.
Your eyes waver. I don't like ye to look so white in the complexion.
What may ye be wantin' wi' me, my lass?'

'They are trying to whip me off to school,' said Hollyhock; 'that's
what they are after. That's what that horrid Aunt Agnes came about.'

'Eh, but she is a fine gentlewoman,' replied Magsie. 'She gave me a
whole sovereign. What _I_ ken o' her, I ken weel, and I ken kind. Eh,
but ye 'll hae to soople your backbone, Miss Hollyhock, and think a
pickle less o' your dainty self. It 'll be guid for ye to go to that
schule.'

'_You_ are no good at all,' cried Hollyhock. 'I 'm the most miserable
girl in the world, and I hate Mrs Macintyre.'

'I haven't set eyes on her yet,' said Magsie. 'Suppose I go out and
tak' a squint. I can always tell when women are good or the other
thing. Why, Miss Hollyhock, you look for all the world as though you
were scared by bogles; but I 'll soon see what sort the leddy is, and I
'll bring ye word; for folks canna tak' in Magsie Dawe.'

Hollyhock sat down, feeling very queer and stupid. She had not long to
wait before Magsie dashed into her bedroom.

'Hoots, now, and what a fuss ye mak' o' nothing at a'! A kinder leddy
never walked. What ails her? says I. Indeed, I think ye 'll enjoy
schule, and muckle fun ye 'll hae there. Ye canna go on as ye are
goin'. Hech! I wouldna be you, stayin' at hame, for a guid deal.
It's richt for ye to gang; that's what I think, havin' seen the leddy
and glowerin' at her as I did; but not one thocht but o' love could
rise in my breast for her. I'd gie a guid deal for her to teach _me_,
that I would. I wouldna sit down and greet like a bairn.'

Meanwhile Miss Delacour, having thoroughly propounded her scheme,
returned first to Edinburgh, where she made known her plan of the great
school, which was to be opened in September for the young sons and the
daughters of the highest gentry and nobility. She was a woman who
could speak well when she pleased. She said the terms for the school
education would be high, as was to be expected where such excellent
teaching would be given.

She spoke of Mrs Macintyre with tears in her eyes. 'That noble woman
would win any heart,' she said. She then described her
brother-in-law's daughters, and the sons of her brother-in-law's
sister. She spoke of these ten children with enthusiasm. She spoke of
the mother of the boys with delight. She was a little sad when she
mentioned her brother-in-la