is such
a perfect lady herself that we shall know all the rules of polite
society when we leave the school."

"And I hate those rules," said Kitty; "but there, somebody is coming to
meet us. Oh, it is little Dolly Fairfax; she is sure to be bringing a
message."

CHAPTER III.

THE TELEGRAM.

Dolly came up in her brisk way. She was holding something concealed in
her little pinafore. She looked very mysterious. She had a round
cherub face and two great big blue eyes, and short hair, which she wore
in a curly mop all over her head. Dolly was the youngest girl in the
school and a great pet with everyone. When Bertha saw her now she
sprang to her feet and went forward in her somewhat clumsy way.

"Come, little Dolly," she said; "what's the mystery?"

"It's not for you, Bertha," said Dolly, "and don't you interrupt. It's
for--it's for Kitty Sharston."

"For me?" cried Kitty. "Oh, what a love you are, Dolly; come and sit
on my lap. Is it a box of bon-bons or is it a letter?"

"Guess again," said Dolly, clapping her hand to her little mouth, and
looking intensely mysterious. Her blue eyes rolled roguishly round
until they fixed themselves on Edith King's face, then she looked again
at Kitty as solemn as possible.

"You guess again," she said; "I'll give you five guesses. Now, then,
begin right away."

"It's the book that Annie Wallace said she would lend me--that's it,
now, isn't it, Dolly? See, I'll feel in your pinafore."

"No, it's not--wrong again," said Dolly; "that's three guesses--two
more."

Kitty made another guess--wrong again. Finally Dolly was induced to
unfold her pinafore, and inside lay an unopened telegram.

Now, in those days telegrams were not quite as common as they are now.
In the first place, they cost a shilling instead of sixpence, which
made a vast difference in their number. Kitty's face turned slightly
pale, she gripped the telegram, shook little Dolly off her lap, stood
up, and, turning her back to the girls, proceeded to open it. Her
slim, long fingers shook a little as she did so. She soon had the
envelope torn asunder and had taken out the pink sheet within. She
unfolded it and read the words. As she did so her face turned very
white. "Is the messenger waiting for an answer?" she said, turning to
Dolly.

"Yes," replied Dolly; "he is waiting up at the Court."

"Then I must run away at once and answer this," said Kitty. "Oh, I
wonder if I have got money e