and -the tides of ocean. The lake had two names. The owners of the property -called it Lake Crena, but the poor people--and they abounded all over -the lands of Castle Mahun--spoke of it as the Witch's Cauldron, and -said that although it was fair enough, and pleasant enough to live by -in summer, in winter it was haunted by a black witch, and woe betide -anyone who attempted to boat on its surface or fish in its waters at -that time of year. - -The Castle, or rather old house--for it bore little pretensions to -its name--hung partly over the lake. There were sloping lawns, badly -tended, but very picturesque in appearance, running down to the waters, -and a steep path, about three feet in width, with a sheer precipice at -one side, and a thick, heavy belt of forest trees at the other, running -right round the lake from one side of the old house. - -This was called the terrace walk, and it was here Dennis O'Hara took -his evening promenade, accompanied by the dogs. - -He was a handsome, picturesque looking man, with silvery white hair, -very piercing dark eyes, and aquiline features. He had a stentorian -voice, which he used to good effect on all those who came within -his reach; but he had also a kindly twinkle in those dark eyes, and -a kindly expression round his handsome, well-cut lips, which kept -the poor folks at Castle Mahun from fearing the master's indignant -bursts of strong language, and which made him one of the most popular -landlords all over the country. - -To-night there was great excitement at Castle Mahun, for the banished -princess, as the people chose to consider Bridget O'Hara, was coming -home from foreign parts. Bonfires were lit all along the hills in her -welcome. O'Hara had not gone himself to the nearest railway station, -twenty miles off, to meet his daughter, but he knew by the thin smoke -on a distant peak that the jaunting car, drawn by faithful Paddy, his -favorite chestnut horse, and driven by Larry O'Connor, was bearing his -darling back to him as quickly as the ill-kept roads would permit. - -"She's coming, masther," shouted a ragged little urchin, dashing up to -the squire, and then rushing frantically away again; "the first fire's -built, and me and Molly can see the smoke. Oh, come along, Molly! -and let's run down the road to ketch a sight of her. Oh, glory! the -darlint! and won't we be glad to have her back again." - -The child disappeared. There were some more wild shouts in the -distance; a troop of children, all ragged and bronzed and barefooted, -were seen rushing down the avenue, and then disappearing along the -dusty road. They carried branches of trees and old kettledrums, and -made a frantic noise as they ran in the direction which the jaunting -car would take. - -"Ah! here they are!" exclaimed Lady Kathleen from her seat on the car. -"Here are your villagers, Bridget, rushing to welcome you. And do you -see those fires lit in your honor? Watch the hills, child. There's a -fire on every hilltop. Now you'll be yourself again." - -Bridget's eyes were shining like stars. She turned and gripped Lady -Kathleen's hand with a fierce embrace. - -"I feel nearly mad with delight!" she exclaimed. "Oh, I say, Larry, do -drive faster. Gee-up, Paddy! Gee-up, old dear! Don't you think I might -take the reins, Larry? You can get down from your seat on the box, and -sit here to balance Aunt Kathleen, and let me jump up and take the -reins." - -"To be sure, miss," said Larry. He sprang lightly from his seat, and -Biddy, notwithstanding Lady Kathleen's bursts of laughter and futile -objections, took the seat of honor, and with a light, smart touch of -the whip sent Paddy spinning at a fine rate over the roads. - -"Hurrah!" she shouted when she came in sight of the motley crowd. -"Here I am back again, and driving Paddy as if I'd never set foot off -Irish soil. Welcome to you all! Good-evening, Dan; how's your lame -foot? Good-evening Molly, acushla macree. Good-evening, good-evening, -Jane and Susan and Norah. Now, then, let me drive quickly. I must get -to my daddy before I touch the hands of one of you." - -Bridget stood up on the driving seat, tightened the reins with energy, -gave Paddy another well-aimed delicate stroke just where it would -quicken his movements without irritating either his skin or his temper, -and the laughing, shouting, joking cavalcade--for the children and -the men and women were rushing after the car, and some of them even -clinging on to it--turned in at the gates, and up the steep avenue -which led to the Castle. - -"Now, then; three cheers for the old home! Let every one of us shout -with a will!" exclaimed Bridget. "Oh, it is nice to be back again." - -"You'll frighten the horse, Biddy!" exclaimed Lady Kathleen. "I do -think you have taken leave of your senses, child. Oh, don't set them -off shouting; Paddy really won't stand it; and at this steep part, too!" - -"Paddy is Irish," said Bridget, with some contempt. "He knows what an -Irish shout is worth. Now, then! Three cheers--Hip, hip, hurrah! Hip, -hip, hurrah!" - -Bridget held the reins with one hand, the other was waved high in the -air. She looked like a radiant, victorious young figure standing so, -with the crowd of welcoming, delighted faces surrounding her. Her -traveling hat had long ago disappeared, and her chestnut curls were -tumbling about her face and shoulders. - -"Hip, hip, hurrah!" she shouted again. "Three cheers for the Castle! -Three cheers for the master! Three cheers for the dogs! Three cheers -for old Ireland! and three cheers for the boys and girls who live at -Castle Mahun!" - -Frantic yells responded to Bridget's eager words. These were -intermingled by the yelping and barking of about a dozen dogs, who -rushed on the scene, and jumped all over Bridget in their ecstasy, -nearly dragging her from her eminence on the car. - -"Take the reins, Larry!" she exclaimed, tossing them to her satellite. -"Now then, do get out of the way, Bruin! Clear out, Mustard, my pet, or -I'll tread on you. Now then for a spring!" - -She vaulted lightly to the ground, and the next instant was in the arms -of her white-headed old father. - -"Eh, my colleen, my colleen," he murmured. He pressed her to his heart; -a dimness came over his eyes for a minute; his big, wrinkled hand -touched her sunny forehead tenderly. "You have come back," he said. "I -have had a fine share of the heart-hunger without you, my girleen." - -Bridget laid her head on his shoulder. - -"Oh, daddy," she exclaimed, in a sort of choked voice, "it is too good -to feel your arms about me again; I am too happy." - -"Don't you want to see Minerva's pups, miss?" asked the small and -rather officious little ragged girl called Molly. - -"Yes, to be sure. And she has had four, the darling; the dear, noble -pet. Do take me to the litter at once, won't you, father?" - -The mention of Minerva and her progeny was so intensely exciting that -even sentiment was put aside, and the Squire, Biddy, Lady Kathleen, and -all the retainers went in a motley procession to the stables, where -the little red-tipped pups were huddled together, and the proud Minerva -was waiting to show off their many beauties. - -Biddy made several appropriate observations; not a point about the four -little dogs was lost upon her. She and her father grew almost solemn in -the earnestness with which they discussed the virtues and charms of the -baby pups. - -Minerva was petted and praised; hunger and fatigue were alike forgotten -in the exciting and delicious task of examining the valuable puppies. -Bridget knelt on the ground, regardless of her pretty and expensive -traveling dress. A pup's short, expressive nose rubbed her cool cheek, -Minerva's head lay on her knee; the animal's beautiful, expressive eyes -were raised to hers, full of maternal pride and melting love. Another -little pup lay on the Squire's big palm, a third nestled on Biddy's -shoulder; a fourth tried to yelp feebly as it was huddled up in Molly's -ragged apron. - -Lady Kathleen stood over the group of adorers laughing and ejaculating. -Somebody screamed in the distance that supper was ready, and that a -feast was waiting in the kitchen for all the retainers in honor of Miss -Bridget's return. - -There was a scamper at this; even Molly put the cherished pup back into -its basket, and Bridget, her father, and aunt entered the house arm in -arm. - - - - -CHAPTER XIX. - -"BRUIN, MY DOG." - - -Two days afterward Lady Kathleen called Bridget aside, and, linking her -hand through her arm, said in an affectionate tone: - -"If you can spare me five minutes, Biddy, I have a pleasant little bit -of news to give you." - -Bridget O'Hara had resumed all the finery which had been more or less -tabooed at school. The time was seven o'clock, on a summer's evening. -She had on a richly embroidered tea gown of pale green silk, a silver -girdle clasped her slim waist, the long train of her dress floated out -behind her; it was partly open in front, and revealed a petticoat of -cream satin, heavily embroidered with silver. - -Strictly speaking, the dress was a great deal too old for so young a -girl; but it suited Biddy, whose rich and brilliant coloring, and whose -finely formed and almost statuesque young figure could carry off any -amount of fine clothing. She and Lady Kathleen were standing on the -terrace walk, which looked down on the lake. Its waters were tranquil -as glass to-night; a few fleecy clouds in the sky were reflected on its -bosom. A little boat with a white sail, which flapped aimlessly for -want of wind to fill it, was to be seen in the distance. The Squire was -directing the boat's wayward course, but it was making its way after a -somewhat shambling fashion to the nearest landing-place. Bridget waved -a handkerchief in the air. - -"Turn the boat a bit, daddy, and the sail will fill," she shouted. -"Now, then, Aunt Kathleen, what is it you want to say to me?" - -"If you will only attend, Biddy," said Lady Kathleen. "Your thoughts -are with your father, child; he's as safe as safe can be. Hasn't he -sailed on the waters of Lake Crena since he was a little dot no higher -than my knee?" - -"But it is called the Witch's Cauldron, too," said Bridget, her eyes -darkening. "They say that misfortune attends on those who are too fond -of sailing on its waters." - -Lady Kathleen laughed. - -"You superstitious colleen," she said; "as if any sensible person -minded what 'they say.'" - -"All right, Aunt Kathleen, what's your news? what are you exciting -yourself about?" - -"I'm thinking of you, my pet, and how dull it must be for you after all -the young companions you had at school." - -"Dull for me at the Castle?" exclaimed Bridget, opening her big eyes -wide. "Dull in the same house with daddy, and the servants, and the -dogs? I don't understand you!" - -"Well, my darling, that's just your affectionate way. You are very fond -of your father and the dogs, of course. The dogs are the dogs, but you -needn't try to blind me, my dearie dear. To the end of all time the -young will seek the young, and boys and girls will herd together." - -"Well, there are my cousins, Patrick and Gerald, coming next week." - -"Just so. Fine bits of lads, both of them; but, when all is said and -done, only lads. Now, girls want to be together as well as boys; they -have their bits of secrets to confide to one another, and their bits of -fun to talk over, and their sly little jokes to crack the one with the -other; they have to dream dreams together, and plan what their future -will be like. What a gay time they'll have in the gay world, and what -conquests they'll make, and whose eyes will shine the brightest, and -whose dress will be the prettiest, and which girl will marry the prince -by and by, and which will find her true vocation in a cottage. Oh, -don't you talk to me, Bridget; I know the ways of the creatures, and -the longings of them, and the fads of them. Haven't I gone through it -all myself?" - -"You do seem excited, Aunt Kathleen, but you must admit too that there -are girls and girls, and that this girl----" - -"Now, I admit nothing, my jewel. Look here, my cushla macree, you're -the soul of unselfishness, but you shall have your reward. You shall -have girls to talk to and to play with, and by the same token they are -coming this very moment on the jaunting car to meet you." - -"Who are coming on the jaunting car?" asked Bridget, in a voice of -alarm. - -"Well now, I knew you'd be excited; I knew you better than you knew -yourself. Your face tells me how delighted you are. That dear little -Janet May, that sweet little friend of yours, the girl you are as thick -as peas with, is going to spend the holidays at Castle Mahun. I sent -Larry off with the jaunting car after the early dinner to the station -to meet her. She'll be here in a minute or two with a sister of hers -whom she's nearly as fond of as she is of yourself. Now, isn't that a -surprise for you, my pet?" - -"It is," said Bridget, in a low voice. - -It was against all the preconceived ideas of the O'Haras to show -even by the faintest shadow of discontent that they were wanting in -hospitality. Bridget felt that the high spirits which had been hers -during the last two days, which had lifted the weight of care, and the -dreadful sensation of having done wrong, from her young heart, had -now taken to themselves wings, and that the awful depressed sensation -which used to try her so much at Mulberry Court must be once again her -portion. - -"You're pleased, aren't you, Biddy?" said Aunt Kathleen. - -"Of course," said Bridget, in an evasive tone, "but there's daddy just -landing, let me run to him." - -She flew away, skimming down the steep ascent with the agility of a -bird. She was standing by her father's side, flushed and breathless, -when he stepped out of the little boat. - -"Eh, colleen," he exclaimed, "what do you say to coming for a sail with -me?" - -"Give me a hug, daddy." - -"That I will, my girl; eh, my jewel, it's good to feel your soft cheek. -Now, then, what are you rubbing yourself against me for, like an -affectionate pussy cat?" - -"Nothing. I can't go for a sail, though; it's a bother, but it can't be -helped." - -"And why can't it be helped, if we two wish it, I want to know?" - -"There are visitors coming to the Castle; we'll have to entertain them, -daddy." - -"Visitors! of course, right welcome they'll be; but I didn't know of -any. Who are they? Do you think it's the O'Conors now, or may be the -Mahoneys from Court Macherry. What are you staring at me like that for, -child? If there are visitors coming, you and I must go and give them a -right good hearty welcome; but who in the world can they be?" - -"One of them is a schoolfellow of mine, her name is Janet May." - -"Janet May," repeated the squire; "we don't have those sort of names -in Ireland. A schoolfellow of yours? Then, of course, she'll be right -welcome. A great friend, I suppose, my pet? She'll be welcome; very -welcome." - -"Look at me, daddy, for a minute," said Bridget, speaking quickly and -in great excitement. "Let us welcome her, as of course all true Irish -people ought to welcome their guests, but don't let's talk about her -when you and I are alone. She has a sister coming too, and there's Aunt -Kathleen waving her hands to us, and gesticulating. They must have -arrived. If I had known it, I'd have ordered the bonfires to be lit on -the hilltops, but I did not hear a thing about it until aunty told me a -few minutes ago." - -"It was remiss of Kathleen, very remiss," said the squire. "It is -positively wanting in courtesy not to have the bonfires lit. Let's go -up at once, Biddy, and meet your guests in the porch." - -Squire O'Hara took his daughter's hand. They climbed the ascent swiftly -together, and were standing in the porch, Lady Kathleen keeping them -company, when the jaunting car drew up. - -To an Irish person bred and born there is no more delightful mode of -locomotion than this same jaunting car, but people fresh to the Emerald -Isle sometimes fail to appreciate its merits. - -The jaunting car requires an easy and yet an assured seat. No clutching -at the rails, no faint suspicion on the countenance of its occupant -that there is the least chance of being knocked off at the next abrupt -turn of the road, or the next violent jolt of the equipage. You must -sit on the jaunting car as you would on your horse's back, as if you -belonged to it, as the saying goes. - -Now, strangers to Ireland have not this assured seat, and although -Janet was too clever and too well bred to show a great deal of the -nervousness she really felt, she could not help clinging frantically to -the rail at the end of her side, and her small face was somewhat pale, -and her lips tightly set. She had maneuvered hard for this invitation, -she had won her cause, all had gone well with her; but this awful, -bumping, skittish rollicking car might after all prove her destruction. -What a wild horse drew this terrible car! What a reckless looking -coachman aided and abetted all his efforts at rushing and flying over -the ground! Oh, why did they dash down that steep hill? why did they -whisk round this sudden corner? She must grasp the rail of her seat -still tighter. She would not fall off, if nerve and courage could -possibly keep her on; but would they do so? - -Janet had plenty of real pluck, but poor Sophy was naturally a coward. -They had not gone a mile on the road before she began to scream most -piteously. - -"I won't stay on this awful, barbarous thing another minute," she -shrieked. "I shall be dashed to pieces, my brains will be knocked out. -Janet, Janet, I say, Janet, if you don't get the driver to stop at -once I'll jump off." - -"Oh, there aint the least soight of fear," said Larry, whisking his -head back in Sophy's direction with a contemptuous and yet good-humored -twinkle in his eyes. - -"I can't stay on; you _must_ pull the horse up," shrieked the -frightened girl. "I can't keep my seat; I am slipping off, I tell you I -am slipping off. I'll be on the road in another minute." - -"Here then, Pat, you stay quiet, you baste," said Larry. - -He pulled the spirited little horse up, until he nearly stood on his -haunches, then, jumping down himself, came up to Sophy's side. - -"What's the matter, miss?" he said; "why, this is the very safest -little kyar in the county. You just sit aisy, miss, and don't hould on, -and you will soon take foine to the motion." - -"No, I won't," said Sophy. "I'll never take to it; I am terrified -nearly out of my senses. I'll walk to that Castle of yours, whatever -the name of it is." - -"You can't do that, miss, for it's a matther of close on twenty mile -from here." - -"Oh, dear! oh, dear!" Sophy began to cry. "I wish I'd never come to -this outlandish, awful place!" she exclaimed, forgetting all her -manners in her extremity. "Janet, how heartless of you to sit like -that, as if you didn't think of anyone but yourself! I'd much rather be -back with Aunt Jane, or even taking care of those horrid Persian cats. -Oh, anything would be better than this!" - -"Don't you cry, miss," said Larry, who was a very good-natured person. -"The little kyar is safe as safe can be; but maybe, seeing as you're -frightened, miss, you'd like to sit in the well. We has a pretty big -well to this jaunting car, and I'll open it out and you can get in." - -The well which divided the two seats (running between them, as anyone -who knows an Irish jaunting car will immediately understand) was a very -small and shallow receptacle for even the most diminutive adult, but -"any port in a storm," thought poor Sophy. She scrambled gratefully -into the well, and sat there curled up, looking very foolish, and very -abject. - -The two travelers were therefore in a somewhat sorry plight when they -arrived at the Castle, and Sophy's appearance was truly ridiculous. - -Not a trace of mirth, however, was discernible on the faces of the kind -host, his sister-in-law, and daughter as they came out to meet their -guests. - -Dennis O'Hara lifted Sophy in a twinkling to the ground. Janet devoutly -hoped that she would not be killed as she made the supreme effort of -springing from the car. Then began a series of very hearty offers of -friendship and hospitality. - -"Welcome, welcome," said the squire. "I'm right glad to see you both. -Welcome to Castle Mahun! And is this your first visit to Ireland, -Miss--Miss May?" - -"Yes," said Janet, immediately taking the initiative, "and what a -lovely country it is!" - -"I