Mount Morris Seminary was rather at the lower part of the town, and a
long level stretched between that and the river, broken by a few clumps
of shrubbery. The house was a handsome old style building, colonial in
its aspect with its broad piazza and fluted columns going up to the
second story.

There was an imposing entrance, but the porte cochere was at the side
where the wide screen door showed a sort of reception hall, furnished
with willow and splint belongings, a table with magazines and papers and
two great jars of ferns.

A tidy maid received them. "Would they please be seated, Mrs.
Barrington would be down in a moment."

Lilian drew a long breath of rapture. To live in a place like this! To
wander in the beautiful garden, to work and study in such inspiring
environments. Yes, she had come to work as well. She had been too young
to discriminate, but in an instant she seemed to realize how bitter the
struggle with poverty and discouragement had been, the hurry with hardly
an hour's real enjoyment. No wonder it had made her mother worn and
hesitating, fearful, and here everything was so leisurely aspected.

She heard the soft trail of a gown over the stairs and rose in eager
expectancy.

Mrs. Barrington was a handsome woman at sixty, tall and straight, with a
gracious presence. Her hair was snowy white as the girl had hoped and
lay in loose waves about her forehead. Her dark eyes were not easily
evaded, but her manner of smiling serenity was in itself a welcome.

"I am afraid it has been a long and tiresome journey in this warm
weather, but a few days' rest will restore you I hope. You look very
delicate, Mrs. Boyd."

She gave the hand a friendly pressure.

"Mother had so much to do before we started," explained Lilian, "and
the change--"

"And the parting with old friends," with her sympathetic smile. "I hope
you will soon feel at home and like us all. Mrs. Searing gave you both
such an excellent recommendation, and I confess I take a warm interest
in girls who are eager for advancement. Now allow me to show you to your
room and shall I send you up some tea? That is a rather pleasant English
fashion, I am glad you came so promptly for my housekeeper has gone on
her vacation and we shall have the better chance to get acquainted."

"Oh, thank you," said Lilian warmly.

They followed her up the stairs where a cross hall led to a wing. The
room was large with two single beds, the windows in white drapery