y Sharston won the prize offered by Sir John Wallis, and of course stayed on at the school; and that Bertha Keys, finding her game w

nd it came to pass that Bertha Keys, although she had failed in the case of Cherry Court

hat she absolutely made up her mind to lay sieg

Wallis's fine old house. The part that Bertha had played in the affair, which had lowered her niece in her eyes for ever, was very slightly impressed on

although she pretended not to care, and a month or two a

th regard to testimonials, taking care never to breathe the name of Cherry Court School. She secure

tion of an excellent school which he knew of. She was well educated,

John Wallis on leaving school, and with this slender pro

e of beauty and grace. Her father was now returni

She always spoke out what she thought, and the next morning at breakfast, as the two gir

id, "I am nothing

daughter, with a twinkle in her b

been thinking thi

; "where did you sleep last night? You don't know how uncom

subject of fear, your fears were re

ought we to stay on here, Florry,

t is, I cannot, and if I could Sukey would not allow it. Sukey says that a greater stint she will not bear, and twelve pounds ten a quarter cannot be made

, Mummy, o

ther will be more than astonished, and the place is so lovely, and I am enjoying it grea

fifteen shillings over for clear profit. Why, I won't know myself. I might be able to buy some new clothes; for I declare, my dears, I am shabby, having turned and turned

where you slept last night,

a neighbour, or, rather, Sukey borrowed them for me, for it would never do for my friends to suppose that I have not got

rence burst out laughing. She jumped up, went

" she said; "you are to

, Florence, and could never manage on a table, but a little woman like me-why, it comes in most handy. Everything is arranged for the best, and so I always say."

if you think that it isn't worth that small discomfort for the sake of having you two bright young things about the house, and the neighbours remarking

ought you said you had in the back

ked at both girls. "I wonder, Kitty Shars

. Aylmer," r

ible way to punish my sister-in-law, Susan Aylmer, and have everything that was wrong pu

d Florence. "As if I would," she added, jumping t

ng it all. You have but to show the fascinations which all women oug

am distressed that you should say it, and more

ylmer

lendid coup; it would serve her right. She would be forced to have you living with her after all. I a

word," cried Florence, and she j

filled with tears. Sh

trifle, but she seems just as obdurate as ever. It was such a beautiful idea, and it came over me in the night, and I thought I would tell Florence at once, an

never do," said Kitty. "How can you thi