her and
her innocence and ignorance of real facts. This estimate of Master
Will's sympathy was not a mistaken one. He not only agreed with
grandmother about Peggy's innocence and ignorance, but in grandmother's
kind conclusion "that they must be good to her."

"But what did you mean about Tom? What has he done to make you think so
much better of him?" Will asked curiously.

While Tilly was enlightening him upon this point, Tom's voice was heard
saying, "Oh, here they are," and Tom himself came round the clump of
sheltering bushes accompanied by Peggy. And "We've been looking for you
everywhere," said Peggy. "We've just had another of the Strauss waltzes,
and the next thing is the 'Lancers;' and we want you and Tilly--"

"Will Wentworth, I want my property, if you please; that paper I gave
you to keep for me," a very different voice--a high, sharp voice that
the whole four recognized at once--interrupted here.

Tilly started, and turned pale.

"Don't be frightened, Tilly, she sha'n't have it," whispered Will.

Agnes flushed resentfully as she came forward and saw the confidential
friendliness of the little group. For "that girl" she had been neglected
and disregarded like this! Not a moment longer would she bear such
insults. It was all nonsense,--all that stuff about being prosecuted
for showing up facts. She would be stopped by that foolishness no
longer. She would first take her stand boldly, and let everybody know
what a fraud this Miss Smith was. These were some of the wild thoughts
that leaped up out of the bitter fountain in Agnes's distorted mind at
that instant, and her voice was sharper than ever as she again said,--

"I want my property,--the paper I gave you to keep for me."

Will had risen to his feet, and answered very coolly, "I can't give it
to you."

"What do you mean? Have you lost it?"

"No, but I can't give it to you."

"Have you read it?"

"Yes, and that's the reason I don't give it to you. I know if I should
you would--"

"Probably give it to Miss Smithson," cried Agnes, shrilly. "Miss
Smithson," going toward Peggy, "I--"

"Oh, Peggy, Peggy, come with me. We're all your friends,--grandmother
and I and Will and Tom; and we know how sweet and innocent you are. Oh,
Peggy, come, come, and don't listen to her!" burst forth Tilly, in an
agony of pity and horror, as she put an arm around Peggy to draw her
away.

But Peggy was not to be drawn away.

"What in the world is the matter? Wh