ss Gaythorne wants you to make a design for her, of the size and
style of this, and you can use any flowers or foliage you please. Mother
hopes Miss Davis will allow you time to do it."

Hetty felt a rush of delight, which made the colour mount to her
forehead.

"Thank you, dear Nell," she said; "I know it is you who have got me this
piece of good fortune. I shall have some delicious hours over the work."

"Now, mind you make it beautiful," cried Nell; "for I have staked my
reputation on you!"

Hetty thought she had never been so happy in her life before, as she
went out to pick and choose among the flowers, looking for a theme for
her composition. At last she satisfied herself, and came back to the
school-room, and went to work.

Miss Davis, who had been much pleased with her of late, looked on with
approval. She thought the girl had fairly earned a holiday and a treat.

Hetty was more nervous over this drawing than she had been over any of
the others. With them she had been only working to please herself, and
of her own free will; but now it seemed as if the eyes of the world were
upon every line she drew. She spoiled several beginnings; and at last,
flushed and feverish, had to put away the work till to-morrow.

"Drawing seems to be not all unmixed happiness any more than dates,"
said Miss Davis, smiling at her anxious face. "Come now and have some
tea, or you will get a headache."

The next day Hetty went to work again, and succeeded at last in
producing a striking and beautiful design. She was far from satisfied
with it herself, and said to Nell, "I fear your friend will not think it
good enough, but it is the best I can do."

"I think it is lovely," said Nell; "and what trouble you have taken with
it! She will be hard to please if she does not like it."

And then Nell fled away with it, and Hetty turned to her books again
with a happy feeling at her heart. It seemed to her that she had never
before had an opportunity of performing any voluntary service for those
who had been so generous towards her, but now she had been able to do
something which would really give pleasure to the guest in their house.
And then she wished she could see that charming Miss Gaythorne, who was
said to be fond of drawing, and to know a great deal about it. She
dreamed that night that she was walking through a picture-gallery with
the girl called Reine, who was pointing out all the beauties to her as
they went.

In the meant