as found out by Mrs. Willis we might be expelled--we might,
indeed; and that horrid woman is sure to tell of us--I know she is."

"Quite sure to tell, dear," said the tall gypsy, dropping a courtesy in a
manner which looked frightfully sarcastic in the long shadows made by the
trees. "Quite sure to tell, and to be expelled is the very least that
could happen to such naughty little ladies. Here's a nice little bit of
clearing in the wood, and we'll all come over, and Mother Rachel will
tell your fortunes in a twinkling, and no one will be the wiser. Sixpence
apiece, my dears--only sixpence apiece."

"Oh, come; do, do come," said Nora, and the next moment they were all
standing in a circle round Mother Rachel, who pocketed her blackmail
eagerly, and repeated some gibberish over each little hand. Over Annie's
palm she lingered for a brief moment, and looked with her penetrating
eyes into the girl's face.

"You'll have suffering before you, miss; some suspicion, and danger even
to life itself. But you'll triumph, my dear, you'll triumph. You're a
plucky one, and you'll do a brave deed. There--good-night, young ladies;
you have nothing more to fear from Mother Rachel."

The tall dark figure disappeared into the blackest shadows of the wood,
and the girls, now like so many frightened hares, flew home. They
deposited their basket where Betty would find it, under the shadow of the
great laurel in the back avenue. They all bade Rover an affectionate
"good-night." Annie softly unlocked the side-door, and one by one, with
their shoes in their hands, they regained their bedrooms. They were all
very tired, and very cold, and a dull fear and sense of insecurity rested
over each little heart. Suppose Mother Rachel proved unfaithful,
notwithstanding the sixpences?

CHAPTER XXIX.

HESTER'S FORGOTTEN BOOK.

It wanted scarcely three weeks to the holidays, and therefore scarcely
three weeks to that auspicious day when Lavender House was to be the
scene of one long triumph, and was to be the happy spot selected for a
midsummer holiday, accompanied by all that could make a holiday
perfect--for youth and health would be there, and even the unsuccessful
competitors for the great prizes would not have too sore hearts, for they
would know that on the next day they were going home. Each girl who had
done her best would have a word of commendation, and only those who were
very naughty, or very stubborn, could resist the all-potent e