self a thing quite superfluous and
altogether out of my calculations. I had had some small experience of
girls even before Miss Irma came to change everything. And the fruit of
my observations had been that, though girls tell each other's secrets
freely enough, they keep a middling tight grip on their own. Nay, they
can even be trusted with yours, in so far as these concern
themselves--until, of course, you quarrel with them--and then--well,
then look out!

Certainly I found lots of chances to talk to Charlotte. In fact Agnes
Anne made them for me, and coached me on what to say out of books. Also
she cross-examined Charlotte afterwards upon my performances, and
supplemented what I had omitted by delivering the passage in full. My
poor version, however, pleased Charlotte just as much, for merely being
"walked out" gave her a standing among Miss Seraphina's young ladies,
who asked her what it felt like to be engaged.

All had to be gone about in so ceremonious a manner, too, at least at
first--when I made my formal call on Miss Huntingdon, who received me in
her parlour with prim civility, as if I had come to order a leghorn hat
of the best.

"My mother's compliments, and might Miss Charlotte Anderson be allowed
to accompany Agnes Anne to tea at four hours that day? I would be
responsible--yes, I knew Miss Huntingdon to be most particular upon this
point--for the convoy of the young ladies to the school-house, and would
see Miss Anderson safe home again."

My mother winked at these promenades, because in her heart of hearts she
was more than a little jealous of Irma. Charlotte Anderson she could
understand. She was of her own far-off kin, but Irma and her brother had
descended upon us, as it were, from another world.

Why Agnes Anne meddled I cannot so well make out, unless it were the
mania which at a certain age attacks most nice girls--that of
distributing their brothers among their dearest friends--as far, that
is, as they will go round.

So Charlotte and I walked under the tall firs of the Academy wood in the
hope that Irma might be passing that way. I escorted her home in full
sight of all Eden Valley--that was always on the look-out for whatever
might happen in the way of courtship about the shop of the famous
mantua-maker.

And yet (I know people will think I am lying) never, I say, did I find
Miss Irma so desirable in my eyes as when I saw her at Heathknowes
during these days of folly. It was not that sh