agree with you," said the squire, giving her a quick, penetrating, -half-pleased, half-puzzled glance. "I must apologize for not having -bonfires lit in your and your sister's honor; but Lady Kathleen didn't -tell me I was to have the pleasure of your company until a few minutes -ago." - -"I kept it as a joyful surprise," said Lady Kathleen; "but now, Dennis, -let the two poor dear girls come in. They look fit to drop with -fatigue. And so this is your little sister Sophy, Mayflower! I am right -glad to see you, my dear. Welcome to Old Ireland, the pair of you; I -will take you up myself to your room. Biddy, darling! Biddy!" - -But, strange to say, Biddy was nowhere to be seen. - -There was a little old deserted summerhouse far away in a distant part -of the grounds, and there, a few minutes afterward, might have been -heard some angry, choking, half-smothered sobs. They came from a girl -in a pale green silk dress, who had thrown herself disconsolately by -the side of a rustic table, and whose hot tears forced themselves -through the fingers with which she covered her face. - -"I can't bear it," she said to herself. "I can't be hospitable, and -nice, and friendly, and yet I suppose I must. What would father say if -one of the O'Haras were wanting in courtesy to a visitor? Oh, dear! -how I _hate_ that girl! I didn't think it was in me to hate anyone -as I hate her! I hate her, and I--I _fear her_! There's a confession -for Bridget O'Hara to make. She's afraid of someone! She's afraid of -a wretched poor small specimen of humanity like that! But it is quite -true; that girl has got a power over me. She has got me into her net. -Oh, what induced Aunt Kathleen to ask her here? Why should the darling -beloved Castle be haunted by her nasty little sneaking presence? Why -should my holidays be spoiled by her? This is twenty times worse than -having her with me at school, for we were at least on equal terms -there, and we are not here. She's my visitor here, and I must be -polite to her. I don't mind that abject looking sister of hers, who -sat huddled up in the well of the car, one way or the other; but Janet -is past enduring. Oh, Aunt Kathleen, what have you done to me?" - -Bridget sobbed on stormily. The old sensation of having lowered -herself, of being in disgrace with herself, was strongly over her. -She hated herself for being angry at having Janet in the house, for -so strong were her instincts of hospitality that even to think an -uncourteous thought toward a visitor seemed to her to be like breaking -the first rules of life. - -She had rushed to the summerhouse to give herself the comfort of a -safety valve. She must shed the tears which weighed against her eyes. -She must speak aloud to the empty air some of the misery which filled -her heart. She was quite alone. It was safe for her to storm here; she -knew that if she spent her tears in this safe retreat she would be all -the better able to bear her sorrows by and by. - -As she sobbed, thinking herself quite alone, the little rustic door of -the old summerhouse was slowly and cautiously pushed open, and a dog's -affectionate, melting eyes looked in. - -The whole of a big shaggy head protruded itself next into view, four -big soft feet pattered across the floor, and a magnificent thoroughbred -Irish greyhound laid his head on the girl's knee. - -"O Bruin, Bruin; oh, you darling!" exclaimed Bridget. "I can tell _you_ -how sorry I am! I can tell _you_ how mean and horrid and contemptible I -feel! Kiss me, Bruin; let me love you, you darling! you darling! You'll -never tell that you found me like this, will you, Bruin?" - -"Never!" said Bruin's eyes. "Of course not; what can you be thinking -about? And now cheer up, won't you? - -"Yes, I will," said Bridget, answering their language. "Oh, what a -great comfort you are to me, Bruin, my dog!" - - - - -CHAPTER XX. - -THE SQUIRE AND HIS GUESTS. - - -The great bell clanged out its hospitable boom for supper. Supper -was a great institution at the Castle. It was the meal of the day. -A heterogeneous sort of repast, at which every conceivable eatable, -every available luxury, graced the board. From tea, coffee, and bread -and butter to all sorts of rich and spiced dishes, nothing that the -good-humored Irish cook could produce was absent from the squire's -supper table. - -It was the one meal in the day at which he himself ate heartily. The -squire ate enough then to satisfy himself for the greater part of the -twenty-four hours; for, with the exception of a frugal breakfast at -eight in the morning, which consisted of tea, bread and butter, and -two new-laid eggs, he never touched food again until the great evening -meal, which was tea, supper, and dinner in one. - -People had easy times at Castle Mahun. There was no stiffness -anywhere. The rule of the house was to go where you pleased, and do -what you liked. Once a visitor there, you might, as far as Squire -O'Hara was concerned, be a visitor for all the rest of your natural -life. Certainly no one would think of hinting at the possibility -of your going. When you did take it into your head to depart, you -would be warmly invited to renew your visit at the first available -opportunity, and the extreme shortness of your stay, even though -that stay had extended to months, would be openly commented upon and -loudly regretted. But, as in each fortress there is one weak spot, and -as in every rule there is the invariable exception, the Squire did -demand one thing from his own family and his visitors alike, and that -was a punctual attendance in the lofty dining hall of the Castle at -suppertime. - -Bridget heard the bell twanging and sounding, and knew that the summons -to appear at supper had gone forth. She mopped away her tears with a -richly embroidered cambric handkerchief, stuffed it into her pocket, -looked with a slight passing regret at some muddy marks which Bruin had -made on her silk dress, and prepared to return to the house. - -"I wonder, Bruin," she said, "if my eyes show that I have been crying? -What a nuisance if they do. I'd better run down to the Holy Well before -I go into the house, and see if a good bathe will take the redness -away. Come along, Bruin, my dog, come quickly." - -Bruin trotted on in front of Bridget. He knew her moods well. He had -comforted her before now in the summerhouse. No one but Bruin knew -what bitter tears she had shed when she was first told she must go to -England to school. Bruin had found her in the summerhouse then, and she -had put her arms round his neck and kissed him, and then she had mopped -her wet eyes and asked him as she did to-night if they showed signs of -weeping, and also as to-night the dog and the girl had repaired to the -Holy Well to wash the traces of tears away. - -Bruin went on in front, now trotting quickly, and never once troubling -himself to look back. They soon reached the little well, which was -covered with a small stone archway, under which the water lay dark -and cool. Rare ferns dipped their leaves into the well, and some wild -flowers twined themselves over the arch, which always, summer and -winter, kept the sun from touching the water. It was a lonely spot not -often frequented, for the well had the character of being haunted, and -its waters were only supposed to act as a charm or cure on the O'Hara -family. Bridget, therefore, stepped back with a momentary expression of -surprise when she saw a woman bending down by the well in the act of -filling a small glass bottle with some of its water. - -She was a short, stout woman of between fifty and sixty. Her hair was -nearly snow-white; her face was red and much weather-beaten; her small -gray, twinkling eyes were somewhat sunk in her head; her nose was broad -and _retrousse_, her mouth wide, showing splendid white teeth without a -trace of decay about them. - -The woman looked up when she heard a footstep approaching. Then, seeing -Bridget, she dashed her glass bottle to the ground, and rushing up to -the young girl, knelt at her feet, and clasped her hands ecstatically -round her knees. - -"Oh, Miss Biddy, Miss Biddy!" she exclaimed. "It's the heart-hunger I -have been having for the sake of your purty face. Oh, Miss Biddy, my -colleen, and didn't you miss poor Norah?" - -"Of course I did, Norah," said Bridget. "I could not make out where you -were. I asked about you over and over again, and they said you were -away on the hills, sheep-shearing. I did think it was odd, for you -never used to shear the sheep, Norah." - -"No," said Norah, "but I was that distraught with grief I thought maybe -it 'ud cool me brain a bit. It's about Pat I'm in throuble, darlin'. -It's all up with the boy and me! We has waited for years and years, and -now there don't seem no chance of our being wedded. He's no better, -Miss Biddy. The boy lies flat out on his back, and there aint no -strength in him. Oh! me boy, me boy, that I thought to wed!" - -"And where _is_ Pat, Norah?" said Bridget. "I asked about him, too, and -they said he had been moved up to a house on one of the hills, to get a -little stronger air. I was quite pleased, for I know change of air is -good for people after they get hurt. And why can't you be wed, Norah, -even if Pat is hurt? I should think he'd want a wife to nurse him -very badly now. Why can't you have a wedding while I'm at home, Norah -macree?" - -"Oh, me darlin'--light of me eyes that you are--but where's the good -when the boy don't wish it himself? He said to me only yesterday, 'Me -girl,' said he, 'it aint the will of the Vargen that you and me should -wed this year, nor maybe next. We must put it off for a bit longer.' -I'm close on sixty, Miss Bridget, and Pat is sixty-two, and it seems as -if we might settle it now, but he don't see it. He says it was the will -of the Vargen to lay him on his back and that there must be no coorting -nor marrying until he's round on his feet again. I am about tired of -waiting, Miss Bridget; for, though I aint to say old, I aint none so -young nayther." - -"But you have a lot of life left in you still, Norah," said Bridget. -"I'll go and talk to Pat to-morrow, and we'll soon put things right. I -was so dreadfully sorry to hear that he was hurt. And did you get my -letter that I wrote to you from school?" - -"To be sure, darlin'! and why wouldn't I? and it's framed up in Pat's -cottage now, and we both looks at it after we has said our beads each -night. It was a moighty foine letter, Miss Biddy! Pat and me said that -you was getting a sight of larning at that foreign school." - -"And did you get the money I sent you, Norah? I sent you and Pat two -whole pounds in a postal order. I was so glad I had it to give you. Two -pounds means a lot of money to an Irish boy and girl. Weren't you glad -when you saw it, Norah? Didn't it make you and Pat almost forget about -the accident and the pain?" - -"Oh, Miss Bridget, alanna!" Norah's deep-set, good-natured, and yet -cunning eyes were raised in almost fear to the young girl's face. "Miss -Bridget, alanna, there worn't never a stiver in the letter. No, as sure -as I'm standing here; not so much as a brass bawbee, let alone gold. -Oh, alanna, someone must have shtole the beautiful money. Oh, to think -of your sending it, and we never to get it; oh, worra, worra me!" - -Bridget turned rather pale while Norah was speaking. - -"I certainly sent you the money," she said. "Didn't I tell you so in -the letter?" - -Norah fumbled with her apron. - -"Maybe you did, darlin'," she said evasively. - -"But don't you _know_? It was principally to tell you about the money -that I wrote." - -"Well, you see, darlin'--truth is best. Nayther Pat nor me can read, -and so we framed the letter, but we don't know what's in it; only we -knew from the foreign mark as it was from that baste of a school, and -that it must be from you." - -"I think I must run in to supper now, Norah; there are some visitors -come to the Castle, and I'm awfully late as it is, and father may -be vexed. I'll ride up on Wild Hawk to-morrow to see Pat, and you -had better be there, and we'll find out where that money has got to. -Good-night, Norah; but first tell me what you were doing at the Holy -Well?" - -"Don't you be angry with me, Miss Biddy. I thought maybe if I brought -a bottle of the water to Pat, and he didn't know what it was, and he -drank some as if it was ordiner water, that it would act as a love -philter on him, and maybe he'd consint to our being married before many -months is up. For I'm wearying to have the courtship over, and that's -the truth I'm telling ye, Miss Bridget. I am awfully afraid as Pat has -seen me gray hairs, and that they are turning the boy agen me, and that -he'll be looking out for another girl." - -"If he does I'll never speak to him again," said Bridget slowly. "You -so faithful and so good! but now I must go in to supper, Norah." - -Bridget ran scrambling and panting up to the house. Bruin kept her -company step by step. He entered the large dining hall by her side, -and walked with her to the head of the board, where she sat down in a -vacant chair near her father's side. - -"You're late, alanna," he said, turning his fine face slowly toward her -with a courteous and yet reproachful glance. - -She did not reply in words, but placed her hand on his knee for a -moment. - -The touch brought a smile to his face. He turned to talk to Janet, who, -neatly dressed, and all traces of fatigue removed, was sitting at his -other side. - -Lady Kathleen was attending to Sophy's wants at the farther end of the -table; but between them and the squire were several other visitors. -These visitors were now so accustomed to paying long calls at Castle -Mahun that they had come to look upon it as a second home. They were -all Irish, and most of them rather old, and they one and all claimed -relationship with Squire O'Hara. Nobody said much to them, but they ate -heartily of the good viands with which the table was laden, and nodded -and smiled with pleasure when the squire pressed them to eat more. - -"Miss Macnamara, I _insist_ on your having another glass of sherry!" -the squire would thunder out; or, "Mr. Jonas O'Hagan, how is your lame -foot this evening? and are you making free with the beef? It is meant -to be eaten, remember; it is meant to be eaten." - -Jonas O'Hagan, a very lean old man of close on seventy, would nod back -to the squire, and help himself to junks of the good highly spiced beef -in question. Miss Macnamara would simper and say: - -"Well, squire, to _oblige_ you then, I'll have just a _leetle_ drop -more sherry." - -The business of eating, however, was too important for the squire to do -much in the way of conversation. - -Janet's small-talk--she thought herself an adept at small-talk--was -kindly listened to, but not largely responded to. - -Bridget whispered to herself, "I must really tell Janet another day -that father must be left in peace to eat the one meal he really does -eat in the twenty-four hours." - -Bridget herself did not speak at all. She scarcely ate anything, but -leaned back against her chair, one hand lying affectionately on Bruin's -head. Anxious and troubled thoughts were filling her young mind. What -had become of the two pounds she had given Janet to put into Norah's -letter? - -She felt startled and perplexed. It was an awful thing to harbor bad -feelings toward a visitor. All Bridget's instincts rose up in revolt at -the bare idea. She thought herself a dreadful girl for being obliged to -rush away to the old summerhouse to cry; but bad as that was, what was -it in comparison to the thoughts which now filled her mind? Could it be -possible that Janet, sitting there exactly opposite to her, looking so -neat, so pretty, so tranquil, could have stolen those two sovereigns? -Could the girl who called herself Bridget's friend be a thief? - -Oh, no, it was simply impossible. - -Bridget had already discovered much meanness in Janet May. Janet, with -her own small hand, had led Bridget O'Hara into crooked paths. - -But all that, bad as it was, was nothing--nothing at all in Bridget's -eyes, to the fact that she had stooped to be just a common thief. - -"I thought that only very poor and starving people stole," thought the -girl to herself, as she broke off a piece of griddle cake and put it -to her lips. "Oh, I can't--I won't believe it of her. The postal order -must have been put into the letter, and someone must have taken it -out before it reached Pat's hands. Perhaps the postal order is in the -envelope all this time. When I ride over on Wild Hawk to-morrow to see -Pat I'll ask him to show me the envelope. It would be a good plan if I -took Janet with me. I can soon judge by her face whether she stole the -money or not. Of course, if she did steal it, I must speak to her, but -I can't do it on any part of the O'Hara estate. It would be quite too -awful for the hostess to accuse her visitor of theft." - -"Biddy, alanna--a penny for your thoughts," said the squire, tapping -his daughter on her cheek. - -"They are not worth even a farthing," she replied, coloring, however, -and starting away from his keen glance. - -"Then, if our young friends have done their supper, you'll maybe take -them round the place a bit, colleen; they'll like to smell the sweet -evening air, and to---- By the way, are you partial to dogs, Miss May; -we have a few of them to show you if you are?" - -"Oh, I like them immensely," said Janet. ("Horrid bores!" she murmured -under her breath.) "I don't know much about them, of course," she -added, raising her seemingly truthful eyes and fixing them on the old -squire. "I had an uncle once; he's dead. I was very fond of him; he had -a deerhound something like that one." - -She nodded at Bruin as she spoke. - -"Ah," said Mr. O'Hara, interested at once, "then you can appreciate -the noblest sort of dog in the world. Come here, Bruin, my king, and -let me introduce you to this young lady. This is a thoroughbred Irish -deerhound, Miss May; I wouldn't part with him for a hundred pounds in -gold of the realm." - -The stately dog, who had been crouching by Bridget's feet, rose slowly -at his master's summons and approached Janet. He sniffed at the small -hand which lay on her knee, evidently did not think much of either it -or its owner, and returned to Biddy's side. - -"You won't win Bruin in a hurry," said the squire. "I doubt if he could -take to anyone who hasn't Irish blood; but for all that, although he -won't love you, since I have formally introduced you to each other he'd -rather die than see a hair of your head hurt. You are Bruin's guest -now, and supposing you were in trouble of any sort during your visit -to Castle Mahun, you'd find out the value of being under the dog's -protection." - -"Yes," said Janet, suppressing a little yawn. She rose from her seat as -she spoke. "Shall we go out, Biddy?" she said. "Will you take Sophy and -me round the place as your father has so kindly suggested?" - -"Certainly," said Bridget; "we'll walk round the lake, and I'll show -you the view from the top of the tower. There'll be a moon to-night, -and that will make a fine silver path on the water. Are you coming too, -Aunt Kathleen?" - -"Presently, my love, after I have been round to look at Minerva and the -pups." - -The three girls left the hall in each other's company. - -Sophy began to give expression to her feelings in little, weak, -half-hysterical bursts of rapture. "Oh, what a delightful place!" she -began, skipping by Bridget's side as she spoke. "This air does revive -one so; and _what_ a view!" clasping her two hands together. "Miss -O'Hara, how you are to be envied--you who live in the midst of this -beauty. Oh, good Heavens, I can't stand all those dogs! I'm awfully -afraid; I really am. Down, down! you _horrid_ thing, you! Oh, please, -save me; please, save me!" Sophy caught violent hold of Bridget's -wrist, shrieked, danced, and dragged her dress away. - -About a dozen dogs had suddenly rushed in a fury of ecstasy round the -corner. Some of them had been chained all day, some shut up in their -kennels. All were wild for their evening scamper, and indifferent in -the first intoxication of liberty to the fact of whether they were -caressing friends or strangers. They slobbered with their great mouths -and leaped upon the girls, licking them all over in their joy. - -The charge they made was really a severe one, and Sophy may easily have -been forgiven for her want of courage. - -Janet, who disliked the invasion of the dogs quite