s no one who has the motive I have, and this will
carry me through. I mean first of all to come out one of the lucky
three--that's certain."

"When is the preliminary examination to take place, Kitty?"

"On the day of the Cherry Feast," replied Kitty.

"Well, dear, I have been thinking matters over. If you fail you fail,
but I am determined to give you this chance. I shall see Mrs.
Clavering before I leave and arrange that you are to stay with her
until October; then if you win the Scholarship your future is arranged;
you take your three years' education, and then by hook or by crook, my
darling, you come out to me to India, for by then, unless I am vastly
mistaken, I shall have got into a hill station where it will be safe
for you to stay with me."

"Oh, you darling, how heavenly it will be!" said Kitty. She clung
close to her father, flung her arms round his neck, laid her head on
his breast, and looked at him with eyes swimming in tears.

"Oh, I am not a bit unhappy, though I cry," she said, "it is only
because I feel your goodness so much, for though I would have tried
away with Helen Dartmoor I should not have had the chance I shall have
here, for Mrs. Clavering is very good, and I know she wants me to get
the prize, only she feels that I must compete fairly with the other
girls."

"Of course, you must compete fairly with the other girls, Kitty," said
her father; "if I thought there was any special favoritism in this,
well--" His bronzed cheeks flushed, an indignant light fired his eyes.

"What, father?"

"I am a proud man, Kitty, and Helen Dartmoor is your cousin, and would
keep you for the very small sum which it is in my power to offer her."

"Your pride shall not be hurt, father, darling. I will win the
Scholarship honorably and in open fight."

"That is my own Kitty."

"I vow I'll win it," said the girl.

The Major smiled at her. "You must not be too sure," he said, "or you
will be doubly disappointed if you fail. And now there is one thing
more to be said, and then we can talk on other matters. If you do
fail, my Kitty, you will go to Helen Dartmoor with a heart and a half."

"What do you mean?"

"I mean that you will go to her and not allow hope to die out of your
breast; you will go as a brave girl should, making the best of what
seems an adverse circumstance. If you do this, Kitty, it will be
severe discipline, but not too severe discipline for a soldier's
daughter. Never forge