one, though it was clear her companion
had been spoiled at home, and had probably had her own way before
coming to school.

"It does sound rather horrid," Barbara agreed, "and three years must
seem a long time; but it will go at last, you know."

The girl shook her head.

"Too slowly, far too slowly--it just crawls. I never have any one to
talk things over with, either, you see, for I can't trust the French
girls; they carry tales, I know. Even now--look how she watches me;
she longs to know what I'm saying."

Barbara looked round, and it was true that the visitor seemed more
interested in watching them than in Mademoiselle Therese's
conversation; and, directly she caught Barbara's eye, she got up
hastily and said they must go. Alice Meynell immediately relapsed into
sulkiness again; but, just as she was saying good-bye, she managed to
whisper--

"I shall run away soon. I know I can't stand it much longer."

The others were too near for Barbara to do more than give her a warm
squeeze of the hand; but she watched the girl out of sight, feeling
very sorry for her. If she had lived a free-and-easy life on her
father's plantation, never having known a mother's care, it was no
wonder that she should be a little wild and find her present life
irksome.

"She looks quite equal to doing something desperate," Barbara thought,
as she turned to go in to supper. "I must try to see her again soon,
for who knows what mad ideas a girl of only fifteen may take into her
head!"

CHAPTER X.

THE "AMERICAN PRETENDER."

"An invitation has come from Monsieur Dubois to visit them at Dol,"
Mademoiselle Therese exclaimed with pride, on opening her letters one
morning. "It is really particularly kind and nice of him. He includes
_you_," she added, turning to Barbara.

The girl had to think a few moments before remembering that Monsieur
Dubois was the "family friend" for whose sake the sisters had sunk
their grievances, and then she was genuinely pleased at the invitation.

"Now, which of us shall go?" mademoiselle proceeded. "It is clear we
cannot _all_ do so," and she looked inquiringly at her sister.

"Marie and I are _much_ too busy to accept invitations right and left
like that," Mademoiselle Loire replied loftily. "For people like you
and Mademoiselle Barbara, who have plenty of leisure, it will be a very
suitable excursion, I imagine."

Barbara looked a little anxiously at the younger sister, fearing she