you wear green, and
why some people call you the Leaves."

"One person, you mean," said Maud, coloring slightly.

Lucy gave Rosamund an angry glance, and even managed to kick her under
the table. This kick was highly resented by that young person, who, as
she said to herself, stiffened her neck on the spot and determined to
show what mettle she was made of.

"I'm not going to be mastered by that horrid Lucy, come what may," she
thought.

Although it was impossible to be absolutely rude to Maud, who was one of
those charming girls, unaffected, affectionate, and natural, who must
delight every one, yet Rosamund's real object was to have a talk with
"Cartery love." Now, Cartery's hands were full at that moment, for she
was absorbed pouring out coffee at the other end of the table, never
thinking once of herself, attending to the wants of every one else. She
was one of those retiring people who may come and go in a crowd without
any one specially noticing them; but if a kind office is wanted to be
done in the most unobtrusive and gentle way, then "Cartery love" was
sure to be at the fore. On this occasion she did glance once or twice at
Rosamund, and something which was not often seen in her eyes filled them
for a moment--a look of mingled admiration and fear. Rosamund determined
to bide her time.

"I have not come here to make friends with the stupid Leaves," she said
to herself. "I have come here to talk to Miss Carter, and talk to her I
will. The week is coming to a close, and I have to give my decision. How
that decision will turn out depends as much on 'Cartery love' as on
anybody else."

Tea, good as it was, came to an end at last, and the children went out
into the grounds, some to play tennis, some croquet, and some to wander
away, two and two, each talking, as girls will, of their hopes and fears
and ambitions.

Rosamund, to whom Maud devoted herself, turned suddenly to that young
person.

"I will confide in you," she said. "You are longing to play tennis, are
you not?"

"Oh no, thank you, not at all," said Maud, who was one of the champion
players of the neighborhood, and could never bear to be out of any game
that was in progress.

"But I know you are. I can read through people pretty well," said
Rosamund, speaking in a low tone. "Now, I want to have a little talk
with Miss Carter. Won't you go and play, and forget all about me, and
let me have a chat with Miss Carter?"

"With our darling Cartery