her own mind to take no notice
whatever of Hollyhock. Jacko was to the Lady Leucha as one who did not
exist, but in her busy, vain little brain she was forming schemes for
the undoing of this impertinent Scots lass.

Lady Leucha was not specially clever, but she was what might be called
'cute,' and although during her first week at school she had had no
special desire to push herself forward in any way whatsoever, yet now
that Hollyhock--or, rather, Jack--had come, she was fully determined to
crush her, if not by guile, then by other means. She, a young lady of
distinction, could not stand such impudence; she, the daughter of the
Earl of Crossways, would _not_ be bullied by a mere nobody like Jacko.
But, unfortunately for herself, Leucha was not nearly so clever in
forming plans for the destruction of her enemy as was the dark-eyed,
flashing Hollyhock, who would dare and dare again until she showed by
her ways and devices that she was invincible.

'Come, girls, it is time for you to take your supper and be off to
bed,' said Miss Kent, who observed that Leucha was seated close to the
fire in the great sitting-room, shivering not a little, and that
Hollyhock, with glowing cheeks and sparkling eyes, had established
herself at the far end of the large room, and was relating bogy tales
with great rapidity to her ever-increasing host of adorers. One by one
fresh girls crept up to join this group, and one by one, whatever their
nationality, they were heartily welcomed by Hollyhock, who called out
in her clear, sweet voice--for very clear and sweet it could
be--'Lassies, make room for the stranger. Be you English or Scots, my
lady dear, you are welcome to join my circle.'

Thus the circle began to grow very large, and the hushed, dramatic
voice of the narrator caused her listeners to hold their breath, until
occasionally they burst into fits of hearty laughter. But the hour had
come. The bowls of bread-and-milk smoked on the sideboard, and all the
girls hurried to begin and finish their food. After supper they went
to say good-night to Mrs Macintyre, who prayed God to bless them and
give them all 'a good and peaceful night.' Then, accompanied by Miss
Kent, whose office it was to see them to their rooms, they went
upstairs.

Leucha had slightly recovered her spirits, but not absolutely. As a
matter of fact, she was wild with jealousy. She had sat by the fire
with Dorothy and Barbara Fraser and Daisy Watson, but all