re, something like a jury at a court of justice,
on hearing the essays, to give their votes for the lucky winner of the
Scholarship, and then Sir John was to crown the successful girl with
glory. A chaplet of silver bay-leaves was to encircle her brow, and
the locket and chain were to be put round her neck. She was to receive
the purse which would contain the expenses for one year at Cherry Court
School, and the parchment scroll, which through all time would testify
to her ability and her triumph, was to be put into her hand.

"Yes, nothing could be more perfect than the arrangements," said Miss
Dartmoor, who had heard all about the programme during the course of
the day; "but," she added, fixing her eyes now upon the elder Mrs.
Aylmer's face, "I disapprove of this sort of thing immensely. I don't
suppose for a single moment my cousin, Catherine Sharston, will get the
Scholarship; but seeds of envy and discontent will be sown in her
heart, and I shall have some trouble in bringing her into a proper
frame of mind when she joins me in Scotland."

"I pity you," said Mrs. Aylmer, in reply to this speech, "but the girl
looks well-meaning and easily influenced."

"Oh, am I?" thought Kitty, who overheard these words and who could not
help giving her little head a toss; "I doubt it. Oh, if it were not
for father I don't think I could go through with this evening."

Meanwhile Florence had slipped out of the room. In her pretty Greek
dress she glided down the corridor, met a servant, and asked her if the
young ladies from school had yet come.

"Yes, miss," was the reply, "and they are all unrobing in the green
bedroom at the end of this corridor."

"I should be so much obliged if you would do something for me," said
Florence.

"Of course I will, miss," was the reply. The girl gave Florence a
long, admiring look. She could not help being struck with the elegant
dress and the eager, passionate, quivering face. "What is it you want,
miss?--I'll do anything you wish."

"I want you to go into the green bedroom and ask if Miss Keys is there.
If she is, say that I, Florence Aylmer, would like to see her for a few
moments."

The servant tripped off at once, and a moment later Bertha joined
Florence in the corridor.

"Is there anywhere where we can be alone?" said Florence, clasping
Bertha's hand.

"Oh, my dear Flo, how lovely you look! What a charming, charming robe!"

"Don't talk about my dress now, and don't say