naughty I have been, I
will, on my part, be extra good. I will do my lessons most perfectly, and
never, never, never deceive Aunt Sophy again."

Now, Pauline, unaware that such a prayer could not possibly be answered,
felt a certain sense of security after she had made it.

In addition to the beautiful chain with its locket and its diamond star
in the middle, she had received several other presents of the gay and
loud and somewhat useless sort. Nancy's friends, Becky and Amy, had both
given her presents, and several young people of the party had brought
little trifles to present to the queen of the occasion. There was a time
when Pauline would have been highly delighted with these gifts, but that
time was not now. She felt the impossible tidies, the ugly pin-cushions,
the hideous toilet-covers, the grotesque night-dress bags to be more
burdens than treasures. What could she possibly do with them? The gold
chain and locket were another matter. She felt very proud of her chain
and her little heart-shaped locket. She was even mad enough to fasten the
chain round her neck that morning and hide it beneath her frock, and so
go downstairs with the diamond resting on her heart.

Miss Tredgold had wisely resolved that there were to be very few lessons
that day. The girls were to read history and a portion of one of
Shakespeare's plays, and afterwards they were to sit in the garden and do
their fancy-work. They were all glad of the quiet day and of the absence
of excitement, and as evening progressed they recovered from their
fatigue, and Pauline was as merry as the rest.

It was not until preparation hour that Pauline felt a hand laid on her
arm; two keen black eyes looked into her face, and a small girl clung to
her side.

"Oh, what is it, Pen?" said Pauline, almost crossly. "What do you want
now?"

"I thought perhaps you'd like to know," replied Penelope.

"To know what, you tiresome child? Don't press up against me; I hate
being pawed."

"Does you? Perhaps you'd rather things was knowed."

"What is it, Pen? You are always so mysterious and tiresome."

"Only that I think you ought to tell me," said Penelope, lowering her
voice and speaking with great gentleness. "I think you ought to tell me
all about the things that are hidden away in that bandbox under your
bed."

"What do you mean?" said Pauline, turning pale.

"Why, I thought I'd like to go into your room and have a good look
round."

"But you have no rig