and sit by the fire, and let us talk."

Hester did not feel nearly so constrained with this graceful and gracious
lady as she had done with her schoolmates. The atmosphere of the room
recalled her beloved mother's boudoir at home. The rich dove-colored satin
dress, the cap made of Mechlin lace which softened and shaded Mrs. Willis'
silvery hair, appeared homelike to the little girl, who had grown up
accustomed to all the luxuries of wealth. Above all, the head-mistress'
mention of her mother drew her heart toward the beautiful face, and
attracted her toward the rich, full tones of a voice which could be
powerful and commanding at will. Mrs. Willis, notwithstanding her white
hair, had a youthful face, and Hester made the comment which came first to
her lips:

"I did not think you were old enough to have taught my mother."

"I am sixty, dear, and I have kept this school for thirty years. Your
mother was not the only pupil who sent her children to be taught by me
when the time came. Now, you can sit on this stool by the fire and tell
me about your home. Your mother--ah, poor child, you would rather not
talk about her just yet. Helen's daughter must have strong feelings--ah,
yes; I see, I see. Another time, darling, when you know me better. Now
tell me about your little sister, and your father. You do not know,
perhaps, that I am Nan's godmother?"

After this the head-mistress and the new pupil had a long conversation.
Hester forgot her shyness; her whole heart had gone out instantly to this
beautiful woman who had known, and loved, and taught her mother.

"I will try to be good at school," she said at last; "but, oh, please,
Mrs. Willis, it does not seem to me to-night as if school-life could be
happy."

"It has its trials, Hester; but the brave and the noble girls often find
this time of discipline one of the best in their lives--good at the time,
very good to look back on by-and-by. You will find a miniature world
around you; you will be surrounded by temptations; and you will have rare
chances of proving whether your character can be strong and great and
true. I think, as a rule, my girls are happy, and as a rule they turn out
well. The great motto of life here, Hester, is earnestness. We are
earnest in our work, we are earnest in our play. A half-hearted girl has
no chance at Lavender House. In play-time, laugh with the merriest, my
child; in school-hours, study with the most studious. Do you understand
me?"

"