ooked just like Bonfanti, the ballet-teacher, and I believe if I
should look from our window and see him out there, looking toward this
house, I'd not dare to go out for days."

Dorothy tried to comfort her, by saying:

"But, Nancy dear, we've _not_ seen him since that day, and he's miles
away from here by this time, as likely as not."

Patricia needed to hear no more. She could not make Nancy less popular,
but here was a fine chance for annoying her.

It was strange what pleasure it afforded Patricia to make others
unhappy! She never seemed to know that in striving to annoy others, she
was constantly proving that she herself was disagreeable.

She hastened out to the nearest mail box with the letter, and then
returning to her room, sat down to think.

"I wish you'd talk," said Arabella. "It's awful dull this cloudy
afternoon."

Patricia was in no mood for talking, and Arabella dared not insist.

It was after dinner when the pupils met in the cheery reception-hall for
a little chat before going to their rooms, that Patricia saw her chance,
and took it.

Some one asked Nancy if she and Dorothy had been out for their usual
walk.

"It seemed a bit raw," she replied, "so we remained in."

Patricia, who had been moving nearer, now stood at Nancy's elbow.

"Did you notice a big, dark man, this morning looking up toward your
window?" she asked: "Do you know who he is? We saw him the day of the
sleigh-ride, and that was weeks ago. I believe he is always right
around here, for I don't know how many times I have seen him. He always
simply _stares_ toward your windows. I thought perhaps you knew him."

Nancy turned pale, and Mrs. Marvin, who was near them, saw Dorothy draw
Nancy closer as if to protect her.

"Is Nancy ill?" she asked kindly.

Patricia had left the hall when she saw Mrs. Marvin speaking to Dorothy.

Dorothy explained how frightened Nancy had been ever since the
sleigh-ride, a few weeks before.

"Come into my apartment and tell me all about this. I am greatly
interested," she said.

They were only too glad to escape the curious eyes that now were
watching them, and together they told Mrs. Marvin the story of Nancy's
career. When they reached the point where Patricia had told them of the
man who had stood looking up at their windows that afternoon, a look of
relief passed over her face, and she actually laughed.

"You two dear little friends may rest easy to-night," she said, "for the
man whom