gue distrust of an intimacy between the two girls. Idle, vain,
malicious, false--to know that Francine's character presented these
faults, without any discoverable merits to set against them, was surely
enough to justify a gloomy view of the prospect, if she succeeded in
winning the position of Emily's friend. Alban reasoned it out logically
in this way--without satisfying himself, and without accounting for
the remembrance that haunted him of Mrs. Ellmother's farewell look. "A
commonplace man would say we are both in a morbid state of mind," he
thought; "and sometimes commonplace men turn out to be right."

He was too deeply preoccupied to notice that he had advanced perilously
near Francine's window. She suddenly stepped out of her room, and spoke
to him.

"Do you happen to know, Mr. Morris, why Mrs. Ellmother has gone away
without bidding me good-by?"

"She was probably afraid, Miss de Sor, that you might make her the
victim of another joke."

Francine eyed him steadily. "Have you any particular reason for speaking
to me in that way?"

"I am not aware that I have answered you rudely--if that is what you
mean."

"That is _not_ what I mean. You seem to have taken a dislike to me. I
should be glad to know why."

"I dislike cruelty--and you have behaved cruelly to Mrs. Ellmother."

"Meaning to be cruel?" Francine inquired.

"You know as well as I do, Miss de Sor, that I can't answer that
question."

Francine looked at him again "Am I to understand that we are enemies?"
she asked.

"You are to understand," he replied, "that a person whom Miss Ladd
employs to help her in teaching, cannot always presume to express his
sentiments in speaking to the young ladies."

"If that means anything, Mr. Morris, it means that we are enemies."

"It means, Miss de Sor, that I am the drawing-master at this school, and
that I am called to my class."

Francine returned to her room, relieved of the only doubt that had
troubled her. Plainly no suspicion that she had overheard what passed
between Mrs. Ellmother and himself existed in Alban's mind. As to the
use to be made of her discovery, she felt no difficulty in deciding to
wait, and be guided by events. Her curiosity and her self-esteem had
been alike gratified--she had got the better of Mrs. Ellmother at last,
and with that triumph she was content. While Emily remained her friend,
it would be an act of useless cruelty to disclose the terrible truth.
There had certainly b