f stone steps and a small
garden, enclosed by massive iron railings.

Rupert and Julia ran up the steps and disappeared, and Ruth followed her
aunt into the tile-paved hall, where two servants were waiting to
receive them. It was a home-coming to all the others, but to the country
cousin it was quite strange and new.

"It is good to be at home again," said Mrs. Woburn. "Come, Ruth, I will
show you your room."

She led the way upstairs and opened the door of a pleasant little room,
furnished tastefully with every requisite for a young girl's apartment.
Everything was so pretty, and the bright fire burning in the grate gave
the room such a cosy look, that Ruth was delighted, and tried to express
her grateful thanks, but was simply bidden to make herself at home and
to be very happy.

Left alone in the room which was to be her own, she began to look around
her and to admire the pretty French bedstead, the light modern
furniture, and the pictures, bookshelves, and brackets upon the walls.
How much larger and more elegant it was than the tiny room which had
been hers at Cressleigh! She felt that she was indeed growing farther
away from the old life every day. "If it were not for Julia, and the
fact that I am so far from home, I could be perfectly happy here," was
her mental comment.

They were two large "if's," and Julia was the one which occupied the
principal share of her thoughts. She did not "take to" her cousin,
neither did she try to make the best of the very apparent fact that
their tastes were dissimilar. Instead of seeking for points on which
they could agree, she allowed her mind to dwell continually upon their
diversity, and was beginning to return her cousin's ill-concealed
contempt for her rustic and unfashionable notions by a growing scorn and
proud dislike, which though at first secretly cherished could not fail
to show themselves in time.

CHAPTER XI.

SCHOOL-GIRL GOSSIP.

Studies will be resumed on Tuesday, 25th inst. Such was the intimation
sent out by Miss Elgin, the principal of the ladies' college which the
girls were to attend.

Accordingly on Tuesday morning Ruth accompanied her cousin to Addison
College, where she was kindly received by Miss Elgin, and introduced to
several of the girls, who seemed friendly and agreeable.

The lofty spacious schoolroom, with its comfortable seats and desks, its
splendid maps and numerous modern appliances and convenient
arrangements, the school l