."

She marched away in her usual stalwart fashion.

"I may have to take her with me," thought Pauline again. "If the others
won't be bribed, I must fall back on her."

She felt a curious sense of relief, for of course Penelope could be
bribed. A shilling would do it. Penelope would go to the end of the earth
for a shilling, particularly if it was given to her all in pence. Twelve
separate pence would send Penelope off her head.

CHAPTER XVI.

THE CONFERENCE.

It was late on the following evening when Pauline found herself alone
with Briar and Patty. Both these little girls had plenty of character;
but perhaps Patty had more of that estimable quality than her sister.
They were both straightforward by nature, upright and noble, and were
already benefiting by the discipline which had at last come into their
lives. The glories of the birthday which was so near were already
beginning to shed some of their rays over Pauline, and her sisters felt
themselves quite honored by her company.

"To think," said Briar, "that you are really only Paulie! I can scarcely
bring myself to believe it."

"Why so?" asked Pauline.

"In twelve hours' time--in less--you will be a queen."

"It is rather like the Lord Mayor," said Patty. "It's all very grand, but
it lasts for a very short time. Aunt Sophy was telling us to-day about
the Lord Mayor and the great, tremendous Show, and I began to think of
Pauline and her birthday. I could not help myself. It is a pity that a
birthday should only last such a very short time!"

"Yes, that is the worst of it," said Pauline. "But then it comes every
year. Perhaps it is all for the best that it should have a quick come and
a quick go. Of course, I shall be very happy to-morrow, but I dare say I
shall be glad when the next day arrives."

"Not you," said Briar. "I have known what the next day meant, even when
we had only shilling birthdays. The others used to cry out, 'Your
birthday is the farthest off now.' I used to keep my head covered under
the bedclothes rather than hear them say it. Adelaide and Josephine
always said it. But don't let's get melancholy over it now," continued
Briar in a sympathetic tone. "When you lie down to-night you won't be
able to sleep much; but you will sleep like a top to-morrow night. I
expect you will wake about every two minutes to-night. Oh, it is exciting
the night before a birthday! Even when we had shilling birthdays I used
to wake the night before