young girl devoted herself to you.'

'You mean that naughty Hollyhock, of course--the one who played on me
that wicked, wicked joke. A nice school this is, indeed.'

'Leucha, I forbid you to speak in that tone to your head-mistress. I
acknowledge that Hollyhock did wrong; but, oh, how humbly, how
thoroughly, she has repented! I fully admit that she had no right to
dress up Meg Drummond as a ghost and to frighten such a nervous, silly
girl as you are; but afterwards, when she saw the effect, who could
have been more noble than Hollyhock; who could have nursed you with
more splendid care, and--and _loved_ you, Leucha--you, who are _not_
popular in the school?'

'I don't care! I won't stay here long,' muttered Leucha. 'If you
think I am going to eat humble pie to that Hollyhock, you are mistaken,
Mrs Macintyre.'

Mrs Macintyre was silent for a moment; then she spoke.

'I am sorry. A nobler nature would have taken the thing as a joke; but
you, alas! are the reverse of noble. You have a small nature, Leucha,
and you must struggle against it with all your might if you are to do
any good in life.'

'I am not accustomed to being spoken to in that strain,' said Leucha.

'Perhaps not; it would have been good for you if you had been. Oh, my
child, if I could but move your hard heart and show you the blessed
spirit of Love pleading for you, and the Holy Spirit full to the brim
with perfect forgiveness, stretched out even to _you_.'

'You talk to me,' said Leucha, 'exactly as if _I_ were the sinner.
It's Hollyhock, mean little scamp, who is the sinner, and yet you call
her brave and noble.'

'Hollyhock has most fully repented, and therefore is noble. I intend
always to love her as she deserves to be loved.'

'Well, I don't care,' said Leucha. 'She is nothing to me in the
future. I 'll have nothing to do with her--nothing at all.'

Again Mrs Macintyre was silent.

After another long pause she said, 'Then you will not forgive the sweet
girl, who nursed you back to life?'

'Never, never,' answered Leucha. 'Why should I be tortured in this
way?'

'My dear, I must torture you for your good. You will not grant
Hollyhock forgiveness?'

'I said before that I would _never_ do so.'

'Very well. Hollyhock is the last girl in the world who needs pleading
for; but suppose, Leucha--I don't say for a moment I shall succeed--but
_suppose_ I were to go to Hollyhock, who feels that she has done her
part and has show