fascinated, but I did not think she would be so silly as to go there
against her aunt's wishes. I am afraid she is headstrong."

"She is the sort of a child to be goaded to distraction by Caroline. I
wish I had held my tongue. I can see Virginia is dreadfully upset
about something."

"I think I'll go over and talk to Charlotte," Alex said, as Miss Sarah
shut the oven door on the spice cake. Alexina had had dreams of
influencing Charlotte, and she felt a little annoyed that what she had
said on the subject of this foolish friendship had made such a slight
impression.

"Now don't you go and make matters worse, Alex," cautioned Miss Sarah.
"I have no doubt Caroline has harped on the matter till the child is
desperate. I feel terribly guilty."

"I am disappointed in her, and I mean to tell her so," Alex replied
firmly.

CHAPTER ELEVENTH

THE LAST STRAW

Charlotte was closing the piano after an hour's practice when Alexina
walked in. A week had passed since the discovery of her
disobedience,--a week of increasing unhappiness. The blow had fallen
unexpectedly. One day at dinner she had been conscious of something
amiss. A remark of her own met with no response; Aunt Caroline looked
haughty, Aunt Virginia despondent. Charlotte had not, however, guessed
the cause until she was summoned into the library and the question put
to her by Mrs. Millard, "Did you go to the Lyles' in defiance of my
express wishes, Charlotte?"

"I--"

"Yes or no, if you please."

"Yes," Charlotte answered, "but--"

"I want no explanations. There can be none."

"But, Aunt Caroline, you don't understand--"

"You are the one who seems not to understand," again Mrs. Millard
interrupted. "You have deliberately disobeyed. I see you are not to be
trusted. Hereafter, whenever you go out, you shall be provided with an
attendant. The carriage will take you to and from school, your Aunt
Virginia or I will accompany you to your music lesson when possible;
at other times Martha will go."

"Aunt Caroline, you might let me speak. I tried to tell Aunt
Virginia--I had promised Lucile--I had to go; but I am dreadfully
sorry, and--"

"Charlotte, I will not have any words on the subject. You have
deliberately disobeyed. Nothing you can say alters that." Mrs. Millard
swept from the room, almost running down Miss Virginia, who hovered
about the door.

"She did try to tell, Caroline," Charlotte heard her say.

"Nonsense, what difference can th