darkness.

CHAPTER II.

ITS DEVELOPMENT.

Next day there was much open wonder expressed concerning the absence of
any of the little bursts of excitement with which Mona Cameron and
Minnie Kimberley were wont to refresh the pupils of Miss Marsden's
Seminary for young Ladies. Some were even heard expressing
disappointment with the novel arrangement, and Mona, who seemed as
utterly at a loss to account for it as the rest, became rather piqued at
Minnie's serene imperturbability under her most potent thrusts, and was
fain to exercise her wit on some more vulnerable object. Minnie kept
closely to her work during lesson time, and even during the pauses
between classes was observed to sit quite still, attentively
contemplating the toe of her boot, and never once running over to
whisper to Mabel as she invariably did when she had something on her
mind.

Then, when lessons were over, and needlework began, she sat in her usual
place beside Mabel, but both appeared to be deeply interested in their
work, and did not exchange a word, although talking was quite allowable
during that time, and the privilege was usually taken advantage of fully
by Minnie.

This circumstance was construed by some to indicate that a quarrel had
taken place between the two friends, and was preying upon Minnie's mind,
which hypothesis, however, was quickly annihilated when the two walked
off together as usual, apparently on their usual terms, and in their
usual spirits.

Next day things stood in exactly the same position, and the girls were
beginning to get impatient for a solution of the mystery, but no
solution was forthcoming. Then came Saturday, on which day school was
not held, and the two friends were at liberty to discuss their project
in full.

They had arranged that the discussion was to take place at Mabel's home,
as Minnie's brothers were all at home on Saturday, and would be likely
to interfere with their intention of keeping the matter private.

Mabel was an only child, her father being a business man with whom the
world had not dealt too kindly. Her mother was dead, which circumstance
had first drawn Minnie towards her, for she also was motherless.

A sister of Mr. Chartres kept house for him, so that Mabel was at
liberty to spend as much time with her friend as she thought proper. She
would often have felt more comfortable if her aunt would have allowed
her to remain at home and render her some assistance with her househ