death if it failed, was to be
kept a profound secret from every one in the school except Magsie, who
would be able to confirm what Hollyhock had done when the day and hour
arrived.

Hollyhock, having quite made up her mind, at last fell asleep, and next
morning went downstairs very calm and peaceful to her usual lessons.
She had the calm, heroic look of Brunhilda, the favourite of all
Wagner's great heroines. She even muttered to herself, 'If I die, I
die, and the fire spirits of the great Brunhilda will surround me. I
'll die rejoicing; but I 'll never, never do a mean deed. No, my
bonnie Lightning Speed and I couldn't bring ourselves so low. We are
meant for better things, my good steed, and better things we 'll do. I
have no fear. Hollyhock is very happy this day of days.'

Her chosen chums and companions couldn't help looking with fresh wonder
at her radiant and lovely face. They little knew what was before them.
She was kind and sweet to every one, but a little quiet, not quite so
restless as usual, but with a wondrous light glowing in her eyes.

The other Flower Girls looked at her in astonishment, but no one had
any fear for Hollyhock. She was not the sort of girl to stir fear
about herself in others.

CHAPTER XXV.

THE FIRE SPIRITS.

A fortnight with so much excitement in the air passes very quickly.
The girls felt this excitement, although they did not talk of it one to
the other.

Leucha sat alone when she was not engaged at her school tasks, and made
her essay on the kitchen cat as venomous as she knew how. Luckily for
poor Leucha, she had not the ability to do much in the way of sarcasm,
and although every single girl in the school must know at a glance that
this feeble caricature was meant for their beloved Hollyhock, it would
certainly not injure the dear Hollyhock in the least.

Meanwhile Holly, absorbed in helping the other girls to make the time
pass as pleasantly as possible, and in doing mysterious things on
Sunday with Lightning Speed, also forgot Leucha for the time being.
Whenever she did think of her she was sorry for her; but she had not
time to think much of any single person just at present. The horse,
the darling horse, the Arab, the treasure of her life, must be trained
to the task which lay before him. Hollyhock had the knack of making
all animals love her, and the pure-bred Arab is noted for being a most
affectionate creature. He was sulky, and disinclined to ob