just then. "You
take me for a great dunce, Kitty, but I am not quite so bad as you
imagine."

"Oh, I know you are anything but a dunce," replied Kitty; "I don't take
you for one, I assure you, Florence, only I did hope that I might help
you in English History, for that is my strong point."

"You are quite conceited about it, I do believe," said Florence.
"There, don't pull my dress about any more. Thank you, I like my
cherry bow here better than in my belt. Don't touch me, please."

Florence hated herself beyond words for being so cross, but the fact
was her heart ached so badly she could scarcely be civil to Kitty.

She ran downstairs, and for the rest of the evening kept out of Kitty
Sharston's way.

Yes; it was a glorious evening, and everything passed off without a
hitch of any sort. The guests consisted of all the best people in the
neighborhood. They sat round and applauded all the girls, who danced
the minuet with becoming grace and looked very pretty as they glided
about on the lamp-lit lawn.

And then one or two of them recited, and one or two of them sang songs,
and then there was a great chorus in which all the girls joined, and
then they danced Sir Roger de Coverley to the merry strains of a string
band, and presently the great occasion of all came when the girls,
followed by the guests, entered the great central hall of Cherry Court,
and the prizes were given away.

Florence obtained two prizes, a beautiful edition of Scott's poems, and
also a little portfolio full of some pretty water-color drawings, for
Florence had a great taste for art, and had managed to come out at the
head of the school with her own water-color sketches.

The other girls also obtained prizes, all but Kitty Sharston, who was
not long enough in the school to be entitled to one.

Kitty found herself now close to Sir John Wallis, who motioned to her
to come up to his side, and pointed to a chair near where she could sit.

"I heard from your father this morning," he said, "and I mean to send
him a cable to Malta if you are elected as one of the fortunate three.
He expects to touch Malta on Saturday, and the cable will be waiting
for him with the good news, I make not the slightest doubt."

"Oh, will you? How splendid of you!" said Kitty; "but perhaps I shall
not succeed."

"Oh, yes, I have no doubt you will. Now, pluck up your courage, answer
your best; don't be a scrap afraid."

"But, Sir John, you must promise me