as much as her -sister, favored that young person now with a withering glance; but -Bridget spoke in a kind and reassuring tone. - -"I'm so sorry they should have annoyed you," she said; "I might have -known that you weren't accustomed to them. Daddy and I like them -to jump about in this wild fashion, but I might have known that it -wouldn't be pleasant to you. Down, this minute, dogs; I'm ashamed of -you! Down, Mustard; down, Pepper; down, Oscar; down, Wild-Fire. Do you -hear me? I'll use the whip to you if you don't obey." - -Bridget's fine voice swelled on the evening breeze. Each dog looked at -her with a cowed and submissive eye; they ceased their raptures, and -hung their drooping heads. - -"To heel, every one of you!" she said. - -They obeyed, and the girls entered the shady but steep walk which hung -over the lake. - - - - -CHAPTER XXI. - -THE HOLY WELL. - - -"You won't forget, girls," said Lady Kathleen the next morning when -breakfast was over, "that Patrick and Gerald are coming to stay here -to-day?" - -"Hurrah!" said Bridget; "we'll have some shooting and fishing then." - -"You can't shoot at this time of year," said the squire. - -"I don't mean to shoot game, father," she replied. "I want to learn -proper rifle shooting. What do you say, Janet; wouldn't you like to -handle firearms?" - -Janet hesitated for a moment; she saw disapproval on Lady Kathleen's -face, and took her cue from her. - -"I don't think I'm strong enough," she said. "Shooting with firearms -seems just the one accomplishment which a girl _can't_ manage; at -least, I mean an ordinary girl." - -Lady Kathleen clapped her hands. - -"Hear to you, Mayflower," she said. "Right you are; I go with you, my -dear. Firearms are downright dangerous things; and if I had my will, -Biddy should never touch them. Do you hear me, squire?" - -"Pooh!" said the squire; "what harm do they do? A girl ought to know -how to defend herself. As to the danger, if she uses her common sense -there is not any. I grant you that a foolish girl oughtn't to touch -firearms; but give me a sensible, strong-hearted colleen, and I'll -provide that she handles a gun with the precision and care of the best -sportsman in the land. Biddy here can bring down a bird on the wing -with any fellow who comes to shoot in the autumn, and I don't suppose -there is Biddy's match in the county for womanly graces either." - -"You spoil her, Dennis," said Lady Kathleen. "It's well she's been sent -to school to learn some of her failings, for she'd never find them out -here. Not but that I'm as proud as Punch of her myself. For all that, -however, I'd leave out the shooting; and I'm very much obliged to -little Mayflower for upholding me." - -"You haven't a wrist for a gun," said the squire, glancing at Janet's -small hands. "Your vocations lie in another direction. You must favor -me with a song some evening. I guess somehow by the look of your face -that you are musical." - -"I adore music," said Janet with enthusiasm. - -"That's right. Can you do the 'Melodies'?" - -"The 'Melodies'?" - -"Yes; 'She is far from the Land,' and 'The Minstrel Boy,' and 'The Harp -that once through Tara's Halls'; but it isn't likely you can touch -_that_. It requires an Irish girl born and bred, with her fingers -touching the strings of an Irish harp, and her soul in her eyes, and -her heart breaking through the beautiful birdlike voice of her, to give -that 'Melody' properly. We'll have it to-night, Biddy, you and I. We'll -get the harp brought out on the terrace, and when the moon is up we'll -have the dogs lying about, and we'll sing it; you and I." - -"Dear, dear, squire," said Lady Kathleen, "if you and Biddy sing 'The -Harp that once through Tara's Halls' as you _can_ sing it, you'll give -us all the creeps! Why, it seems to be a sort of wail when you two -do it. I see the forsaken hall, and the knights, and the chieftains, -and the fair ladies! Oh, it's melting, _melting_! You must provide -yourselves with plenty of handkerchiefs, Mayflower and Sophy, if we are -going to have that sort of entertainment. But here comes the postbag; I -wonder if there's anything for me." - -The door of the hall was swung open at the farther end, and a man of -about thirty, with bare feet, and dressed in a rough fustian suit, -walked up the room, and deposited the thick leather bag by the squire's -side. - -"Now what did you come in for, Jonas?" he asked. "Weren't any of the -other servants about?" - -"I couldn't help meself, your honor," said Jonas, pulling his front -lock of hair, and looking sheepishly and yet affectionately down the -long table. "I was hungering for a sight of Miss Biddy. I hadn't -clapped eyes on her sence she came back, and I jest ran foul of them -varmints, and made free of the hall. Begging your honor's parding, I -hope there's no harm done." - -"No, Jonas, not any. Make your bob to Miss Biddy now, and go." - -The man bowed low, flashed up two eyes of devotion to the girl's face, -and scampered in a shambling kind of way out of the room. - -"Good soul, capital soul, that," said the squire, nodding to Janet. - -"He seems very devoted," she replied, lowering her eyes to conceal her -true feelings. - -The squire proceeded to unlock the letter-bag and dispense its -contents. Most of the letters were for himself, but there was one -thick inclosure for Lady Kathleen. - -Janet sprang up to take it to her. As she did so she recognized the -handwriting and the postmark. The letter came from Eastcliff, and was -from Mrs. Freeman. - -Janet felt her heart beat heavily. She felt no doubt whatever that this -letter, so thick in substance and so important in appearance, contained -an account of poor Biddy's delinquencies. - -Lady Kathleen received it, and laid it by her plate. - -"Who's your correspondent, Kathleen?" asked the squire, from the other -end of the table. It was one of his small weaknesses to be intensely -curious about letters. - -Lady Kathleen raised the letter and examined the writing. - -"It's from Eastcliff," she said, "from Mrs. Freeman; I know by the way -she flourishes her t's. The letter is from Mrs. Freeman," she repeated, -raising her voice. "A thick letter, with an account, no doubt, of our -Biddy's progress." - -Bridget, who was standing by her father's side, turned suddenly pale. -Her hand, which rested on his shoulder, slightly trembled; a sick fear, -which she had thought dead, came over her with renewed force. She had -forgotten the possibility of Mrs. Freeman writing an account of her -wrong doings to Lady Kathleen. Now she felt a sudden wild terror, -something like a bird caught for the first time in the fowler's net. - -Squire O'Hara felt her hand tremble. This father and daughter were -so truly one that her lightest moods, her most passing emotions were -instantly perceived by him. - -"You are all in a fuss, colleen," he said, looking back at her; "but if -there is a bit of praise in the letter, why shouldn't we hear it? You -open it, and read it aloud to us, Kathleen. You'll be glad to hear what -my daughter has done at school, Miss Macnamara?" - -"Proud, squire, proud," retorted the old lady, cracking the top off -another egg as she spoke. - -"Please, father, I'd rather the letter wasn't read aloud. I don't think -it is all praise," whispered Biddy in his ear. - -The Squire's hawk-like face took a troubled glance for a quarter of a -minute. He looked into Biddy's eyes and took his cue. - -No one else had heard her low, passionate whisper. - -"After all," he said, "the colleen has a fair share of womanly modesty, -and I for one respect her for it. She can handle a gun with any man -among us, but she can't hear herself praised to her face. All right, -colleen, you shan't be. We'll keep over the letter for the present, if -you please, Kathleen." - -"That's as you please, Dennis. For my part, I expect it's just the -school bills, and there is no hurry about them. I want to go and speak -to Molly Fitzgerald about preserving the late raspberries, so I shan't -read the letter at all at present." - -She slipped it into her pocket, and, rising from the table, set the -example to the others to follow her. - -The three girls went out on the terrace. Janet walked by Bridget's -side, and Sophy ran on in front. - -"I can't believe," said Bridget, looking at Sophy, "that your sister -is older than you. She has quite the ways and manners of a very young -girl, whereas you----" - -"Thank you," said Janet. "I know quite well what you mean, Biddy. I -know I'm not young for my age. I needn't pretend when I am with you, -Biddy," she continued, speaking with a sudden emphasis; "you wouldn't -be young, either, if you had always had to lead my life. I have had -to do for myself, and for Sophy, too, since I was ever so little. I -have had to plot, and to plan, and contrive. I never had an easy life. -Perhaps, if I had had the same chances as other girls, I might have -been different." - -"I wish you would always talk like that," said Bridget, an expression -of real friendliness coming into her face. "If you would always talk -as you are doing now--I mean in that true tone--I--I could _bear_ you, -Janet." - -"Oh, I know what your feelings are well enough," said Janet. "I am not -so blind as you imagine. I know you hate having me here, and that if -it wasn't for--for _something_ that happened at school you wouldn't -tolerate my presence for an hour. But you see something did happen at -school; something that you don't want to be known; and you have got to -tolerate me; do you hear?" - -"You're mistaken in supposing that I would be rude to you now you -have come," said Bridget. "I don't think I should have invited you; I -didn't invite you. My aunt didn't even tell me that she had done so. -She thought we were friends, and that she was giving me a nice surprise -when she told me that you were coming." - -"I took care that you didn't know," said Janet in a low tone, and with -a short little laugh. "You don't suppose Lady Kathleen would have -thought of the nice little surprise by herself? It was I who managed -everything; the surprise, and the gay jolly time we are to spend at the -Castle, and all." - -"You are clever," said Bridget, "but I don't think I envy you your kind -of cleverness. All the same, now that you are here you are my visitor, -and I shall do what I can to give you a good time." - -"Thanks," said Janet, "I dare say I can manage that for myself. By the -way, did you notice that a letter has come from Eastcliff?" - -"From Mrs. Freeman; yes, what of that?" - -"There is no good in your saying 'What of that?' so calmly with your -lips, Bridget, when your heart is full of the most abject terror. -Didn't I see how your face changed color this morning when you saw the -letter, and didn't I notice you when you whispered something to your -father? You are very, very sorry that letter has come. It would be very -terrible to you--very terrible for you, if its contents were known." - -Sophy was still flitting on in front. The sunshine was bathing the -sloping lawns, and the dark forest trees, and the smooth bosom of -Lake Crena. It seemed to Bridget for the first time in her young life -that sunshine, even when it fell upon Irish land, was a mockery and a -delusion. - -"I do not want my father to know," she said, with a break in her voice. -"It would kill me if he knew. You see what he is, Janet, the soul of -all that is noble and honorable. Oh, it would kill me if he knew what I -have done; and I think it would kill him also. O Janet, why did you get -me into such an awful scrape?" - -"You didn't think it so very awful when you were knowing all your -lessons, and getting praise from everyone, and mounting to the head of -your class. It seemed all right to you then, and you never blamed me at -all; but now that the dark side of the picture comes, and you are in -danger of discovery, you see your conduct in a different light. I have -no patience with you. You have the appearance of being a very brave -girl; in reality you are a coward." - -"No one ever said that to me before," said Bridget, clenching her hand, -her eyes flashing. - -"Well, I say it now; it's very good for the petted, and the courted, -and the adored, to listen to unvarnished truths now and then. Oh, so -you have come back, Sophy. Yes, those are pretty flowers, but perhaps -Miss O'Hara doesn't wish you to pick her flowers." - -"Not wish her to pick the flowers," said Bridget, "and she a visitor! -What nonsense! Oh, you English don't at all know our Irish ways." - -"I think you have quite lovely ways," said Sophy. "I never felt so -happy in my life. I never, never was in such a beautiful place, and I -never came across such truly kind people." - -"Well, run on then," said Janet, "and pick some more of the flowers." - -"There's one of those awful jaunting cars coming up the avenue," said -Sophy. - -"Then the boys have come," exclaimed Bridget. "I must fly to them." - -She rushed away, putting wings to her feet, and the two May girls were -left standing together. Janet was absorbed in a brown study. Sophy's -eager eyes followed the car as it ascended the steep and winding avenue. - -"I wonder if we'll have any fun with the boys," she said, "and who are -the boys? I hope they are grown up." - -"You can make yourself easy on that score," said Janet, "they are only -lads--schoolboys. They live on the O'Mahoney estate, about eighteen -miles away. Their names are Patrick and Gerald, and I expect they are -about as raw and uninteresting as those sort of wild Irish can be. Now, -Sophy, do continue your pretty kittenish employment; skip about and -pick some more flowers." - -"I think I will be kittenish enough to run down the avenue and see what -the boys are really like," said Sophy. "I'll soon know whether there is -any fun to be got out of them." - -She ran off as she spoke, and Janet found herself alone. - -She stood still for a minute, irresolute and nervous. The arrival of -the letter by that morning's post had given her great uneasiness. She -was a young person of very calm judgment and ready resource, but as -matters now stood she could not see her own way. The next step was -invisible to her, and such a state of things was torture to a nature -like hers. Oh, if only she could secure that letter, then how splendid -would be her position. Bridget would be absolutely in her power. She -could do with this erratic and strange girl just what she pleased. - -Four gay young voices were heard approaching, some dogs were yelping -and gamboling about, boyish tones rose high on the breeze, followed by -the light sound of girlish laughter. - -"Talk of Bridget really feeling anything!" murmured Janet; "why, that -girl is all froth." - -She felt that she could not meet the gay young folks just now, and -ran round a shady path which led to the back of the house; here she -found herself in full view of a great yard, into which the kitchen -premises opened. The yard was well peopled with barefooted men, and -barefooted girls and women. Some pigs were scratching, rolling about, -and disporting themselves, after their amiable fashion, in a distant -corner. Some barn-door fowls and a young brood of turkeys were making -a commotion and rushing after a thickly set girl, who was feeding them -with barley; quantities of yellow goslings and downy ducklings were to -be seen making for a muddy looking pond. Some gentle looking cows were -lowing in their sheds. The cart horses were being taken out for the -day's work. - -It was a gay and picturesque scene, and Janet, anxious as she felt, -could not help standing still for a moment to view it. - -"And now, where are you going, Mayflower? and why aren't you with the -others?" exclaimed a gay voice. - -Janet hastily turned her head, and saw Lady Kathleen, with her rich, -trailing silk dress turned well up over her petticoat, a gayly colored -cotton handkerchief tied over her head, and a big basket in her hand. - -"Why aren't you with the others, Mayflower?" she repeated. "Are they -bad-hearted enough, and have they bad taste enough, not to want you, my -little mavourneen?" - -"I don't know, Lady Kathleen," said Janet, raising eyes which anxiety -had rendered pathetic. "I don't know that I am really much missed; some -people whom Bridget speaks of as 'the boys' have just arrived, and -she----" - -"Oh, mercy!" interrupted Lady Kathleen, "and so the lads have come. I -must go and talk to them as soon as ever I have helped cook a bit with -the raspberries. We are going in for a grand preserving to-day, and -cook and I have our hands full. Would you like to come along and give -us a bit of assistance, Mayflower!" - -"You may be sure I would," said Janet. - -"Well, come then," said Lady Kathleen. "You can eat while you pick. -I can tell you that the Castle Mahun raspberries are worth eating; -why, they are as large as a cook's thimble, each of them; I don't mean -a lady's thimble, but a cook's; and that's no offense to you, Molly -Malone." - -Molly Malone, who resembled a thick, short sack in figure, spread out -her broad hands and grinned from ear to ear. - -"Why, then, you must be always cracking your jokes, me lady," she said, -"and fine I likes to hear you; and it's the beautiful, hondsome lady -you is." - -"Get out with you, Molly," said Lady Kathleen; "don't you come over me -with your blarney. Now, then, here we are. Isn't it a splendid, great, -big patch of berries, Mayflower?" - -"I never saw raspberries growing before," said Janet; "how pretty they -look!" - -"They look even prettier when they are turned into rich red jam. Now, -then, we must all set to work. Put your basket here, Molly, and run -and fetch us some cabbage leaves; we'll each have a cabbage leaf to -fill with berries, and when our leaves are full we'll pop the berries -into the big basket. Oh, bother those brambles, they are tearing and -spoiling my dress; I wish I hadn't it on. It is quite a good silk, and -I know it will get both stained and torn, but when the notion came to -me to help Molly Malone with the preserving, I really could not be -worried changing it." - -Janet made no remark, and Lady Kathleen quickly busied herself with the -raspberry briars. She was a very expert picker, and filled two or three -leaves with the luscious, ripe fruit while Janet was filling one. - -"Why, my dear," she said, "what are you about? Those small fingers of -yours are all thumbs. Who'd have believed it? Oh! and you must only -pick the ripe fruit; the fruit that almost comes away when you look -at it. Let me show you; there, that's better. Now you have gone and -scratched your hand, poor mite; it's plain to be seen you have no Irish -blood in you." - -Janet looked at her small wounded hand with a dismal face. - -"As I said a minute ago, I never saw raspberries growing before," she -said. - -"You needn't remark that to us, my love; your way of picking them -proves your ignorance. Now, I tell you what you shall do for me. This -silk skirt that I have on is no end of a bother. I'll just slip it off; -there'll be no one to see me in my petticoat, and you can run with it -to the house and bring back a brown holland skirt which you'll find in -my wardrobe. Run straight to the house with the skirt, Janet, and I'll -be everlastingly obliged to you. Anyone will show you my bedroom; it -is at the end of the Ghost's Corridor. Run, child, run; put wings to -your feet. Well, you are a good-natured little thing; your eyes quite -sparkle with delight." - -"I am very glad to oblige you, Lady Kathleen," said Janet. Her -eyelashes drooped over her bright eyes as she spoke. Lady Kathleen -flung the rich silk skirt carelessly over her arm, and she ran off. - -"Be sure you bring me the brown holland, my dear, with the large fruit -stain in front; there are two of them in the wardrobe, and I want the -one with the fruit stain," shouted the good lady after her. - -Janet called back that she would remember, and, running faster, was -soon lost to view. - -When she could no longer get even a peep at Lady Kathleen she stood -still, and, slipping her hand into the pocket of the rich silk skirt, -took out the thick letter with the Eastcliff postmark on it. This was -transferred to her own pocket; then, going on to the house, she found -Lady Kathleen's bedroom, took down the holland skirt with the stain on -it, and was back again with the good lady after an absence of not more -than ten minutes. - -"That's right, my love, that's right," said Lady Kathleen; "you are -like that dear, little, old Greek