concert. Think of a whole week, and not a penny to come out of your
pocket; for Aunt Susan has a little sum put by, and she means to give
me and whichever of my school-fellows I like best a real treat. So now
you understand."

"Yes, I understand," said Phyllis.

"But you must help me to effect my object. I mean to part those two
girls--that ridiculous little Agnes and that hated Irene. I mean to part
them thoroughly."

"But I don't see how you can do it."

"Oh, don't you? I have thought of several ways. You know what a passion
Irene has for all sorts of creatures--newts and toads and frogs. Well, I
can also have a similar passion for those creatures. Anyhow, I have
half-a-crown in my pocket, and I mean to----But there--the others are
following us. Do let us talk in whispers. We needn't do it quite yet,
but we will do it in about a week's time; and then there'll be a great
rumpus, and most likely Irene will be expelled. Agnes can stay or not as
she likes. She is quite a timid little thing, and I only want to
separate her from Irene, and I want to prove to that horrid Rosamund
that she is wrong and I am right. That's all. You can help me, and we
will go to London afterwards. But please yourself."

"Let me think it over," said Phyllis. "Of course, I'd just love to go to
London with you. It seems too interesting for anything; but"----

"There is generally something to be put up with when great pleasure is
to be obtained," said Lucy. "I never had such a chance as this before,
and I can give it to any one else. There is Annie Millar, or Agnes
Sparkes--either of them would jump at it; or one of the Singleton girls.
As to poor Jane Denton--but she is not at the school at present; and
Laura Everett has plenty of fun of her own. I offer it to you now,
provided you will help me."

"I suppose I must; but will you give me a day to think over it?"

"Yes, think it over; think what it means. You will have to be my
confederate in this matter. It is just a little game I mean to play, and
I think I shall play it so effectually that there will be no more
friendship between pretty Agnes Frost and Irene Ashleigh."

CHAPTER XXVI.

IN ROSAMUND'S BOWER.

The days flew by, and apparently all was harmonious in the little
school. Agnes clung more closely than ever to Irene. Irene had
considerably altered. She was no longer specially wild. She was so much
absorbed in watching Agnes, in seeing that no one else put in any claim