f Kathleen, was somewhat serious to the other girls. To be
expelled meant to deprive them of their chance of being well educated
and of earning a decent living by-and-by. They all felt very grave, and
Kathleen, who had a great power of reading what went on in the hearts of
those in whom she was interested, felt somehow that their enthusiasm had
abated.

"But nothing will happen," she cried, "if we are faithful to each other,
stand shoulder to shoulder, and do not whatever happens, betray each
other. Why girls, Miss Ravenscroft and the governors can do nothing to
us unless they have proof, and they will have no proof if we are all
true to each other. Now that's the whole of it for to-night. We'll meet
in the quarry on Saturday night, and then we'll make a plan for a great
expedition all by ourselves to London in the course of next week."

"Oh dear," said Susy, "doesn't it make your heart throb?"

"And I want to add," continued Kathleen, "that I will frank you. I
can't do it always, but I will on this occasion. Aunt Katie O'Flynn has
given me some money for that purpose. So you will stick to me, won't you
girls?"

"That we will!" came from the mouths of all.

"And I am your captain, am I not girls?"

"Indeed you are. We could die for you," said one or two. "And we'll
never betray you or one another."

CHAPTER XXII.

RUTH'S HARD CHOICE: SHE CONSULTS HER GRANDFATHER.

The next morning Cassandra Weldon was much surprised, on arriving at the
school, to receive a message asking her to step into Miss Ravenscroft's
special sanctum. She went there at once, wondering if the head-mistress
wanted to give her particular instructions with regard to the great
scholarship examination which would take place at the end of the term.
Cassandra was remarkable for her calm and somewhat stately bearing; she
was the sort of girl who never gave herself away. She was admired rather
than passionately loved by her companions. No one could help giving her
a most sincere respect. But one or two adored her, and amongst these was
Florence Archer, a handsome, bright-faced, original sort of girl who was
in the same form as Cassandra.

"Be sure you come and tell me afterwards what it all means, Cassie,"
said Florence, touching her friend affectionately on the shoulder.

Cassandra nodded. She did not suppose the matter was of special import.
The rest of the girls proceeded to their different classes, and
Cassandra found herself in Miss