god, Mercury, for swiftness and -expedition; and now, as you don't seem to care to pick raspberries, you -can go and join your young friends. They are safe to go on the lake -this morning, and I have no doubt you'll enjoy a row." - -"Oh, thank you," said Janet, "I love the water." - -She turned away, and soon found herself outside the great kitchen -garden and walking down the steep path which led directly to the lake. -She heard gay voices in the distance, and was willing enough to join -the young party now. Her heart felt as light as a feather. It was -delicious to know that she had, by one dexterous stroke, saved Bridget, -and, at the same time, put her into her power. - -"I am made for life," whispered Janet, as she stepped along. "Who -would have thought half an hour ago that such a lucky chance was to be -mine? I know perfectly well that Biddy hates me, but she would rather -conceal her hatred all her life than let her father know the contents -of the letter which I have in my pocket. I am not the least afraid of -Lady Kathleen suspecting me of having taken it. She is so erratic and -careless herself that she has probably quite forgotten that she ever -put Mrs. Freeman's letter into her pocket. Oh! I am as safe as safe can -be, and as happy also. I cannot stay long in this wild, outlandish sort -of place, but it is very well for a short time; and as I mean to make -plenty of use of Lady Kathleen in the future, I may as well cultivate -her all I can now. It would be rather a nice arrangement if poor little -Sophy were made Bridget's companion by and by; of course I can make any -terms with Bridget that I like, as I shall always keep the letter as a -rod in pickle to hold over her devoted head. Bridget will be so much -afraid of me that she will do exactly what I please, and it would be -nice for Sophy to live with her. - -"As to myself, I mean to go to Paris with Lady Kathleen. I shall go to -Paris and have a really gay and fine time; I mean to go, and I mean -also to wear some of the lovely Parisian dresses which are showered -in such profusion on that tiresome, stupid Biddy, which she can't -appreciate, and won't appreciate, but which I should make a fine -harvest out of. Oh, yes! oh, yes! my future is secure. Who would have -thought that in one little short half hour Dame Fortune would have so -completely turned her wheel?" - -Janet skipped and ran down the winding path. She presently came to the -neighborhood of the Holy Well. She knew nothing about the well. It -had no history whatever to her; but as she felt hot and thirsty, and -a little wooden cup was hanging by a chain to the arched stone roof, -and the water looked dark and clear and cool beneath, she stooped, -intending to take a long draught of the cold water. Going close to -the well, she held up her dress, and walked on the tips of her dainty -shoes. Bending forward, and stretching out her hand, she was about to -take the little wooden cup from its hook, and to dip it into the well, -in order to get a good draught of the delicious water, when a voice -suddenly said to her: - -"Why then, missy, if you drink that wather, you that don't belong to -the quality what lives at the big house, you'll have no luck all the -rest of your born days." - -The sound of this voice was so unexpected that Janet stepped back, -startled. - -A thickly set woman, with white hair, was standing near the well. - -"That wather is only for the O'Haras," she said. "They and their -kinsfolk can drink it, and it brings them a power of luck, but if -so be as strangers so much as wets their lips with it, why, a curse -enters into their bones with every dhrop they takes. That's thrue as I -am standing here, miss, and you had better be warned. Wance the curse -enters into you, you dwindles and dwindles till you dhrops out of sight -entirely." - -Janet gave a mocking laugh. - -"Oh, you _are_ a silly old woman," she exclaimed. "And do you really -think that I am going to be taken in by nonsense of that sort? I'll -show you now how much I believe you." - -She filled the wooden cup to the brim, then, raising it to her lips, -took a long, deep draught. - -"Am I beginning to dwindle already?" she asked, dropping a courtesy to -the angry looking Irishwoman. Without waiting for a reply she turned on -her heel, and ran down the slope. - -The woman followed her retreating form with flashing eyes. - -"I can't abide her!" she muttered. "She's an Englisher, and I can't -abide them Englishers. I hope she will dwindle and dwindle. Oh! me boy, -me boy! you as was a follower of the family--you and your forbears -before you--you ought to get good from this holy wather, and, oh! if it -would turn your heart to the breaking heart of your Norah, how happy -I'd be." - - - - -CHAPTER XXII. - -WILD HAWK. - - -The boys Patrick and Gerald were jolly, good-humored, handsome lads, -with not a scrap of affectation, but with rather more than the average -amount of boy mischief in their compositions. They were quite inclined -to be friendly with the two English girls whom they found established -at Castle Mahun, but that fact would by no means prevent their taking a -rise out of them at the first opportunity which offered. - -Sophy was full of little nervous terrors. She shrank back when they -offered to help her into the boat; she uttered a succession of little -shrieks as she was conveyed to her seat in the stern. Patrick winked -at Gerald when she did this, and they both made a mental resolution to -cajole the unfortunate Sophy into the boat some day when they could -have her all to themselves. They would not endanger her life on that -occasion, but unquestionably they would give her an exciting time. - -They meant to play some pranks on Sophy; but at the same time they -regarded the pretty, helpless, nervous little English girl with a -certain chivalrous good nature, which by no means animated the feelings -with which they looked at Janet. - -Janet was not at all to their taste. She had a supercilious manner -toward them, which was most riling. They were shrewd enough to guess, -too, that Bridget, notwithstanding her gentleness and politeness, in -her heart of hearts could not bear Janet. As Patrick and Gerald would -both of them have almost died for their cousin Bridget, the knowledge -that she was not fond of Janet was likely to give that young lady some -unpleasant experiences in the future. - -Although Bridget was in apparently gay spirits during the morning -of this day, she was in her heart of hearts extremely anxious and -unhappy. The fatal letter had arrived; the story of her deceit and -underhand ways would soon be known to her father and to Aunt Kathleen. -Aunt Kathleen might, and probably would, quickly forgive her; but -Squire O'Hara, although he forgave, would, at least, never forget. -Forever and forever, all through the rest of his days, the shadow of -Bridget's dishonor would cloud his eyes, and keep back the old gay and -heart-whole smile from his lips. He would love her, and pity her, and -be sweet to her, but never again would she be as the old Biddy to him. -Now he looked upon her as a pearl without a flaw, as the best of all -created beings; in the future there would be a dimness over her luster. - -While the poor young girl was laughing with her cousins, and trying to -make her visitors happy, these thoughts darkened and filled her mind. -She had also another care. - -She must discover if Janet had really taken the two pounds. It would be -too awful if she were really proved to be nothing better than a common -thief. Bridget intended to ask Janet to accompany her to Pat's cottage -on the hills that afternoon. The postal order might all the time be -safely tucked away in the envelope of the unread letter. If so, all -would be well; but if, on the other hand, it was nowhere to be found, -Bridget felt sure that she could, to a great extent, read the truth in -Janet's face. It would be impossible for her to speak to Janet on the -subject while she was in her father's house, or even in any part of the -grounds; but out on the hills, away from the O'Hara estate, she might -tell her plainly what she thought of her conduct. - -When the early dinner was over, Bridget called Janet aside and spoke to -her. - -"I am going to ride on my pony Wild Hawk," she said. "I am going to see -some poor people who live up in the hills. I don't want the boys to -come, but they can amuse Sophy if you like to ride with me, Janet. You -told me once at school that you were very fond of riding." - -"That is true," replied Janet. "I used to ride in Hyde Park when I was -a very little girl, but that, of course, is some years ago." - -"Oh, that doesn't matter, the knowledge will remain with you. We have a -very nice, quiet lady's horse, called Miss Nelly, in the stables; you -shall ride her." - -"But I haven't a habit," said Janet. - -"I have a nice little one which I have quite outgrown. Come to my room, -and let me try if it will fit you; I am almost sure it will." - -"All right," replied Janet; "I should enjoy a ride very much." - -She hoped that during this ride she would be able to tell Bridget that -she had secured the obnoxious letter, and the first step of putting -the young girl completely in her power would begin. - -She went with Miss O'Hara to her bedroom--an enormous room furnished -with oak, and strewn all over with costly knickknacks and ornaments. -The three large windows commanded an extensive view. They were wide -open, and Bridget when she entered the room went straight up to the -center one, and, clasping her hands, said in a low voice of passion: - -"How I love you!" - -"What do you love, Bridget?" asked Janet. - -"My land--my Ireland," she said. "Oh, you can't understand. Please help -me to open this long drawer. I'll soon find your habit." - -Janet assisted her with a will; the heavy drawer was tugged open, and a -neat dark blue habit, braided with silver, was pulled into view. - -Janet slipped it on, and found that it fitted her perfectly. - -"Take it to your room," said Bridget. "I am very glad it fits you; you -may want it many times while you are here." - -"Yes, and I may want to take it away with me, too," murmured Janet in a -whisper to herself. - -She went to her room, put on the dark, prettily made habit, and -looked at herself with much satisfaction in the glass. With a little -arrangement, Bridget's childish habit fitted Janet's neat figure like -a glove. She had never looked better than she did at this moment. The -rather severe dress gave her a certain almost distinguished appearance. -She ran downstairs in high spirits. Bridget was standing in the hall, -and the squire was also present to help the two girls to mount their -horses. He looked with pleasure at Janet, and said in a hearty tone: - -"I am very glad that you can ride, my little girl. It isn't often that -Bridget gets anyone at all her equal in horsemanship to accompany her." - -"Oh, father, you make a great mistake," exclaimed Bridget; "I have you." - -"What's an old boy worth to a young colleen," he replied; but he smiled -at her with fond affection, and the horses being led up by a shabbily -dressed groom, Bridget sprang lightly into her seat on Wild Hawk's back. - -He was a thoroughbred little Arab, with an eye of fire, a sensitive -mouth, and a jet-black shining skin. Miss Nelly was a pretty -roan-colored horse, but not a thoroughbred like Wild Hawk. - -"You'll be thoroughly safe on Miss Nelly," said the squire to Janet. -"Yes, that's right, now take the reins, so! You had better not use the -whip, but here is one in case you happen to require it." - -Janet nodded, smiled, and cantered after Bridget down the avenue. - -Her heart was beating fast. She was not exactly nervous, but as her -riding in old times had been of the slightest and most superficial -kind, she was truly thankful to find that Miss Nelly was gentle in -temperament, and not thoroughbred, if to be thoroughbred meant starting -at every shadow, and turning eyes like dark jewels to look at the -smallest obstruction that appeared on the road. - -"It's all right," said Bridget, noticing the uneasiness in Janet's -face. "Wild Hawk is a bit fresh, the beauty, but he'll quiet down and -go easily enough after I have taken it out of him a bit." - -"What do you mean by 'taking it out of him,' Bridget? He does not seem -to care much for this easy sort of trot, and he really does start so -that he is making Miss Nelly quite nervous." - -"Substitute Miss Janet for Miss Nelly," said Bridget, with a saucy curl -of her lips, "and you will get nearer to the truth. As to its being -taken out of the horse, you don't call this little easy amble anything? -Wait until we get on to the breezy hill, and then you will see what -kind of pranks Wild Hawk and I will play together." - -"But nowhere near Miss Nelly, I hope," said Janet. - -"Nowhere near Miss Nelly?" replied Bridget. "Dear me, Janet, you don't -suppose I am taking you out like this to lead you into any sort of -danger? I am not mean enough for that." - -"Some girls would be mean enough," said Janet, almost in a whisper. - -"Would they? Not the sort of girls I would have anything to do with. -Now, here we are on the top of the hill. Do you see these acres -and acres of common land which surround us, and do you notice that -small cottage or hovel which looks something like a speck in the far -distance? It is in that hovel that the poor people live whom I am going -to see. Now I mean to ride for that hovel straight as an arrow from a -bow. There are fences and sunk ditches in the way, but Wild Hawk and -I care for none of these things. You, my dear Janet, will follow this -little stony path on Miss Nelly's back; it is a considerable round to -the hovel over there on the horizon, but it is very safe, and you can -amble along as slowly as you please. I shall be at the cottage nearly -half an hour before you get to it, but what matter? Now then, Wild -Hawk, cheer up, my king; go like the wind, or like the bird after whom -you are named, my darling." - -Bridget rode on a few paces in front of Janet; then she suddenly bent -forward, until her lips nearly touched Wild Hawk's arched neck. Janet -thought that the wild Irish girl had whispered a word to the wild -horse; the next moment the two were seen flying through space together. -The horse seemed to put wings to his feet, his slender feet scarcely -touched the ground. With the lightness and sureness of a bird he -cleared the fences which came in this way. Janet could not help drawing -in her breath with a deep sigh--half of envy, half of admiration. - -"How splendid Bridget O'Hara is," she murmured; "such a figure, such a -face, such a bold, brave spirit! There is something about her which, -if the Fates were at all fair, even I could love. But they are not -fair," continued Janet, an angry flush filling her cheeks; "they have -given her too much, and me too little. I must help myself out of her -abundance, and there's noway of doing it but by humbling her." - -So Janet rode gently along the stony path, and in the course of time -found herself drawing in her reins by the low mud hovel, which looked -to her scarcely like a human habitation. - -The moment she appeared in sight two lean dogs of the cur species came -out and barked vociferously. Miss Nelly was, however, accustomed to the -barking of dogs, and did not take any notice. At the same instant a -stoutly built, gray-headed woman rushed out of the cabin and helped her -to alight. - -Janet felt a slight sense of discomfort when she recognized in this -woman the person who had warned her not to drink the water of the Holy -Well. It was not in her nature, however, to show her discomfort, except -by an extra degree of pertness. - -"How do you do?" she said, nodding to the woman, and springing to the -ground as she spoke. "I have not begun to dwindle yet, you see." - -"Why, me dear, it is to be hoped not," answered Norah, in quick retort; -"for, faix! then, you are so small already that if you grow any less -there'll be nothing for the eye to catch hould of. But come into the -cottage, missy; Miss Biddy is sitting by Pat, and comforting the boy a -bit with her purty talk." - -"Pat!" whispered Janet to herself. Her feeling of discomfort did not -grow less. The name of Pat seemed in some queer way familiar, but it -did not occur to her to connect it with the friends about whom Bridget -had cried at Mulberry Court. - -She had to stoop her head to enter the hovel, and could not help -looking round the dirty little place with disgust. - -"I have come, Biddy," she exclaimed. "I don't suppose you want to stay -long; this cottage is very, very close. I don't care to stop here -myself, but I can walk about while you are talking to your friends." - -"Oh, pray, don't!" said Bridget, springing to her feet; "I want to -introduce you to Pat. Come here, please!" She seized Janet's small -wrist, and pulled her forward. "Mr. Patrick Donovan--Miss Janet May. -This man, Janet, whom I have introduced to you as Patrick Donovan, is -one of my very dearest friends." - -"At your sarvice, miss," said Pat, blushing a fiery red, and pulling -his forelock awkwardly with one big, rather dirty hand. - -He was a powerfully built man, with great shoulders, long legs, and -grisly hair curling round his chin and on his head. His eyes were dark -and deep-set; capable of ferocity, but capable also of the affectionate -devotion which characterizes the noblest sort of dog. He looked askance -at Janet, read the contempt in her glance, and turned to look at -Bridget with a humble, respectful, but adoring glance. - -Norah had also entered the room; she was standing looking alternately -from Pat to Biddy. She was as plain as Patrick was the reverse, but the -love-light in her eyes, as she glanced at her suffering hero, would -have redeemed and rendered beautiful a far uglier face than hers. - -"It's all right then, Pat," said Bridget, "we'll have the wedding next -week; you'll be fit to be moved then, and you shall come down from the -hills on a litter, and the wedding shall be at Castle Mahun, and the -feast shall be in our kitchen, and I'll give you your bride my own -self." - -"Oh, Miss Biddy, long life to ye; the Heavens above presarve ye," -murmured poor Norah, in a voice of ecstasy. "Oh, me boy, me boy, to -think as in the long last we'll be wed!" - -"It's all right, Norah," said Pat, touching her forehead for a moment -with his big hand; "don't make a fuss, colleen, before the quality. -Keep yourself to yourself when there's strangers looking on." - -"Who talks of Miss Biddy as a stranger?" said Norah, with fierce -passion. - -"No one," said Pat; "but there's the young Englisher lady; may the God -above bless her, if she's a friend of yours though, Miss Biddy." - -Bridget made no response to this. She rose and offered her chair to -Janet. - -"Sit, Janet," she exclaimed; "there's a little matter I want to talk -over before we leave the cottage. You remember my telling you at -Mulberry Court about Pat's accident; you remember how troubled I was. -I wrote a letter to Pat and Norah, and you posted it. I gave you two -sovereigns to get a postal order to put into the letter. Now, a very -queer thing has happened. The letter arrived quite safely; here is the -letter; you see how neatly Pat has framed it; but the postal order -never arrived." - -"That's thrue, Miss Biddy," exclaimed Norah. "Here's all as was in the -letter, as sure as I'm standing up in my stockinged feet this minute." - -"I put the postal order in," said Janet, in a careless voice; "what -else should I do? I suppose your postmen here aren't honest." - -"Why then, miss, that's a bould thing to say of Mike Carthy," answered -Pat, in a low, angry voice, which resembled a growl. - -"I thought you might be able to throw some light on the matter," said -Bridget, "but it seems you cannot. We must be going home now, so I -shall have to say good-by, Pat. Norah, you can come down to the Castle -for some fresh eggs to-morrow, and I'll get Molly Malone to make up a -basket of all sorts of good things to strengthen Pat for his wedding." - -"You won't forget a wee dhrop of the crathur, lady?" muttered the -giant, looking up into Biddy's face. - -"No, no, that I won't, Pat, my poor fellow." - -Bridget wrung her retainer's hand, and a moment or two later she and -Janet were on their homeward way. - -"Now, look here," said Bridget, when the girls had gone a little -distance in almost unbroken silence; "I wish to say something; I shan't -talk