y usually had supper of milk and a few
biscuits, and went to their room not later than eight o'clock. The other
girls did not go to bed until half-past nine, and had a more substantial
meal at eight o'clock. Phyllis Flower, therefore, for every reason, was
best able to perform the mean trick by which Lucy meant to sever the
friendship between Irene and little Agnes; but the child must be
slightly alarmed, otherwise the hedgehog might be put into the bed and
she know nothing about it.

Consequently, just before the younger children's simple supper was
brought in on a tray, Lucy came and sat down near Agnes Frost.

"You must miss your Emily," she said.

Her tone was quite caressing and gentle. Little Agnes--who did not like
Lucy, but could not in her heart of hearts cherish ill-will towards any
one--raised her eyes now and said gently, "Of course I miss her; but
then, I have my dear Irene."

Lucy put on a smile which meant wonderful things.

"You are a very courageous little girl," she said after a pause.

Little Agnes was silent for a minute; then she said gravely, "I know
exactly what you mean by that, and I think you are mistaken. You said
things about my Irene which are not true."

"Oh, indeed! you accuse me of falsehood, do you?" said Lucy.

"Well, perhaps not exactly of falsehood; but I don't think it was kind
of you to tell me, for Irene is changed now. She could never do cruel
things now."

"She will never be changed. Don't you understand that she is not like
ordinary people? She is a sort of fairy, hardly like a human being at
all. I may as well tell you, now that Rosamund and Miss Frost are away,
that while Rosamund slept in the next room you were practically safe. I
will admit, although I have no love for Rosamund Cunliffe, that she is a
very brave and plucky girl. To-night, however----But I trust it will be
all right. I don't want to make you nervous. I trust it will be all
right."

Lucy moved off and sat down before her books and pretended to read.
By-and-by Irene, looking lovely in one of her prettiest pale-blue
dresses, entered the room. Little Agnes was sipping her milk very
slowly. Irene ran straight up to her. She had the power of almost
divining a person's thoughts, and she was conscious that the child was
troubled.

"What is it, pet?" she said. "Has anybody vexed you?"

"Oh, nobody--nobody, indeed, dear Irene."

"Well, that is all right. I wish I could go to bed with you to-night."

"