scourse on games in
general, and school games in particular, with an air of such intimacy
and knowledge that no one would have suspected that the object of her
visit had been to listen, rather than to teach.

Ella listened meekly to a recital of what her friend intended to do, and
be; of the examinations she would pass, the honours she would gain; the
influence she would exercise over her fellows; and sighed to think of
her own limitations, and the impossibility of such a career ever falling
to her lot. And then Rhoda rose, and put on her gloves preparatory to
saying good-bye.

"I shall come down to see you again, of course, but I shall be very
busy. I am going to have a complete new outfit, and everything as nice
as possible."

"Ye-es," said the Vicar's daughter.

"I shall have all my best skirts lined with silk."

"Ah!" sighed Ella, and felt a pang of keenest envy. She had never
possessed a silk lining in her life. It seemed to her at times that if
she could only hear herself rustle as she walked, there would be nothing
left to wish for in life!

"They will think you are a Princess!" she said, and Rhoda smiled, and
did not attempt to deny the impeachment.

CHAPTER FOUR.

DEPARTURE.

Mr and Mrs Chester returned from their visit to Hurst Manor with
somewhat different accounts of the establishment. The father was
delighted with all he had seen, thought the arrangements excellent, and
Miss Bruce a charming and lovable woman. The mother did not see how
draughts were to be avoided in those long, bare passages, considered the
hours of work cruelly long, and was convinced that Miss Bruce could be
very stern if she chose. Her husband laughed, and declared that a
school of two hundred girls would fare badly indeed if she could not,
and the maternal fears were silenced at once by his banter, and by
Rhoda's fearless confidence.

It was finally decided that the girl should join at the beginning of the
term, and preparations were set on foot without delay. It was almost
like buying a trousseau, Rhoda declared; and certainly no bride-elect
could have taken a keener interest in her purchases. The big, new box
with her initials on the side; the dressing-bag with its dainty
fittings; the writing-case and workbox; the miniature medicine chest
stocked with domestic remedies, in case she should feel feverish or
chilled, have earache, toothache, or headache; be threatened with sore
throat or swollen glands--they