about it when we get home, but out here we are both on equal -ground, and I can talk my mind freely and fully. I watched your face -when we were in that little cottage, Janet, and I am quite certain you -know something about those two sovereigns which I gave you to post to -Pat Donovan." - -"What if I do?" retorted Janet. - -"You have got to tell me the truth," answered Bridget. "If what I -suspect is the case, I shall not ask Aunt Kathleen to do anything to -shorten your stay at Castle Mahun; I shall not breathe the knowledge -that is given to me, to a soul in the house; but I myself will never -speak to you again. A few bare civilities it will be necessary for me -to offer, but beyond this I shall never address you. My silence will -not be noticed, for everyone else will be kind; but I--I tell you -plainly that, if what I suspect is true, I will _not_ associate with -you." - -"Will you kindly tell me your suspicions?" replied Janet. - -"I think--oh! it's an awful thing to say--I think that you took those -two sovereigns and put them into your own pocket." - -"And because of that, supposing it to be true, you will not speak to -me?" - -"I will not!" - -"But I tell you that you will; you will speak to me, and pet me, and -fawn on me, even though you regard me as a thief--there!" - -"I won't, Janet; I am a proud Irish girl, and I can't." - -"You are a very cowardly, mean Irish girl. You are not a bit the sort -of creature that people imagine you to be!" replied Janet, who was now -almost overcome by the passion which choked her. "You talk of speaking -quite openly and frankly, because we are on the hills together. I, too, -will give you a piece of my mind out here, with no one to listen to us." - -"No one to listen to us!" said Bridget, her face growing pale; "oh, -you forget, you must forget, there is Nature herself, her voice in the -breeze, and in the twitter of the birds, and her face looking up at us -from the earth, and her smile looking down at us from the sky. I should -be awfully afraid to tell a lie out here, alone with Nature." - -"My dear, I have no intention of telling any lies to you. I do breathe -tarradillies now and then; I am not too proud to confess it. You would, -too, if you were situated like me; but I don't waste them on people -whom it is necessary to be honest with. I did keep that money; it was -far more useful to me than it would be to that Patrick of yours. He -didn't want it, and I did. You were full of pity for him, but you had -not a scrap of pity to bestow on me, so I had to pity myself, and I did -so by taking your money. I found it most useful. But for it, Sophy and -I would not now be at Castle Mahun. I hoped what I did would never be -discovered. Well, it has been, but it does not greatly matter, as you -are the one to make the discovery." - -"What do you mean? what can you mean?" - -"What I say; you can send me to prison, of course, and ruin me for -life, but you won't, for your own sake. See what I have done to save -you!" - -Janet put her hand into her pocket and pulled out the Eastcliff letter. - -She held it aloft, and laughed in her companion's face. "You won't be -hard on me now, Biddy," she said, in the tones of one addressing an -equal. "If I have been a thief--it is an ugly word, and there is no -use in speaking it again; if I have been a thief, you, too, have done -something which you are ashamed of. That something has been discovered -at Mulberry Court, and this letter contains a full account of it. Your -aunt, Lady Kathleen, was to read it first, and then, of course, in the -ordinary course, your father would have heard the whole disgraceful -story. Little as you think of me, I have saved you from disgrace, -Biddy, my love. You are fond of Nature, but Nature won't tell tales. If -you will promise to respect the secret you have discovered about me, I -will respect your secret; I will tear up this letter, here on this wild -hilltop, and Nature shall bury the tell-tale pieces as she wills and -where she likes. Here is the letter, Biddy; I have saved you. Ought you -not to be obliged to me?" - -A queer change came over Bridget while Janet was speaking; a certain -nobleness seemed to go out of her figure; she looked less like part of -Wild Hawk than she had done five minutes ago; the color receded from -her cheeks; her eyes lost their proud fire, her lips their proud smile. - -"How did you manage to get that letter?" she whispered in a low tone. - -"I am not going to tell you, my darling; I have got it, and that ought -to be enough for you. Now, are we each to respect the secret of the -other, or not?" - -"Oh, I don't know; it seems so dreadful." - -"It is rather dreadful, dear; I admit that. If you go and tell your -father and Lady Kathleen about me, and about what I have just confessed -to you, I shall have a very uncomfortable time. I shall be thoroughly -and completely ruined, but in my ruin I shall pull you down too, -Bridget, from the pedestal which you now occupy. It would be easy for -me to put this letter back where Lady Kathleen will be able to lay her -hands on it; in that case she will read it, and your father will know -everything. I shall be ruined, and you will have a very unpleasant -time. You must choose now what you will do; shall we both go on -appearing what we are not? I, a modest, good-natured little girl, who -never did an underhand trick in my life, and you--you, Biddy, the soul, -the essence of what an Irishman calls honor." - -"Oh, don't," said Bridget, "you make my eyes burn; you make me feel -so small and wicked. Janet, why do you tempt me so awfully? Janet, I -wish--I wish that I had never, never known you." - -"My dear, I can't echo your wish. I am glad that I have met you, for -you can be very useful to me; but now you have got to choose; shall I -put the letter back in Lady Kathleen's room, or shall I tear it up?" - -"But, even if you do tear it up," said Bridget, "the evil day is only -delayed. When my aunt does not reply to Mrs. Freeman's letter, she will -soon write her another, and Aunt Kathleen will perhaps find out that -you took the letter." - -"I don't think she will; she is the kind of erratic person who won't in -the least remember where she put her letter, and not having a clew, why -should she suspect me of taking it?" - -"But Mrs. Freeman will write again." - -"When she does there will be time enough to consider the right steps to -take. She won't write for a week or a fortnight, and a great deal can -happen in that time. If the worst comes to the worst, it will be quite -possible for me to obtain possession of her next letter." - -"O Janet, I can't listen to you; your suggestions are too dreadful." - -"All right, my dear." Janet slipped the letter into her pocket. "I -know Lady Kathleen's room," she continued, "and I shall manage to put -this letter back on her dressing table when I go in. Who's that coming -to meet us? Oh, I declare, it is Squire O'Hara! How well your father -rides, Bridget! what a handsome man he is!" - -Bridget felt as if she should choke; the squire's loud, hearty voice -was heard in the distance. - -"Hullo, colleens; there you are!" he shouted. "I thought I'd bring the -General round in this direction; I had a curiosity to see how you were -managing Miss Nelly, my dear." He bowed as he spoke to Janet. "I see -you keep your seat very nicely. And you, Biddy--eh, my jewel--why, you -look tired. Has Wild Hawk been too much for you?" - -"Not a bit, father; I am as right as possible." Bridget turned swiftly -to Janet as she uttered these words. - -"I will give you your answer to-morrow," she said in a low tone; "give -me until to-morrow to decide." - - - - -CHAPTER XXIII. - -UNDER A SPELL. - - -Lady Kathleen did not make much fuss over the loss of her letter. - -"It's a queer thing," she said that evening to the squire, as they all -sat round the supper table, "but I can't lay my hand on the letter with -the Eastcliff post-mark. I made sure that I slipped it into the pocket -of the striped lilac silk dress I wore this morning; but I didn't, and -I can't imagine where I dropped it." - -"Well, my dear, we had better send someone to look for it," said the -squire. "That is the letter with all the praise of Biddy in it, isn't -it?" - -"Squire, you're nothing but a doting old father," replied Lady -Kathleen; "you think no one looks at that girl of yours without making -a fuss over her. She's a good bit of a thing--I am the last person to -deny that; but from the little I saw of Mulberry Court she was no more -than any other girl there--indeed, I think our little Janet had wormed -herself more into the good graces of the school than my jewel of a -Biddy. It's my opinion that the letter contained no more and no less -than just the account of the term's expenses, and a request for a check -in payment." - -"Oh, then, if that's all, it can keep," said Squire O'Hara. "Mr. -O'Hagan, I'll trouble you to pass me the whisky bottle, sir. What's -that you are saying, Kathleen?" - -"I may lay my hand on it in some out-of-the-way corner," said Lady -Kathleen; "if not, I'll write in a day or two to Mrs. Freeman, and tell -her that it just got lost. Letters are no end of bother, in my opinion; -busy people have really no time to read them. Now, my colleen, what -ails you? Why, you're quite white in the cheeks, and you're not eating -your usual hearty supper! Don't you fancy that sweetbread, Bridget?" - -"Yes, Aunt Kathleen, I am enjoying it very much," said Bridget. "I am -quite well, too," she added under her breath. - -The next morning Janet came into Bridget's room. - -"I won't stay a minute," she said; "but I just thought I'd save you the -trouble of a decision, so I tore up the letter last night, and burnt -the bits in my candle before I went to sleep. You can't get it back -now, even if you wish to be honorable--which I know you don't--so there -is a weight off your mind. I told you how Lady Kathleen would take it. -What a blessing it is that she is that scatter-brained sort of woman!" - -"You oughtn't to speak against her," began Bridget in a feeble tone. - -"Oh, oughtn't I, my love? Well, I won't another time. Now we are all -going for a pleasure party on the lake; won't you join us?" - -"I don't think so," said Biddy; "you two girls and Patrick and Gerald -can do very well without me. I want to see my father about Pat -Donovan's wedding, and----" - -"By the way," said Janet, "is it true that we are all going out to high -tea at some outlandish place ten miles away?" - -"It is true that we are going to Court Macsherry," said Bridget; "but I -don't think you will call it an outlandish place when you see it." - -"I can't say," retorted Janet; "and, what is more, I do not care. Your -wild Ireland does not come up to my idea at all. I don't care twopence -about natural beauties. But I have a little bit of news for you, my -pet. Who do you think we'll see at Court Macsherry?" - -"The Mahonys and their guests," replied Bridget. "I don't know of -anyone else." - -"Well--you'll be rather startled--Evelyn Percival is there! I had -a letter this morning from Susy Price, and she told me so. Now, of -course, I don't care in the very least about Evelyn. I dislike her -quite as much as you dislike her; but I want to look very smart and -fresh when I go to Court Macsherry, and I want my poor little Sophy -also to look as trim and bright as a daisy; so, as you are going to -stay at home this morning, Biddy, you might look out for some little -ornaments to lend us both." - -"Ornaments to lend you!" retorted Bridget, opening her eyes. "What do -you mean? Even if I wished to lend you my clothes they would not fit -either of you." - -"Your dresses wouldn't fit us, of course; but there are lots of other -things--sashes, for instance, and necklets, and hats, and we wouldn't -mind a pretty parasol each, and we should feel most grateful for some -of your embroidered handkerchiefs. I have got that sweet, pretty dress -Lady Kathleen gave me for the bazaar, but poor little Sophy has really -nothing fit to appear in; and you must admit that she's a pretty little -creature, and would look sweet if she were well dressed. I dare say you -have got some white embroidered dresses you used to wear before you -grew so tall and gawky, and if there were a tuck put into one of them, -little Sophy would look very well in it. I should like her to have a -pale blue sash to wear with it, and some large blue Venetian beads to -put around her neck. Oh, a young girl needn't have much dress, if it's -good. You'll see about it, Bridget, won't you, and have it ready in our -room when we come back from our boating expedition?" - -Janet ran out of the room as she spoke, slamming the door rather -noisily behind her. - -Bridget, whose face was white with passion, felt quite too stunned even -to move for a minute or two. Then she clenched her hands, walked to the -window, and looked out. - -"What have I done?" she murmured. "How can I allow myself to get into -that horrid girl's power? Oh, surely it would be much, much better to -tell my father everything." - -She leaned out of the open window, and looked down on the terrace. Her -father was lounging on one of the rustic benches. He was smoking a -pipe, and Bruin was lying at his feet. Looking at him from her window, -Bridget fancied that his old figure looked tired, more bent than usual, -more aged than she had ever before noticed it. - -"I can't, I won't give him pain!" murmured the girl fiercely. "I'd -rather be under the power of twenty people like Janet than break his -heart. But, O Biddy, Biddy O'Hara, what a wicked, senseless girl you -have been!" - -"Is that you, acushla?" called the squire up to her. "Come right -downstairs this minute, and let me hear all your fine plans for Norah's -and Pat's wedding. What a colleen you are for planning and contriving! -But come away down at once, and let me hear what's at the back of your -head." - -"Yes, father, in a minute!" - -Bridget rushed over to her glass. She looked anxiously at her fair, -bright face; it reflected back little or nothing of the loathing with -which she regarded herself. - -"Oh, what a living lie you are!" she said, clenching her fist at it. -"Oh, if father but knew what a base daughter he has got! But he mustn't -know. He must never, never know!" - -She ran down and joined her father on the terrace. - -He put his arm round her, made room for her to seat herself by his -side, and the two began eagerly to talk and to make arrangements for -the coming wedding. - -"But you're out of spirits, my darling," said Dennis O'Hara suddenly. -"Oh, you needn't try to hide it from me, Biddy. Your heart and soul -aren't in your words; I can tell that in the wink of an eye. What's up -with you, mavourneen?" - -"I'll tell you one thing, daddy; I hate--I loathe school!" - -"Well, now," said the squire, "I have no fancy for schools myself; -it was your aunt's wish. But your aunt, Biddy"--here a twinkle came -into his eye--"your aunt rules us, not with a rod of iron--oh, by no -means--but just with the little, soft, coaxing, and yet determined ways -which no one can withstand. She worked on my feelings for nearly two -years, Biddy O'Hara. She said you were a fine girl, and a good one, but -that you knew nothing, and that if you were ever to be of any use in -the world you must go to school." - -"Well, father," said Bridget, "did you really think in your own heart -when you and I were alone at Castle Mahun that I knew nothing? What -about the music we made in the old hall in the winter evenings? and -what about that time when I saved Minerva's life, and what about my -dancing? I think, somehow or other, I have a little bit of education, -father, and I doubt very much if I have really learned anything at -school." - -"But you will, my pet, you will. These are early days, and you will -learn at school. You will learn that sort of things that will make you -a fine lady by and by." - -"Father," said Bridget, "I don't want to be a fine lady." - -She put her arms suddenly round his neck, and looked into his eyes. -"Fine ladies are not good, father--they are not good. A girl can be -wild and ignorant, and yet good, very good; but a fine lady--oh, I hate -the thought of her!" - -"How excited you are, Biddy mavourneen, and how strangely you are -talking! Whoever thought of your not being the best sort of fine lady, -and what fine lady, except your poor Aunt Kathie, have you ever seen, -child?" - -"I have never seen any; but I feel down in my heart what they are like; -and I will never resemble them, even if I spend fifty years in school. -Now let us talk of Minerva and her pups. What are you going to do with -the pups?" - -The conversation turned into channels of a purely domestic nature, and -Biddy, as she talked, forgot the cares which harassed and filled her -soul. - -The young people soon returned from their expedition on Lake Crena. -Patrick and Gerald both seemed very much excited, Janet looked resolved -and defiant, Sophy alarmed. - -"What's the matter with you, Patrick?" said the squire. "I see mischief -in that eye of yours. What are you after?" - -"Oh, nothing, uncle, nothing," replied the lad. "It is only that Miss -Janet May has been rubbing me up. She doesn't believe any of the -stories I tell her about Lake Crena." - -"Of course I don't," said Janet. "Who would believe a schoolboy's wild -chattering nonsense?" - -Patrick's black eyes flashed. - -"Come, come," said the squire soothingly, and looking with half appeal -at Janet; "this fine lad is close on seventeen. He is scarcely to be -termed a schoolboy." - -"Oh, well, it does not matter what he is called," continued Janet. "If -I thought he were only joking, I shouldn't mind; but when he tells me -in sober earnest that a witch does live in the island in the center of -the lake; that she comes out on winter nights and curses the people who -sail on the lake; and, in short, that she's a sort of malevolent old -dame who belongs to the Dark Ages, I simply refuse to believe him." - -The squire looked rather startled while Janet was speaking. - -"You shouldn't talk of these things," he said to Patrick. "It's all -stuff and nonsense. Lake Crena is Lake Crena, the sweetest, sunniest -spot in the world all through the summer months; in the winter she is -the Witch's Cauldron, and we leave her alone, that's all. Now, young -folks, come in to lunch." - -Janet did not say anything further, but when in the course of the -afternoon the whole party were driving in a great big wagonette to -Court Macsherry, Patrick and she found themselves side by side. - -"Look here," he said to her then, "are you willing to stick to your -word?" - -"To what word?" she asked. - -"Why, you said that you didn't believe in the Witch?" - -"No more I do. How could I be so silly?" - -"Hush! Don't talk so loud; Uncle Dennis will hear us. Well, now, I'll -put faith in your bravery if you'll stick to what you said. You said -you wouldn't mind spending from nine till twelve any night alone on the -Witch's Island. Will you do it?" - -"As far as the Witch is concerned, I certainly will." - -"What do you mean by 'as far as the Witch is concerned'? There is -certainly no one else likely to trouble you. There is a little -broken-down arbor on the island where you can sit, and Gerald and I -will row you over, and come for you again after midnight." - -"But," said Janet, "if I promise to do this, you and Gerald won't play -me any trick, will you? I know what schoolboys are capable of. I used -to stay at a house once where there were lots of boys. I was a little -tot at the time, but they did lead me a life." - -"I should rather think they did," said Patrick, winking one of his -black eyes solemnly at his brother, who was regarding the two from the -opposite side of the wagonette with suppressed merriment. - -"Well," said Janet, "I know quite well what boys are like; and I'm -not going to give myself up to their tender mercies. Of course I -don't believe in that silly, stupid story about the Witch, but I do -think that you and that fine Gerald of yours over there would be -quite capable of playing me a trick, and dressing up as the Witch, or -something of that sort. If you both promise on your honor--and Irishmen -seem to think a great lot of their honor--if you'll both promise that -you'll do nothing mean of that sort, why I'll go to the Witch's Island -any night you like, and stay there from nine till twelve o'clock." - -"That's all right," said Patrick. "Gerry and I will give you our solemn -promise that we'll take you there and go away again, and come back at -midnight to fetch you, and that we won't do anything to frighten you -ourselves, nor, as far as we can tell, allow anyone else to play a -trick on you. There, now, are you satisfied?" - -"I suppose I am." - -"What night will you go?" - -"To-morrow night, if you wish." - -"That will do finely. The moon will be at her full from nine till -twelve to-morrow night, and if the Witch comes out of her lair you will -have a grand opportunity to get a good view of her. Well, then, that's -all right; only you mustn't tell anybody what you're going to do, for, -hark ye, Miss May, my Uncle Dennis over there believes in that Witch as -he believes in his own life. You wouldn't catch _him_ spending three -hours alone on that island; no, not for anybody under the sun." - -Bridget had felt very angry when Janet had coolly proposed that she and -her sister should be decked out in her finery; but, angry as she was, -the spell which was over her was sufficiently potent to make her comply -with the audacious request which had been made to her. Accordingly, -Janet and Sophy looked wonderfully smart when they took off their light -dust cloaks in the enormous square oak hall at Court Macsherry. There -is really very little difference between one soft coral pink sash and -another, between one row of sky-blue Venetian beads and another row; -and although Aunt Kathie, with one flashing glance of her bright eyes, -discovered that the sashes with which the May girls were ornamented, -and the beads which encircled their pretty throats, belonged to -Bridget, no one else guessed this for a moment. The Mays looked extra -smart and extra pretty, but Biddy had taken less pains than usual with -her own dress. It was rich and expensive in texture, as almost all -her clothes were, but it was put on untidily, and was too heavy and -hot-looking for this lovely summer evening. Her cheeks were flushed, -too, and her eyes too bright. She looked like a girl who might be ill -presently, and when Evelyn Percival, running down to meet her friends, -asked Biddy if she had a headache, she had to own to the fact that -this was the case. - -Evelyn was not a pretty girl, but her sweet, kind face looked full -of pleasantness to Bridget to-night. Her eyes had such an open, -truthful way of looking at one, her lips were so kindly in their -curves, her voice so pleasant in its tone, that Squire O'Hara, as he -said afterward, fell in love with her on the spot. There were several -handsome young Irish girls living at Court Macsherry, and Evelyn looked -only like a very pale little flower among them; nevertheless, the -squire singled her out for special and marked approval. - -"So you are one of my colleen's schoolfellows!" he said. "Well, well, -everyone to their taste, but I should have thought Lady Kathleen would -have asked _you_ to come and stay with us at Castle Mahun." - -"I shall be very glad to come over with my cousins to see you some -day," replied Evelyn. "I am not Irish, but I love Ireland, and I think -Court Macsherry the sweetest place in the world." - -"Oh, it isn't bad," said Dennis O'Hara. "I am not going to deny that it -is a fine bit of land, and notwithstanding those big bogs to the left -there, well cultivated. It might be improved by a bit of water, for -instance, but it isn't for me to disparage my neighbor's property." - -"My Cousin Norry has been telling me about your Lake Crena," said -Evelyn. "I should like to see it!" - -"So you shall, my dear; you'll admire it fine. It is as good as the -sea to us; there isn't its like in all the country round. When the -sun shines on its bosom it is a sight to be remembered, and as to the -moonlight effects, why they're just ravishing. Come and take a walk -with me on this terrace, my dear; I want to ask you about my girl -Biddy. She don't seem to take to that English school of yours, and I -must own that I'm scarcely surprised. That colleen of mine is a wild -sort of bird-like thing, and if you have a good many primity ways at -school, I don't wonder she can't abide them. Do you see much of her, -Miss Percival? You look about the same age, and I suppose you are in -the same class." - -"I am older than Bridget," said Evelyn Percival. "Bridget is a great -deal taller and bigger than any other girl of fifteen in the school." - -"Well, do you see much of her?" - -"Not as much as I should like. The fact is----" - -"What is it, my dear? you might confide in the colleen's father; if -there is anything I ought to know. - -"I can't exactly say there is, except--oh, perhaps I ought not to say -it." - -"But, indeed, you ought. I can see by your eyes that you are a -truthful, good sort of girl, and though I have only known you ten -minutes, I'd like my wild colleen to be friends with you. What is it -now? What's in your mind?" - -"I don't at all like to tell you; but the fact is, I was most anxious -to be fond of Biddy." - -"Yes, my dear, yes; I'm scarcely surprised at that." - -"I felt attracted to her the moment I saw her; she was so different -from the other girls. Of course, she didn't know the meaning of rules, -but there was something about her wonderfully fresh and pleasant, and I -and my friend Dorothy Collingwood would have done anything in our power -to make school life easy to her." - -"You don't mean to tell me that it wasn't easy? Why, she's about as -clever a bit of a thing as you could find." - -"I don't think anyone denies that; she has not been taught in the -ordinary way, so, of course, she could not get into a high class; but -that is not the point. I'd have been friends with her, the best of -friends, if she hadn't repulsed me." - -"Biddy repulse you! She never repulsed mortal in her whole life, the -poor darling!" - -"I don't think it was her fault; indeed, I am sure it was not, but--and -this is the thing that I don't at all like to say--she was, I am -convinced, influenced against me by another." - -"By another? Who? If you have a nasty sort of girl at the school, she -ought to be got rid of. Whom do you mean?" - -"I can't bear to tell you, and I may be wrong, but we do think, Dorothy -and I, that Biddy would be much, much happier at Mulberry Court but for -Janet May." - -"Phew!" the Squire drew a long breath; "that pretty little visitor -of mine? Lady Kathleen invited her and seemed much taken with her. -She told me that Janet was Biddy's dearest friend; but, now that you -mention it, I do not see the colleen much with her. You don't mean to -tell me?--oh, but I mustn't hear a word against one of my visitors." - -"I don't want to say anything, only that Dolly and I are sorry about -Bridget, and we are--I must say it frankly--not at all fond of Janet." - -"Maybe you're prejudiced; she's a pretty creature, and seems to mean -well." - -The great bell in the yard at Court Macsherry sounded a tremendous peal -for supper. - -"That's right," said the squire heartily; "that's a grateful sort of -sound when a man is starving, as I happen to be. Let me give you my -arm, Miss Percival. I'll never breathe what you have said, of course; -but I should be glad if you could do a kindness to my girl next term." - -"I will do my very utmost to help her," said Evelyn heartily. - -The guests had now assembled in the great dining hall, where a groaning -board awaited them. - -The squire looked down the long table. Biddy was nowhere to be seen. - -"Where can the girl be?" he said under his breath. Somebody else -remarked her absence, and Patrick immediately started up to go and look -for her. - - - - -CHAPTER XXIV. - -NORAH TO THE RESCUE. - - -Bridget had wandered away by herself. She knew her cousins, the Mahonys -of Court Macsherry, too well to stand on the least ceremony with them. -The load which crushed against her heart seemed to grow heavier each -moment. Her only desire was to be alone. - -She knew a spot where no one was likely to disturb her, and, catching -up the long train of her rich dress, she ran swiftly until she found -a solitary tree which stood a little apart from its fellows, and hung -over the borders of the great, big bog which formed a large portion of -the Court Macsherry estate. - -Bridget climbed up into the hollow of the oak tree, and leaning back -against its big trunk, looked out over the dismal, ugly bog. Her brows -were drawn down, her beautiful lips drooped petulantly, she pushed -back her rich hair from her brow. Her quaint many-colored dress, the -background formed by the oak tree, the effect of the wild country which -lay before her, gave to her own features a queer weirdness; and a -passing traveler, had any been near, might have supposed her to be one -of the fabled hamadryads of the oak. - -No travelers, however, were likely to see Bridget where she had now -ensconced herself. She sat quite still for nearly an hour, then -dropping her head on her hands she gave way to a low, bitter moan. - -She had scarcely done so before there was a rustling sound heard in -the grass. It was pushed aside in the place where it grew longest and -thickest, and a woman raised her head and looked up at her. - -"Eh, mavourneen?" she said, in a voice of deep love and pity. - -The woman was Norah Maloney. She had seen Biddy as she ran across the -grass to her seat in the oak tree, and had crept softly after her, -happy and content to lie silent and unobserved in the vicinity of her -adored young mistress. - -Norah was a _protegee_ of the Mahonys as well as the O'Haras, and -thought nothing of walking from one estate to the other. She crouched -motionless in the long grass, scarcely daring to breathe or discover -her vicinity in any way, until Biddy's heartbroken moan reached her -ears. - -Uncontrollable pity then overcame all other feelings. Her child, her -darling was unhappy. Come what might, Norah must comfort her. - -"Eh, mavourneen?" she said then. "Core of me heart, you're in throuble! -What can Norah do for yez?" - -"I am unhappy, Norah!" said Bridget. She sprang out of the oak tree as -she spoke. "O Norah, Norah!" she exclaimed, clasping the old servant's -horny hand; "don't tell anyone--don't, don't for the life of you, -Norah; but I hate Janet May." - -"That young Englisher colleen?" said Norah, her eyes flashing angry -fire. "Eh, but she's a cowld-hearted foreigner. Eh, but it isn't me nor -Pat nayther that's took with her ways." - -"It's dreadful of me to say anything," continued Bridget. "She's my -visitor, and I have told you that I hated her. Forget it, Norah--forget -it." - -"Secret as the grave I'll keep it," replied Norah, with emphasis. - -Bridget ran back to the house, and the old servant, with a certain -stealthy movement, which was more or less habitual to her, glided away -through the long grass. She walked two or three hundred yards in this -fashion, then she came to a stile which led directly to the dusty and -forsaken highroad. Here Norah stooped down and carefully removed her -thick hobnailed shoes and coarse, gray woolen stockings. She thrust -the stockings into her capacious pocket, and tying the shoes together -with a coarse piece of string, slung them over her arm. After this, she -kilted her petticoats an inch or two higher, and the next moment began -to run swiftly and silently over the dusty road. Her movements were -full of ease, and even grace. Her bare feet quickly covered the ground. - -She ran with a certain swing, which did not abate in speed as she flew -over the road. Mile after mile she went in this fashion, never once -losing her breath, or appearing in the least inconvenienced by her -rapid motion. At last she turned up a narrow mountain path. Here the -ground was very rough, and she was obliged to go slowly, but even here -her bare feet carried her with unerring surety. She neither slipped nor -stumbled, and never once faltered in her swift upward course. - -After going up the mountain for nearly half a mile, she came suddenly -upon the little shanty or mud hut where Pat, the boy whom Norah loved, -lay flat on his back on a rude bed of straw. - -Norah lifted the latch of the door, and came in. - -"Here's poor Norah back, Pat," she said. "And how are you, alanna? Is -it dhry ye feels and lonesome? Well, then, here's Norah to give wather -for your thirst, and news to fill your heart." - -"Why, then, Norah, you look spent and tired," said Pat. "And what's up -now, girl, and why did you come up the cliff as if you had the hounds -at your heels?" - -"Bekaze I had some news," said Norah, "and my heart burned to tell it -to yez. I have gone over a good bit of ground to-day, Pat, and I put -two and two together. I said the young Englisher wasn't afther no good, -and well I knows it now. It's our Miss Bridget has a sore heart; and -why should she have it for the loikes of her?" - -Pat Donovan was a man of very few words, but he raised his big head now -from its pillow, and fixed his glittering black eyes on the old and -anxious face of Norah with keen interest. - -"Spake out what's in yer mind, girl," he said. "Thim what interferes -with our Miss Biddy 'ull have cause to wish themselves out of Ould -Oireland before many days is over." - -"Thrue for yez, Pat," said Norah; "and glad I am that I has come to a -right-hearted boy like yourself, for I knew as you'd see the rights of -it, and maybe rid Miss Bridget of an enemy." - -"Spake," said Pat, "and don't sit there running round and round the -subject; spake, Norah, and tell me what you're after!" - -"Well, then, it's this," said Norah. "Be a token which I can't reveal, -for I promised faithfully I wouldn't, our Miss Biddy is fit to break -her heart bekaze of that young Englisher. Now, I know that to-morrow -night Miss Janet May is going to the Witch's Island, jest for the sake -of brag, and to prove that she don't hould by no witches nor fairies, -nor nothing of that sort; and the young gentlemen'll take her over -to the island at nine o'clock, and they'll go to fetch her again at -twelve, and what I say, Pat, is this----" - -"Whist!" said Pat, raising his big hand, and a look of mystery coming -over his face; "whist, Norah, mavourneen, you come over here and sit -nigh me, and let's talk the matter over." - - - - -CHAPTER XXV. - -HER MAJESTY THE WITCH. - - -Janet enjoyed the feeling that Bridget was now in her power. She had -something of the cat nature, and she liked to torture this very fine -and rare specimen of mouse which she had unexpectedly caught. She was -so clever, however, that no one suspected her of anything but the -heartiest friendship for Bridget. Even the squire, whose eyes were more -or less opened by Evelyn's talk, and who watched Janet now with intense -scrutiny, could see nothing to object to in her. - -"It is a pity that other nice colleen should have those jealous -thoughts," he said to himself; "that little Miss May is as nice and -good-hearted a bit of a thing as I have come across for many a day. -I can see by the very way she walks, and eats, and looks, that she's -just devoted to Biddy; and, for the matter of that, who can wonder, for -everybody likes my colleen." - -The weather was very beautiful just now, and the young people spent -almost all their time in the open air. Bridget, who had avoided -the society of the other young folks yesterday, seemed quite to -have recovered her good spirits to-day, and merry laughter made the -beautiful old place seem more gay and cheerful than ever. Patrick, -however, and Gerald, for some reason or other, as the day advanced, did -not look quite at ease. Supper was at eight at Castle Mahun, and it -was arranged that immediately after that meal the boys should row Janet -over to the island and leave her there. The secret was to be revealed -to no one, but for some reason it did not give them the complete -satisfaction it had done yesterday. - -They were kind-hearted lads, and although they had plenty of mischief -in their composition, would not willingly hurt anyone. They were -as superstitious as Irish lads could be, and as the fateful hour -approached Patrick called his younger brother aside. - -"Have you anchored the boat quite snug under the big willow," he asked, -"where Uncle Dennis won't get a glimpse of it? He'd be sure to be mad -if he thought we were going on Lake Crena to-night." - -"And why to-night," asked Gerald, "more than any other night? The lake -is as safe a place as your bed, except from September to March. Why -shouldn't we have a row on Lake Crena to-night, Pat?" - -"For the best of good reasons," said Pat. "The full moon is just -beginning to wane to-night; that is the only night in the month when -the Witch gets restless. I am sorry, for my part, that I asked Miss May -to go to the island. I made sure, of course, that she'd funk it when it -came to the point; I never guessed that she'd go on with it. Whatever -she is, she's plucky; I'll say that for her." - -"I don't see that she's so plucky," retorted Gerry; "she doesn't -believe in the Witch, you know--she laughs when we speak about her." - -"But suppose--suppose she--she sees her," said Patrick, his big black -eyes growing full of gloom, and even fear. "Gerry, I'd never forgive -myself if I did such a dastardly thing as to give a poor girl like that -a real fright." - -Gerald looked reflective. - -"I don't think the Witch walks about until past eleven," he said, "and -why shouldn't we go back for Janet at eleven? She'll have spent two -hours on the island then, and will be quite satisfied with herself." - -"Yes, that's all very fine, and then she'll boast to the end of her -days that we haven't got a witch." - -"Well, even that is better than to give her such a rousing fright that -she'll be deprived of her senses. There's the supper gong, Pat; we must -go into the house. Uncle Dennis will suspect something if we are not -tucking-in as hard as possible in a minute or two from now." - -"I can't help it, I am too anxious to eat," said Pat. "I wish I hadn't -thought of the thing. Of course, I see we must go through with it now; -she'd brag all her days that we had only pretended about the Witch if -we didn't. But I vow I'll--I'll stay somewhere near and--and watch--I -vow I will. Come along into the house, Gerry, and keep your own -counsel, if you can; you have such a way of getting your face full of -your thoughts that people can almost read them." - -"If there is roley-poley pudding for supper," said Gerry, "I'll get my -thoughts packed full of that, and my face too. The roley-poley pudding -expression is innocent enough, isn't it?" - -Pat gave his brother a playful cuff on the ear, and they went into the -house together. - -Janet was seated near Lady Kathleen. Her face was absolutely tranquil. -So unconcerned and serene was its expression that Gerry, as he passed -her chair, could not forbear bending forward and whispering in her ear: - -"I guess you're funking it." - -Janet's blue-gray eyes looked calmly up at him. - -"I have nothing to funk," she replied, in the same low tone. - -The squire shouted to Gerald to take his seat, and the meal proceeded. - -Very soon after supper Gerald and Patrick disappeared. They ran down a -shady walk, and soon reached the old willow tree under which the boat -was moored. - -"She'll funk it for sure and certain," said Gerry again. - -"No, that's not her," replied Patrick; "and, hark! do you hear her -footstep? Here she comes! For my part, I wish we were well out of this." - -"There's no help for it now," retorted Gerald; "she'd laugh at us all -our born days if we didn't go on with it. Well, Miss May, and so your -ladyship is pleased to accept our escort to the Witch's Island." - -Gerry made a low bow as he spoke, and pulling off his somewhat tattered -straw hat, touched the ground with it ere he replaced it on the back of -his curly head. - -Janet was seen leisurely approaching. She carried a little white shawl -over her arm, and a yellow-backed novel in her other hand. - -"I say," exclaimed Patrick, coming up to her, "you don't mean to tell -me you are going to read?" - -"And why not?" replied Janet; "it would be rather dull work sitting -for three hours in that island doing nothing. See what I have also -brought--a box of matches and a piece of candle. You say there's a -little old summerhouse there--in that summerhouse I'll sit and read -'Pretty Miss Neville.' I assure you, boys, the time will pass very -quickly and agreeably." - -"You have some spunk in you," said Patrick, in a tone of genuine -admiration. His black eyes flashed fire with the admiration he felt for -the slim pale girl who