ilder. Now I shall be expelled from college and it is all
your fault. You are--"

At this juncture, however, Emma Dean took a hand. Without giving Grace
an opportunity to say a word she marched over to the excited Evelyn.
"Miss Ward, leave this room instantly, and do not come into it again
until you have asked Miss Harlowe to pardon you."

In contrast to Evelyn's half-screamed denunciation Emma's voice was low
and even, but it vibrated with stern command.

"I--she--" began Evelyn, but the look in Emma's eyes was too much for
her. With a half-sobbing cry of anger she rushed from the room.

CHAPTER XIX

AN UNINTENTIONAL LISTENER

"Delightful young person," commented Emma dryly, as the resounding slam
of the door echoed through the room.

Grace walked slowly over to the chair which she had been occupying when
Evelyn had made her tempestuous entrance, and sat down. There was a
brief silence, then, "Do you suppose Miss Wilder will send Evelyn home?"

"Grace, you aren't going to try to intercede for that hateful girl after
this," Emma's tones quivered with vexation.

"I don't know. I suppose it wouldn't be of much use. Miss Wilder won't
tolerate out and out disobedience. I--yes, Emma, I'm going to see if I
can save her. I'm going now."

Grace sprang from her chair and began slipping into her wraps.

Emma eyed her moodily, struggling between approval and disapproval, but
saying nothing.

"Good-bye, dear," called Grace over her shoulder as she hurried out the
door. "I'm afraid I'll be late for dinner. Don't wait for me."

Outside the house she paused, glanced toward Overton Hall, then set off
in the opposite direction toward Miss Wilder's home.

"I hope she's at home," was Grace's anxious thought as she rang the
bell.

"Miss Wilder's in the library, miss. I'll call her," informed the maid.
"Come in. It's Miss Harlowe wants to see her, isn't it?"

"Yes," Grace smiled in pleasant appreciation of the maid's remembrance
of her.

"Good evening, Miss Harlowe." Miss Wilder rose to greet her unexpected
visitor and offered her a chair.

Grace returned the greeting, then seated herself directly opposite the
dean.

"Miss Wilder, I came to see you," she burst forth, "to ask you if there
is--if you could give Miss Ward another chance. She came to me to-night
and said that she was to be sent home for what happened last Saturday. I
am sorry that she has put herself in such an unpleasant position, but I
am more