was brave enough to despise the superstitious -terrors which overmastered himself. - -There was no horse in the country round about that Patrick O'Mahony -would not have mounted; the most terrible danger could not have daunted -his spirit. His physical courage had never known the point where fear -could conquer it; but he owned to himself that he would have shrunk -in abject terror from the very simple feat of sitting for three hours -alone in the Witch's Island. - -"If you'd like to get out of it," he said suddenly, "Gerry and I will -never tell--will we, Gerry?" - -"No, truth and honor!" replied Gerald. - -"You see you have proved your pluck," continued Patrick. "It would be -awfully dull for you staying for three hours alone on the island." - -"Not at all, I assure you," replied Janet; "I have my book and my -candle. Help me into the boat, please, gentlemen, or I shall begin to -think you are a fine pair of little humbugs." - -"Oh, if that is your way of putting it," said Patrick, his quick temper -easily roused, "we had better start at once. Come along, Gerry; help me -to unmoor the boat. Now, Miss Janet, jump in, if you please." - -Five minutes later, Janet May found herself alone on the tiny patch of -ground which went by the name of the Witch's Island. - -It consisted of a thickly wooded piece of land rising up in the very -center of Lake Crena, and about three-quarters of an acre in size. -There was a little landing-place where some of the thick trees had been -cleared away. Here, high and dry, and well out of reach of the water, -stood a rude summerhouse. Janet waited alone on the little strip of -quay until the boat, turning a tiny headland, was lost to view; then -she went into the summerhouse, and lighting her candle sat down on a -broken-down bench, placed the candle securely on a small stone slab -by her side, and opening her novel began to read. The courage she had -shown was not in the least assumed. This enterprise simply amused her; -she expected to find the time dull--dullness was the worst enemy that -could possibly visit her. - -"Pretty Miss Neville," however, was quite to her taste, and turning -its leaves quickly, she soon lost herself in a world far away from -the Witch's Island, and much more in harmony with her own ambitious -and eager spirit. She, too, would win her triumphs, and have her -lovers in the not too distant future. Oh, how splendidly she had -managed everything! How nice it was to have a girl like Bridget -O'Hara completely in her power! Janet's thoughts after all proved -more delightful than her book. She closed it, and coming out of the -little stuffy summerhouse stood on the tiny quay and looked around -her. The moon was getting up slowly, and was shedding silver paths of -shimmery light over beautiful Lake Crena. The scene was so lovely, -so exquisitely soothing and peaceful, that a girl with a different -order of mind might have felt her thoughts rise as she looked at that -moonlight path, and some aspirations for the good, the true, the noble, -might have filled her breast. Janet was not without imagination as she -looked at that long silver path which stretched away from her very feet -onward to the distant horizon, but it only brought to her visions of -Paris and Lady Kathleen, and what she would do to aggrandize herself in -the delightful future which was so near. - -Her meditations were suddenly disturbed by a slight noise to her right. - -She looked around her carelessly. "Can the Witch be coming?" she said, -with a slight laugh. - -At that moment the great clock in the stable at Castle Mahun struck -ten; the deep notes swelled and died away on the evening breeze. - -"That noise can't be caused by the Witch," thought Janet, "for the -boys say that she seldom deigns to put in an appearance before eleven -o'clock; oh, dear! oh, dear! have I two more hours to spend on this -detestable spot? When will they have passed away? What shall I do to -kill time? I had better go back and go on with my book." She was about -to re-enter the little summerhouse when the distinct splash of an oar -on the water reached her ears. - -She could not help giving a start, and then exclaimed with a sigh of -relief: - -"Is that you, Pat? But you need not come back yet. I assure you I am -thoroughly comfortable. I am waiting in state for her majesty Mrs. -Witch to visit me." - -There was no reply whatever to Janet's gay sally. She entered the -summerhouse and, rearranging her candle, opened her book, and went on -reading. - -Again there was a sound on the island; this time it was the cracking of -a bough. - -"A bird or a rabbit, or some small inoffensive creature of that sort," -murmured the girl; but, for the first time, her heart beat a little -more quickly. - -"It is absurd," she said to herself. "One would absolutely suppose, to -look at me now, that I gave credence to the boys' ridiculous tales. -Well, this is a very dull escapade at best, and catch me going in for -anything of the kind again. I must make the best of it now, however." - -She turned another page of her book, found that the plot was thickening -and the situation becoming more exciting, and forgot herself in Miss -Neville's sorrows. - -She was soon startled back to consciousness of present things, however. -She not only heard another bough crack, and a low, thick shrub rustle, -but she also distinguished a sure and unmistakable "Whist! whist!" in -a man's deep tones. It was plain, therefore, that she was not alone on -the island. Even now she was not afraid of the witch; but she had a -very substantial fear of human foes, and she already guessed that more -than one of Bridget's lawless friends would be quite capable of doing -her an ill turn. - -With a sudden feeling of satisfaction she remembered that she had a -dog-whistle fastened to her watch-chain. If she blew a shrill blast -with the whistle it would frighten any concealed enemies away, and -bring the boys quickly to her rescue. - -She stepped out of the hut, therefore, and put the whistle to her lips. - -"No, none of that!" said a voice. "You'll come with me, miss, and the -fewer questions you axes the better." - -A rough man of powerful build, with a piece of crape tied across his -eyes, rushed suddenly forward in the moonlight. He drew a thick cloth -over the girl's head and shoulders, a pair of strong arms encircled her -waist; she found herself lifted from the ground, and knew that she was -being carried rapidly away. - - - - -CHAPTER XXVI. - -A TERRIBLE NIGHT. - - -There was great fun and excitement at Castle Mahun that night, and -Janet's absence was not in the least noticed. - -It was a moonlight night, and the squire's will and pleasure was that -every member of the household who cared to come should assemble on the -wide terrace outside the Castle to hear Biddy play some of the Irish -melodies on her harp. - -Biddy's performances were well worth listening to. From far and near -the heterogeneous crowd who were wont to throng to the Castle assembled -to hear her. - -"The Harp that once through Tara's Halls" floated on the night breeze. -The wild, sweet melody sounded quite eerie, and caused two excited boys -to shiver as they listened. They were thinking of Janet on the Witch's -Island, and longing for the moment when they might fly down to the -boat, row across to the island, and release her from captivity. - -"A jig! Let us have a jig!" shouted the squire. "Come, Biddy, colleen, -you and Pat give us all an Irish jig." - -Bridget was nothing loath to obey. Someone scraped the bow of an -old fiddle, and merry, quick music succeeded the more somber notes. -Bridget's and Pat's dance was followed by many others, and the fun -rose fast and furious. - -By and by eleven struck from the clock in the courtyard. The boys crept -down unobserved to the shores of the lake, and the rest of the party -went to bed. - -Bridget had forgotten all her sorrows in a sound sleep. In her healthy -young slumbers she had not even room for dreams. A smile lingered round -her pretty lips, her dark curly lashes lay heavily on her rose-tinted -cheeks. - -"Bang! bang!" There came some pummels at her door, then the handle was -turned, and muffled feet stepped as noiselessly as they could across -the old and creaking boards. - -"You wake her, Gerry," said Pat. - -"I can't--I don't like to!" said Gerry, with a sob in his throat. - -"Well, then, I will. What a little coward you are! Why can't you -control yourself? What is the good of being in such a beastly funk? -It will be all right when Biddy knows. I say, Biddy! Biddy, wake! How -soundly she sleeps! Let's strike a match, and flash it into her eyes, -Gerry." - -"No, no; Uncle Dennis will hear us," said Gerry, his teeth chattering -more than ever. - -"Let's pull her, then," said Pat. "Let's give a tug at her hair. Oh, I -say, Biddy, you might wake and help a fellow." - -These last almost wailing words penetrated the sleeper's dreams. She -opened her eyes with a start, and said aloud: - -"I won't get into your power, Janet," and then exclaimed in -astonishment, when she saw her two cousins standing by her bedside, -the moonlight streaming all over them: - -"What is the matter?" she said. "You up, Pat, and you, Gerry! What does -this mean?" - -The moment her words reached his ears Gerry flung himself on his knees, -buried his head in the bedclothes, and began to sob violently. - -"Oh, do shut up, you little beggar!" said Pat. "What is the good of -waking the house? Biddy, we are in an awful mess, Gerry and I, and we -can't talk to you here. Won't you get up and come down to the hall, and -let us tell you what is the matter? Bruin is the only living creature -there, and he'll not let out a sound if we tell him that you are -coming." - -"Yes, I'll be with you in a minute," said Bridget. - -She rose quickly, dressed almost in a twinkling, and a few minutes -later was standing with her cousins in the great entrance hall of the -Castle. - -They quickly told the first part of their tale--all about Janet, and -the challenge which had passed between them. Biddy was just as fearless -as her cousins, but she, too, was superstitious, and she felt a catch -in her breath, and a sudden sensation of respect for Janet, when the -boys told her how absolutely indifferent to fear she was, and how -willing to spend three hours alone on the haunted island. - -"We went back for her sharp at eleven. Poor little spunky thing! she -hadn't a scrap of fear when we left her. There she stood, smiling and -nodding to us, with that stupid old novel in her hand, and just making -us believe that she was going to have quite a good time; but when we -went back she was nowhere to be seen. As sure as you are there, Biddy, -there wasn't a sight of her anywhere." - -"The Witch came, of course, and took her away," said Gerry. He shook -all over as he spoke. - -"Don't be a goose," said Biddy. "Let me think; it _couldn't_ have been -the Witch." - -"Why, of course it was, Biddy. Who else could it have been? She's gone; -she's not on the island; and you know the stories of the Witch--how she -does appear on certain nights when the moon is in the full." - -"Yes, I know that," said Bridget. "She does appear, and she frightens -folks, and perhaps goes the length of turning them crazy; but she -doesn't spirit them away. How can she? Oh, do let me think. Don't talk -for a minute, boys; I have got to puzzle this thing out." - -The boys did not say a word. Gerry stooped crying, and Pat fixed his -big eyes gloomily on his cousin. Biddy was a girl, an Irish girl, -and such are quick to jump to conclusions. The boys watched her face -now with devouring interest. Bruin rose slowly to his feet, pattered -solemnly across the polished floor, and laid his big head on her lap. - -Biddy's shapely hand touched his forehead, but her thoughts were far -away. After a time she said quickly: - -"There is but one thing to be done: we must find Norah Malone without a -minute's loss of time." - -"Norah!" exclaimed both the boys. - -"You must have taken leave of your senses, Bridget!" exclaimed Pat. -"What has Norah to do with Janet May and the island?" - -"I can't tell you," said Bridget. "I have just a fear in my heart, and -Norah may set it at rest. We must find her. We must go to her at once, -this very night." - -"Where is she?" asked Pat. "I haven't seen her for days past." - -"She may be up on the mountain with Donovan. You know they are to be -married in a couple of days, and Donovan is to be moved down on a -litter to the Castle. Or she may be sleeping at the Hogans' at the -lodge. We will go to the Hogans' first, and if they can tell nothing -about her we must go up to the mountains. There is nothing whatever -else to be done." - -"It seems such a waste of time," grumbled Pat. "It is Janet we want to -find." - -"And I tell you it is through Norah we'll find her," answered Bridget, -stamping her foot at him. "Come along, boys, both of you, and Bruin, -you come, too. We have a night's work before us, and we haven't a -minute to lose." - -"It is the night when the moon is at the full," said Gerry, "and--and -the Witch may come to us, and--I couldn't _bear_ to look at her." - -"Well, go to bed, you little coward!" said Pat, flashing round at him, -and aiming a cuff at his head. - -Gerry darted behind Bridget for protection. - -"Come, boys, don't quarrel," she said. "Gerry, you know you are not a -real coward. Come along this minute and help us." - -She was unbarring the bolts which secured the great front door as she -spoke. The next moment the three young folks were standing on the -terrace. - -"The dogs will raise an alarm," said Bridget; "that's the worst of -them. If so, my father will get up, and everything will be known. Stay, -though, I'll send Bruin round to speak to them. Come here, darling, I -want you." - -The great dog came up to her. - -She knelt on the gravel, with the moon shining all over her, and looked -into his eyes. - -"Go round to the dogs, Bruin," she said, "and tell them to be quiet, -and then come back to me. Go quickly." - -The deerhound licked his mistress's hand, and then trotted in sober, -solemn fashion round by the shrubbery and disappeared. - -The girl and the boys waited anxiously. Not a dog bayed, not a sound of -any sort was audible. Bruin trod on the velvety turf as he returned. He -looked up at Bridget, who bent down and kissed him between the eyes. - -"Good King!" she said, and then she and the boys started off as fast -as they could to the Hogans' cottage, where Norah might possibly be -sleeping. - -No sign of her there; no tidings of her, either. Hogan got up and put -out a white face of amazement from one of the tiny windows of the -cottage when Bridget made her demand. If he knew anything of Norah's -whereabouts, neither face nor manner betrayed him. - -"It's no good, boys," said Bridget, "she is not there; or if she -is, Hogan has got the word not to tell. We might stand and talk to -him forever before he'd let even a wink of an eye betray him. There -is nothing whatever for it but for us to go to the cottage on the -mountains." - -Gerry was quite silent now. He took care to keep Bridget between -himself and Pat, and no one particularly noticed when he started at his -own shadow, and when he looked guiltily behind. - -Even to ride on horseback to Donovan's cabin, in the midst of the -lonely mountains, took a long time; but to walk on foot in the -uncertain moonlight was truly a weary undertaking. - -It was between three and four in the morning when the children, -exhausted and almost spent, stumbled up against the little cabin, to -find the door locked and the house deserted. - -Gerry burst out crying, and even Bridget owned that she had come to the -end of her resources. - -"Don't talk to me, either of you," she said; "I am more persuaded than -ever that Norah and Donovan are at the bottom of this. There is nothing -for it now but to go home." - -"How dare we?" said Pat. "Uncle Dennis will almost kill Gerry and me if -he knows of this." - -"We must go home, boys; we must face the thing. We had better step out -now as fast as we can, or the servants will be up." - -"I can't tell Uncle Dennis of this," said Pat; "I simply can't." - -"Don't say whether you can or cannot now," said Bridget; "let us go -back as quickly as possible." - - - - -CHAPTER XXVII. - -"SPEAK OUT!" - - -Squire O'Hara was the first of the family to put in an appearance the -next morning at the breakfast table. He looked round him somewhat -impatiently. He did not count Miss Macnamara, nor old Captain Shand, -nor one or two more of the visitors, as anybody. When they came in he -simply nodded to them, but his impatient eyes looked eagerly at the -vacant places which his own family ought to occupy. - -What was the matter with the world? - -Where was his sister-in-law Kathleen? She was up too early as a -rule--fidgeting, fussing, talking, and clattering. Where were -those imps, Pat and Gerry? Where were the two nice little English -girls?--and, above all, where was his Colleen, his darling, the apple -of his eye? - -"Shall I pour out your tea for you, squire?" asked Miss Macnamara in a -timid voice. - -"No, I thank you," he replied; "I'll wait for my family. Help yourself; -help yourself, I beg. Captain Shand, pray tackle the beef; Mr. Jones, -try that kippered salmon. Nobody need wait breakfast who doesn't wish -to; but I'm not hungry. I'll just step out on the terrace for a minute -or two until some of my family choose to put in an appearance." - -The squire opened the window as he spoke, and, stepping over the sill, -was just about to call to the dogs to accompany him in his walk when a -little, shabby, gray-haired woman started up almost at his feet, and -raised two blazing black eyes to his face. - -"Is that you, Norah?" said the squire. "And may I ask what you are -doing here crouching down among the rose-bushes?" - -"Nothing, yer honor; sure as I live I'm doing nothing!" said Norah. "I -was only waiting to catch a sight of Miss Biddy, bless her." - -"You surely did not lie in ambush in this absurd fashion to see Miss -Bridget. She does not want people skulking after her like that. There, -my good woman, don't look at me as if I were going to eat you. Go round -to the kitchen and have some breakfast, and you shall see Miss Biddy -afterward." - -The squire heard fresh sounds of arrival in the breakfast room at this -moment. In consequence, his voice grew more cordial. - -He passed in again through the open window, and Norah quickly -disappeared round by the shrubbery. - -"Is that you, Biddy?" he said. "How are you, my love? Oh! and Kathleen, -you have put in an appearance at last; and here the boys, and Miss -Sophy. Come, that's right, that's right. Now let us sit down and enjoy -ourselves. I have been out since six o'clock, and I'm quite disposed to -do justice to my tea and fresh eggs. Here, Biddy, you shall pour me out -a cup with your own fair hands, alanna." - -The squire drew up to the table, making a considerable amount of -bluster and noise. Bruin crouched in his usual place by Bridget's -side; Sophy sat near Lady Kathleen; the boys began hungrily to attack a -huge bowl of porridge each, and the meal proceeded. - -"You are all very silent," said the squire. "Have none of you anything -to say for yourselves? Not a laugh do I hear--not a whisper. Half an -hour late for breakfast, and everyone coming in as mum as if we were -all a house of the dead! Come, Biddy, come, haven't you a joke to crack -with anyone?" - -"Oh, squire," said Lady Kathleen, from the other end of the long board, -"we just want you to drink off your tea first. Oh, oh, oh! Sophy, poor -child, poor child, restrain yourself. There, she can't, the creature, -she can't. Put your arms round my neck, pet, and cry here then; poor -little dear, poor little dear!" - -"What in the name of fortune does this mean?" exclaimed Dennis O'Hara. -"Biddy, can you explain it? Why, your face is like a sheet, child. What -can be wrong?" - -"I will tell you, Dennis," said Lady Kathleen. "Poor little Janet is -lost. If you hadn't been so taken up with all the singing and the -dancing last night you'd have missed her from our family circle, for -she wasn't there then, and she isn't here now; and what's more, she -hasn't been in her bed the whole of the blessed night, and there's -Sophy fit to break her heart, and no wonder, poor thing, no wonder, for -if there was a nice devoted little sister it was Janet. I am fearing -that the poor child has fallen from a precipice, or gone too far into -one of the bogs. I always told you, squire, that you didn't half drain -those bogs. Now, what is it? Oh, mercy me, what awful thing are you -going to say?" - -"I'm going to request you to hold your tongue," said the squire. "We -none of us can hear ourselves speak with you, Kathleen. And a fine, -queer tale you have to tell! Miss Janet May hasn't been in the house -all night! Is that true, Miss Sophy?" - -"She wasn't in her room last night," said Sophy, a fresh sob breaking -her voice. - -"But this must be looked into at once," continued the squire. "One -of my visitors has been absent from my roof all night, and I am only -told of it now--now--and it past eight o'clock in the morning! _This -is a scandalous shame!_ Why, there isn't a man or boy in the place who -shouldn't have been searching round for the bit of a colleen four hours -past. But, of course, _I'm_ always kept in the dark. Although I am -Squire O'Hara of Castle Mahun, I'm just nobody, I suppose? Now, what is -it, Bridget--what are you going to say? I won't take interference from -anyone when I am roused like this." - -The squire was in one of his rare, but terrible passions: his lips -trembled, his eyes blazed, his great hand shook. - -"I have got something to tell you," began Bridget. - -"Oh, you have, have you? You can throw light on this scandal then? -Speak out, speak out this minute." - -"Will you come with me into your study? I'd rather tell you alone." - -"I'll do nothing of the kind. You speak out here. It's a nice state -of things when the master of the house is kept in the dark! That girl -should have been searched for last night when she didn't come in. And -of course she _would_ have been searched for if I had been told of it; -but the rest of you must hugger-mugger together and keep me in the -dark. I call this state of things disgraceful. Now what is it you have -got to say, Bridget? Are you a coward too, afraid to tell your own -father? A nice state of things the world is coming to! Speak! are you -_afraid_ of me?" - -"I am a coward, and I _am_ afraid of you," said Bridget. - -Her words were so absolutely unexpected that every single individual -seated round the breakfast table started back with an astonished -exclamation. - -Bridget's own face was white as death. She stepped a little away from -the table; Bruin got up and stood by her side. She was unconscious of -the fact that her hand rested on his great head. - -"Speak up," thundered the squire, "I'll have no more shuffling. You -look as if you were ashamed of something. I see it in your eye. You are -my only child--the last of the race, and you are _ashamed_! Good God, -that I should live to see this day. But come, no more shuffling--out -with the truth!" - -"I know something about Janet, and so also do Pat and Gerry," continued -Bridget. "I'd rather tell you by yourself, father; I wish you'd let me." - -"No, that I won't; if you have done anything wrong you have got to -confess it. A pretty pass we have come to when Bridget O'Hara has to -confess her sins! But, never mind, though you were twenty times my -child, you'll have to stand here and tell the truth _before everyone_. -Now speak up, speak up this minute--Kathleen! if you don't stop -blubbering you'll have to leave the room." - -Dennis O'Hara's face was terrible. - -He and Bridget were the only ones standing; all the rest remained glued -to their chairs, without speaking or moving. - -"Now go on," he said, "we are all waiting to hear this fine confession; -did you spirit Janet May away?" - -"No, I didn't. You make me cease to fear you, father, when you speak in -that tone," said Bridget. "I have behaved badly, I--I thought it would -break my heart to tell you; but when you look at me like that----" - -"Like what? Go on, Biddy, or you'll drive me mad." - -"Well, I know what has happened to Janet. She went over to the Witch's -Island last night. She said there was no witch. Nothing would make her -believe in a witch, and she would go; it was her own desire." - -"And you took her there, I suppose?" - -"No, I didn't; I had nothing to do with it." - -"It was I who did that part, uncle," said Pat, suddenly springing to -his feet. "I won't let Biddy be the only one scolded; I was in an awful -funk when I found what had happened, but I can't stand here and hear a -girl spoken to like this; and Biddy isn't a bit nor a morsel to blame. -It's just Biddy all out to try and shield other people; but it was my -fault, mine and Gerry's. What is it, uncle? what is it you are saying -to me?" - -"Come over here this minute," said the squire. "Shake hands with me; -you are a fine lad, you are a very fine lad. Oh, thank Heaven! I -thought the colleen had done something wrong. It isn't a bit of matter -about anybody else. Speak out, Pat, speak out; and, oh! alanna, alanna, -forgive me, forgive me. I thought bad of you, my jewel, my sweet! Come -into my arms, my colleen asthore. What matter who is black, when you -are white as a lily?" - -Dennis O'Hara's burst of passion was over as quickly as it had arisen; -he went up to Bridget and folded his great arms round her slight young -figure. - -"But I am not white," she said, bursting into sudden uncontrollable -weeping; "oh, I am not white, and you'll never love me any more, and my -heart will break. I can't tell you now, before everybody. I just can't, -I can't. Pat knows all about Janet. Pat can tell _that_ story, and you -are not going to be too angry with him; but I must go away, for I can't -speak of the other thing. There, father, don't kiss me, I cannot stand -it." - -She wrenched herself out of his arms and flew from the room. - -It was a glorious summer's day; the sun was blazing down from the sky -with a fierce heat. Bridget felt half blinded with misery and confusion -of mind. She put up her hand to her head and glanced up at the sky. - -"I must tell my father everything when I see him next," she said to -herself. "Oh, what shall I do, what shall I do?" - -Footsteps sounded behind her. She felt impatient of anyone seeing her -in her grief and distraction, and, turning to hide herself in the -shrubbery, found that she was face to face with Norah. - -"I seen you, me darling," said Norah; "I seen you when you ran out of -the breakfast room all distraught like." - -"You saw me? then you were listening, Norah," said Bridget, her tears -drying rapidly in her sudden anger. - -"And why not, alanna? and why shouldn't I listen when it was for the -good of my own nursling? The squire says, 'Go and have some breakfast, -Norah'; but what's breakfast to me when the light of my eyes, the child -I helped to rear, is suffering. I listened, Miss Biddy, and when you -run out of the room I followed you. You come with me, alanna. You trust -poor Norah. Norah Malony and Pat Donovan 'ud spill their heart's blood -for you, missie; you trust us both!" - -"I thought as much," said Bridget. "Come back here into the shade of -the shrubbery, Norah; I guessed last night that you were at the bottom -of this. Don't you know that you have behaved disgracefully? Do you -think my father will help you to marry Pat after such conduct as this? -No, don't go down on your knees; I am not inclined to intercede for -you at present. I am not inclined to take your part. You must go this -instant to the place where you have hidden Janet May. There is not a -moment to lose; go and bring her back at once!" - -Norah began to cry feebly. - -"You are hard on me," she sobbed, "and I done it for you--Pat and me, -we done it for you. We meant no harm either. The young Englisher girl -have come to no grief--leastways, nothing but a bit of a fright, and -she'll do what we wants if you don't spoil everything, Miss Bridget." - -"I don't understand you, Norah; I don't feel even inclined to listen to -you. You must go this minute and release poor Janet." - - - - -CHAPTER XXVIII. - -WHAT THE O'HARAS SAID TO ONE ANOTHER. - - -The race of human beings who can neither read nor write are fast -vanishing from the face of the civilized earth. They used, however, to -abound in great numbers in old Ireland, and, strange as it may seem, -these so-called uneducated people have proved themselves to be some of -the shrewdest in the world. - -For, never reading the books of men, they are always perusing the -greater book of nature. Unacquainted with the art of writing, they -trust absolutely to their memories. The observation, therefore, of the -Irish peasant can scarcely be credited by those who have never come -across him. - -Norah had made up her mind that Janet should not be released from the -hiding-place to which she and Pat had spirited her until she made full -confession of her own part in making Bridget unhappy. It is true Norah -had never heard the tale, but she seemed to know as much about it as if -she had been in everybody's confidence, and had even joined the Fancy -Fair Committee, and sat in Mrs. Freeman's schoolroom when Bridget, -under Janet's directions, cribbed her lessons. - -If Bridget herself, however, wished Janet to be set free, there was no -help for it. - -"You wait here, Miss Biddy," she said; "you needn't go for Miss Janet -May. I'll bring her to you in an hour at the farthest." - -"Very well, Norah," said Bridget, "I'll wait for you here." - -She sat down as she spoke, under the shelter of a large birch tree, -and, leaning her head against its silver stem, fell into a heavy sleep. - -She dreamt in her sleep, and these dreams were so disquieting that she -could not help crying out and moaning heavily. She opened her eyes at -last to see her old father standing by her. - -For a moment she could not remember where she was, nor what had -happened. The smile which always filled her eyes when she looked at -her dearly loved father came into them now; a gay word banished the -sorrowful lines from round her lips, and, with a little laugh, she rose -to her feet. - -"How ridiculous of me to have gone to sleep in the wood," she exclaimed. - -Then memory came back. She flushed first, and then turned deadly pale. - -"You are in trouble, alanna," said Squire O'Hara. "I know that by the -look you wore in your sleep; I never saw my colleen wear a face so full -of sorrow before. There's something on your mind, acushla, and you are -afraid to tell your father. Maybe I frightened you a bit in the parlor -just now; if so, my heart's core, you must forgive me. I was taken -aback and put out, and we O'Haras are celebrated for our hasty tempers. -I am not angry now, however: my anger has passed like a morning cloud. -You tell me all that is vexing you, Biddy. Put your arms round me, and -whisper your trouble in my ears, my own colleen." - -"And why should a beautiful young lady like that have any throuble," -exclaimed another voice. - -The squire and Bridget both started and turned round. Janet May and -Norah were coming up the little path, and even now stood by their sides. - -"Here's the young Englisher lady," said Norah. "She's none the worse -for having spent one night with the Irish folk, and there's no -throuble, now that she has come back; is there, Miss Biddy?" - -For one instant Bridget was silent. - -Janet came up to her and spoke in a gentle, cheerful tone. "I am so -glad to be back with you, dear," she said. "I dare say you and the -squire were uneasy about me. Well, I had an adventure, and am none the -worse. I'll tell you all about it presently. Norah has something, also, -to say for herself; but she, too, will speak presently. Now I have one -request to make of the squire." - -"What is that, my dear?" asked Dennis O'Hara. - -"It is that no one shall be punished on my account," said Janet, in -her sweet, low tones. "There was just a little bit of a practical joke -played on me. You Irish are celebrated for practical jokes, are you -not? I came to no harm, and if I don't wish anyone to be punished, I -suppose my wishes are worth considering, as I was the only one who -suffered." - -"You are by no means the only one who suffered, Miss May," said the -squire. "Look at Biddy, there. Why is her face so pale, and why are her -eyes so heavy? And as to practical jokes, I never heard that it was -the way of the Irish gentry to practice them upon their visitors. My -dear young lady, I appreciate your kind and generous spirit. It does my -old heart good to see you here safe and unharmed, but you must allow -me to deal with this matter in my own way. I am not thinking of it at -present, however. I want to have a word with my daughter Biddy. Will -you go into the house, Miss May? Biddy and I will follow you presently." - -"No, Janet, stay here," said Bridget suddenly. - -She threw up her head with something of the free action of a young race -horse, tossed her curly hair back from her broad brow, and looked first -at Janet and then at the squire. - -There was something in the expression of her eyes which caused Janet, -as she afterward expressed it, "to shake in her shoes." - -"Norah," continued Bridget, "you must stay here too. Now, father, I -will tell you something. I will tell you why your Biddy can never, -never again be the old Bridget you used to know and to love." - -"Oh, don't," interrupted Janet. "See how hysterical you are, Bridget. -Don't you think, squire----" - -"Hush!" thundered the squire. "Let the colleen speak." - -"Father," continued Bridget, "I am a very unhappy girl. I have behaved -badly. I have been wicked; I have been dishonorable and--and deceitful." - -"No, no, I don't believe that," said the squire. "Whatever you are, -you are not deceitful." Once again his face turned white, and an angry -light leaped out of his eyes. - -"It is true," continued Bridget, "and--and _she_ tempted me--she, -Janet May. I never met anyone like her before. She tempted me; I don't -know with what motive. It isn't right to tell tales of a visitor; but -I--I _can't_ bear things any longer, and I have got so confused in -my mind that I don't know what is right and what is wrong. I don't -wish to excuse myself, but I do not think I'd have done the dreadful -things but for her. I wouldn't have done them, because they never would -have occurred to me. Perhaps that is because I am not clever enough. -I don't want to excuse myself, but she tempted me to do wrong, and I -did wrong, frightfully wrong, and I have been, oh, so miserable! And -Norah here--poor Norah--she guessed at my trouble, and she thought -she'd punish Janet. That's why Janet was away last night. It was very -wrong of Norah, too, but she did it out of love to me. Oh, father, -how miserable I am! Why did you send me to that English school? I can -never, never, _never_ again be your old Biddy; never again, father, -never as long as I live." - -Here poor Bridget burst into such convulsive weeping that her words -became inaudible. - -Suddenly she felt a pair of arms round her neck, and, looking up, her -lips touched her father's cheek. - -"Let me go on," she said; "let me get it over." - -"Not until you are better, colleen. There is not the least hurry. Come -down and sit with me in the bower near the Holy Well. We shall have it -all to ourselves." - -"But the others," said Bridget--"Janet and Norah?" - -"I sent them away. Why should they hear what one O'Hara has to say to -the other?" - - - - -CHAPTER XXIX. - -THE CHILD OF HIS HEART. - - -Janet ran quickly toward the house. On her way she met one of the -servants, a man of the name of Doolan; she stopped to say a few words -to him eagerly, then, running on, found herself in the great hall, -where Lady Kathleen, Pat, Gerald, and Sophy were all assembled. - -Lady Kathleen uttered a scream when she saw her. - -"Oh, how glad I am----" she began. - -Janet interrupted her hastily. - -"Dear Lady Kathleen," she said, "I will speak to you presently. I will -tell you all my adventures presently; but please, please let me go up -to my room now with Sophy; I want to say a word to Sophy. Please let me -pass." - -There was an expression about Janet's face which caused Lady Kathleen -to fall back, which arrested a torrent of words on the lips of each of -the boys, and which made poor, frightened Sophy follow her sister out -of the room without a word. - -"Come upstairs with me, and be as quick as ever you can," said Janet. - -She took her sister's hand as she spoke, rushed up the stairs with her, -and entered the large room which the girls shared together. - -"Now, Sophy," said Janet, "how much money have you got? Don't attempt -to prevaricate. I know you received a letter yesterday from Aunt Jane, -and she--she sent you a five-pound note; I know it--don't attempt to -deny it. - -"I don't want to deny it," said Sophy. "You--you _frighten_ me, Janet; -we have all been so miserable about you. I could not eat any breakfast; -I was crying as if my heart would break, and now you come back looking -like I don't know what, and you speak in such a dreadful way." - -"Never mind how I speak," said Janet; "pack your things; be quick about -it, for we must be out of this place in ten minutes." - -"What _do_ you mean?" - -"I'll tell you presently. Pack, pack, pack! Fling your things into your -trunk, no matter how--anything to get away. If you are not packed, with -your hat and gloves on, in ten minutes, you shall come away without -your finery, that is all." - -"But how are we to get away?" said Sophy. "We can't walk to the -station; it is twenty miles off." - -"I know that, but I have arranged everything. Mike Doolan will have the -jaunting car at the top of the back avenue in fifteen minutes from now. -I only want to pack and lock our boxes; they must follow us by and by. -Now, don't waste another moment talking." - -Janet's words were so strong, her gestures so imperious, that Sophy -found herself forced to do exactly what she was told. The ribbons, -laces, trinkets, which she and Janet had amassed out of poor Bridget's -stores during their stay at Castle Mahun were tossed anyhow into their -trunks; the trunks were locked and directed, and the two girls had left -the house without saying a word to anyone long before Squire O'Hara and -Bridget returned to it. - -Janet was worthless through and through; Sophy was very little better. -The curtain drops over them here as far as this story is concerned. - -What more is there to tell? - -How can I speak of those events which immediately followed the -departure of Janet May and her sister?--the wonder and consternation -of Lady Kathleen Peterham; the astonishment and curiosity of the -retainers; the secret triumph of Norah Maloney and Pat Donovan; the -intense amazement of the boys! - -Amazement had its day, curiosity its hour, and then the memory of the -English girls faded, and the waters of oblivion, to a great extent, -closed over them. Lady Kathleen sent their trunks to the address which -Janet had put upon them. They were addressed to a Miss Jane Perkins, -and Lady Kathleen concluded that she was the Aunt Jane of whom Janet -stood in such wholesome dread. - -The squire made an important discovery on that unhappy day. It was -this: O'Hara of Castle Mahun could brook no dishonor in the person of -his nephew, or sister, or cousin; but the child of his heart could be -forgiven even dishonor. - -"I will myself write to Mrs. Freeman," he said, after he and Bridget -had concluded their long conference. "O Biddy, child! why did you not -tell me before; could anything, _anything_ turn my heart from thy -heart? But listen, acushla macree, your Aunt Kathleen and Pat and -Gerald must never know of this." - -Of Bridget's future history, of her many subsequent adventures, both at -school and at home--are they not written in the book of the future? - - - - - * * * * * * - - - - -+-------------------------------------------------+ -|Transcriber's note: | -| | -|Obvious typographic errors have been corrected. | -| | -+-------------------------------------------------+ - - - -***END OF THE PROJECT GUTENBERG EBOOK BASHFUL FIFTEEN*** - - -******* This file should be named 61857.txt or 61857.zip ******* - - -This and all associated files of various formats will be found in: -http://www.gutenberg.org/dirs/6/1/8/5/61857 - - -Updated editions will replace the previous one--the old editions will -be renamed. - -Creating the works from print editions not protected by U.S. copyright -law means that no one owns a United States copyright in these works, -so the Foundation (and you!) can copy and distribute it in the United -States without permission and without paying copyright -royalties. 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